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But as a matter a fact, a lot has happened since I last wrote to you all. I’d like to take a minute and explain all the events going on nationally here in Panama and also, a series of Holy days that have also been a huge part of my Bahai activities most recently. I’d like to proceed in chronological order, so you all get a sense of what my schedules been like and what I’ve been up to.
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So first of all, we are amidst the Bahai fast. A period of 19 days kicked off by the 4 intercalary days I told you guys about a few posts ago. This is a special time for Bahai’s as we use it to spiritually and physically cleanse our bodies. If you don’t know already, the fast is obligatory in the Bahai faith and has a few exceptions, based on age, health, and in the end, personal discretion. However once March rolls around you can bet your bottom dollar that your friendly Bahai neighbor is most likely not eating from sunrise till sunset. Sure its tough, but you satiate your hunger by taking this time to deepen and grow steadfast in your faith and bring yourself closer to God. Its really all about growth, sacrifice, and detachment. If you come out knowing these things, you can consider yourself golden.
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But Bahai’s sure know how to prep for the fast, I mean we kick it off with Ayyam-i-Ha which I will no remind you is the time of giving. Makes sense right? You take time to give to others, you experience detachment and sacrifice, and you end with another bang. Naw Ruz, also known as the beginning of the Bahai New Year, Persian New Year, and Spring equinox. So for Ayyam-i-Ha I enjoyed the company of my host family, their extended family, little goodies, and some coconut pickins.
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Which brings me to explain my next cultural experience: Carnavales. Carnavales is about a week long. It is established every year by the “Church” as the week before lent begins. (In case you were wondering the majority population of Panama is Catholic, accompanied by a large Evangelical community.) So basically what it is, is the church announces every year when lent will begin, and the week before the country holds the festival of Carnavales. Taking place primarily in “Interior” which yes does mean the interior of the country, its about 4-5 days long and you can except that the city you’re in is going to bed dead quiet unless you are in the city center or partaking in the festivities. In Panama, the cities that host most of the festivities include cities in the province of Chirique, including David, Chitre, and many more. Panama city also had a scaled down version of the festivities going on in the city center. What the festival entails, you could imagine would be a cracked out version of Bumbershoot. Musical performances, good grub, masses of people getting hosed down by fire hoses, and choque till your hearts content! So although I was intent on partaking in these activities it was complicated by its interference with the Bahai fast. Its hot, no water, no food. You catch my drift.
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Regardless however, it did serve as a nice little break for me. I had never seen the city so empty and my neighborhood so quiet. Schools close, work gives their employees days off. Its like a NATIONAL HOLIDAY!!! But it gave me a chance to explore the city for a few days, and look at what I found...
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But its safe to assume with schools starting, Carnavales, and fast, my schedule pretty much cleared out for about a week. But its been back on for about a week. And some changes and adjustments have been made. At the moment, I have all my study circles during the week, and then back to back childrens classes and Jr. Youth groups on the weekends. It’s the only way we can really make it work for the kids. On that note, can I just say kids in uniforms are so adorable! The entire country is swarming with kids of all ages in different types of uniforms, private school, public school, it doesn’t matter. From 6am to 6pm they swarm the streets. When are they in class? I’ll tell you. So in Panama there are two class sessions, which is also why it complicated our children’s class schedules because some kids were in one session and others in another. But the sessions run from 7am-12pm and from 12pm-6pm. Can you imagine being in class till 6pm!?! I mean sure there are the perks of sleeping in, but basically your buddies have a half day every day!!! Pretty sweet if you ask me. But I think its done this way to manage the over populace of children and youth. The schools are relatively small, and their located about every few miles. Some kids however, commute as far as the city, to go to better schools, or private schools, the ones that teach English from K-12.
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On a bittersweet note. Remember Senora Raquel? The sweet old lady I told you guys about a while back? One of the first!?! She sadly departed this world a few days ago. I think we can all rest assured that she is in a better place, and that our prayers will guide her to her rightful place in the next world. Hopefully she is looking out for us as well…
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Its been a chill two weeks people and fast is kinda draining in this heat. Makes doing your activities and getting around extra challenging. But its definitely possible. Just gotta do your best and God will provide you with the strength to keep going. Only 2 more days and its my favorite time of the year!!! Well except for Christmas, I just love that season to be jolly! But on March 21st, fast ends, and Naw Ruz begins! Wishing you all a happy fast and an amazing New Year!!!
Good save Chiquita! :)
ReplyDeletehappy naw ruz, hedi! how lucky to be serving during all the Holy Days.. :)
ReplyDeleteMOOSHY! You were holding a birdy! SOOOO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteAND is that Panama's very own seattle-inspired space needle?!