Panama Was Awesome!

We’ve been in Panama since January. We've "hung our hats" in 5 different homes/tents and have met some great people along the way. 

Obviously Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa

The church in El Valle 

Keith and Marion in Panama City

Joy, Yari, Carlos, and Luis in Volcan

Sally, Penny and the pups…they weren’t human but they loved us unconditionally!

Our peace corps friends Annie, Dee, Ian, Matt, and Madye

Kelly and Ryan

Clint, Becky, Roger and Elly in Volcan

Debbie and Alan (Kelly’s parents) in Boquette

John, Marcelino, Pete, Kimmy, Becca, and Manu at Fina De Los Perezosos

Hike with El Valle teens up La India Dormida.

The El Valle teens

The El Valle Church. I really got close with Bianca which is funny because I didn't speak much Spanish then and she doesn't speak English, but we both "understood" each other. She would speak in Spanish and I would answer in English. It worked for us. Kyle and her husband, Nico, would just shake their heads at us like, "How are they doing that?" Kyle found a good friendship with Emmanuel...they would read books together, cook, and of course the infamous cashew roasting. 

Keith went to high school with Aunt Lisa and they've stayed friends all these years. They both happen to live in Panama now and we got to spend many weekends in Panama city with these two now wonderful, dear friends. Even though I did not like having to go to the dentist 5 times nor did I like what it did to our bank account, the friendship we have with these two is priceless.

Kyle and Yari swimming in el rio in Volcan. I didn't want to get wet because I was cold, so I didn't get in. Ironically, it poured the whole walk home and we were drenched.

Yari, Carlos, Kyle, and I went hiking to a waterfall with James who came all the way from Orlando to visit for my birthday! He is now in Europe with some hilarious tales to tell. Check out his blog for some good laughs!

We laughed so hard so many times with Yari, her brother Luis, and her cousin Carlos. Great times. Like this one when Carlos found a hole in the rio. 

The pups in Volcan. 

Making eco stoves with our Peace Corp friends Annie, Dee, and Matt.

Kyle and Matt....who is also interested in farming and intentional communities. We had some great talks with him over coffee and good food. And he made Kyle feel not so tall and skinny. 

Kelly and Ryan and their 3 kids: Anna 8, Nora almost 5, and Jake 17 mo. We clicked so fast and so well with them. Friends like this make the "homeless traveling" life doable, but I almost hate meeting friends like this because it's so hard to say goodbye. We'll miss them!!! Especially the way Anna and Nora sneak up and share big bear hugs!!! Precious. 

Manu working hard to build a new bedroom for the chickens.

Marcelino and Pete working hard building the new house for the chickens. Pete of course being silly. 

Wow. It’s crazy to see written out the relationships we’ve made in just 7 months!!! And how encouraging each person has been in our lives. I can only hope that we’ve been just as encouraging to them.