Lets get ready to rumble

Okay. Panamanians are very festive. These last few days have proven this beyond any doubt. This entire week is nothing but national holidays. And after seeing the first of many parties that celebrate one of the six national holidays this month, it is no wonder the favorite saying around here is "Viva noviembre!" (Long live November!)

So yesterday was Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is very different from the famous celebrations in Mexico. It was a solemn day (key word here being DAY) much like our Memorial Day. It is cool to be in a capital city when they have their national holidays. Flags and patriotic cymbols are everywhere!

Well, as I said, the DAY was calm. Students didnt have school, but the mercant military acadmenty across the street still had their drill practice. But even the acadmeny showed its leaniant side. The students didnt even have to wear their uniforms. They were practicing in the church parking lot when I came into work, and as if I havent had enough harrowing expereinces that include these students, another one was added to the list. Walking through this huge crowd of gun twirling, saber throwing students yelling "SI SENOR" with the knowledge that you could be incapacitated at any minute by flying gun barrels or impaled by out of control saber was just another chapter in Chris' adventures with the Marines here in Panama saga.

Marine Students at drill practice in the church parking lot. Notice the distance from which this picture was taken!

In order to celebrate, we went to the house a member of the church, Marta, and she made us incredible sancocho, a typical Panamanian chicken soup. It was incredible. Then she made our delight complete by serving the best rice pudding I have ever eaten. Then we sat with her daughters, Heidi and Haili, and talked about Smallville and other popular American TV Shows that have made their way to Panama.

All smiles after a very satisfying meal of Sancocho. From Left: Cheryl, Becky, Sra. Marta, Heidi, Joy, Haili, Marc.

Then, we had a bible study as a team. Joy lead us in a bible study over a song. We touched on so many topics, and the bible study made me think of a few theological questions (More on that later, that deserves its own entry!)

Then, the party began. After a quick trip to the grocery store, it was time to head to the fun. Parties happened all over the city. The one we went to, at the cuaseway, was about five miles from our house. We all piled into the car, and then, by some random suggestion, decided to walk. That was a smart move on our part. As soon as we got into the main street, we saw that traffic was at a complete standstill. And it would be at a standstill from where we started walking to the cuaseway, where the party was, five miles away.

You can see the complete standstill on the road. And all the people just partying in the streets.

We walked and arrived at the scence, which really seemed more like the set of Fast and Furious than Panama City. Cars were parked in the streets, hoods open, music blaring, and owners proudly checking out their engines. Apparently every radio station in Panama was playing their station on speakers that they bought from Bon Jovi or something, so the overall effect was just this low rumble that shook you everytime some person said a word. Crowds were eveywhere, dancing and singing with the music. It was great. And I was told that this is a mild celebration in comparison to Carnival, in March.

Red and Blue were the colors of the night. Here we are at the party, not already to have our picture taken. From left: Joy, Carly, Becky, Noriel, Anna, and Evelyn.

So, we came home at 4 in the morning, and the music was still going strong. From our house, you could hear all the music from the still jammed up street 100 meters away! It was crazy.