Comenzo!!!

this is the first chance i've gotten a minute to sit and write. honestly though, i'm in a room full of PCT (Pece Corps Trainees) and es 'muy dificil' to concentrate. So for those of you who are interested in my tumultous day-to-day life thus far. It all started in Arlington, VA on August 13th, Monday morning. We had what is called "Staging" which is a two-day event in a conference room in the Holiday Inn. It was basically a lecture and some skits/interactive dances that illustrate the do's and don'ts of the next couple years. (Tangent: oh my god, it is so hot and muggy in this room. I am sweating my 'poto' off). It was cool because we got to know each other somewhat and we realized that we're not alone which makes everything feel a bit more bearable. There are 42 of us. Overall, these cats are very groovy. Two of us are native speakers and there are a handful that have lived and studied some Spanish in Latin America/Spain (despite Spanish people not really knowing how to speak the language). Ok, so i'm gonna skip the details about training because in spite of it's coolness (a group of mine did an interpretive dance depicting the different crucial points to grassroots development) the next two days have been 'mas cheverre' (that's Panamanian slang for cool). Apparently, they say cool, too and fashion if something's awesome and anti-fashion if something is not (say it in a latino accent... then laugh). So arrived in Panama City and there were a handful of PCV (Peace Corps Volunteers) and staff waiting for us with huge smiles. They arrived exactly one years before us and have one left. They've been extremely helpful and patient with us. We just bombarded them with silly yet pertinent queries. They speak of amazingness and we believe them. They are all smiles and make us feel very easy about the mountain ahead of us. On Sunday, we head out to Santa Clara which is a town with the population of about 5,200. We hear our host families will probably have hot water so I'm pretty psyched about that. Not that where we're at right now (former US army barrack) doesn't have hot water but sooner or later (when we reach our personal specific sites will not).
So, until Sunday we are hear having some lectures and interviews to help us on our placing of the site (village or town) and what specific job and project we will start in 3 months. In addition to all that, today we had swimming tests in order to be evaluated. This is because some sites are only reachable by boat rides (the ones farther west). Or some sites in order to be reached you must ford a river oregon trail (or hill) style.
the next three months are going to make it clearer. There are 42 of us and 21 are EH (Environmental Health) and the other half are CED (Community Economic Development). There are shit ton of acroynms and one day I will have it all down or on the other hand I might not. The CEDs will probably have electricity and running water and live in Latino communities in decent size towns (500 to a couple thousand). EHers will most likely be in indigenous communities far away from Panama City where 80% of the 3 million Panamanians live. I am an EHer. I told my APCD (Assistant Peace Corps Director) that I'm on the fence about whether I prefer an indigenous community or Latino. They both have their ups and ups. With the indigenous I would be in the highlands most probably which i love on many levels. Mountains are my forte and I wanna hike a lot. Also, it's not as warm and humid. I am hairy and the humidty here makes Miami look like San Francisco. Indigenous communities are so warm and welcoming and humble. At least, that's the vibe I got from working with and engaging them in Guatemala and Bolivia. The Latino communities are enticing also because it is a culture that I would love to reconnect with. Moreover, on a more selfish note I want to play soccer and dance salsa all the time. With the Latinos the chance is greater. There is no salsa with the indigenous and limited soccer. It's not so selfish though because I'm sure I'd start a futbol club for the kids if they don't have one. Or at least join one. Hey Niraj! Our TT (Technical Trainer) looks exactly like you but a Panamanian version. Pictures shortly. Ok, I have rambled on for long enough. Sorry for its incoherence and bland overview. So much has happened and I am very tired. We played futbol for a long time tonight. God, there is a groovy intensity to my near future.
It's all too much,
Franco