Day 2!

Day 2, January 7, 2010

9:00 PM

Today has been a day full of surprises! Honestly, we should have all known better than to make assumptions about what this trip would be like or what it would mean to each of us.

The alarm woke Jen, Adriana and I at a bright and sunshiny 6:30 AM, just five hours after we passed out in our (rather nice) hostel room in David. After a group breakfast of omelets and yukas in the hostel restaurant, we all took group pictures in our bright green GBB shirts. We wear ‘em proud, folks. The three-hour bus ride to the community was one we had all been dreading, but it turned out to be one of the best parts of the day. We traveled East towards the Atlantic coast, through mountains topped with puffs of snow white clouds and valleys that seemed to never end. Once again, the lush foliage, spectacular views, and vibrant flowers provided hundreds of photo opportunities.

Our van played games, talked, and got over that awkward “honeymoon phase” we were all worried about. Thanks, Sayer, for giving us such awesome opportunities to make fun of you. But really, today’s ride gave us time to talk about expectations, concerns, and what we hoped this trip would mean to us. It was serious bonding time, and tons of fun, too.

Just a few minutes before our trip ended, we were lucky enough to encounter my favorite animal crossing the road, a sloth!! We all jumped out to take pictures, and everyone had a good laugh about my incessant screaming.

Finally, we turned off the “main” road onto a small dirt path that led to Rio Oeste Arriba. Although the vans could make it the mile or so to the heart of the community, we all piled out, grabbed our cameras, and started the walk in to the town. Beautiful jungle plants arched over the road and the mountains shot directly up all around us. The beauty and peacefulness really were awe-inspiring.

Our biggest surprise of the day came when we were shown to our rooms in the community. The boys and girls were divided between two schoolrooms, complete with cement floors, open-air windows, and no electricity or running water. We didn’t complain though, because we all signed up for an adventure when we signed that dotted line so many months ago. We weren’t aware, but things would soon get better.

After throwing our cute leopard print rolling suitcases in the room, we headed down for a tour of the community. The town proved to be incredibly humbling. Each family lives in a small wooden house on stilts, with open windows and the wash hanging on lines right outside their doors. The stilts are so the animals, a stange mix of pigs, dogs, goats, and chickens, are sheltered from the weather and the threat of wild animals. The hills lead up and down throughout the town, and the stairs are just packed mud. Everyone was careful to watch their step, for fear of falling and never stopping.

After the tour that also served as a question and answer period with Salomon, the community leader, we headed back up the hill to the town meeting place. Everyone introduced themselves and shared their role in the community or organization, and smiles were present all around. No matter how little each person has in Rio Oeste, their happiness never seems to end. We also had an “interview,” when we were given time to ask questions about the cacao business we would soon start to assist. They gave us great, honest answers and provided us with plenty of material to get started right away.

The foundation is called ACADUCT and is comprised of twenty-five villagers trying to expand their present business and learn new skills to improve their way of life. Right now, they grow, harvest, dry and sell cacao beans, and they also produce a small amount of bakers chocolate. Their vision is to expand their business of bakers chocolate to bring in more profit, and eventually attract tourists to a chocolate tour. It is our only hope that our team can help make this vision a reality.

Talking to the people and Brian and having dinner together all proved to be positive experiences, and now we are all peacefully watching the stars fall into the blank Panamanian night. Air mattresses and mosquito nets now occupy the room where we’ll sleep. The mood is optimistic and cheerful, and we are all ready to begin work tomorrow. I am confident these amazing people I’ve traveled so far with will be some of my best friends in just a few days. This is hard work, but it is more rewarding than we could have imagined.