All Work, All Play — Panama Style

Planning a trip to Panama, my first inclination aside from setting my agenda for schoolwork, was researching all the local clubs to experience in Panama. Panama night-life was something I had read extensively about and had heard from previous Panama Scholars. Seemingly, night life is more acclimated into everyday life than it is in the United States. In the United States, recreational activities and “play” are rewards for hard work and long hours during the week. However, in Panama, I have come to notice that “play” is normal part of a person’s week and lifestyle. Panamanians are able to integrate recreation into their daily routine, to provide themselves with some sort of stress relief and relaxation.

In my opinion, the United States is a workaholic’s paradise, and even though many clubs and recreational areas are available, they are usually reserved for rewarding hard work, or for younger children to play. From a young age, American kids are familiar with the term “recess” or “play” but that word quickly becomes foreign when students enter secondary school and their six-hours school days are completely consumed by schoolwork. That same indoctrinated lifestyle exists in most Americans into their career years and until they die. In Panama, recess and play are consistent aspects of living and enjoying life. As in America, if someone enjoys going out, they are shamed for not taking their work serious enough and partying too much. This idea is different in Panama; to work hard and enjoy life are both essential parts of a fulfilling life.

In Communications 440, students from Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, and several other Central and South American countries express their love for adventure, experiencing new things, and enjoying “play.” In our class discussions, I have found that the American students are more reserved in expressing their interest and enjoyment of play and going out. I hope that eventually in the United States, parents and teachers alike will understand the importance of leisure and relaxation in one’s life, to enjoy, to live, to relax, and to explore. For that reason, I find myself wanting to explore the world, to learn more about people and what makes our brains tick, our hearts beat, and our lives truly worth living.

“When Life Gives You Bananas, You Make Plaintains… and Everything Else.”

Before entering Panama, I was firm in my affinities and aversions in terms of food preferences and choices. Unlike many Americans, I would not consider myself a picky eater — someone who has limited choices in what they consume based on their small range of preferences. I would, however, consider myself someone privileged in the ability to swiftly access any meal of my craving. Comparatively, in Panama, diverse dining choices aren’t as available, and often what you see — in terms of resources and food — is what you get. Within the United States, a wide range of options allows for Americans to be picky. Because fruits are so readily available in Panama, you can expect to find such delicacies cooked, sautéed, grilled, and fried in almost every way. Considering Panama’s tropicalesque climate, bananas are consumed every day in many forms. Within the scope of resources they have, Panama manages their supplies well — that is, they are able to use the materials they have in many ways to get the most out of their product.

Exploitation of resources in the United States usually refers to labor industries, such as coal mining and farming, and though it takes on a similar meaning in Panama, it also refers to Panama’s ability to make the most of what they have. I never thought I would enjoy consuming bananas, especially in the many ways that I have. It seems that with bananas, patacones, platanos, or whatever form of banana you are eating in Panama, you will find them in almost every dish, in every cafeteria, and in every restaurant.

Never could I have imagined I would be returning to the United States with a new palette for bananas and fruits of all kinds. It is the frequency with which I found new flavors in my diet that I have not only acquired a new taste for food, but a new sense of understanding how cultures utilize and manage their resources to feed and maintain the raw materials their climate and country gives them. It is through intercultural communication that I was able to understand through my experiences at restaurants, asking my Panamanian classmates about this phenomenon and grow as learner comprehending how resources are used throughout the world. It is through understanding a larger aspect of consumption and exploitation of resources that I am able to return to the States with a more open mind and greater taste palette!

IN-YOUR-Personal Space – Panama

In a world filled with almost 8 billion people, a major concern for many scientists and academics is how humanity and the environment will accommodate for the lack of resources as well as space. Space itself is a distinct aspect of each international culture. Whether high-context or low-context, the way we separate ourselves and interact in close proximity is relevant to our intercultural exchanges and experiences. Throughout Panama, Boquete, and Bocas del Toro, a common theme remains presently intertwined within Panamanian interactions:  very close, proximate relationships. On trains, buses, even on the sidewalks, Panamanians are not afraid disrupt personal space boundaries or even act personally towards strangers. Some interactions common in Panama are a taboo with the United States and it is evident that American travelers to Panama are very uncomfortable without their “personal bubble.”

Compared to Panamanian affability, American social norms on interactions and proximity are strict depending on how well you are familiar with a particular individual. If you are unfamiliar with someone, are meeting in a professional setting, or are strangers, Americans take a very reserved approach to interacting with others. They will keep their distance; always ensuring proper distance between two people and maintain very formal mannerisms. Even amongst people with whom you are familiar, never do you see a friend kissing another on the cheek as a greeting, or holding hands (this is a major taboo among males in the United States). When visiting the Embera Village, space was almost obsolete between families and living quarters. Houses were open space residences without many doors and drapes to allow for privacy. Even in my experience as an American of Indian heritage, I was shocked by the tribe’s acquaintance and familiarity of one another and sense of connectedness that united the tribe as one.

It is my humbled opinion that the United States has a lot to learn in terms of space and relationships. In many foreign countries, we are known for our individuality, in our addition to the coldness that plagues our demeanor. Interacting with Panamanian students has taught me the great pleasures of close relationships and friendliness, and just how important they can be to cultivate a meaningful and comfortable environment. Though I may not be able to take this aspect of Panamanian culture back home with me, it is one of my most favorite and comforting experiences during this trip.

