Viene Bechi y Hedi

AAAOOOOOAAA! AAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAA! An introduction to Salimaring

This is basically a specific type of yell, almost a tarzan like sound, that is a way of life in Panama. You salimar when you want to greet people, sigh, work in the fields, check if anyone is in the latrine, or pretty much anytime you want. Generally one person starts it and it is followed up by anyone who wants to answer. It can be done once or continue for quite some time almost as a competition. Salimaring is almost only done by men, especially in my community. I am absolutely terrible at it. It is not on my official list of Peace Corps Knowledge, Skills, or Attitudes. But of course, I continue to do it no matter how much I sound like a "Chui" -meaning foreigner in ngabere. Everytime I salimar, it is more than likely followed up by muffled giggles from all who are around.
A few nights ago, as I was just getting into bed around 9:30, my neighbor decides it was time to salimar the loudest he could. This was of course followed up by someone from another hill answering him back. Usually this goes back and forth just a few times, but this time they didn't stop. People from all over Cerro Banco were joining in. After 20 minutes of listening to the howling, I decided to get up, since I wouldn't be sleeping anyway, and join in. We continued to salimar for another half an hour; it was ridiculous. I was pretty sure all my yells were drowned out by everyone else, per usal. But the next morning as I was lying in my hammock my neighbor from way down the road came over with a bowl of rice and about 10 guavos. He said he heard me salimaring last night and then declared, "ya. tu eres ngabe" Meaning: now, you are Ngabe.

Although I have been feeling more comfortable and integrated in Cerro Banco for the last few months, it is such a relief to hear that I am accepted in the community. Even though I may hover over everyone of them with my 5/10 stature, fall on a daily basis, refuse to put baby oil in my hair, fail at cooking over a fogon, and still have language difficulties, they see me as part of their community.

The last month in Panama I was so fortunate to have my parents come visit me. We caused a minor scene at the gas station on the side of the highway where I met them with all the excitment of finally seeing each other after 7 months. After a relaxing 3 days on the beautiful, coconut filled beach, we made the trek into my community.
Feliepe gave my parents the names Bechi, or as we like to say bitchy, and my dad the name Hedi. The 3 of us slept in my tiny little house, with my mom and I in my bed, and my dad in the hammock.

After my site adventure, we made our way over the hills to Bocas del Toro, which is another tourist area of Panama. It is basically a bunch of islands, with restuarants right over the water and great beaches. It kinda has a Santa Cruzy/Key West sorta feel to it. We spent a few days here kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring. On our way back to Panama City we stopped by my friend Adam's peace corps site. Being in the Economic Development sector of Peace Corps Panama, he has helped his community develop an organic chocolate tour for locals and tourists. Here we got to see how cocao is grown, harvested, and grinded into pure cocao. It is definitely the best chocolate i've ever tasted.

After a few adventures in Panama city, touring the canal and old town Panama, it was time to leave my parents and head to my Peace Corps In Service training. It was so nice to have visitors here and share a little bit of my life with my family. Pictures are posted on facebook, feel free to check them out.Miss you all!

Que te vaya bien,
Kayla