Volunteering in Panama :)
Unfortunately, the only pictures I have are from my cracked iPod :)
Who knew while sitting in my eleventh grade chemistry class that I would be exposed to one of the greatest opportunities of my life. A presentation was displayed to all of us students, that intrigued my interest. In high school, I was a part of the green academy which focused on the study of climate change, so conservation of the environment quickly became a passion of mine. Which is why it was mandatory for me to participate in this opportunity.
Save the Rainforest! This is an organization whose goal is not only to conserve the tropical rainforests, but inform the masses of its importance and why it should be a priority. I volunteered to help the Gamboa rainforest in Panama. It was two weeks long and also included a trip to the Embera village and Bocas Del Toro.
When we first arrived in Panama, I remember observing in awe how different the city looked, while allowing the fact that I am actually in a different country settle within me. I noticed as we continued to drive, the roads became less populated and filled with beautiful greenery. The place we stayed in was very open, there wasn’t an actual door, so it really felt like we were one with nature the entire time. If you have a fear of bugs, like I did, it would probably stress you out a little, but I knew what I was getting into. I actually saw the biggest moth here in my entire LIFE. It was literally 3x the size of my head and it never left the wall it was on for at least four days. We came with the intention to do volunteer work, but unfortunately it was raining extremely hard so many of our days were canceled. Instead we just listened to the birds, rain and other animal sounds that filled the forest. We had a chef who would cook us traditionals meals and oh my, we had the best fruit I've ever had in my entire life. I still remember the taste of the pineapples, almost ten years later. I was enjoying myself thoroughly. The host for the organization was supplying us with so much information about the culture, he would also help translate any excursion and lessons we had planned for the day. The beauty of this country was unimaginable and the itinerary was seamless.
After our time in Gamboa we stayed with a Panamanian tribe who accepted us onto their land. There we learned about the Embera people’s lifestyle and cultural background. We had to take a boat to get where we were staying, and after placing our belongings in the huts, we got back on the boat that took us to a trail leading to a beautiful waterfall. I wish I kept a journal at this point in my life because I do not have the best memory and can not remember all the viable information that was conveyed to me. However, from observations, I do know the people of Embera didn’t use industrial mechanics, or any advanced technology. They were the genius of their own creations, which were all environmentally friendly. There I was able to disconnect and be fully in the present. I still can feel the warm wind and the sound of rain hitting the top of our hut that was fifteen feet above the ground (it was like a treehouse). This tribe was the highlight of my entire experience, everyone was extremely kind, beautiful, and genuine.
In the end, we took a short flight to Bocas Del Toro which was AMAZING as well. Every part of this trip offered something completely different. When we first stepped off the plane, the air was so crisp and fresh, It was like nothing I’ve experienced before. Here, we stayed in a house over the water where you could jump in right from your balcony. There were lizards everywhere so I did not see a single bug anywhere 😄. My love for lizards actually began here. Oh wow, the first hammock I ever laid in was at this house, so my love for those must've started here as well. At night you could see what seemed to be at least one hundred sting rays roaming around the waters. The sight was indescribable, like every other inch of this country. We rode bikes through the town, bought items from locals and continued to eat delectable, home-cooked traditional meals. All while being told how greedy Americans are, in which, we are lol. The normal portion size for Americans is probably triple the amount of the food in Panama, so I felt pretty healthy there lol.
Overall this experience allowed me to feel pure bliss, it changed my life entirely. I am so grateful for everything Earth provides us. To see it continuously being ripped away by deforestation, industrial innovations, and big corporations, is truly heartbreaking. This trip not only sparked my interest to see all the other wonders of the world, but how we can make change in society by volunteering with organizations that support these efforts and/or donating.
Random things we did that I didn't incorporate:
At some point in this amazing experience we did stop at the Panama Canal. I can’t remember the timeline.
The plates we used to eat with the Embera tribe were gorgeously wrapped plants, unfortunately I can not recall the name of the plant.
I saw a bat for the first time.
We went snorkeling.
We went to an animal sanctuary.
Written By Akira S.
