Alto Lino Hike

As our time is coming to an end for us in Boquete and as we reflect on our adventures and we realized we have a lot of pictures that we have not shared and put on our blog.
One of those times is when Shelley's dad Dan took Dan, Ian, and Ahna up to Alto Lino Boquete via bus and then hiked back down to Bajo Boquete where we stopped for lunch and drove back home. Dan and Carol used to live up in Alto Lino before they moved down to Alto Boquete where they live now.

"I love the tropics!"

The Alto Lino hike was easy compared to others we embarked on because it was down hill. Our favorite part of Boquete is beautiful views vistas, and foliage. 

Another rememberable part of Boquete is the endless supply of dogs that are rooming around by themselves or in packs.

If we would use one word to sum up Boquete it is Diversity. Diversity of plants and trees, diversity of people, of houses, of climate.

Seavey Castle?

Boquete and maybe all of Panama doesn't have any zoning laws, so you can have a tienda next to a house- or have a restaurant that is part of a house.

And a house next to a church.

You can have sunny days in one part of Boquete, one part foggy, and one part rainy.

We make our descent  down the different terrain of Boquete

The hundred steps

The old library

Greenhouse

Las Lajas Beach

As our summer in Panama is winding down and the hectic, busy part is behind us- the TESOL class, it is time to again relax and check up on our family blog. We promised ourselves when we finished the class, we would have a big celebration and head to the beach for a few days. Las Lajas is about 1 1/2 hours southeast of Boquete and off the Pacific Ocean. We stayed at the Las Lajas beach resort. We arrived on a Wednesday and left on a Friday and we never left the resort.

View from the beach

Closer view of the resort. Yes, it had a pool too and a restaurant. The pole on the right is a shower.

While we were at Las Lajas we spent our time sleeping, relaxing, eating, and sleeping some more.

The hammock is right outside our room.

We also spent our time swimming in the pool,

Walking on the beach.

And playing in the ocean.

Or just chatting.

Or just siting and marveling at God's creation.

We had to be careful when we walked the beach because the change from low tide to high tide.

Beach at low tide

Boat at medium tide.

Boat at high tide.

This was a prawn in my seafood soup that still had it's head with antennas still on.

Ahna's claim is that she ate a hamburger at what ever place we spent the night.

We had a great time, and can not wait for the opportunity to get back to the ocean again.

Our Date

The TESOL class is over and we have time again to relax, check up on some sleep and some blogging. one of the Saturdays during the 3 week class Shelley and  I took a well deserved date. Shelley's parents dropped us off in downtown Boquete and we spent our time leisurely walking around, browsing tiendas, and enjoying the views, and the weather. 

Shelley's favorite view. On the bridge going to BCP.

We stopped for lunch at a típico; which is a restaurant that serves typical Panamanian food. I am still not sure of all the kinds of food they have there because they only speak Spanish and the waitress will usually give you only two choice. For our date it was pescado frito or pollo. The plate comes with a meat, salad, bean, and rice with a slice of fried plantain. The plate only costs $2.75 per person.

Shelley out in front of Oasis Inn. Where we stayed when we had no water.

A Saturday street market by parque central. 

Wednesday we off to Las Lajas for a well deserved celebration in finishing the class!

First Day of Teaching

The day finally came! Monday we needed to put our theory and schooling into  practice.  On Monday Shelley, I and Shelley's dad Dan, went into a local public school and taught our lesson in a 2nd grade class! We went in the prior week to meet the class before our lesson, but there was no class because the teacher was sick. In America, if the teacher is sick, a sub comes in. In Panama schools, or at least in Boquete, if the teacher is sick- there is no subs and so there is no class and the students in that particular classroom stay home. We were hoping to meet the students before we teach and assess their level of English if any so we could adjust our lesson accordingly- but did not happen. Our lesson was on introducing the English language by introducing 7 African animals- their colors and what they eat. 

I(Dan) started out the lesson by leading the student on a hunt- I had them find the pictures around the room by saying their name, describing them and yes- pretending to be that animal.  And, somehow I did it without getting the class too wound up. (just barely, says wife Shelley =) )

The most challenging part was how to manage the classroom with student who do not speak English. After trying different things, gesturing, modeling expected behavior, and praising students who were displaying expected behavior worked the best.

And  I am up! after Dan, I Shelley, got to follow the safari with labeling and modeling proper pronunciation of the name of the animals for the students and asking them to repeat it, then after that was done, we got to the colors of the animals..It was awesome and challenging.  We were all on a high that lasted well into the evening, and then we totally crashed. and slept really well!

Here I am trying to explain that a Zebra has stripes.

recapping the names and pronunciation

Here is Dad telling the kids what the animals ate... what expression! He was great!

Here is an adorable student telling Dad that Monkeys eat banana's

Dad, calling on a student!

Overall, it was a wonderful time and we head back there Wednesday morning for a followup lesson.. the kids were amazing and did have a little English.  We all got tons of hugs as we were departing.  So incredible for our first time teaching.