Day 10 – Final Reflection
Student Trip Blog
Our breakfast this morning was very special, because it was our first time trying more traditional Panamanian food since arriving in Las Tablas, tortillas, banana, and scrambled eggs.
Our first event of the day was a trip to a local goat farm in the community called Finca El Espinal. This farm has been open for 23 years, has opened two stores and is getting ready to open another in Panama City. Additionally, they were nominated for the National Goat Milk Competition. The owner of the farm, Hugo, was very welcoming to us coming to his farm, and was very kind and loves having visitors come from all over. He was also excited for us to meet his goats. We were able to feed both the baby and adult goats Mulberry branches, which they hand plant and pick for the goats. We noticed that Hugo put a lot of thought into what he feeds the goats to make sure they are getting the appropriate nutrients and eating things that will make them feel good and stay healthy. In addition to the Mulberry, Hugo also grows a water plant to feed his animals. We were able to participate in this process and contribute to the sustainability of his farm by planting some Mulberry trees ourselves. Although the composted soil was not appealing to begin with, we soon realized that it was more important to have this experience and have a lasting effect on the community. Up next, was the reproduction aspect of his farm, starting with the male goat that Hugo keeps on his farm. For every one male goat, there can be fifty females, which maximizes the amount of milk that Hugo can produce. We also got to see his business in action, and try the different products that he makes, such as cheese, milk, ice cream, and yogurt. At the end of our visit, we gave Hugo a small Diablico, or little devil mask, which is a traditional Panamanian mask used in cultural dances and events.
After getting back to the hotel, we had lunch, which was a traditional Panamanian soup called Sancocho with plantains and rice.
Next, we were allowed to walk to a supermarket and coffee shop near our hotel in Las Tablas. The community was very supportive of tourists and were very patient with our Spanish skills.
After that, we went to a local ice cream business, called La Paulina, for homemade ice cream. There was flavors from rose and almond to more unique Panamanian fruits we had never heard of before.
For dinner, we had chicken, rice and salad, which may sound simple, but the cultural spices and difference in foods made it very special. To wrap up the night, we had our nightly meeting where we discussed the beginning of our Community Action Project that we will be starting tomorrow.
Our final thoughts on the day as the first Leaders of the Day/Liders Del Dia (LDD):
Hello, this is Elenore! I thought that being LDD was very fun, but also challenging to adjust to. I thought it was hard to feel confident as a leader in an unfamiliar country with an unfamiliar language. I had a lot of fun with the goats and with practicing my Spanish as well. I found it super interesting to go to the market and see all the differences between the foods in America and Panama.
Hey there, this is Yousif! My first thoughts of being the LDD was honestly nerve wracking but as time passed everyone was very supportive and following directions. Overall it was a very fun experience and helped me step out my comfort zone. I am loving this community that we are building here, I am starting to appreciate the small funny and corny moments that we have here and there. From the small games that we play on the bus or while we wait for an activity to our good energy in the meetings and seminars.
Keep the comments coming it is a great way to end off our night and lifts everyone’s spirits! Our Global Glimpse Leader Mr. Alex’s narrations make them so fun.
Just as a reminder, we will be having a call home tomorrow at around 3pm Eastern time. The calls will be coming from WhatsApp, so if you don’t already have it, downloading it would be a good idea as it will allow you to talk to your child for ten minutes instead of five due to the cost of international calls.
Goodbye for tonight, enjoy the photos, and hopefully more stories to come from future Liders del Dia!
-Elenore and Yousif
Comments (19)
Cynthia Delgado
Hi Everyone! I see you all doing great… the boy with the ice cream in his hand, reminds me when i took Gavy to PR, bought ice cream for her, then started melting and suddenly rain comes along. We had a blast trying to eat the ice cream and getting soak, was one of the best moment we had that day. Enjoy every moment while you all are there… Dios me los Bendiga!!!
Cynthia Delgado
My dear Gavy…you don’t have any idea what i felt when i saw you carrying a goat in your arms… brought me so much memory with love, that when i was a little girl i used to handle with care my baby pollitos, gallinas, caballos y los pequeños potritos, that your grandpa own and had around the house in Puerto Rico. Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood in a sweet way… so proud of you!!! Love Mami
Dios te Bendiga!!! <3
Andrea Barber
Bueno Dias Global Glimpsers
Las Tables Day 2 sounds like a wonderful day of cultural immersion. Everything is so modernized here and taken for granted.
The food looks fantastic.
The benefits of being bilingual. Nunca pensé que esos años de Espanol darían sus penas. Si tan solo tu profesor de español 2 pudiera verte ahora Seth. ¿Has ordeñado una cabra? A little course fresher 🤣.
Thank Nana for your first experience with goats at Davis farm. Who knew those skills would be transferable all these years later. 😏
Already finding ways to give back to the community 🫶
Seth did they have moose tracks or mango ice cream 🤤
Seth please try not to call before 3:45 – 4:15 as I‘ll be driving but am able to chat before or after no problem. So excited for a live update of your perspective thus far.
La familia también comentará pronto
Love:
Mom, Makayla, Mocca, Minx, Calypso and Cinnamon
Xoxo
Kristin & Presley
🌴🇵🇦 Panama 🇵🇦🌴
Yesterday’s résumé:
🐐 Goat whisperers? ✅
🌱 Mulberry bush farmers? ✅
🍛 Professional local food critics? Also ✅ (whether you liked it or not 😅).
