Videos from Panama (mostly rain!)

Leaving Ukupseni Village on Thursday afternoon by boat gives an impression of the size of the village.

About 1/3 of the current island is built on landfill because the Community is running out of room.  Children account for over 60% of the current population of roughly 2000.  The population can swell to 3000 or more during festivals.

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Earlier in my time here, I recorded several intense rainstorms.  The sound and the volume are amazing - and when you think about how much water actually fell, well, they were remarkable storms.  But not all that unusual here in Panama!

Rain in Panama City is fierce and this was my first experience of the effects of sudden downpours on the traffic.  In the first video, we are heading in one direction, and in the second, we are heading the opposite direction at the same spot so you can see it a bit more dramatically.

These 2 videos were taken during a torrential downpour just as we were leaving the UTP Regional Center in David.

This final video is of our driver, Sr. Sanchez, navigating through David following the heavy downpour recorded above on campus.  It was incredibly intense - so intense that it flooded the streets. of David.  (Please forgive the early attempt to show the action out the side window!)

More Friday Photos

Sr. Sanchez, who got us safely there and back

Time, Interviews and Rain. (Tuesday)

Tuesday was totally different because I was not teaching.  We started the day eating at the market - a simple but yummy meal.  Plus there was a fruit stall nearby where we could stock up on yummies.

I had a number of errands to do - for myself and for others on the team, and since I was the one who was free, I had a chance to go do them and explore David a bit.

First, I had to go to renew my data plan so it wouldn't lapse.  Sanchez (our driver) helped me find the mail center for +Movil ("MasMovil") my carrier.  I had to get a number from this interesting display

and then wait.  And wait.  And wait. Finally, my number was called and I found out that to add money to my data plan I first had to buy regular cell phone time, and then pay for the data from that.  

The process was as follows:

1.  Add prepaid time to phone --> Press *166# [code on the card] # Send/Call (depending on the phone)

I had to add $15 USD - so I had to do this twice - once for a $5 card and another time for the $10 card - no such thing as a $15 card, even though this is the standard rate for data)

2.  Now, move money to data plan --> Press *456# Send/Call

3.  A menu comes up with Blackberry (1) or Other (2) - choose 2 then click "Reply" in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

4. Another menu comes up - choose the length of time for the data (30 days) --> Reply" in upper right hand corner

5.  Another menu comes up - discrete purchase (1) or ongoing/continuous (2) - choose 2 and click "Reply" in the upper right hand corner one last time.

!*%#!

Fellow HCI'ers and others, tell me - is this an intuitive process?  I was mighty glad to have someone who could explain this in English while doing it.  I now have it safely documented in my purple book!

Next was the Farmacia for a friend, and then the fun part, a quest for beads.  Unfortunately, almost all of the beads available in Panama are plastic - this is true in Panama City as well - so I had to try several places, but finally, upstairs in a "Sederia" (a store that sells many things - for parties, for crafts, etc.) I found a few (and I mean a very few) stone and glass beads for new necklaces - this time for Maritza and for Sanchez's wife.  Plus some taiga beads - I haven't seen these before so I stocked up.

Back to UTP we sped.  Once I got there, I found out that there were 2 Ngobe-Bugle people - one a student and one a gardener on staff - who were available to meet with to interview.  This was intended to help add context to the research that Aris and Lydia are doing.  We were saddened to find out that they were pretty much assimilated into mainstream Panamanian culture, speaking Spanish in the home, being out of touch with migration patterns, and such.  I totally understand this.  After all, the Ngobe-Bugle are an indigenous peoples who have been marginalized and relegated to remote impoverished places in the Comarcha - a sort of reservation.  But it is also kind of sad to see the loss of their language and culture.  It also underlines the need to actually spend time in those remote areas and to work closely with people who can help us understand what is happening, and also who can help us find culturally appropriate ways to co-design if technology proves to be a useful tool to help provide access, learning, and healthcare.  If.  IF.

And then, the skies opened. Lightening flashed followed almost immediately by loud, booming thunder.

And rain.

Lots and lots and lots of rain.  The torrents were so loud they drowned out conversation.  And almost immediately, they filled the drains and flowed like rapid rivers through campus.

How to get home?  Even with an umbrella, in this downpour of epic proportions, there was no way we were going to get into the Dean-mobile without getting drenched.

Or was there?

Brilliant Sanchez to the rescue!  He had found a place to park under an awning that covered the entire van!  Yes, there was a huge, deep puddle on one side, but the other was only a little puddle (amazing given the downpour) and one by one, we were able to get into the van basically dry - OK, a bit damp around the edges, but basically dry.

Whew!

We wondered if it would be possible to rive, but that was selling Sanchez short.  He negotiated the roads, puddles and all, like the champion driver that he is.

We sped through the night as the rain abated, past villages and schools and homes.

