She's Only Happy in the Sun

Somehow, perhaps because of my need to leave this godforsaken city, I have been coerced into camping at the beach tonight.  Armed with only a tent, a sheet, a pillow, and my bathing suit I plan to swim this evening and sun all day tomorrow....  I suppose we will see how that goes for me.  There is, however, a hotel right by where we are camping so I suppose if I just can't take it, that's where I'll be.  :)

I'm hoping the ocean and the sun can wash off the funk that the city has injected into me. 

No Car=No Fun

Today, despite having an awful day at school yesterday, an awful day at home, and waking up in an awful mood this morning I was hopeful for the day.  I finally received a desk at school to do my work and I was going dancing tonight.  I haven't REALLY been dancing since I've been here and this was a class with really good dancers.  The class was to begin at 6.  Jodie and I hit the street corner at 5:15 to get a taxi to a location only 5 minutes (by car) from our apartment.  At 6:30 we walked back into the apartment.  Having been in two taxis, paid three dollars and having only made it 4 blocks away.  I hate taxis.  They won't pick up a white girl.  Then traffic is INSANE between the hours of, oh 4 and 8.  So, that means NO LIFE FOR ME seeing as I don't get home until 4:30.  All I wanted was to dance.  My personal life is non existent here and my job isn't great right now.....  I wanted to do one thing I like.  Just one.  Not a lot to ask.  I just need a car.  But I can't afford one.  Because I thought, Hey living in a city this big means I don't have to have a car....   I was wrong.

 I.  Hate.  Panama.  Today.

My Classroom

I know you've all been dying to see this.  Well here it is, my classroom.

Jealous, aren't you?

Day at Santa Clara.....

It was time for another beach trip.  It was the first beautiful day in a while, so we left early and come home late.  I, needless to say, am burnt.  Lovely day, lovely friends.  School tomorow.  

No Blanco Para Tu

Today was supposed to be the day we did something outdoorsy... alas Panama weather had other plans for us.  Instead of outdoors we settled for a huge mall.  Jodie and I went with the purpose of finding clothes.  While at a department store Jodie wanted to try on a white shirt and a cream-ish dress.  When we got to the dressing rooms the attendant TOOK HER CLOTHES, told her "no blanco para tu.... otro colores"  Then proceeded to take the clothes Jodie picked out and came back with other colors...  We found this strange but just laughed about it.  Get this, EVERY store we went into told her no white.  One went as far as NOT LETTING HER TRY IT ON.  Weird, right?  Maybe it's some weird law, you have to be a certain shade on the color scale to wear white.  Thank God I wasn't trying to wear it..... Jodie looks hispanic next to me.

Friends!

Here are few of the new friends I've made here in Panama. Most of them are teachers at the International School of Panama, but two of them are Panamanians that we've met! This is the reason that I'm having fun here!

It's a desk!!!!!

I feel like a proud new mother.... my furniture has finally arrived.  Mind you, it only came after I went and fulfilled my "bitch white girl" role.  The nice men came and put it together for me.  Now if I could only get things put up on the wall then I'd be happy.

This weekend I believe I am going hiking, so I'll try to post some pictures.