Bee's 3 Step Guide to Going Abroad: LIVE!

Step 3---You made it! And so...

First thing’s first. There is a good ol' saying from Sierra Leone, that the people always tell the JCs ( a term for newly arrived visitors, especially those Sierra Leone natives living abroad). They say "Nah for put u rights nah u pocket." In translation, put your rights in your pocket. In translation again, forget about all them rights and rules and essentially all the order that you know to exist in the western world. It’s a serious thing, though, we laugh at it. But it is one thing I recommend for travelers. It speaks to the ability to adapt to your local environment. This will help you stay calm and not become frustrated in certain situations. Take it easy, take the country for what it is, try hard not to compare it to what you know and you will be able to get the best experience out of it. Do I like brushing my buttocks against passengers as I squeeze to through the cramped aisles to find a seat? No. Do I look forward enduring the odor of someone’s long day of hard work? Um, not exactly. But do I like paying only .25 cents to get somewhere?  Um, yes. $3.00 to the beach. Um, yes. So I take it for what it is and sacrifice. Learn how to do this and you are half way to having a blast! And truly delving into what the country has to offer.

-Check into a hostel, couch-surf, or stay with a friend in town. Some people look for places to live before hand. I would recommend crashing somewhere until you are hired or have established an area that you want to be in. You should get a feel for the country and decide where you could see yourself living. I stayed at a nice hostel in the older section of Panama City upon arrival. And I am actually planning to move back there in a few weeks.

-Once you arrive, ask where you can get a small/cheap cell phone with a local number. This should be done almost immediately.

-Once you get yourself a number, add your new local number to your cover letter and resume and then re-send your cover letter/resume to your list of school contacts. Watch the magic happen!

-Ask about ways to get around and start checking out the locations of these language schools. Get some copies of your package printed and then hand deliver them to schools/businesses. This shows that you are serious and the reality is that down here and in other parts of the world it is highly likely that you will not get a response via email. I won’t even begin to go in to the many reasons as to why non-response should be expected. #aintnobodygottimeforthat

-Be patient. Again. And Again.

-Go out. Meet people. Network. Tell them what you are doing. Indulge the people who will spend minutes and minutes talking to you you about how they are investing in some weird project and even the people who say they have been traveling for 7 months and are just passing through. Just indulge them. You might learn a thing or to, or find someone with whom you share similar interested. And besides, you never know what connects they might have.

-Don't be usin’ all your money juuuuuust yet. (Yes, I said it like that. It was appropriate)

-Make a list of things/experiences you want to have while in country.

Deep Ish:

Make a list of what you didn’t come here to do. And every time you find yourself trippin' look back at that list.

For me, I didn’t come to panama to work excessively, to be stressed, to have that day-to-day stress of office job-ness and I didn’t come here to drive. I came here to walk as much as I could and be driven. I also came here to write more, live more, and self-reflect about how to build my future.

And so far, I have done those things. I’ll be honest and say that I do get stressed, but it’s a different kind of stressed than when I was in the States. I have had a lot of time to do just those things. However, I am almost ready for what’s next. Stay tuned.

But in the mean time, start your own journey.

Get back to Y.O.U. (Your Own Unfulfilled dreams)

Just G.O (Get Out!)

And

LIVE!

When Drums Traveled Oceans

When you feel like you are in your native land, but you hear Spanish and quickly realize that you are in a country, at the tip of Central America, in the mouth of south America’s Colombia.

When you are grateful to see the same tropical colors reminiscent of your ancestral home

When you are pleased to see people whose cheek bones, lips, noses, body structures resemble yours

When you can play with a little girl’s hair…a girl who could have been you when you were her age

When you can smile and nod at each person in a way that only people who are proud of their blackness recognize

When you taste that rice made over a wooden stove with a chicken combination similar to what your mommy makes

When you can look around and say “Hey, we do that too!”

When you can see how your ancestors once moved their waists and feet to the same Congo drums

When you can pinpoint things that originated from Africa and were carried across oceans into a foreign land now meshing into the land of the foreign

When you can appreciate another culture, because it looks like what you know

When you can look at another person, in a land foreign to you, and see yourself. See your brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins. Then you see just how connected we once were.

