Day 10 – Final Reflection
Student Trip Blog
Today was CAP Day 1. We had to wake up at 6:00 am but the LDDs which are me (Rayjelis) and Olivia, had to wake up around 5 am to wake up everyone else. Everyone was still a bit tired but we still had very positive vibes and a positive mindset. We had a playlist of songs on the bus to keep the vibes up. When we got to the site it was hot and sunny, and a lot of work needed to be done, which we of course handled. Half of the group started putting bamboo sticks down in the soil next to where the seedling would be planted. The other half of the group started planting the seedlings in the holes which the Magnificos had already dug. We also had help from some volunteers from Banco General who basically are people who live in the nearby area, a huge thank you to them. Sandra and Ceaser led the reforestation group, and inspired us to work hard and put in our best efforts! If you’re interested in more information, you can find the photos on the Instagram, (@proecoazuero). Just to remind EVERYONE, Ray planted a total of NINETEEN plants. I, on the other hand, planted around 7 but put up around over 30 sticks. We planted on the side of hills, which was a little scary! Do not worry, we were very careful. To keep the vibes up we played music, and had many laughs. The views were beautiful and everywhere you looked there was a nice view even if we were dying of heat and sweating our butts off but the important part was that we were able to make a different in this community for future generations.
For lunch, an extremely kind local family made food for all of us! She cooked for all of us, the Global Glimpse group, and the volunteers. We had white rice, lentils, meat, and potato salad. Muy delicioso! We all sat around, enjoyed the dinner, and listened to some nice music. We even got to eat with the dogs and chickens! There were many cows as well (a bit further down though). We owe her a big thank you
On the way back to the hotel we stopped for ice cream! I (Olivia) had brownie ice cream, and it was super good. It was amazing to cool down after our morning full of work. Then, we went to the plaza to go buy some small, nice things, I (Rayjelis) brought pants and a bottle of water. Now I’m down to ten dollars. It is safe to say we are exploring Panama to the fullest.
To fully immerse ourselves in the Panamanian culture, we made masks!!! Which are traditional to Panamainian people, and are important to the locals who live here. We made Diablicos which are traditional Panamanian expressions of emotions and moods. The history goes, the Spaniards arrived in Panama, and they wanted to introduce religion, but the only way to communicate the ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ in the eyes of Catholicism was to use mini devil caricatures. The Panamanian people spread the culture of the Diablicos and turned them into festive attire. Thankfully, the presenters Don Dario and Maria taught us how to make our own! We had total freedom to creatively express ourselves. We used red, blue, yellow, and black etc. Everyone finished and shared their masks accompanied with nice conversation. This experience was SOOO much fun!
Now! We have to prepare for Cap Day 2.
We want to send a big message to our friends and family, we miss you all SOOOO MUCH. We can not wait to see you all again, and share every joyous experience with you. We can’t wait to give you all the knowledge we learned about panama and gifts. Missing my mom’s cooking and my brother bothering me and my dad (Rayjelis), I also miss TAKIS I can’t wait to see you all in person so with much love and hugs from Rayjelis and Olivia. To all the families, your love and support means so much to us glimpsers. We thank you all so much. Yes I am eating all the food and drinking a lot of water (Rayjelis)
Love, Rayjelis and Olivia
Comments (26)
For Rayjelis
Rayjelis this is your mama may, I’m so proud of you. Keep up the fantastic job that you’re and the team are doing.
I miss you and love you so much
But most of all I’m so Proud of you
Jeremy Gonzalez
Rayjelis I wanted I hope u are having fun but it bad with no phone and enjoying your trip
Christine DePalo
Love the hats love that u guys are planting trees keep up the amazing work helping out so proud of you all xoxo Abby u really are a special person and make me very proud i love u more
Rawilda Rivera
Rayjelis,I am so proud of you, my darling daughter. Knowing that you are doing well and eating properly puts my mind at ease. I miss you very much, too. I eagerly look forward to these posts to see your daily activities. It’s wonderful that everyone is doing well and happy. Kisses and hugs.
With much love, your family.
