Embera Tribe

Today was the first day of our adventures in Panama. To start off, my roomies and I woke up an hour earlier than we had to because we forgot to take the time difference into account. We were all rushing around our room trying to get ready in like 20 minutes when we actually had like an hour and a half. It was funny. Our bus picked us up around 7:30 am and we drove to the villas to pick up the rest of our group. The drive to the National Park was long, but a trip in itself. I saw poverty on the way that I had never seen before--little homes made out of scraps, litter everywhere, and people sitting under little makeshift huts on the sides of the roads. It made me really think to be grateful, really, for all that I have back home. Yet amongst all this poverty, there was such beauty in the area as well. The landscape is gorgeous with mountains, clear blue skies, bright colorful flowers, and "golden" trees (these trees have the brightest yellow flowers covering them). It is magnificent scenery.
Once we arrived at our drop-of location in the National Park, it was right by a huge, huge lake. We were greeted by Embera tribal men wearing their traditional loin cloths. We rode motor-powered canoes to a trail in the mountains. Then we walked a little ways to a waterfall and got to swim beneath it. It was amazing. The water was really cold, but it was so much fun. There was a log floating in the water and we all were jumping off it--well I tried to jump off it, but slipped instead the first time. It was a good time :) My favorite part was sitting on the rocks and letting the water just fall on m back; the pressure made it feel like a back massage.
When we were done swimming and playing in the water, we walked back to our canoes and traveled to an Embera village. The people were so friendly and kind. They made us feel so welcomed. When we first arrived, they welcomed us with a song--and even though I did not know what they were singing, it was still amazing. Then we went to one of the huts where we learned about their history, lifestyle, marriage and funeral customs, and how they survive. We were showed the different pine fibers that are used for their crafts and handi-work that they then sell for money to take to the city and by supplies for their village. It was amazing to see how much work and detail goes into one basket or mini-statue. We also learned how they dye the fibers different colors--they use fruits and nuts that they either boil, or soak, or extract the color somehow. It was very interesting.
The women had prepared lunch for us which consisted of fresh fish, platanos, and all sorts of fresh fruit, including bananas, oranges, pineaple, lemons, and watermelon. It all tasted so fresh and delicious. Everything was really yummy!
After eating, we were taken to a different hut to watch some traditional dances. Then we got to join in. Some of the people were also going around and giving us "tattoos". It is like henna except the dye is made from fruit.
After that we shopped for a little bit and then it was time to go. I really didn't want to leave though. I loved the simplicity of their lifestyle. Not that what they do is simple, but they are free from the stresses and pressures that I feel boggle us down in the States. I also loved seeing how the whol village took care of the young children. Everyone pitched in with the babies and toddlers to make sure they were taken care of.
This whole experience today was one of, if not the, best experiences in my life. I learned so much about a differenct culture and had fun doing so. I loved every minute of it.