Embera Stylist
The weekend after I became Barbie I decided to go and visit one of the Jungle girls in the Embera Puru village. I always enjoy my visits up to the jungle as I consider the jungle my country house. However there is quite a bit of preparation that is needed before you make the trip. A visit to one of the lovely supermarkets is always in order to stock up on non refrigerated foods to eat while up in the jungle. I have also started bringing the Jungle Girls fun treats like fresh fruits and veggies as well as brinigng fruit for the kids of the village. I also must make sure Yucky the Yaris is prepared for a trip down the not Yucky friendly roads by tightening the small wire pieces that are currently holding on Yucky’s underside. Once all of this is complete it is time to go to the Jungle!!
As it is currently dry season all the rivers are very dry…. as a result this means you have to push the boat up the river at some points. I am not a pro at pushing boats up the river so i just watched as jungle Elena pushed….
The village had a new Embera who had just returned to the village from living in the city. This Embera happened to work at a hair salon while living in the city. While visiting the village he offered me a consultation for my hair. Upon careful inspection in the community house of the village my Embera Hair Dude informed me that I could recolor my hair but the blonde looked pretty. He then asked me if i had a box of color with me. As visions of me sitting in the sun to develop the color and washing my hair in the river passed through my head I informed my Embera stylist that I had left the box of color in my other mountain back pack and thanked him for his services. However next time I go up to the country house I will be sure to pack my hair color and some foils.
The weekend was a whirlwind of naps in the hammock, playing in the river, shopping for masks, and hanging with jungle kids. However the highlights of the weekend were as follows:
-Hiking through the jungle or in my case falling through the jungle
-Floating down the river or in my case trying to keep my butt in the too small intertube through rapids
-Meeting fun jungle animals like Kevin the kinachoo and taking the river otter out for the daily drag
-Getting my back painted
One thing that was super awesome to see was the school that the village built so the children would not have to go to another village. However in true Panama fashion, the school bored told the village if the built the school they would provide a teacher and the supplies. The village has been waiting 3 months for the teacher and every time they ask the school bored about the teacher they always say that the teacher will be there next week…. i have a feeling that they will be waiting for the next week until the end of time….despite there being a teacher who is very interested in wanting to teach in the village…. Welcome to Panama.
I came back from the village fully rested , tattooed, and sunburned… a perfect weekend in my book!!
Things you can find at Dorian’s Part 905
An “I heart Panama” shirt from a brand from the States (Target Mossimo) for $1.99. Clearly the “I heart Panama” was added after the shirts were purchased from Target.
Tommy Hilfinger flip flops for $7.99
Ways I know I am turning Panamanian
- I crave patacones
-I voluntarily order a plate a meat and fried goodness aka patacones
- I am liking my blonde hair
-I no longer use turn signals while driving
-I have bought an “I heart Panama ” shirt
- I can stomach drinking an Atlas beer without wanting to throw up
-I buy things from my car window while at a light
-I honk if you do not move within 1 milisecond of the light turning green
-I shop on the Central.. the pedastrian street where you can buy shoes for $1
- I know the place to get discounted Native Kuna Indian and Embera fabric
