Patriotic Background

Patriotic Background

Andrea V

            It is very easy to find people from different countries in Panama. This is due to the influx of foreign enterprises, as well as our past history. Panama is a place that has a broad number of races living under the same sky. We accept people, and embrace changes with our heads held high. There is no standard Panamanian. 

            But there are some singular things that identify Panama, here and abroad, and one of them is La Pollera , our national dress. Our bonds with Spain since the discovery of the New World by Cristopher Columbus, brought deeply rooted influences in many aspects of Panamanian life. This was specially developed in the central provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, and Coclé. The Pollera we use as our national garment was inspired by gypsy, Andalucian and Valencian influences.  The tradition of wearing Polleras has been in Panama since 1650.  Polleras were worn by maids and low class village people until the restauration of Ferdinand VII, when Santa Ana was shot up by 30 women dressed in Polleras. Since then, Polleras are worn by women from all the social classes.

           

It takes a lot of time to create a Pollera, sometimes years. They are hand sewn by women, using fabrics, filigree and lace from Europe. They are filled with flowered embroidery. Using different techniques, they create unique masterpieces on the white

fabric, using white or a particular color of thread and lace. Polleras are worn with gold necklaces, some pearls and corals, dipped coins or chained necklaces.

The Pollera is so important in our culture that many events are held where it is the central motive. To mention La Pollera is to mention Panama.   Contests to choose the best  Pollera are held every year, as well as La Dama de la Pollera Contest where a lady is chosen for her beauty and best dress. The Parade of One Thousand Polleras takes place in Los Santos every year, and draws thousands of visitors.

Seeing the Polleras, awaken memories of my childhood. When I was about 5 years old I attended classes of Panamanian folklore dances. These classes required to use a long skirt simulating a Pollera. The teacher not only made important remarks on how to dance, and move along the floor, but also on how to show off the Pollera. For special occasions we were asked to have a complete Pollera attire, that includes the matching flat shoes, neck and chest jewelry, and special hair style and ornaments called tembleques. My mother and a friend of her dressed me, and applied make up on my face. My sister also participated. We enjoyed the music, the dance, and the attention we grabbed from the public attending the shows. My parents have many photographs from those occasions.

La Grotta Azurra

La Grotta Azzura

 

Andrea V

The ferry ceased its moving; we had arrived to our destination:  Capri a small island on the coast of Naples.  At first, I couldn’t understand all the excitement. For me it was a regular island, nothing seemed special about it. It was relatively small, had a sunny and windy climate and seemed average. We saw a passage of stairs leadings towards the ocean. I was suspicious for a while, until I saw a cave opening and some small boats disappearing behind it. There was a line of 10 people before us, all sitting in the stairs, and drenching in sweat. “It better be worth it,” I said .

I stared at the ocean to divert my gaze from the stairs. The long line ahead of us at the stairs, made me feel disgusted, because I knew it would be a long boring wait. Although I had to admit it was a beautiful sight.  The water, mixed with the sun creating a strange hue of aquamarine color. This contrast of colors called my attention. It was as if mermaids were tempting you to jump in. They were calling my name, repeatedly. I could almost picture myself jumping in, and falling for their spell.  I reached the conclusion that this cave must belong to mythological beings from the past. I could picture mermaids swimming inside and doing some of their rituals. The sun´s rays were making my imagination run wild.

 It was finally my family´s turn to climb  into the cramped boat. We were five including the boat driver. He had to maneuver in order to avoid the rocks that stuck out, restricting our entrance into a different realm. As the five of us crouched, and tried to lie down on top of each other, we submerged ourselves into the unknown of the depths of the cave. One moment we were outside in the human world, were the heat was unbearable, and now we were inside a cave that created a mystical time warp in our daily world. The hollow water brought chills, and the small crevice was enough for a gushing wind to rush throughout the whole cave, and embrace our bodies.  We sat up, and heard the echoes around us. We heard some inconceivable words that were uttered and echoed the whole time we were inside. This was Emperor Tiberius private swimming pool. We  were now in a sacred place, were there were once statues  guarding  the entrance , and where you would find Neptune’s  menacing gaze  if you would dare to violate the rules and  entered. All of it screamed about the past. The rock formations, made the cave look like an enclosing cage. The water that emitted a translucent blue glow sent you spiraling into the Roman times…

