Day 133

May 22, 2012

First ANAM Experience

This past week, I headed out with my community guide to attend a three day, ANAM conference in Colon, the province north of Panamá City.  We left Wednesday morning at 4:15am. My community guide told me to be on the side of the road at 4:30, and he would have the bus stop for me outside of my house. Well, first time in Panamanian history—the bus was early. So, I hear, from the back of my house with a toothbrush in my mouth, “Sara, está lista (Beth, are you ready).” So, I run out toothbrush in hand and jump on the bus, which was already full.

The bus ride to the city began with my falling over while crawling up to the front with my bags to the empty seat. But don’t worry, while it was dark enough for me not to see where to put my feet, it was light enough for everyone to see the gringa fall over. After four hours on the bus and a quick taxi ride, My community guide and I made it to the ANAM office in Panamá City, where we were meeting up with the other folks heading to the conference.

The plan was to head out on two ANAM buses at 9am to head up to Colon. Well, after four more hours, we all got on the buses and started off toward the conference at 1pm. We stopped several times along the trip to visit photo stops and historical landmarks. Despite the delay in the schedule and the lack of lunch, it was nice to get to see Panamá, especially with a group of Panamanians who were experiencing this area of Panamá for the first time.

We got to Nombre de Dios (after 5pm), the oldest town in the Panamá (I think), and had a little entry meeting and dinner. They put all the ladies in one house and the men in a couple of houses around town. I was one of seven Peace Corps Volunteers, so we claimed on of the bedrooms. It was a good time hanging out and meeting some other volunteers.

Thursday morning we listened to presentations about projects from ANAM volunteer groups around the country. After lunch, we decided as a group that it was too hot to head back to do work, so we went to the beach instead.

All in all, I would say it was a fun conference experience, though not at all what I was expecting!