whims

Caught in the Rain

As of today, I’ve been in Panama 27 days. That’s awhile, almost a third of the entire time I’ll be here. That’s exciting because the second third is usually when things start taking off, and the third is when it’s all golden. I’m glad the first is over; there hasn’t been much action, but I do have a few things to tell.

1) I got a dog. Yes, yes, I got a dog. Her name is Vera and I got her from Veracrus, which is a town near Panama City. She didn’t have a home and was so skinny. I brought her home without asking my flatmates, but not before taking her to the vet. The roomies weren’t too happy and honestly still aren’t, but I don’t regret it. I would like to say that I’d do things differently the next time, but I don’t think I would, because it’s not really possible; it was completely spur of the moment and had I stopped to ask, it wouldn’t have happened. I thought I’d keep her when I took her. I thought I’d take her back to Canada. Although I question the decision everyday, I really don’t think I can. Even if I could manage her for the year that I’m in Montreal, what happens after? Although, I may be able to find her a family up there. She’s such a peach. But, my flatmates are not happy she’s here and want her out. I’m actually pretty disappointed in them in that regard, disappointed and surprised, but I can’t really judge or say anything because I didn’t ask. I guess some people just aren’t animal people. There is a taxi driver who wants her. She won’t have a princess life with him, but it’ll be better than that she was going to have. If I were to decide to keep her, I’d have to make a lot of sacrifices. I’m lucky, though, the security guards here in Clayton take care of her when I go to work or away for the weekend.

2) Work is going okay. I’m planning my research and have sent the application to McGill for ethical approval. That will take as long as it will take. In the mean time, I’ve been able to spend more time with the dog and have been visiting other projects to see what they’re all about. In this way, I’m going to get a good view and understanding of how health works here in Panama. I’ve actually got to meet quite a few people, all of whom are very warm and helpful. Today, I had a meeting with a man who runs the Vector Control Office for the Metropolitan Area and we talked about their programs to control the mosquito. He said there’s not a lot of Dengue in the native population, which makes me feel like maybe my study isn’t all that important. But, oh well, it’ll be interesting. I’m hoping to really start next week.

3) Isla Grande. This past weekend, we (people from the house and a Spanish girl one of my flatmates works with) to Isla Grande, which is supposedly the spot of choice for city dwellers in Panama to escape. It’s a small island in the Caribbean. J Hehe…YES! I went to the Caribbean. It was amazing; I don’t think I’d ever been in such a nice place before. We went Saturday morning and hung out on the beach, ate, etc. There wasn’t a ton to do, but it was nice all the same. Too bad it was cloudy. Oh well. I went for a walk by myself the next morning (I’m the morning person of the group…) and almost broke my toe! I’m okay though. Phew! The ride there from Panama City cost a whole 6.50$....crazy nothing. I have to pay 3$ to get to work in a taxi!

4) The living situation is just fine. I would never have chosen to live here if I had had the choice because I’d much rather be in the city and close to the action, but it’s safe and tranquil and the security guards love my dog. The house situation is okay. When you throw a bunch of strangers together in an intense situation, things are bound to be tense sometimes. The dog is an issue. The cockroaches are another. We’re all feeling a bit of cabin fever, but I’m hoping that’ll all change soon as we get more orientated and figure out what we want to get out of this and how to do it.

5) Rain. WOW! Intense! Yesterday (and again now) it rained so hard it flooded the streets. I had to run home from the bus station but was still completely drenched…after 3 seconds I was drenched. The rain is amazing but also puts a damper on our experience because we can’t go out when it’s raining and when it floods the streets, even worse. I guess that’s kind of the metaphor for the experience so far: loving it but feeling trapped or stuck at the same time. Luckily, I have my puppy to keep me company ;)

posted by Marielly @ 1:35 PM