Submitted by Alexandra Lebeau on the 2017 winter session study abroad program in Costa Rica and Panama sponsored by the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology…
The weeks leading up to a trip abroad are always laden with mixed emotions. On one end of the spectrum, you are thrilled at the anticipation of experiencing a new area, as well as a new culture. On the other end, you are anxious at the thought of containing your life to one large duffel bag and a carry-on for an extended period of time. The weeks leading up to this study abroad program were no different, as I prepared for my landing in Panama City, Panama. As the wheels touched the ground after traveling the entire day of January 3rd, I felt the familiar flutter in my stomach, as if the butterflies we were expecting to see in the dense forests had somehow made their way to me. The first bus ride through the city left me in awe and wonder. What things make this city like the ones that I’m used to? How has it created its own unique personality? My thoughts were racing as my eyes scanned over every inch of the image the window allowed me to take in.
The next day, we trekked into the city to visit the famous Panama Canal, and we were able to observe the everyday bustle as the Panamanians moved about. School children playing in a grassy nook among the buildings, construction workers tearing apart the street with loud power tools, tropical birds flying overhead and crocodiles in the waterways below. There were so many similarities to U.S. cities combating with the stark differences that accompany tropical regions. As we headed to the canal, we realized we must have taken the wrong path because we soon found ourselves on the wrong side of a large fence and we needed to double back to reset ourselves in the correct direction. It must have been obvious that a bunch of confused Americans were unsure of where to go because two men appeared in the window of a nearby building. Though it was clear that they did not speak a hint of English, they still had the desire to help us out. I thought that was a very interesting concept, that the desire to help those who have seemingly lost their way crosses cultural boundaries. Though the language barrier prevents any real conversation from occurring, good nature compels us to want to give others a helping hand.
Another interesting thing happened after they helped to guide us on the correct path. One of the men noticed the camera that hung around my neck, and gave me the universal “take my picture” sign, pretended to click down on an imaginary camera. Though I would never see this man again, and he would never see the picture that he was in, he still posed there as I lifted my camera, smiling a toothy grin. This struck me because it made me wonder why it is that we all seem to want to have our picture taken. In so many different cultures, we see people time and time again, capturing the moment in time on a SD card that can fit into your pocket. I wondered if it was the desire to remain in that moment of time forever, the need to have your face ingrained into the world forever. Or was it the idea that a photo can be universally understood? With photos so many ideas can be communicated without the need for words.
I am curious to see how many similarities and nuances I notice during my stay in Panama and Costa Rica. I am hoping that I get to the point where I am keen enough to notice the small differences between cities as well.