Happy Black History Month family!

Pictures from La Feria de Diablos y Congos in Portobelo, Panama. The tradition hails from Afro-Antillean interpretation of tactics used by slaves to rebel against their masters. The devil represents the slave master and the people taunting it represent that African slaves. Women in colorful dresses sing songs of freedom while sway their hips melodically to the beats of the drums. It is said to be a cultural and colorful display of the struggle of good versus evil. The event is held only every two years on the old fort ruins of Portobelo, a town located in the Caribbean province of Colón. I had the pleasure of spending several days there and fell in love with the town for it's slow paced caribbean vibe, freshly cooked food, and abundance of pretty tropical plants. I am a sucker for the vibrant colors of the tropics.

La Feria de Diablos y Congos

nothing like roast meat at an outdoor gathering

djege man...y'all know the type.

diablos from Bocas Del Toro

end the night with a display of fireworks

doesn't this look like Sierra Leone? or Barbados? Or Guyana? Or you name it.

Bee's 3 Step Guide to Going Abroad: Ready, Set, G.O.! (Get Out!)

STEP 2: The Step with a Whole Lotta Steps.

If you are just joining the ride, please take off your seatbelt and read Step 1. It’s one of the few times, I will ask you to take off your seatbelt! But I need you to get this part from the beginning. 

Ready?

So last post, I detailed the portion of Getting Back to Y.O.U.---Your Own Unfilled promises. That’s right, we all have them. Pull out your list now. We’ll wait.

Mine of course was always wanting to just teach abroad, even if only for a few months or a year.  I put things in place and started taking the TEFL course.

During the course, I started my research. I completed my practicum as it was a requirement for the course. I tutored students at the Literacy Council of Prince George’s County. I would spend some days tutoring a guy in a reading class and other days observing the English as a Second Language class. I enjoyed both experiences. Tutoring one student in a reading class really tested my patience; I had to think about new ways to get him to learn. That experience in itself was a blessing because READING is something we take for granted. If you are following this blog, you are blessed. Education = Freedom, indeed. It was then that I truly learned the depth and importance of that phrase. Whew, Jesus, Lord. Thank you. I was also able to take notes and pick up things that I would want to use in my classroom when I went abroad. 

Note: The guy I was tutoring had started a few months ago at the literacy council. He was in his 60s and could not read the alphabet when he first started. When I first started working with him he still had a way to go, but he was writing at least one paragraph a day in a journal. He liked to write about why people did the things they did in the world. His determination to learn killed any excuse I ever gave myself.

SACRIFICE is a key word. I would get off work from my night job. Then rest a bit before going to practicum, then go to my afternoon job after. Sometimes I was late, but I had explained to my boss what I was doing. I was missing money, but it was for a greater cause---my freedom!

*Greatest Lesson in Step 2*: Do not be afraid to make sacrifices. They might sting, but if the outcome of your sacrifice is greater and for longevity, don’t be afraid to make it. Do it!

Before Departure.  These are the steps that I took; you will tweak these to fit your needs and destination :) But I think these steps are applicable to many Latin American destinations and other countries.

1. Complete course including practicum. Tie up all loose ends when it comes to acquiring your certification. I was nervous that somebody would call and say “Ummmm, ONE more thing.” Lol, kinda like graduation. You get it.

2. Google anything and everything about your intended destination. Before bed. While you wait at the doctor’s office. At work. Lol. And create a folder in your email called “_______________ Resources” I know y’all thought I was crazy just uppin’ and movin,’ but Lord knows I researched the hell outta Panama. Anything that said Panama, I read it---AND ANYTIME OF THE DAY. I developed a folder in my email box called Panama resources. I found travel blogs, people blogs, reviews, anything and everything on what and how to do stuff in Panama. If I was going to do this, I was going to know HOW to do it and that I COULD do it. I had so many resources that by the time an advisor emailed me with what she thought would be good resources for me, I had already seen all of them and ruled some out. Gotta do your own work.

