We finished off the second course with an amazing farewell dinner cooked by our very own TA, Seabass. Appropriately, we ate all the fish whose guts we'd been dissecting for parasites... Plus some delicious tapas, wine, risotto, and "orgasmic" chocolate brownies.
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| The chef in action |
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| Tapas - chorizo and blue cheese |
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| Edwin approves |
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| Thanks, Lukas |
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| Those cool kids |
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| Dinner |
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| and dessert |
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| Effects of the dessert right here |
After dinner, and some writing of the final paper due the next day, we continued the celebration with karaoke and dancing. Highlights included "I'm Yours", "Faithfully", and "Baby Got Back" (flawlessly rapped by both Lukas and Jenni). A few of us stayed out later talking and joking around. It was a great way to end the course. Except for the all-day writing fest the next day...but hey, details.
I got my paper done and thesis funding all squared away around 10pm on Friday night, and then it was time for packing up all my stuff for spring break. While packing, the few of us that were left swapped camping and OA stories, among others, to stay entertained. Yay bonding!
More fun facts, I got a job offer!!! VA/MD Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner. I accepted it earlier this week, which means that this summer, along with doing thesis research on the AT, I'll be backpacking for 3 whole months giving hikers trail info and promoting LNT practices!!! AHHHHH!! If you couldn't tell, I'm super excited.
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| from the right, Kristie's, Ryan's, and Edwin's drawings |
Saturday was the official start of spring break, and after waiting all day in the hotel, my parent finally arrived!
On their first day in Panama, I showed them around Gamboa, the Canal, and Pipeline Road. It even rained in the rainforest...how cliched...
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Mom did a lot of peeing in the rainforest...
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On Monday, we went fishing bright and early in the morning. MORE FISHING FOR PEACOCK BASS. I have so much fishing experience now it's unhealthy. Dad caught the biggest fish, I caught the most, and Mom caught the most in succession.
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| Dad and his big fish |
Our fishing guide also had a pet wild crocodile, Pepe, who came when Marcos whistles. Neve thought I'd see that in my life...
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| Pepe getting lunch |
On Tuesday, we headed to the Miraflores Locks for some learning about the Canal. On the way, the Diablo Rojo broke down, which was a fun introduction to Panama's transportation system for my parents.
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Dad, pretending to man the Canal's mission control
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After the locks, we headed to the causeway for some strolling and dinner at Beirut. It was a gorgeous evening, and an added bonus was the sloth family we found!
For the rest of the week, we visited the butterfly house on the hotel grounds, went up in the canopy tower, and went kayaking on the Chagras River. Our kayak guide took us to the Camino de Crucez, which was the Spanish gold road in the 1500s, as well as a hidden rocky waterfall oasis. It was amazing.
After mom and dad left on Friday morning, I met up with Blair and Nikki. We headed to Albrook Mall for some much needed retail therapy. Then we were off to Casco Viejo, our old hang out. We had a great weekend together, eased into being back with the class on Sunday, and now, we're literally minutes away from leaving the schoolhouse for Coiba.
Coiba is a national park on the Pacific side of Panama, and we'll be living there for a week in tents with no internet. Snorkeling all day, entertaining ourselves without technology mediating everything. It'll be like an aquatic version of OA. Can't wait!!!
I'll be back in contact on April 1st. Until then, love to everyone at home!
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