Gender Divided // Community United

Growing up in the United States, I am blessed to know that I am more or less endowed with almost the same opportunity to live and learn to same degree as a male. Still, this inherent privilege I possess wasn’t truly realized until I stepped foot onto Panamanian soil, seeing natives interact, and interacting with locals myself. I was honestly culture shocked at the abundance of machismo culture that exists in Panama, but not only in the city prospects. The differences in culture highlight distinct gender roles present in the country’s limits. Even though these distinctions may not be absolutely evident in Panama City, our experience even in the Embera tribe clearly shows the clear divisions made between genders within the village in order to allow the community to work harmoniously.

Our travels began driving through the thick rainforest, and then into a canoe maneuvering the strong current on the Chagres River. At times, the tribesmen had to vacate the boat to pull the canoe through shallow waters. Within the context of our entire experience with the tribe, I was most hesitant during our canoe ride because I was unaware of the unspoken barrier that restricted me from helping the tribesmen move the boat along the shallow river. For many males, this is a thought that never crosses their minds or burdens their ability to make a choice. But as a female in unchartered territory, I remained where I was, watching the strongmen take charge of pushing the boat. In the United States, no single norm would have prevented me from jumping out of the boat and doing my share of the work to move the canoe along the current, but out of respect and assumption of traditional roles in this community, I refrained from intervening. Similar to my experience in the canoe, I observed traditional roles within the village that gave responsibilities to different groups of people in order divide labor and tasks. The women were responsible for cooking; the men hunted and caught the fish in order to be prepared and cooked by the women. The men were responsible for the carving arts; the women weaved baskets and designed the cloths skirts. Even though these roles were inevitably present in any native community, I was encouraged by the community ideals that upheld a women’s right to run for chief, and to welcome foreigners into their village.

Our intercultural interaction with the Embera tribe gave me a new sense of the word “community” and “family” and how that functions within the context of roles established within those communities. These roles do not necessarily inhibit a gender, but cultivate a sense of duty and purpose within the village. It is my hope one day that I can find my niche as did the men and women of the Embera tribe. They are a true inspiration of work by each person in the community can go a long way to benefit everyone. It is that sense of welcome that I was able to experience life in a way I have only seen in movies and have read in story books, but can take back home with me and make my world seem a little more whole.

Who We Are, Where We Are – Indian Microculture in Panama

Growing up as an Indian in America, I experienced a common early-life crisis as an individual with a dual identity — conflicted by the two cultures that were part of my life, but not really fitting into either one. I was born in America but possessed the skin color and complexion of a person considered foreign. Since childhood, I had an incessant dissonance with trying to fit into a culture that didn’t accept me and a culture I represented and carried with me everywhere I went. As an Indian American, I was part of what is considered a microculture: a “subgroup” of individuals marked by their own distinct language, practices, and expectations. Microcultures also often possess a distinct image from the majority represented in their respective country. As an Indian in the United States, I often felt like a fly in milk carton, distinct in a crowd, and uncomfortable in my identity. Interestingly, traveling throughout Panama has showed me how sharing cultures and mixed heritage can be common and comfortable. I find myself smiling in the crowd, channeling my individualism, and feeling comfortable with who I am and what I represent.

In the last month, I have had the pleasure of acquainting myself with a student at the University of Louisville who shared both Panamanian and Indian culture and was a native to Panama City. Moving to the United States, he faced many of the same struggles I had growing up in Kentucky, trying to fit in, but standing out because of what he looked like. We bonded over our culture but I came to realize I was hardly aware of the other aspect of his culture that made his biracial. He was part Panamanian, and I was completely ignorant of the fact that there could be an Indian community in Panama. As I did more research into the topic, I was surprised to find that there are around 15,000 Indians in Panama comprising their community. Interestingly, the Colon Free Zone region of the Panama Canal was mostly founded by Indian immigrants in Panama. Their independent communities exist in Panama City and Colon and even though their culture is small, it is continuously distinct and imperative to the diversity of Panama.

As I continue to travel in Panama City and its neighboring cities, my intercultural experiences and conversations continually play a role in my knowledge of the culture and the diverse people that make up its own heritage. If Panamanians have taught me one thing about culture, is that no matter where you are, you can always find, and must protect the microculture within yourself. As I have done in my own life, I have realized that we are all fighting to preserve our own individuality, community, and heritage. My friend from Panama and myself not only share a part of our own Indian culture, but we also share an obligation to preserve who we are and express our true selves.

PANA-miss-you-MA.

3,808.4

The numbers of miles that separate us

But your love knows no distance

I live and breath by your existence

It is your womb that carried me for so long

Im just a kid, living and learning right from wrong

by You.

Ma, I miss you so much

If only you were here and I could bear your touch

To feel the soft hands that carried my tears

Slayed my fears

And made it clear

That I was loved.

Am loved.

by You.

One day doesn’t suffice

To show the world your sacrifice

And the hefty price

Of Motherhood.

Ma, I am unworthy of you

Of all that you do

And all you have done

To give me life and love

Unbounded by 3808.4 miles

from You.

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I love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.

Love Always,

Natasha