3. Since I wanted to teach, I needed to know where I could do this. Thus, I began looking up schools. You know what that meant. Google search “English schools in Panama” and every other possible combination of those words to see what the wonderful Google Gods would yield for results, lol. Unfortunately for me, Panama’s TEFL market/experience wa basically non-existent on file. Not many people set out to come teach English in Panama, unlike more popular teaching destinations like Thailand, Costa Rica, South Korea, China, etc. so it was a bit difficult and even frustrating at times. But, I stuck with it. I tried a second technique, which was finding different words for school and not typing English language schools specifically. I tried ‘schools in panama’ and let it give me as many as schools as possible. Anything I yielded that seemed a bit legit, I added it to a list. Eventually I took all of my results and compiled a list of schools, phone numbers, email addresses, fax numbers, and location when available. I would leave this list alone and then come back after a new creative Google word search got me a new school or something. Tricks---are not just for kids :) Also, you want to know the peak hiring seasons for the work you are trying to do.

4. Now, you are like great, I have a list I can send out my resumes/cover letters to ear employers. No, relax. Not just yet. My institute advised me to create a packet that most language schools like to see when hiring teachers from overseas. I would recommend, based on how I was recommended, a beautifully written cover letter, a solid resume with related teaching/training experience, a copy of your TEFL certificate and two recommendations from employers that love you J I have my picture on my resume which they say is recommended for international teaching positions, but I think its to see your race…just saying. Just get these things together. Don’t send just yet.

5. Then, you want to develop an email addressing potential schools. I created one in Spanish since I was applying to schools in a Spanish-speaking country. But, if you are applying for a job in Thailand, maybe you don’t know how to write Thai. In that case, English would suffice, lol. Once you have a nice formal email introducing yourself, attach your resume and cover letter to the email and send it out. I did a blind copy to many schools, about once every 1.5 weeks. Do not send all of the information mentioned in step 4, unless they request it.

6. Wait for responses. Only got 1. But that was normal. A lot of schools in Latin America won’t hire you before arrival. This step means, even with all of the other steps, don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back. You just gotta make the move.

7. Tell all your friends and family that you are making a move and that you have done research. Tell them about other people that have done this same thing (like me). Show them this blog. Show them other blogs. Tell them that dream chasin’ and travelling the world is in style and that they too should get with it! Lol.

8. Purchase your plane ticket for the time you think that will be best to make your move based on peak hiring seasons for your intended job and personal matters.

9. Do Step 7 again. Cuz some people won’t believe you.

10. Tie up loose ends. Figure out how you will pay your bills while away. Designate a person to be responsible for different things. Defer your loans, if you can. Handle any medical stuff. Tell your doctor that you are going abroad and want to make sure that you can connect with them for questions. Lord knows, I abuse the hell out of my doctor’s office with questions. And my cousin that is a PA of course gets bombarded with questions. Check with your insurance provider to see what they cover. Cancel stuff. Stop this. Stop that. Prepare.

11.  Create a packing list of things you will need that you cannot find abroad. In my experience, I will always leave the States with a planner. I will not even begin to tell you my finding a cute planner in August in Panama ordeal. The teachers at my school knew my struggle, lol. Luckily, this year, I found a wonderful Paulo Coelho planner. Yes, I am a believer.

12. Purchase International travel insurance.

13. Register with the U.S. Embassy if you are an American Citizen.

14. Request certain stuff from your closest friends and family members and tell them to come to your house because you are leaving. People will pretty much get you anything. Lol. I got cards, money, food, a magic jack, body sprays, you name it, I was claiming it. The greatest gift though, was the support of my mother and father. Have a cute little potluck in your mom’s backyard with your closest friends and just laugh and enjoy them. By the time you get back, some will be married, moms, dads, CPAs, grad students, diplomats, etc. basically, prepare yourself for a journey and have them prepare for your growth on this journey.

15. Believe in yourself. This is what will take you where you are supposed to be. This is how people will believe in you as well. They will look at you and say, “Wow, she did it!”