La grotta azzura, hidden for centuries; was another secret of the sea. The sea acted as a vessel to transport you, into the deepest of trances; calmly without you noticing, with each sway of the boat. The water had a mesmerizing effect on people, it made illusions become real. Time ceased to be imperative, and for a while you forgot about the people around you. If only you could float in that limited space, and drink up the water’s glowing elixir, sink into the most lucid parts of your mind. You would find all of your problems solved, in an instant wave of serenity. All your dreams accomplished. The air created such vivid hallucinations. Everyone had a hopeful distant look; it was as if the water reflected its light onto us.

  I will never forget such a magical experience. I engraved that moment forever in my memory and, every time I recall it, I feel a surreal essence overcoming me. It’s very hard to put in words what happened inside that cave. Capri, for me, is a mysterious island. That in some way or another would surprise anyone.  I bet that there are still many of its secrets lying around waiting to be discovered.

Off with her head!

 Andrea V

“Off with her head!”  I never would have imagined that thought would ever cross my mind. Only kings had the benefit of saying those words.  Like Alice in Wonderland, I would later be sentenced to a similar fate, saved only by the hands of God.  I believe only the lucky ones escape this destiny. Who would have thought that my executioner could have been an invisible sharp nylon string?

Like most days at the beach, it was a radiant day.  I gathered up my sister and my cousin to begin the adventure. I was filled with excitement. The winds were stirring, and there was different feeling about this day.   The four wheel red color  was fiery against the sand, and the shining black wheels made it look as if the shadows were running alongside us.  At the time we arrived at the beach, there was no one around. We were singing loudly to one of those catchy pop songs, that are one time hits. 

Once we passed the hills, the scenery changed and we felt as if we were in our own fantastic land.  I speeded up because we wanted to reach the dunes. Halfway though, I accelerated because we had to make it home before noon. We saw some fishermen along the coast, paying close attention to their rods. They nodded as we slowly passed by .After a while I resumed to a quick pace. Wind was blowing in my face.   Near a grassy hill, were the sand is elevated, there were two men sitting on top.  They were waving and screaming something but I couldn’t tell what they were saying. We were too far to hear.   I couldn’t see their faces either; the sun was blocking my eyes, and the people seemed blurry to me.  I couldn’t see what was on top of the hill until I got close.

 As we got near, I noticed their alarmed looks, but it was too late.  I saw the nylon string just in time to raise my hand .Thankfully, my sister and my cousin behind me ducked.  In an instant I felt a sharp stinging pain around my neck. If I hadn’t put my hand up that would have been my face. The man with the nylon rod tried lifting it up, but he wasn’t fast enough. If he hadn’t reacted, I could have gotten a larger scar or even slashed my jugular vein. Instead of stopping, I drove until we reached a safe distance.  I later checked on the passengers to see if they were fine.   They were all right, but I wasn’t. I kept going towards the dunes, when I felt the stinging sensation again.  I stopped, and then reached for the area that was affected with my hand. As I placed my hand to my neck, I felt a sticky substance. I looked at my hand and saw blood.  I pretended to be all right, and acted normal. I was afraid to over react and make my sister scared. I asked my cousin to switch to the driving seat, and we headed back home.  

I think that if I hadn’t put my hand, and if one of the guys hadn’t raised the nylon string, I am sure I would have been beheaded. That’s when I started thinking about the queen from Alice saying, “Off with your head.” I was afraid to believe that I could have shared their similar fate. Thankfully I escaped unsheathed by a rabbit’s hair. It traumatized me for a while, the thought of how fast I could have lost my life. It felt so surreal how seconds ago, I had a near death experience. I didn’t know how grateful I was to be living until I went through something like this.  These experiences open your eyes, and show you all the possibilities you have to   live the life you want, and act however you want.  I make my decisions seriously because I know that there is only one chance to create the life you desire. If not what else would you be left with after you die? Nothing but compiled memories of events, and things you did. “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”- William Shakespeare. I want to be able to live without regrets for not doing what I wanted and to make my own decisions. My advice is to take life seriously, because you never know when it might be taken away and there is only one life granted for a person. You only live once, so think wisely.

