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! 

Panama Day 2

Our first adventure was off to Monkey Island! It started out overcast and super lovely. We are loving the heat and warm weather. We hopped in a boat with a driver who didn't speak english, thank goodness for dad! And drove off to explore beautiful Panama!

 Before that though, we had to check out the neques that scavage my parents yard all day long. Basically a large rat the size of a cat....ew. 

Well, when you're in the rainforest, you have to expect some rain. We hit a little storm and since we were traveling forward the rain was just peltinm Mollie and Bri in the front of the boat. We were dying laughing but it didn't last long but the damage had been done. Haha!

Since it was rainy, not many monkeys came out, but this little guy did! 

He walked right on to the boat and scavaged for food. 

He had a baby on his back!!! 

He tried to swipe the banana right out of Chad's hand! We were all just in awe of how cute they were and friendly! One little guy came right on to the boat, spotted my bag of grapes and swiped them SO fast and was gone up into the tree! 

How cute is this pair?! My girls were dying of cuteness. 

Doesn't it just looke like we are in a dream?!

We drove through many little islands and looked for sloths, other monkeys and birds. 

We passed right by the large cargo ships that are waiting to enter the Panama Canal. 

They are so huge and carry so much cargo! It's amazing how they even float! 

After that we stopped and walked a little trail to explore the jungle. I knew Panama had jungle, I didnt realize how jungley it really was! The whole place is jungle. We didn't see any animals here, but so many unique plants and flowers. 

When we got back, dad and I went on a little afternoon walk to see their neighborhood. Panamanians love their flag and this corner had flags for almost a mile! 

Dad showed me Coco the croc. This guy practially lives in my parents back yard! How creepy! Its right next to a shopping complex and a main road. He just chills in this swamp area and my parents and the missionaries named him Coco. 

We weren't sure he was down there, so dad threw a rock from here and he moved so we could better see him. What a sight to see! Sadly the kids stayed back to rest a bit. 

There are flowers everywhere. Very unique in that they bloom in the tops of the trees. 

This is a banana tree. So many fruit trees grow wild here. 

Dad showed me things along the way, little leaf ants, lizards, birds, flowers. And when we got back, THIS GUY was in their yard!!! He was like a yard long. A giant iguanna! 

Look at him! How unique! He stayed there posing for us while we got good pictures. 

After a fun Mexican dinner on the Causway, we explored the area where cruise ships pull in and disembark the guests. There are all sorts of fun things to do. It was late and some things are closed, but it was less people and we really enjoyed just exploring. 

AND THEN we came across a human vending machine. What a brilliant money maker/waster. Mollie and Ry just had to do it. After we paid, they then told us that they had to wear these giant mickey mouse type gloves on their hands. Oh gosh. I didn't think they'd make it out with anything, but oh no, we made it out with about 15 stuffed animals. Just what we need while we are traveling.....

I love how they grabbed things with their feet too.  
We ended the night by snapping some pictures by the Pananma sign covered in locks and with the city in the background. 

 When we got home, we went and met Sis. Dunn who is from Tooele and living in the same 4 plex as my parents. I contacted her parents and let them know I was going and if they wanted to send anything with me then we could deliver it. Her mom asked if we could take her Christmas present. Of course! It was so fun to play Santa for a missionary and see how excited she was to get everything! I think she opened it before Christmas. :)

Panama Day 1

We've been planning on this for several months and the day finally came! We are off to play in Panama for 8 days with my mom and dad who are serving a mission there. Travel days are never fun, but we made it through all of security with no tears and everyone packing their own bags and caring for their own luggage. 

We had 2 flights there and really they both went great. No problems at all. The kids all did great and mostly watched movies and enjoyed their new headphones. 

Bonus having screens in every plane! 

Hello Panama City! 

Customs was pretty easy too. There was a bit of a language barrier, but mostly just asked everyone their age. 

We finally met mom and dad at the Airport! Oh, it was so good to see them! I heard my dad before I saw him and it was so good to hear his voice. Then, I got to run and hug my mom. We stepped outside to go find our rental car and BAM, it hit me. The heat was suffocating and absolutely miserable feeling. It was almost 8 at night and in the 10 minutes I was outside I was wondering how I was going to handle this heat for a full week! It was the kind that just made you want to puke. It was SO hot. 
Our first Panamanian meal was at KFC! Oh yeah! The kids thought it was so great. 

And as we sat there, we heard what sounded like a party coming towards us. And we looked up and sure enough, there was my first party bus! It looked and sounded incredible! I thought a real party was going on there but my dad said it was basically just a taxi. They even called to me to get on when I stepped out to take a pic. Then I got scared and had to run away. 

But I got to check the first thing off on my list of things to see in Panama!