Bee's 3 Step Guide to Going Abroad: Step 1

Step 1: Getting Back to Y.O.U.  (Your Own Unfilled Promises)

So you say you have always wanted to travel, teach abroad, and see the world. This is what you say. Ever since you went on your last vacation to the Caribbean, or visited your family in some foreign country, or took the road with some friends on a spontaneous backpacking journey, you promised yourself that you would come home and start saving because you really enjoy traveling. Then you met someone who told you that they have taught in South Korea or if you live in the Washington DC area, you have met all the recent graduate non-profit workers who volunteered with disabled children at a camp in some far away land. Either way, one of these things peaked your curiosity, and you thought about how cool of an experience that was. But, you never thought it could be YOU.

But, yes it can be you. No you don’t have to volunteer in a village in India, Nicaragua or Kenya. You can actually do anything that you want to do, in any part of the world. You just have to be true to yourself. I have heard that phrase before, but it didn’t really understand the depth of that until last January.

I have known that I wanted to teach abroad since June of 2008.  I always had it in the back of head, but from time to time, my passion for the unknown and the need to get away would creep back up on me, usually as I was tired and driving to my second job.  

In January of 2012, per recommendation by a sister, I created a list of things that I wanted in the year and what things would be unacceptable for me. Unacceptable for me was still being in the DMV by August. I was determined to go to either Venezuela or Panama, practice my Spanish, and explore.  When the first opportunity didn’t work out, I started working on my plan B, which was Panama. Plan B, to date, has been a blessing. Everything happens the way it does for a reason.

Without being “true to myself,” I would have never been able to take this step. I had to first accept that fact that I was not comfortable with the way I was working, I adored both of populations that I was serving at both of my jobs as a youth development worker for county recreation and as a call specialist on a hotline assisting victims of human trafficking; yet, I wasn’t totally fulfilled and happy about where I was in my life. 

When Plan A didn’t work out, I started on plan B right away. I made the decision to register for the TEFL class. I couldn’t really afford it but was willing to make the sacrifice. I stayed home for about a month just being broke. But when the class started, I felt like I was getting back to myself. I love learning actually. Most importantly, I knew that I was actually taking a REAL step towards doing what I wanted to do. I was listening to my heart. 

Next, I started researching the teaching market for English teachers in Panama and possible job opportunities. Though, I had my heart set on Panama, I still made sure to consider many other teaching locations and opportunities including South Korea, Costa Rica, Indonesia, to name a few. But since Spanish was important to me, I narrowed it down to Spanish speaking countries. I knew that I wanted to be in Central America because of the tropical weather. Wasn’t quite ready to make it back down to South America yet. I also knew that I wanted to be in a place that was thriving and safe. Based on the little research that I found, it seemed like Panama had a good economy, demand for English teachers, and lots of places to see! Panama was a go.

Find out what steps I took before leaving after I decided on Panama. This next blog post is the how-to on teaching abroad, basically, before you leave! Stay tuned. You even learn while riding on Bee’s Backseat! :)

Bee, Bocas del Toro, and 2013

I dedicate this post to my late uncle Sorie Musa, who was the smartest man I knew. He would surely be proud of the fact that I am teaching language while exploring. He was a dedicated father, intellectual, French teacher and studied linguistics. Uncle, you'll be happy to know that the Musa bunch is quite the group, especially, Kekura :) 01/14/01

just a dreamer, trying to DO.

random inspiring art on Isla Bastimientos

Well, hello pasajeros! Happy New Year from your favorite DMV Sierra Leonean-American girl in Panama! I made it back to my favorite Central American country just in time for the New Year; it was intentional. After surprising my mother and sister-girl for Christmas and baby shower, respectively, partying in the best place to be Sierra Leonean outside of Sierra Leone, the DMV, and spending quality time with loved ones, I was ready to return to Panama. There is just something about this place that motivates me.

can you see the glow already?