Today is the real main character moment. 💪 You’re kicking off your community project, which means you’re about to leave Panama a little better than you found it. That’s way cooler than just posting vacation pics.
Work hard, laugh a lot, drink your water, wear your sunscreen, and try not to adopt any goats on the way (even though Presley said yes Sissy do it) . 🐐😂
Go make today count—you’ve got this! ❤️🌎
Proud of you ! Love you, Ains ❤️❤️❤️
Patrick Mullins
That does sound like a great day! Good to know there’s a goat named LeBron out there.
Elenore, we miss you but are so excited you’re on this trip! Harvey says hi!
Jen Cadran
Elenore and Yousif great work giving us a glimpse into your day! The details really make the reader feel a part of it!
Love hearing about everyone’s experiences out in the community you’re visiting, this trip is really something special.
A goat named Lebron, fitting 🐐!
Keep making those memories glimpsers
Agnieszka
Thank you, Eleanore and Yousif, for another great update! What a fun day for the whole group. And Angelica, I saw you holding that goat and happily sampling the local ice cream! 😂❤️ Clearly you’re making the most of every experience. Keep enjoying every moment and making memories you’ll carry with you forever! 🌎
Aimee Gelinas (McKayla’s Mom🩷)
Hi Everyone!
What a cool adventure working on the farm and learning about all the thought and planning it takes to keep it running! And the fact you were able to hang out with the goats and sample the products made on the farm is so amazing! McKayla, I know you must have LOVED spending time with the goats because you are such an animal person! ( P.S, Nala says hi and has been sleeping in your room during the day ❤️🐕). I’m so jealous of all the food you get to try! make sure to enjoy every minute, and don’t forget what Sarper said about creating your core memories 😊. Love you McKayla! stay hydrated! lol ❤️
Brittany Valentine
So grateful for this opportunity for you all! Looking forward to hearing my daughter’s voice!!
Sara Switzer
Looks like an awesome day!! Good job on the blog post. You set the bar high 🙂
Have a great day and make good choices!
Jennifer Mccaffrey
OMG baby goats!!! Milina’s little brother Desmond says “Awww!!! They are so cute!!” I love goat cheese. Cannot wait to hear how the goat milk ice cream was!
Sounds like a fabulous day! Congrats to Elenore and Yousif for being the first leaders of the day and I am sure doing an amazing job! I can imagine it feels a bit daunting, but you all can do hard things!
Looking forward to talking to my Milina today, and the continued updates!
Juan Martinez-Muñoz
LOVE THE TITLE! 10/10 – no notes. Very clever work there.
Sounds like a fun day was had. With all the rain we’ve had lately, a bowl of sancocho would be phenomenal right about now. Good day of eats!
Elenore and Yousif – big love to y’all for being the first ones up with LDD responsibilities! Your openness and vulnerability in telling us your true feelings on being first up are what made you both the perfect choice to kick things off! Doing it scared, doing it nervous, but doing it nonetheless! Super proud of you both.
Excited for families to get those calls today!
Marly De Leon
Hi everyone,
Thank you for everything that you guys are doing to make this experience unforgettable. Yesterday I posted a comment, but for some reason it didn’t show up, so I just want to mention again how as a family we are very happy and grateful that Josue has this opportunity.
Josue,
We thank God that you are well and have arrived safely. Enjoy every part of this experience and we hope that you will also make a lot of friends along the way, and work hard too.
Over here in Guatemala, we are having a great time with the Abuelos, and they send you blessings and hugs. Abuela Melli dice que tomes mucha leche de cabrá… 😋
Te amamos!! Cuidate mucho!!
Dios te bendiga y guarde en todo lo que hagas!! ❤️
Jenny
OMG goats!!! Also ice cream! Elenore, I need a detailed account of every new-to-you ice cream flavor. Sending lots of love!! – mom
Lesley Cogswell Cogswell
So much fun! Enjoy every minute. Shoutout to Rob- bring home some of the unique recipes you’re all trying! Have a great time everyone.
Elaine and Ed McCaffrey
Hi everyone
The goats looked so cute. Listing all the adventures of the day and the photos allowed us to see all your wonderful experiences.
A special hello to our Granddaughter Milina – so happy for you to have a chance to ‘glimpse’ the world. Love Grammie and Grandpy
Yoshina
Hii McKayla, I hope you know I miss you so much and I’m still texting you so you better read all of them when you come back. I’m so glad you went on this trip everything looks amazing, I know you loved spending time with the animals. I can’t wait to see you when you come back, love Yoshina 🫶🏼.
Craig Cadran
Hi Rob! Looking like a great experience. I miss you and can’t wait for you to be home and cook some Panama inspired meals for us. I drove your Jeep for the first time since we began repairs yesterday and it is 100 time better, and no check engine light!. Have fun and be safe.
-Dad
Cynthia Delgado
Dear, Yousif & Elenore, you both did a wonderful job being the lider of the day 🇵🇦, remember that doesn’t matter if you are 100 yrs old we all still here learning something every single day, and the both of you did a great job. Dios me los bendiga! 🙏🤗 Mama Serrano 😘