Arriving in Panamá
Hundreds of container ships wait their turn to transit the Panamá Canal. Massive thunderclouds, a constant during the rainy season in Panamá, loom in the distance. Jon Hull
Arrival
We dropped under the clouds with fifteen minutes left in our flight. Below us, container ships dotted the Pacific. This was the first tangible sign that we are really going to live in Panamá.
The school is a series of buildings connected by covered walkways. This staircase greets you as you enter. Jessica Stargardter
I have only begun to wrap my head around the fact that we are here. We live in Central America: the world of sloths, tucans, and fire ants. Panama City teems with a different form of life though.
Traffic writhes its way between massive highrise apartment buildings. Music blares from storefronts. It feels a long way from the tranquility of the jungle.
It was all too much for me the first couple of days. Sidewalks are rough if they exist at all, so we weren’t inspired to explore as we did in Helsinki. English is hardly spoken. I felt isolated even with Jessica by my side.
A week earlier, I spent beautiful days with my family and friends. Suddenly, I was working in a Central American city. The mental whiplash snapped me into a sudden bout of sadness.
The First Weeks
Life got easier with every day. Sandy Stargardter, Jessica’s cousin once removed, showed us around the city and took us to a few of her favorite spots. Orientation started, and we met other new hires at the International School of Panama. We visited the school for the first time and saw our classrooms. Our world started to grow.
One of many cool little areas at the International School of Panama. I hope we are allowed to bring visitors onto campus. It is a place worth seeing. Jon Hull
Now, we are two and a half weeks in and today was the first day that I felt completely myself. Things are starting to come together. It feels incredible.
I spoke some broken Spanish with an Uber driver for the first time. I received our lease agreement in my email inbox this morning for a really cool place in Casco Viejo. With Sandy’s help, I finalized the purchase of a little car this week and drove it off the lot this afternoon. Poco un poco pelamos el coco.
I struggled when I moved to New York City. It was so different from UConn and Newtown. I struggled in Helsinki for the first month or so. It was so far from home and so different. Both New York and Helsinki became home. Soon, Panama City will feel the same.
Update Below
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Update Below •
We will be updating our photos page, our blogs, and more while in Panama. We may be a little slower this year since we’re both working full-time. Be sure to check back every month or two!