I had planned on spending New Year’s at home initially but then my cousin reminded me about how I always complain on New Years wishing I were somewhere else. Sounds like something I would do. So, I made sure that I made it back to Panama on Dec 30th. I prayed and prayed and fasted and prayed that some miserable snowstorm would not keep me stuck at the airport. Granted, I almost missed my flight due to a family meeting mysteriously scheduled 2 hours before departure, lol, I was able to make it.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, the humidity brought my dry skin back to its element. Oh, how I missed the way my chocolate skin glows as a result of a tropical climate. To be ashy is not kind to one’s skin or life.

Our initial plan was to ring in the New Year at some totally rad beach party on one of the islands. However…

Notice I said initial plan. We tried. Left Panama City at about 11:30 am on New Year’s Eve heading to David. From David, we would catch another bus to Almirante and then take a water taxi to the islands. Bocas Del Toro is a province in Panama that has a set of beautiful islands on the Caribbean coast.

Somehow we passed our stop and ended up in Chaguinola, which is a city in the province. Some locals explained that it would be best for us to wait until the morning and then head back to Almirante for the water taxi. They stopped a taxi for us and the taxi took us to a really decent and affordable hotel in the town. Did I mention that the taxi ride was $1.40? Good deal and friendly town.

the caribbean!

By midnight the entire town was putting on their own fireworks in every corner. Not particularly pleasant in my opinion, but I was still grateful to be in a warm and different environment on New Year's Eve :)

I turned in shortly after ringing in the New Year, eating some street kabobs and praying for the path to continue accomplishing my dreams for this year.

The next morning we continued our sojourn to Almirante. As of right now I still love bus rides. Just something about being able to see so much of a region on a bus fascinates me. My travel partner wasn’t exactly pleased. But I enjoyed the freedom. The ride. The scenery. The greenery. This time we were actually paying attention and not dozing off. We got off at Almirante and proceeded to look for the area where we could take the water taxi. These types of things excite me. I have also come to learn that I really enjoy riding in small boats in big oceans. Lol, probably not something my mom wants to hear but I feel so at peace while being driven and taking in the scenery. Of course I strap on my life jacket. 

things you see from your water taxi

strapped up!

a little crab i picked up

After about 17 After minutes we arrived to the main island, Isla Colon. We located an affordable accommodation, then changed into our beachwear and headed to the ocean. The catch here is that you have to take a water taxi to the next islands. I love it! We went to Isla Bastimientos, and had lunch at Bibi’s. It was not particularly a sunny day and I was a tad bit stressed because of that, but then I picked up my spirits by realizing that I was in Panama on an island on New Year’s Day! Sun or no sun, we made it fun. 

monkey has no worries...hanging from the tree

peace, like a picture from a poem

The next day we bargained with a water taxi guy to take us to Red Frog, which was beautiful. I will let the pictures speak about my time at Red Frog. But in a nutshell, this beach made my New Year’s special. I felt inspired to continue going forward with my dreams and adventures. There was something about the rock structures, which I sort of climbed. Made me feel empowered and ready to take on the world.  Plus, I loved my neon margarita bathing suit courtesy of Victoria’s Secret. I also enjoyed my company, observing people, trying to guess where they were from, wondering what brought them to Bocas and riding the big waves in the Atlantic. I truly enjoyed red frog. Not to mention a yummy chicken burger and piña colada on the beach. You can't beat it.

main island

One downside about the main island, Isla Colon where we stayed was that there was barely any local food. As I consider myself a #foodie (or just greedy, lol), it is important to get the feel for the food in any place you are visiting. I look forward to that, and unfortunately, I guess due to lots of tourists, the town has lost it’s local feel, I think. Too many burger and pizza shops; I was expecting lots of places that sell fresh fish/seafood, patacones, natural juice and for a nice price, lol. But that didn’t happen. I settled for hamburgers and a pizza that I think made us sick the next day.

After sun, sand and the warm Caribbean water, that I was ready to head back I the city, read The Alchemist and get it crackin’. Ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of Panama City. See, one thing Panama offers is the opportunity to live a semi-fast paced life (minus the amount of time traffic jams take away from that pace lol) and a wonderful beach life option. You can be an English teacher during the week and a surfer chic on the weekends. I'm not exactly a surfer but the contrast sounded nice. You catch my drift though.

