Good News from Panama!

An e-mail, written by Linda Kimbrell, was received on Thursday afternoon reporting about the Casa Cayuco Winterim.

All's well in Bocas. The group arrived at Casa Cayuco late Tues afternoon, after a day on the city. Wednesday we kayaked to the village of Salt Creek. For many of them it was their first time kayaking. In the village they helped carry cement blocks to the school for some construction improvement. They saw the projects (water catchment, etc) that previous LA groups had done. Then we took a short jungle walk with a local guide. Lots of new and interesting things for them to discover in the rain forest!

Thursday we will do some prep work for our big service project and then take a snorkel trip. Many of the kids have never snorkeled either - lots of new challenges for everyone!

Our service work will take us to two remote villages (we'll sleep there), building water catchment and a community gathering house. I'll fill you in later on how those go.

Hope all's well in Groton. Pass along this news to anyone who wants it. All the kids are doing well and we're having a good time!

Ireland - Friday Evening Report

Christie Beveridge commented on the blog post, Rugged Leprechaun Braves Dingleway with this report. (photo by outside source: Todd Adams)


Dia dhuit! Conas tann tu?
(That means hello and "how are you" in Irish!)

We had a fun Irish language lesson today, learning some key phrases as well as the history of the language. It is most widely used in western Ireland, particularly here on the Dingle Peninsula. All of the signs are written in both English and Irish.

Horseback riding was also a success! We learned how to walk and trot correctly, as well as how to (try to)keep our horses from eating the trees that lined the trail we rode on. This evening, we spent time cooking chili together, and Ms. Keever and I are anxiously awaiting the three desserts we will get to try as part of the Iron Chef-Ireland competition. The secret ingredient... Nutella!

Tomorrow we will explore Dingle Bay by kayak, sailboat, and motorboat, and we hope to catch a glimpse of Fungi, the Bay's famous dolphin. We will be entertained in the evening by a storyteller, and then will head out to a pub to find some traditional Irish music.

Slan!

Ireland - Early Friday Report

Eileen Keever commented on the blog post, Rugged Leprechaun Braves Dingleway with this report.

We arrived in Dingle yesterday afternoon with tired legs and a good appetite! The hike was beautiful and everyone is so pleased with the weather we are having. Sunny and 50...very uncommon for Ireland in March! We spent the night exploring the buzzy little town of Dingle last night and had dinner in Murphy's pub. Tonight we will be making our own dinner and the student will partake in Iron Chef- Ireland a dessert competition with Ms Beveridge and Ms Keever as judges.

This afternoon we will have a language lesson and go horse back riding! Tomorrow is sailing!