Day 5 with the Embera Tribe

 Saturday morning we piled into a canoe and traveled through the water to the Embera tribe. They first loaded us in a canoe and had a motor and a guide stood in the rear and a guide in the front of the canoe and they navigated us out to a really cool waterfall. 

I felt like I was living in the movie Anaconda. Where the boats are traveling through jungley waters that are snake infested. I fully expected an anaconda to jump out at us at any moment! Luckily that didn't happen. 

Our guide took very good care of us and guided the boat effortlessly. If he put his arm out to the side, the guide in the back would instantly know where to steer the canoe. They didn't speak to each other or look at each other, they just knew what to do and how to direct the boat. 

We passed a few villages along the way. We learned that they really try to keep all their ancestors traditions alive and they don't use technology at all. They typically don't even wear much clothes, only when guests come. 

We arrived at the waterfall and it was overflowing with water. My dad was there in April with Justin's family, and there was about half as much water coming over. They have received a lot of rain and they wouldn't let us get close to the waterfall. But some of the local guides got close and jumped in and 

We could get in and swim around a bit. After we all got in the water they showed us that if you threw some food in the water, the fish would go crazy trying to get it....it creeped me out a bit knowing that that many fish were swimming around me. I only go in up to my legs! 

After our waterfall fun, we walked back to our boat and went to their tribe's home. It was incredible watching all these young guides climbing on and manuvering over the sharp wet rocks with bare feet, hanging on to us and telling us where to step and what to do. Their feet and hands were very strong and nimble. 

As we pulled up to the shore, small children ran and danced for us and the women too. The men played drums and the chief came out to welcome us to the island. 

I instantly felt like I was living in Moana!

They gathered us into their hut and showed taught us about their traditions They showed us their crafts and told us the dollar amount represented how many days it took to make it. So a craft that took 25 days would cost $25. 

They then danced for us and then made everyone get up and dance with them! It really was fun to dance around with everyone moving. 

The ladies performance was so powerful and cool. You could tell they were all strong women and took pride in their culture. 

At lunch time, they presented us with tilapia that had been caught that morning, plantain chips and lots of fresh fruit! They packaged it all up in a banana leaf envelope and put a hibiscus flower on for decoration. It was beautiful and pretty tasty. I was hesitant to eat it, but it actually was pretty good! 

My girls loved the fruit and it was so yummy. We even got to try a few new fruits while we were there. But we all wished fruit would taste like this at home! 

After lunch, each family had a craft table that they set up around the room. We were then free and encouraged to shop and buy. 

Oh the little babies were SO cute and friendly!!! This one loved Brielle and her phone. 

At the end they offered us tattoo with ink from a plant that they had. It would last for about a week they said. They asked for donation so I dug in my purse and grabbed all the change and handed it over. I thought they'd be grateful. Apparently I offended them because they wouldn't do one for Rylee now claiming that they were $5 each. I tried to track down the guy and give him more money but he was out of sight. Sorry guy, if you want $5 out of it you need to say it's $5, not donation. 

So we all walked around Panama for the rest of the time with arm tattoos. I kind of loved it though! 

After we returned home, we rested for a bit before we went out to a FSY concert that a famous singer named Carlie was singing at. She was in my parents ward and such a good performer and singer. She travels all over singing and was in a TV talent show equivilant to America's Got Talent and made it to the final round, only losing to someone else who was a native. She was Philippino.  But she was a tiny thing with such a powerful voice. We even recognized a few American songs that she sang in Spanish. Before her concert started, they had traditional dancers come out in their dresses and do a few dances for us. Those dresses would be so fun to spin around in! 

We were all starving (beacause some of us wouldn't eat the tilapia for lunch) so we left a little early after meeting some of mom and dad's friends at the half point of the show. Such a fun filled day! 

Day 4 in Panama

The kids have really been troopers! Traveling this long without the comforts and schedule of home can sometimes be challenging. But they have been helpers and kind to one another for the most part and that has helped make the trip pleasant. They did get a little restless from time to time...Case in point.

But seeing them all snuggled on my parents tiny couch made me happy. 

We started this cloudy morning with a hike. At this point in the vacation I still don't believe the sun shines! We have yet to see it. It has been warm though and I was told the clouds are what made it bearable. 

We hiked to the top of a hill that had a giant Panama flag at the top. It was truly beautiful and relaxing and enjoyable. We kept getting little peaks through the trees of the city below and it just felt majestic. 

We made it to the top of the hill, and there is the flag. There were even a few pedlers up at the top selling their craft. The girls bought some bracelets. 

And on the way down, WE SAW A SLOTH!!! Oh my goodness, it was incredible! And it had a baby clinging to its belly! We were all obsessed and stood and watched it move through the trees. They are very strong and yes they move slow but fascinating to watch! 

In the afternoon we went to the temple. Chad stayed behind with Rylee so the other kids could go do baptisms and my dad did the baptizing. Alot of the instruction was in spanish, but we could still feel that it was the house of the Lord and it made it special to share with my kids. When we were talking about what we could do in Panama, it was their idea to see if we could do baptisms. What a great experience. 

My parents church house is in the parking lot of the temple. The grounds were so beautiful. And the clouds were still hanging around. 

As we were leaving the parking lot, we saw two TUCANS in the tree! I just caught a pic of this one. They are really colorful birds but my dad expressed that his pictures never turn out because its too bright or cloudy and he can never get the lighting just right. But we loved seeing these! And around the corner was a whole field of little ground monkeys, I forget what they are called. That was fun to see. 

After a little rest back at the house, mom and dad took us to an American BBQ joint that they love. It was pretty tasty!