As I write this post to you, I am reminded that this was one of my dreams for 2012. To travel, see Panama and as much as Central America as possible and share my experiences through writing and photos. I will continue to do this in 2013. Be ready for it all! This year, I project that I will see more, learn more and do more, for myself and girls/women.

just keep moving towards your dreams...they are attainable

Stay tuned, strap on your seatbelt for more exciting times and rides on Bee’s Backseat 2013!

Why I Love the Black Man

My friend asked me about my future today. What my plans were. Who I would marry. How things would work with me being a jetsetter. Somehow we started talking about what type of men I like and who I see myself with in the future. I told him that I had one problem:  that I love black men. He asked me what I like about black men. And then, my heart poured these words out.

Why I love the Black Man

I love the way he holds me...authoritative, showing ownership, yet so sweet and loving

I love the way his facial features are strong, yet so gentle and graceful

I love the way his cheekbones protrude from his African face, yet so softly

I love the way he palms my buttocks while holding me...rocking side to side...intense yet so tender

I love the way his hair rests on his head, black in sight, smooth to touch

I love the way his hair fades to the back of his neck, prickly yet made to caress

I love the way his hands glide over me...hands rough from hard work but never too rough to rub my soft skin

I love the way his dark full lips engolf my dark full lips...

I love the way we feed each other with our selves...

I love the way he supports, provides, gives and is the backbone...yet isnt afraid to lean on his woman or be in need of love, affection, advice, anything...

I love the way a black man loves me...with fear, with passion, with intensity, with need, with lust, with love, with with with with his all.

I love the way my black man loves me...

It took me less than 10 minutes to write all the things I appreciate about Black men. What do you appreciate about him?

Walking the Fine Line

I am well aware that the concept of the haves and the have nots exists all over the world. Yet, the prevalence of classism that I have personally experienced since I have arrived in Panama is absolutely absurd. I don't think I have ever thought about class soooo much before coming here. Could be because I spend almost all of my week with professionals and wealthy expats wanting to learn English. I think so.

somewhere around where the haves live

You see here in Panama, there are two lovely words that describe the disparities that exist in the city. And people are constantly reminding you of what is what.  Call it what you may, but I find them both rather annoying for several reasons. ‘Raka Taka,’ which is an equivalent of describing someone that might be called hood or ghetto and ‘YeiYei,’ which is the equivalent of describing the money people and the ‘bougie lifestyle.’

Allow me to explore my experience a bit more with you…

My morning class had warned me that certain things were raka taka in Panama. When I asked what raka taka was they all contributed to explain things that could were considered raka taka. My dear God, I can’t even begin to list these things on this blog; I would probably have to check many of the qualifications off for myself, lol. In a nutshell, they said it was low class…

I was still feeling things out then so I didn't form an opinion on the term. I was only taking mental notes at this point. Just mental notes.

Once as I tutored a student who was trying to pass an English exam, he asked about my social life. Admittedly, I told him that I hadn't really started going out much as I was still figuring things out and getting settled. He then proceeded to tell me which clubs to go to and which clubs not to go to, noting that one club in particular [which will remain unnamed] used to be really nice, but has since lessened in quality since now it is frequented by the "low class." He said "Oh no, teacher. Don’t go there it's low class." Mental note to self: explore what he meant by that, although I think I had an idea of exactly what he meant. I had checked out that same club just a few days back and it was pretty cool. I digged the music and could see myself going back.

Or like two weeks ago when one of my students pulled out a map and proceeded to delineate a line between where the rich people lived in the city and where the rich people did not live in the city. She assumed that I lived within those lines. She was SO excited about the discovery of this map.

Raka beach? lol. just the BEACH!

Finally, the other day as I was sitting in the teachers lounge before class, two teachers discussed weekend plans. One suggested a beach and then the other quickly surmised that the beach might not be relaxing. When I asked why not, he indicated that it wouldn't be relaxing because it was a raka-taka kind of beach and that while you try to relax, someone might come right next to your sand space and start blastin’ reggaeton. WOW. So I tried to hold it in, but that had been my breaking point.

