And the blind shall see...

Last Saturday a medical team made up of doctors and nurses from all over the US came to Volcan to set up a week long clinic. There has been two clinic locations. One for general medicine which has been mostly mom's and kids. The other clinic was strictly for pulling teeth and two eye surgeries: cataract and another I can't remember the name of. There were so many people needing surgeries that the screening team had to only take patients with two bad eyes so they could fix one. The idea was, if they couldn't fix every eye, they wanted everyone to at least have one good eye. The clinic has been open for 3 days so far and they've been averaging about 30 surgeries a day...that's 90 practically blind people seeing again!

The doctors allowed us to go in a watch a few cataract surgeries. I'll spare you the details, but Dr. Burcham was a great teacher explaining each step to us, and continually reminding us that if we felt hot or weird to go sit down. We actually saw him pull out a cataract that was about a centimeter in diameter. It was crazy.

As Kyle mentioned, I have been in charge of cooking, helping with laundry, cleaning, etc. at Joy's house for patients that have come from out of town to rest overnight after the surgery and a handful of translators. We've had the pleasure to get to know a few peace corps workers in their 20's who have been in Panama anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. It was great hearing their stories and projects they have helped on.

I have truly enjoyed cooking for everyone. I was a little intimidated at first because I'm cooking for Panamanians and an American from the South. As you know, I am from the north so I have no idea how to make pork chops and bbq beans. I suggested just heating up the beans, but I was dead wrong. There is a whole process of things added and then they are slow cooked forever. However, after proving I can cook Southern, I had a few Panamanian tests: Pollo Guisado (poy-yo geesaldo) and Hojaldras (o-hal-drrrras). Luckily Aunt Lisa made Pollo Guisado for us in the states so I had a good recipe to go by. Hojaldras is a fried bread made from lots and lots of kneading (see video)

It was a blessing to be able to serve and love people like that: through food and hospitality. I really enjoy my job this week! One lady that stayed with us had to be led around the house by her daughter because her left eye was totally blind and her right had a very bad cataract. After the surgery she was able to walk all by herself. She was able to see our faces and say thank you for taking care of them and feeding them. It was a beautiful moment.

Being at the house was great because I could practice the little bit of Spanish I have and when I got stuck I could type in into Spanishdict.com for quick and easy translation. I actually had an hour conversation with a man named Baldilio like this about hydroponics. I know 5 Spanish verbs, numbers up to 10, a few family member words, and the word allergic. This makes for a boring very short conversation, but with the online translator to help me find the words for grow, water pump, soil, fertilizer, I was able to teach someone a very easy way for him to grow organically where he lives with bad soil and no land space.

Busy week...

It's been a busy week. Joy is helping to host a group of doctors here in Volcan. Lynea is cooking for some of the out-of-town patients that are staying with us, and I've been driving a truck around everywhere playing taxi-man. More to come soon!

Coffee

Raise your hand if you drink coffee. Raise your hand if you really enjoy coffee and have had many meaningful, life-altering conversations over a cup of this gift. Raise your hand if you know what a French press is (no, not Tony Parker playing defense in the backcourt). Do you know what the term "fully city roast" means? What about the term "cupping"?

Anyway, coffee is a part of most of our daily lives. Most of us don't even think about not having it. In recent years I've learned to appreciate the different ways of drinking, brewing, and roasting it (I'll have to put up some vids of me roasting coffee at home). And now, being in Panama (especially in high elevations), we are right in the midst of a coffee growing culture, a part of the process that I've never been able to see in person. So here's what I'm interested in learning:

How does coffee grow?

What makes some coffees better than others?

Who makes the most money in this business?

Do the workers get paid enough? If I see working conditions will I still want to drink coffee?

Would I ever want to have a coffee shop someday?

Here's our first half-a-day visit to a major coffee growing region. The city is called Boquete. Enjoy.

It's all Christmassy, with the deep green leaves and ripe, red coffee cherries.

Coffee beans (or seeds) come from these "coffee cherries" below. Each cherry has 2 bean halves.

The view down into the valley. Coffee grows best in high altitudes.

Trying a way-too-expensive cup of coffee. But, hey, I had to.

My coffee budget for the week!

Volcan

The other day we arrived in Volcan at night, unable to see anything. But we were greeted the next morning with beautiful scenery surrounding us. Volcan is at the base of a volcano and is part of the region called the "breadbasket of Panama." So far, we've helped out with the daily chores around the house and are trying to pick up more Spanish. Everyone is really helpful and patient, though. Lynea is picking up a lot for never having studied it in school.

Carlos in the garden, planting corn.

Joy and Yari (who lives with her). They're very kind!

Everyone takes siestas here

Joy let me name her sheep. The sheep is now called Trace. Similar to tres (3) in Spanish. It lost a leg to a dog.

The backyard at Joy's

Volcan is quite stunning when the clouds roll in

The volcano erupted and we ran for our lives!

It's really a cool cloud.

Meet the animals

Starting over...

Going to a different country is a bit like rebirth; like being a child again. You can't speak, people have to lead you around everywhere, you're awkward and insecure (like the teenage years). It doesn't matter what you've done in life up to this point. You're back at square one, in a sense, learning a new culture, language, rhythm of life. It's good. It's humbling. It's a little disorienting.

Today, we left Panama City and, consequently, our dear friends Keith and Marion. I say "dear" not in terms of longevity in the relationship, but in depth. We really barely know them, but we connected with them really well and had great conversations over our 2 day stay. Very knowledgeable, kind and hospitable sort of folks.

Keith really does not need a cane, but somehow ended up with one in the pic.

Keith and Marion

Keith took us to the Panama Canal last night. It was great, and I'm sure we'll be back during the day sometime to see more.

Today, we got on a bus at 8:30am and traveled 8 hours to the city of David (Da-veed). We were picked up by a lady named Joy who took us to her home in a place called Volcan. We're gonna stay with her for a couple weeks until my Aunt and Uncle get back from the U.S. This week she'll be hosting a team of doctors and 4 Peace Corps translators. They'll be doing cataract surgeries, dental work and other medical "stuff". We'll be helping out as much as we can. I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (I joke).

Some vids of our journey. We got front row seats on the top of a double-decker bus!

Crossing the Canal

Florida Review

We're far behind in the blogosphere, but here are some random pics and vids of the past few months in Florida. We got to reconnect with many of our friends and family and made some great new friends as well!

A place that sells young couples and swings.

When Judah misbehaves we have to put on "the harness" (or he just got finished with a zip line)

Kenna and Judah

Diogo and Apollo

We took Judah to the farm we've been working at.

Some of Lynea's recent artwork.

New buddy James. He's nicer than he looks.

Heather, Rob and Lynea

At the airport last night with my grown up sister.

No shame, no gain. Denton and I playing the Wii

Zip line

My 84 year old Grandmother jumping off a brick wall. For the first time I was scolding her.

On our way to Panama...

Sitting in the airport in Orlando waiting to board a flying chunk of metal. More to come soon!