We told my parents that normal food would be best on vacation. I wasn't too excited about trying anything unique and paying for something my kids won't eat. And it was a nice surprise to see the many American restaurants that were there. 

 Notice the glowing skin here, the humidity is unreal. I sweat through most of my clothes in just half a day. My 9 outfits I packed weren't holding out because I was just sweating or wet all the time! But I do love humidity and if my clothes would stay dry, I'd totally be ok with it! 

Day 3 Thanksgiving in a garbage dump

This post is hard....and amazing....to write. Yes, we did spend Thanksgiving day in a garbage dump in Panama. I asked my mom to find us a service project to help us remember to be thankful for what we had. She had told me before about her friend who didn't have much herself, but took time to visit this dump and share food with less fortunate people who lived there. Kathryn, their friend came up with a plan to deliver basic necessities of food to these people. We all helped spend a little money to make it happen. 

Can you imagine living in a dump? 

Let me try to describe it. 

We arrived and not knowing what to expect, we stepped out of our cars and the smell hit us. It was horrendous. So bad that my mom said she was going to get back in the car. The kind that makes you want to puke instantly. The kind that sticks to you and stays in your hair and clothes. 

We started walking to try to find who needed the help the most. All these people live in a DUMP, everyone needs it, right?  As we walked, garbage littered the way. We passed a dog laying in the way, not dead, but would be tommorow, covered in all sorts of bugs. Then we saw them. The homes. 

Tarps draped and moldy wet wood and bricks were what made up their crude little houses.  We walked quite a ways. Surely not many people live here, right? Wouldn't you do ANYTHING to get out of living in this sort of condition?

We met this man at the top of a hill we hiked. He was blind. This space was pretty much his whole house. His friends were excited to show us that they had pigs. Lots of pigs! And that they were wealthy. They were happy with what they had made and proud of it. They were so humble and grateful for the goods and thanked us over and over. Wow. This was only the first man. 

As we walked through their community, i figured we'd only come across a handful of people. Maybe 20 max. I think my mom prepared 25 or so bags to give to families. I never thought we'd get rid of them. We initially didn't see many people. 

We drove up the road to a new place. Children noticed somthing was going on and started to flock around. Mothers stood back cautiously watching and fathers were fairly helpful explaining who lived where and who needed help. The children seemed happy, most were dressed fine. Dirty, but dressed. And some wore no clothes at all. Hardly any of them wore shoes. 

Kathryn asked for a table to brought out at one of the houses. She pulled from her car cake and cheetos. She set it all up and started serving. Word spread FAST somehow. I didn't see it happen, but soon families were running down the road towards us and pushing their kids to the front of the table to get some treats. As they finished their food I noticed they just threw their plates on the ground. I started picking them up and then realized I was walking all over garbage that was already there and that I was in a GARBAGE dump and that is just what they did with their garbage.....so I threw it back down on the ground and threw my hands up in the air. 

Then the dollar store toys came out. Kids were thronging Kathryn trying to get a toy. She handled it so well and stayed excited as she passed the toys out. What a saint she is. 

People kept coming and coming and I think we went through 3 cakes and a few bags of cheetos. Wow. 

Then the real hikes began. We were told of some families who needed food and so we started walking. Then hiking up a hill, then crossing streams over a shifty board. Then climbing straight up hill. All along the way I peaked in homes. So simple, humble and sad. 

We asked families to come down and grab bags if they needed it so we didn't have to carry them all up to where we did. I'm so glad for that. On our way back down, we passed these kids who looked like they had just won the lottery on Christmas morning. They were running and jumping and playing with their new toys and blowing bubbles. I wish I took a video but I knew my mom (who stayed down below) would need to see this pic of the toys being so enjoyed. 

Then the candy came out. My kids got to pass candy around to anyone who wanted some. 

I wanted to just take this little girl home and show her a better way of life. I've thought of her often. Will she ever escape? Will she live there forever? Will she ever have a job or go to school or marry? Will she make it to be a mom? or perhaps be a premature mom. Will she ever have shoes?Just about this time I heard something coming. I turned around a school bus was there! Kids were coming from all over, dressed in school uniforms running to catch the bus. They do get to go to school! I was so happy that this was an opportunity for these kids to go and learn and hopefully have a good meal and get out of the dump. 

This grandma was raising her grandbaby after her mom died after birthing this child. Broke my heart. 

The sisters came with us and helped. Here are some more of the homes and how they looked. 

Here the kids were quietly playing in the house. When we asked where their dad was they said he was sleeping. Wow, the kids just stay and quietly play while their dad sleeps durring the day. When it rains, do they stay dry? I just have so many questions. 

After a long day of hiking in a dump in the hot sun and humidity, we finally handed out the last bag. A lady covered in breading and bracelets for most of her body, approached Chad and asked for his glasses. He really is blind with out them so he said, no he needed them. An afterthought was that really we probably should have given them to her. 

We all stunk so we went home to shower and change. Then we were off to this amazing American Thanksgiving dinner that their bishop invited us to. They only invited the Americans in the ward and through a traditional feast for all of us. It was awesome to hear everyones stories and where they came from and why they were there. My girls made friends immediately and were off playing games and having fun. 

My favorite thing about this day is that these strangers welcomed us in and right away we felt like family. They talked with us and laughed with us and included us in everything. I love these people for loving my parents and for loving us and welcoming us into their home. It was a Thanksgiving meal I will remember my whole life. 

 As we talked with the kids about our day, Mollie said, Wow mom, we have so much. I was so glad that they were realizing how blessed we really are and how much we DO have. I hope it is a lesson they will remember forever that living in America is truly a blessing and that you can choose to be happy in any circumstance. And we do have SO Much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!