1. So a beach that is raka cannot be relaxing.

2. Only rakas listen to Reggaeton and in fact, at the beach, they will surely invade your private space with it. That’s just what rakas do. (I am sure he meant Plena, which is Panamanian reggae and pretty darn awesome!)

Okay. When the other teacher asked what raka meant, he said that it was the Panamanian equivalent to the American term "white trash." I argued that it was everything that the money havin’ Panamanians and expats considered trash...not just white.

The room got tense. I was tense. I had reached my breaking point with this.

walking contrast. literally and figuratively

Almost four months into living here in Panama and I now realize why I am having such a hard time dealing with the constant usage of these words. The use of these words aside from the fact that it attempts to clearly delineate two social classes, makes a person feel like they have to choose what to do to stay clearly within one of these groups and steer far away from the other. Secondly, aside from the fact that I have always considered myself a well-rounded person, it is always evident that in Panama the activities that have made me feel the most connected to Panamanian people and culture are those that people might consider raka taka or frown upon. I believe in getting into the people, delving into the culture, mingling, and being a part of the experience. I didn’t come all the way to Panama to hang out at the Hard Rock hotel that is reminiscent of every Hard Rock hotel in the states. I didn’t come to Panama to mingle with people in a bar that is frequented by people who are other teachers, backpackers, expats, etc. I can do that stuff every once in a while. But I came to Panama to be in Panama. I came here to live and experience a culture outside of my own upbringing and to really feel like I am traveling. I did not come to Panama to stay in my comfort zone or do things that are modeled after bar, clubs, and restaurants in US cities. Take me to the real Panama. Take me to get empanadas and chicha* for $1.00. Take me on a $0.25 bus ride on the Diablo Rojo*. Take me to Avenida B to bargain shop and have raspao*. Take me to Mercado de Mariscos* where I can have ceviche for $3.00 and kick it with the locals. Take me to my homegirl’s house where I can meet other real people and 'parquiar'* like my Panamanians say. Let me here Plena, Reggaeton, Reggae, Bachata, Salsa, anything that screams foreign! I want it all…and if that means raca taca, then so be it. Let my standard Spanish be a must and let me pick up the local version of Panamanian Spanish ‘Que Xopaaaaa?’* Lol. Love it.

ridin' the Diablo Rojo to work.

Insert sound effect here:____________. “Teacher, you ride the Diablo Rojo? *Gasp* how is it?” Me: It is just fine; I am alive, well, and made it out to teach you English today…all for $.25 ;)

And so, I bask in joy as I tell them about how exciting my weekend activities were in the areas they would never venture, listening to the music that is very unrelaxing ;) and most importantly “low class.” I bask in letting them know that as their teacher of English and co worker, I am open to all. Perhaps then they will understand the ambiguity of a person that is the English teacher, Bintu Musa.

a sister sent this to me and i was moved by it and it fits here! credit: unknown

Above all, I am an open-minded and adaptable young woman that can fit in anywhere. Take me to an official gathering with diplomats and I will chop it up and impress all the same. I don’t walk around claiming to be from one of the richest counties in the US, nor do I rag on having lived in some of the poorest areas of this county. I can hold my own in any environment. The fact remains that in all that I do, I keep an open mind and invite all types of people, good people into my circle, and into my life. I travel to live the experience. One day I will do it for an official entity and I will make them proud by bridging gaps that often exist across cultures.

Signed Shamelessly,

a Sierra Leonean-American girl who just really wants to explore another culture sans the labels.

*Chicha- natural/local juice

*Diablo Rojo- local bus---meaning Red Devil, literally
*Raspao- a delicious type of shaved ice with your favorite flavor,creamer and condensed milk---yummy!

*Mercado de Mariscos- Seafood Market

*Parquiar- Panamanian slang for chillin'

*Que Xopa- Panamanian slang for 'what's up?'

NEXT! Surprise destination pending for this weekend. Please mark your calendars, pack your bags and most importantly, strap your seatbelts!*