It seems like a long time since we've written a post! We have both been swamped, David with editing deadlines and me with lab set up I'm racing to finish before a bunch of new students arrive in June. But to catch up - we had a wonderful last weekend of my parents visit.
On Saturday we took a boat trip down the Chagres River, to the village of San Antonio, which is just a few kilometers from Gamboa, and is the nearest settlement to our town.
The indigenous people who live there are
Embera-Wounaan. Most of the people in these two groups are found in eastern Panama (the Darien) and in Colombia, but the community near Gamboa was founded in the 1930's (the same time as most of Gamboa).
Despite this being a remote, secluded village, Gwendolyn was greeted as she is throughout Gamboa, by excited shouts of "Gwendoleeene!" It turns out she is well known, even here. We didn't piece it together until this visit, but Telvinia, one of the Wounaan women living in the village, is also Gwendolyn's pre-school teacher. Amazing, the many connections!
We were graciously shown the village, taken on a walk through the forest, and given the opportunity to join in a traditional dance.
Toby joined one of the kids playing soccer.
Some yellow-rumped cacique nests on the way home.
And then the boat ride back. Here's Gwendolyn, moments before falling deeply asleep.
On Saturday we took a boat trip down the Chagres River, to the village of San Antonio, which is just a few kilometers from Gamboa, and is the nearest settlement to our town.
The indigenous people who live there are Embera-Wounaan. Most of the people in these two groups are found in eastern Panama (the Darien) and in Colombia, but the community near Gamboa was founded in the 1930's (the same time as most of Gamboa).
Despite this being a remote, secluded village, Gwendolyn was greeted as she is throughout Gamboa, by excited shouts of "Gwendoleeene!" It turns out she is well known, even here. We didn't piece it together until this visit, but Telvinia, one of the Wounaan women living in the village, is also Gwendolyn's pre-school teacher. Amazing, the many connections!
We were graciously shown the village, taken on a walk through the forest, and given the opportunity to join in a traditional dance.
Toby joined one of the kids playing soccer.
I think Gwendolyn's favorite part by far was being shown around by the village kids. She was taken by the hand and shown all the major highlights. Here they are stalking chickens.
Some yellow-rumped cacique nests on the way home.
And then the boat ride back. Here's Gwendolyn, moments before falling deeply asleep.
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