Carolyn DePalo
Hi my Sweet Granddaughter Abigayle.! I hope you’re having a great time! You look so cute in your hat and sunglasses 😎 planting a tree. I’m glad you’re getting to experience the culture of the Panamanian people. I hope you’re enjoying all the delicious food and keeping yourself well hydrated. We Love💞 and Miss you sooo much💕 can’t wait for you to come home and tell us all about your experiences. 🥰
Victor Colon
Yooooo MILAAAAAAAA! Hi bro. I hope ur having an supa dupa good timeee brooo. I love uuuuu and miss uuuuu and can’t wait to play backrooms vr when u get home.
Byyeeeee
Tiara Dow
Hello everyone!!! I’m Brandon’s mom! I just wanted to drop in and say that I love reading the blogs. You all look amazing and I hope that everyone is learning new things. Brandon, I miss you so much. I really can’t express how proud of you I am. Keep breaking barriers and I hope this will be a stepping stone for you as well as your peers to try a study abroad program for a semester in college. The world is big and the types of experiences out there are endless. I’m sending prayers for everyone’s safety and safe return home at the end of the program. Remember to leave a lasting impression wherever you go and don’t forget to have some fun. Until next time….xoxo
Edgar Andrade
Ana,
Deseo que todo esté bien mi amor, por favor cuídate mucho, estaremos pendientes de cualquier novedad con tu salud, te amamos, continúa disfrutando de tu viaje y ayudando, gracias por tu esfuerzo y dedicación. Dios te bendiga siempre.
Love
Dad!
Edgar Andrade
Hola Anita, deseo que te encuentres mejor, tu mami y yo estamos muy preocupados por tu salud, por favor si requieres cualquier cosa avisanos,.
te amamos.
Gabi v
I love it !!! So much culture! It’s beautiful to see what you cool kids are learning and giving back .
Sy- bellllla hiiiiii miss you !! Cool pictures can’t wait too see you and hear about your trip.
Lavender- cute cute Bella. I love you .
Penelope- I love you come home!
Bella love the cowboy hat 😂🥰 your awesome. I can’t wait to see all the art you created . Love you tons sending hugs!!!
Gabi v
Sy- hiiii Bella I miss you ! Can’t wait to see you and hear about everything love you big sister
Lavender- cute cute Bella I love you!
Penelope- Bella come home 😂😂
I love the cowboy hat! I miss you tons can’t wait to see all the art work ! Very cool too see all this culture you kids are experiencing and proud the way you all give back . I can’t wait to hug you ! Love you tons
Mom 🥰🥰🥰
Asia
Brandon you don’t look happy at all sista …. What’s tea cause you was making fun of me last year on my first cap day now look at you LMFAOAOAOOA. But anyways how you are still having fun tan is coming in nice !!!!
Pao Ulloa
Annie Pau espero tu resposo de hoy haya ayudado para que estés mucho mejor mi amor. Eres muy fuerte y sobre todo estás feliz de seguir viviendo estas nuevas experiencias. Te amo mucho nena. Sigue cuidandote y disfrutando. Te amamos
Amy
Rayjelis and Olivia, I am so impressed that you were up at 5am and got everyone going. That is a big achievement before 6am! I can’t believe all of the incredible work you all are doing! Keep it up! Thank you Global Glimpse staff for creating this incredible space for this crew. It makes me so happy to wake up and see these photos.
Max! We miss you and love you! It is is so fun seeing you out the fields. That lunch sounded amazing too. And I can’t send all of these notes with out saying, just once, I hope you are eating enough and feeling good and don’t forget to drink lots of water! ha! There I said it. Love you – mom
Yudelka
Yo feliz de verte mi muchacha haciendo lp que te gusta
Yudelka
Yo feliz de verte mi muchacha haciendo lp que te gusta hacer cuidate
Lliana Villegas
Mila and friends,
Super proud of all of your hard work. It’s great seeing young people with giving hearts. These are memories that will shape you and stay with you for years. Happy that you’re out there making the most of it.
God bless you and protect you!
Your auntie Lliana
Desire Wilson
Good evening everyone! ❤️
I am Brandon’s Grandma, and I first want to say how thankful and grateful I am to GOD for watching over you all and protecting you from that earthquake that came so close. 🙏🏽 GOD is truly amazing, and He continues to show us that He is always watching over us, even when we may not realize it.
Brandon, words truly cannot express just how much you are missed. I miss hearing your voice and, most of all, I miss having you singing in the morning. The house just isn’t quite the same without you! ❤️ Your presence brings so much joy, and I hope you know how special and loved you are.
