Feliz Naw Ruz!!!

Happy Naw Ruz everyone! As much as I missed going to the Nazeryans the first day of Naw Ruz for what is seemingly the most amazing batch of Gormeh Sabzi I would have had in my life. I actually had a great Naw Ruz. Panama City did it big! I was quite impressed :) Put some of the Naw Ruz parties in the States to shame!
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So to begin, our Naw Ruz began with a visit to the Temple on Sunday. Aside from our obvious intention of going to say prayers. There was a memorial held for Senora Raquel. Families, friends and members of the community had gathered to share their fondest memories of her, and to send off her soul with prayers. Prayers, writings, messages on behalf of the National of Panama and the National of El Salvador, stories, songs, and a video about the construction of the Temple in Panama. Turns out she was one of the first, and oversaw the construction of the Temple from beginning to finish. Pretty amazing stuff! Such a fulfilling life! A life of service.

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After the memorial, we headed home to get ready for a Jr. Youth class, but then with all the construction they've been doing on the roads, there wasnt enough time to do all that and get ready for the Naw Ruz party which was way back in the city. By the time we got home it was like 3:30. And we had to leave the house again at 4:30 to be in the city at 5:30! Eeeee. Ok so sit down, catch your breath. Try to stop sweating. Chill for a few minutes. Shower, AGAIN. Straighten hair, AGAIN. Try not to sweat while straightening hair. Make up, clothes, shoes, and BAM! Damnnn we look good ;)

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No but actually, we did look pretty damn good. Hahaha. So we squeezed 4 people in the back and turned up the AC and made our way back to the city. The Naw Ruz party was for dinner, and was being held at a private club in one of the high rises in the city. Lets just say it was fannncyyy shmanncyyy. Looking out over the city, and on to the ocean, watching the sunset, the view was really breath taking.

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We made our way through the dining area, greeted some familiar faces and some foreign ones! Panamanians, Persians, Gringos, (oh boy was there one ridiculous gringo there that night or what?!) Bahai's and non-Bahai's alike. All gathered to celebrate Baha'i and Persian New Year! As we took our seats, we were offered some tropical bebidas, and waited to be ushered to dinner. Buffet style? While fasting? You can expect people to wait too long! But before we were served dinner, there were prayers, music, and a presentation about the significance of Naw Ruz from the Baha'i perspective. And it was actually a really great teaching tool.
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But alas, the food! Oh and the dessert! I wanted to have it all, but ofcourse, the beauty of fasting is that you're starving and as soon as you eat a little you're already full. But we did try a little bit of everything.

Watched the sun set on the skyline. Enjoyed each others company and danced the night away. Salsa, Marengue, the Panamanian version of the "Electric Slide". What a great way to celebrate your Naw Ruz especially when you know you're missing out on Khanum Nazeryan's Gormeh Sabzi!
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The next day, we made our way to a family friends house to celebrate the first day of the New Year. Felt kinda weird to be able to eat during the day! But we enjoyed some good grub, and quickly made our way to the beach! We didnt wanna waste any time, or sun light! Which brings me to reveal to you all this beautiful view. They call it Rio Mar...

We trecked across a warm river, from the black sparkly sand to the hot white sand of the tropics. We had the place all to ourselves. We spent the day swimming in the ocean, which by the way was pretty warm, "cold" to the locals. And clean and amazing! First time I felt pure happiness since I first met my little kiddies here in Panama.
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Hoping you all had an amazing Naw Ruz! In one form or another!