Community day

I caught two chickens!

Hi everyone its me, Angelica from Southwick Regional High School.

Hello my name is Nathan and I go to Westfield High School.

I believe that the most valuable lesson we learned today was how much effort these families put into what they do and how that affects there community. We had four groups go to four seperate families to learn about their life styles and how their small businesses work. There was a chicken farmer, a cow farmer, a family that made polleras, as well as a family that made sausages.

I (Angelica) was a part of the group that went to the chicken farm and I am the one that caught two chickens! My expectations for this day were passed by a long shot! We got to see how the farm was taken care of, sarting off with the pigs. We saw the piglets and we got to feed them. Then we continued toaring the farm and i caught my two chickens and got to hold a baby chick, a baby duck, and their 6 month old chiuaha, Kaileigh. We also saw his fruit trees and he let us pick fruit to take home, I got 3 mangos and a dragonfruit. Something that really made me come to a realization today was seeing how much effort Nini, the farmer, puts into his land. Even though it is his work, he was saying how much he enjoyed it and it felt like more of a hobbie. So now whenever I need to do something I will think of this experience and know that with enough thought and care, anything can be something you enjoy. Today was so far my favorite and I am so greatful for this experience!

Shout out to dad, I know your laughing right now knowing I was running around catching chickens and shout out to mom for all your comments and love! I miss you both so much! Tell Kim to say hi to my boy!

I (Nathan) was a part of the group that made sausages. Before actually meeting the family, we didn’t have the highest expectations. But when we actually arrived at the family’s house, we saw all of them sitting outside in their outdoor kitchen and our moods instantly changed. We started off by meeting Anita and she welcomed us into her home where she had ingredients to make chorizos–a type of sausage–out on the table. As she mixed the ingredients together she explained how the recipies we made are the ones she sells to a local restaurant. Some of the other things we made were empanadas and carimañolas and afterwards we got to try all of the things we made and it was all very delicious. The thing that I appreciated the most was the fact that the family was able to just pass the time by occasionally talking to each other but mostly just relaxing. This experience turned out to be really fun today and I am very thankful for being able to meet Anita and her family.

Shout out to my mom, dad, sister, and brother! I miss you all so much and I am excited to see you all again!

To end off our day we went on a tour of the city we are staying in, which is Las Tablas. We got to walk around and see some important buildings, statues, and parks as well as go into some small stores and we had a special stop at a Panamanian McDonalds which was amazing!

Though we had an amazing day, it truly started at 12AM with the local bands marching the streets to celebrate the towns patron saint. It felt as if the drums were right outside our bed room doors. Shout out to our fantabulous GGL’s Silvia and Stephanie for letting us go watch the parade because it was too hard to fall asleep (besides Luis who somehow slept through the whole thing)!

Last night there were also some wi-fi problems so we added more photos to yesterday’s blog, and we will be doing phone calls tomorrow around 5:00 p.m. EDT but it could change depending on how late or early we leave from the CAP.

Sincerley your D1 glimpsers, Angelica and Nathan!