Read in the paper today that the Panamanian government just changed the law covering tourists in Panama. Under the former law, tourists were able to stay in Panama for 90 days with the possibility of extending their time here twice. However, under the new (and improved?) law, tourists are only allowed here 30 days with one possibility of extending their stay. Yesterday I went to bed believing I was a law abiding tourist, today I woke up as an illegal alien. And tomorrow? Who knows.
The thought of a volunteer teacher being deported back to the United States does strike me as funny. Maybe my Mom will get her wish granted of her long lost daughter finding her way back to Texas sooner rather than later… but I doubt it. The majority of people I hang out with here are illegals too from all parts of the world.
On to the good news! Last Sunday I took a trip to Veracruz with my friend and anthropologist student Andrés who is contributing to a project about the effects of globalization on indigenous groups in Latin America. From what I hear about the project, should be some really interesting finds. More specifically Andrés is focusing on the Kuna Indians who live and work in and around Panama City. After the Kunas heard about the project that I am involved with here in the city, they wanted to meet me and learn more.
It was such an honor to be invited and welcomed into the Kuna community in Veracruz. Though Veracruz is easily found by a short bus ride from Panama, tourists are not welcomed into their neighborhood without the recommendation of someone who knows them. I actually got to attend a meeting with the head Kuna leader of the area, Manuel. Once he discovered I was an English teacher, he was super excited to practice what English he knew.
Manuel told me many things about their community and desire for change. Currently there are no English classes for the three hundred plus children who attend school. No computer lab exists there either. Worst of all, the youth of Veracruz has fallen into drug addiction and gang involvement.
My students in the AT program that I teach in Panama have been involved in a sketchy path as well, but have been able to successfully turn their lives around by becoming tour guides for the San Felipe area. The possibility of beginning such a program in Veracruz seems like a natural next step according to the elder Kunas.
In other news, two friends from Portland- Andrea and David passed through Panama this week and we had great fun playing around the city. I was excited to show them around the neighborhood, and last Friday we went to the local club Platea and enjoyed live salsa music. I always have a lot of fun watching the salsa dancers swing each other around, and as Andrea put it going there is like being in a movie. Definitely, I have to agree. There’s nothing like being in a smoky dark room, and watching a real live Panamanian salsa band perform!