I pray that you are enjoying yourselves, making beautiful memories, learning new things, trying new experiences, and exercising your minds and bodies in ways that will benefit you throughout your lives. Everything you experience along the way can help you grow into the amazing people GOD has called you to be.
I also want to thank you for believing in GOD and trusting Him to guide and protect you. Always remember that no matter what challenges come your way, you never have to face them alone. GOD will be with you every step of the way. When you put your faith and trust in Him, He will give you the strength, wisdom, courage, and determination to keep moving forward.
Continue to be great! 🌟 Never put limits on what you can accomplish. Your limits are unlimited when you believe in yourself and, most importantly, trust in GOD.
Remember Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 🙏🏽❤️
Brandon, I love you and miss you more than words could ever express. Continue to enjoy your time, keep learning, keep growing, keep smiling, and always carry GOD in your heart. I am so proud of you!
LORD willing, I will see you all soon. Until then, I pray that GOD continues to cover you, protect you, guide you, and bring you safely back home.
Safe travels back home, everyone! ✈️❤️
And always remember:
GOD loves you. ❤️
Keep GOD first. 🙏🏽
Trust Him.
Believe in yourself.
Never give up.
And always continue to be GREAT!
I love you all so very much! ❤️😘❤️
Shacorra G
Hope you guys are having a great trip. Shout out to Bran, I love how you are building these unforgettable experiences and we love you and can’t wait for you return.
Love, Auntie Corra 💕
Alketa
ending the biggest hugs and so much love to everyone in Chitré! ❤️ We heard about the earthquake and our hearts are with you. Please stay safe and take care of each other. 🤗
My love, I can’t wait to have you back. House is empty with out you.Daddy, Yaya and Pissi love you more than words can say. We miss you so much!
hugs To Olivia
You all look so beautiful , 🤩
Alketa
Hello .you all look amazing 🤩 enjoy cant wait to hear more about this experience!
lots of love!
Yudelka
Yuleika quiero saber de ti ..como estas mi amor . Aunque se que la estas pasando bien
Yudelka
Yuleika quiero saber de ti ..como estas mi amor . Aunque se que la estas pasando bien haciendo lo que te gusta
Yudelka
Buenas noches para todos y muy agradecida de todos los organizadores de este viaje ..de corazón ..muchas Gracias .que Dios les vendiga
Stefany
Hii Brianna, you look super cute with your hat especially since I know it’s super hot and humid over there 😭. It’s so nice to see that you’re getting your souvenirs while working your butt off. So happy you’re having some good food and learning so much about Panama’s history! I hope your enjoy yourself and get to relax soon after your CAP project. Be safe 🫰
Karen L (for: Olivia)
Hello Olivia!
It looks like you are having a lot of fun on this trip. I am very sad that I could not reach you, but I am glad I have these blogs to read. And that you could talk to Dad. He reminded me that I can also comment here so you can see it. I hope that this trip was fulfilling and that you have been enjoying yourself.
Proud is an understatement. When you first told me you wanted to go on this trip with Global Glimpse, I could hear how passionate you were about making this a reality. You and your determined spirit inspire me. When there is a will, there is a way. You are the physical embodiment of this saying. I am so proud of you for finding a way to be on this trip, and traveling to a new place like you have always wanted to.
I expect a longggg phone call when you get back and want to hear every detail! I know that you will be able to since your memory is remarkable. Have you read at all BTW?
You woke up at 5 A.M.!!! That is sooooo early; I am glad that you had a positive mindset/ vibes despite this. TRUST that I will visit that Insta page once I am done writing this comment. This world needs more people who will contribute to reforestation efforts. It is so important to protect biodiversity and filter our air, and so much more. I am glad you got to participate in a project like this. Congrats on planting 7 trees, and it sounds like you did very grueling but much-needed work. The landscape does look soooo beautiful; great work, everyone! IK the playlist HITTTT if you were in charge.
Brownie ice cream sounds sooooo good!!! That was really kind of the family to host so that everyone could have a meal. It sounds delicious!
I LOVE that you are learning so much about the culture and that you made masks. Very cool! I learned something new as well.
Sorry I could not talk with you on the phone for long; know that you were on my mind every second since you left for Panama, and I have been talking about you visiting Panama (to everyone pretty much!) It made me really sad that the calls were not going through and that I missed your calls. But I hope the next two days go well, and I miss you soooo much!
I love you, Olivia (sending virtual hugs and kisses)
Karen <3