And dogs.  Lots and lots of dogs.  Many were asleep in the now-dry road.  Others were walking nonchalantly across the street, seemingly blissfully unaware of the hurtling van.  Sanchez had his hands full avoiding them all, as the rest of us gasped and applauded his skill.

On through the night we traveled and finally, we reached Santiago, our resting place for the night.

 
And for dinner?  Why, sanchoce of course.

A Very Long Journey (Sunday)

It didn't help that I was up at 5:30 am - not after last night's late bedtime (2 am)

But it didn't seem to hurt all that much either.

I packed and did all those last-minute things one must attend to prior to leaving (except there's no mail here to stop).  And then, shortly before Geralis was due to pick me up, the heavens opened, rent by lightning and booming with thunder and raining so hard I couldn't see out past my own balcony rail.  It was impressive in a kinda scary sort of way.

Luckily, the rain abated at least somewhat by the time she arrived, and we got over to UTP quickly.  The "Dean-mobile" (a small van) awaited us.  We straggled in, and then loaded up to leave.  We had planned to get off by 2 pm but it was almost 3 before we hit the road.  We picked up Eucleades - it was still pouring rain - and then set off.

Slowly, as we progressed to the West, the rain calmed, turned into sprinkles and then stopped altogether.  By now, I know this road fairly well.  It's my 3rd time on it and I am starting to know when to look for things.

 As usual, we stopped in Santiago to refuel (ourselves and the car)  I had Arroz Combination - rice with chicken, ham, and pork - and it was terrific (though copious).  After Santiago, we took a new road to avoid the road works on the main Pan American Highway.  I wish it had been light for it, but it was interesting nonetheless.  Shortly after I mentioned that we would have to be watching for deer were we in Minnesota, there was a plethora of dogs in the road.  I haven't seen any other dogs here - but now, it seemed like every dog in the country was hanging out in the road ahead of us.  We joked that maybe the sign with the cow on it was really a sign with a dog.

The road twisted and turned and rose and fell all the way to the border control checkpoint.  There, we re-joined the Pan American Highway and bumped our way into David.  There was, predictably, a lot of truck traffic making it hard to pass, which made it seem like David was teasing us.  "Come closer," it beckoned, but then there was yet another truck in front of us or, just as it seemed like it would be OK to pass, a truck coming toward us.

And then, seemingly suddenly, we were in David.  Elba and I are sharing a room, and it's safe to say that we were in bed almost immediately.

Early morning tomorrow.  And many miles gone before we could sleep.

Big rain (Thursday)

Today I experienced my first "Big rain" in the city.  We had a "big rain" when we were in Chiriqui at the river, but that was different because there wasn't flooding or lots of traffic.  Plus it tamed down quite quickly.

Today, however, it hit when Lydia and I were coming back to campus from a trip into the city for a meeting.

And HIT is the right word too!  The rain pelted down, at times obscuring vision and turning the streets into rivers, streaked with mud.  Some lightening and thunder but mostly just RAIN!  And more RAIN!  Pelting, furious, pounding, unremitting, torrential, HUGE RAIN!

I felt so sorry for the beverage and fruit sellers who hawk their wares to motorists at stoplights who were drenched within seconds - one guy was huddled under his stand's umbrella looking rather miserable but others were simply out in the rain.

Lydia

Lydia is the consummate "back roads" driver and she know the way to avoid a huge flooded area on Tumbla Muerte, so we snaked through the neighborhoods, racing water as it flowed down the streets. In one low spot, there was a large puddle - no, make that a small lake.  Lydia's 4x4 made it through with ease - she said that the rain and the subsequent pooling of water had influenced her decision of vehicle.  I could definitely see why.  Ordinary cars had a hard time making it through - the water was up over the bottom of the doors for some of them.  (This reminded me of a time in Mumbai when I had hoped to visit the artisans of Marketplace India in Dvari, but was told not to come because the water was up over the floors of the auto rickshaws)  It would definitely make for a damp ride!

We did have to wade through one rather large "lake" - that's the one I tried to capture here.

Or, since photos rarely really capture it, I took videos.  But, of course, Blogger can't process them (despite everything!)  I'll keep trying...

And then, as suddenly as it had started, it slowed, changed to drops instead of sheets, then turned to drips and then, by the time we were back on campus (at most 5 minutes after these photos), it had almost stopped.

So I didn't really get to use my beautiful new umbrella much.  I did put it up for the walk down from the car, but it really wasn't necessary.

I know that I WILL use it, however.  Definitely.  AND my custom-made raincoat (Thanks, Sewellyn!)  And I'll still get wet I know.  I just hope I won't be quite as wet as the hawkers.  Or if I am, that I dry quickly.

(Check out more photos of Diablos Rojos from today)

Be Prepared (Tuesday)

After yesterday's downpour, I decided to bring along my brand new multicolored umbrella today.  I absolutely love it - the colors are vibrant and it's HUGE - so really useful in the rain.  Elba borrowed it to walk to another building and said it worked just fine.

