midpoint break in el valle, days 24-26

so here goes another update:

friday morning i left for el valle with the rest of the volunteers. the trip was about 4 hours long with three bus switches. but the timing worked out pretty well, and we had no problem making the transfers. when we got to the valley, of course it was pouring like crazy, and so we had nothing to do besides hang out at the hotel. luckily, it was pretty nice (with hammocks everywhere, of course). we played some cards and eventually got dinner. it´s not exactly a huge touristy place, but definitely more so than what i have seen so far around panama. we definitely ran into a good number of english speakers. and the hostel cost 18 a night, and that is definitely more than a hostel should cost in panama. so anyways, we were hanging out, but as usual, i was very very tired, and so a bunch of us decided to just sleeeeeep. which i did.

saturday was THE day. we woke up around 7 to go hiking. the hike is called ¨la india dormida¨or ¨the sleeping indian¨because the topof the mountain is shaped like an indian sleeping, apparently. i didnt get that picture so well, but oh well. the hike was pretty intense, i definitely got a good workout. unfortunately when we got to the top it was covered in clouds. and so even though it was cool to be in the clouds, i couldnt see anything around me, and therefore no super cool view. but i got some other good views when i was just below the clouds, so no worries. on the way down we found a waterfall in the middle of the mountain. it was amazing! there was a pool at the bottom of it, and so we all found a way (which was definitely not easy) to go swimming. definitely the top moment of the weekend. i just love these natural waterfalls. yes, the water was cold, but man did it feel good after the hike. pictures of all this to be posted of course. we got back to the hotel from the hike around 12pm. ate some quick lunch, and left for the beach right away. this beach spot was picked out by our in country coordinator lorena (basically the founder of the program) and to say the least, she is RICH. so, just imagine the picture perfect beach and pool. this is where we went. it was verrryyyy luxurious, and definitely SO fun. i finally got some color on my skin! we relaxed in the ocean for the rest of the afternoon. amazingly, it didnt rain! (which is a first for panama). we headed back to the hotel around 6pm, went to dinner, then went with lorena to one of her friend´s house, and hung out there. gooooood day.

woke up early this morning to go to the market. i got two necklaces, which i bargained for and was very proud of. there were all types of art there, as well as fruit and vegetables, and met some cool people just talking about the art and such. then we got on a bus back, and three buses later, im here at the internet cafe. i havent been back to the house yet, but ill be there soon--which im excited about because i miss my host family!