But I didn't actually get to try it in the rain because it had stopped by the time we left campus.

Which was really good (since we didn't get soaked) and also, somehow, disappointing.  Funny how that works.  I suspect that in a very short time, I'll be thrilled when it's not raining when we leave.

The rain did have its effects though as the air was fresh(er) and it was cool(er) than on sunny days.   Fascinating to watch the seasons unfold here.

And I'm glad that, even when there's not an actual rainbow, I will be carrying my own with me.

To aide your imagination (Monday photos)

Across the street

Panorama (1)

Panorama (2)

Panorama (3)

Panorama (4_

Construction site awash in mud
(but no workers - the strike is still on)

Construction site awash (2)

Swollen stream is overflowing its banks

Overflowing into the street...

...making it treacherous to pass

Adventuring in Chiriqui: Day 2 (Good Friday)

Aris at the helm

Rio Sereno School

Rio Sereno School

All the shops were shut tight for Good Friday

One of the Stations of the Cross Good Friday night

The streets of Rio Sereno were quiet...

But inside, a wonderful celebration was taking place!

Feliz cumpleanos..

Heating the fresh milk over the fire to make delicious goodies

Aris' Dad and his son

Girls beading

Celebrations

Delicious treats (and beads too)

Bright and early, Aris and her family arose.  Bright and not quite so early, I arose.  Unfortunately, not quite early enough because I kept them waiting while I came down from my room and checked out.  Even so, they were welcoming – see what I mean about a great family?

We set off.  We got some gas and some cash and went on our way to Rio Serena.  I sang the obligatory (in my family anyway) “We’re off to see the wizard…” while they politely listened.  I realized as I was singing that this was a rather unusual ritual – but I’ve always loved it.  We always sang it as we set off on family adventures – heading to visit my grandparents in Wyoming from our home in New York.  This was before the Interstates were built – so all the way on what William Least Heat Moon calls “blue highways” - highways that are blue on the map and that are wonderful by-ways through now-forgotten places.  These are exactly the roads David and I have always taken, especially through the mountains, so this trip felt strangely familiar, rather like trips we’ve taken in Italy and France.

The road became twisty and turny as we headed up into the mountains to Volcan and beyond.  Aris did a great job of navigating the curves (high five!) 

There was so much to see!  Coffee growing on the hillside, Ngäbe-Buglé women in their beautiful dresses, interesting towns and, of course, magnificent views.  I tried to capture as much as I could on my camera, but most of it will have to be in memory because I wasn’t fast enough.  

We passed through towns as we twisted through the mountains.  With interesting stores and people.  But we were on a mission:  To get to Rio Sereno  for the birthday party!

And then we arrived.  And so did everyone else.  For several minutes, everyone was kissing and exclaiming in delight to see each other.  Cousins, siblings, aunts!  Everyone was thrilled to see everyone else.

And once again, this wonderful family embraced me and welcomed me, a stranger and a virtually mute one at that.  For my Spanish has flown away.  And I understood very few of the words, in part because of this and in part because Panamanian Spanish is super fast!

I took out my beads to make bracelets for the two birthday girls, Aris’ sisters.  I also handed out the bracelets I had made for the kids, and suddenly found myself surrounded by girls.   And everyone wanted to make a bracelet.  And then another – which had to be a gift.  One of the boys even got into the act and made a gift for one of the girls.  And Haley, the youngest of the girls (by only days it turned out) wanted to so badly, but I turned her away, thinking she was too little.  She was very upset – which I completely understand now that I know the situation.  I demurred thinking that I would string what she selected, but she did both – and her bracelet was fabulous!  The color choices were quite adult and she was able to string them quite well.  

The day flowed on around me – ebbing and flowing – and food was brought out, followed by more food, followed by yet more.  All delicious.  All copious.

The highlight was the birthday celebration – with 2 huge (!) cakes, one for each sister.  We sang “Feliz Cumpleanos” twice, and they each blew out a candle (albeit the same one relit)  

The day sped by.  At one point, I went out to the park with Patty, one of Aris’ nieces.  She has gone to a bilingual school since kindergarten and her English is excellent.  We talked about both of us – she loves the band, One Direction (I do too) and she’s going to marry all of them (I am not).  

A friend did a long presentation on a line of beauty products called “Omni Life” - complete with demonstrations and make-overs!  At one point, most of the assembled women had blue masque on their faces.  I didn’t take a photo since I though this wouldn’t be appreciated, but it was fun to watch the presentation and the results.  

Day turned into evening and more food came and went.  And with it, more conversation that washed over me and flowed around me.  I watched TV with the kids – it’s amazing how much you can figure out from context.  And yawned as the evening took me – I was exhausted from the festivities and from the trip.  

Finally, it was time for Aris and the boys to leave to go to her cousin’s house.  I stayed at her aunt’s home, and quickly fell into bed and fast asleep in record time.