My sister

My Sister

Andrea V

“We have a surprise for you! When I was three years old my parents told me that I was getting a sister. A sister!! At first I didn’t like the idea, I didn’t want to share my toys or move out of the apartment. Yet, I was old enough to understand that she was going to stay here for good. I remember how, after she was born, she had her hair up, just like  Chuckie from Rugrats. Seriously, her hair was filled with static electricity, so it would seem as if it floated.  She seemed so fragile back then, but later I would see her change in many ways.

 As my sister grew up I realized she had a peculiar personality. We are four years apart, and we are different. My sister is tough. She likes fighting for what she believes in. She is head strong, and once she makes a decision she can’t be persuaded away from it.  Despite the hard rock shell she portrays, I’ve learned to read through her.

My sister is an achiever. She is a very competitive chess player since she was eight years old, who can beat contestants much older than her if she wants to, no matter if this can take her several hours. She tends to push herself to always be “the best” in what she likes. She demonstrates this in school, and also in her gaming abilities. But if there is no challenge in her opponents she will lose interest in the match. This facet of her personality captures the attention of others, and she enjoys it.

On her transition from child to adolescent she became very confident and sure about herself. She is able to protect herself physically and verbally. She is a challenger, who seeks always for the truth.  She hates to be controlled or interrupted.  This has lead her  to become a very opinionated and  independent teenager. I am sure that she will become a self sufficient adult.  On the other hand, she remains very innocent, believing that everyone is a good person.

My sister is a great enthusiast. She plans ahead of time her activities in a very organized fashion. She wants to learn, and shows special interest in animals, and collecting items. She loves to work and plan things. This organization is shown in her very orderly fashioned room, desk, toys, and clothes. Even she has some unbreakable traditions like the Taco Wednesdays, when she is served homemade tacos for lunch. She likes spicy and sweet things, just like her personality. She bakes Brownies regularly with expertise, and sells them.

 My sister doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her. She basically does what she wants. And what she wants is good in every sense of the word. These are the reasons I respect, value, and love my sister. She still is changing, developing new interests, and dreaming about her future. I feel very proud of her.

Pick A place and let yourself go

Andrea V

As long as I can remember, I've been travelling.  Because of this other cultures have always fascinated me; I like how people are able to relate to each other despite being from different countries. I believe we can always learn something new from these experiences. Every time I travel I feel like an explorer, entering new lands, searching for new treasures.  The excitement of an adventure that seeps in. It’s that feeling that you are in control of your decisions, and that you can do whatever you want because no one there knows you.  

I also adore travelling because you get to meet new people and observe their customs. There is a change of ambience in the air, and there is mystery and intrigue all around you. Whenever I travel, I love looking at the architecture of the past, visiting museums, and of course eating.  When traveling, I always pay attention to the details in architecture that surrounds me. I love seeing the buildings and the gardens. Indoors Chandeliers have always caught my attention.  Whenever I enter an old looking building I will look at the ceiling first, scanning for one.  Chandeliers brighten the whole room and they know how to make an impression without moving, they’re like the statues of lamps, and only if you’re willing to look at them, you will catch its beauty. I like how it seems that nothing can escape from its vastness in size and design. To me it’s amazing how much effort and dedication the people in the past put into their works. No two chandeliers are alike and there is a name for each style. I like how in Europe they conserve buildings of the past, restore them and turn them into museums. They’re both two of my favorite things combined together, museums and architecture.

Relatives and friends are also part of my traveling motives. You see, I like conserving the good friendships I make throughout the years and keeping in contact with my family members. This is something that I have learned from my family. An opportunity will always come in which you will meet them again. I re-encountered one of my best friends in Belgium while I was in Thimun. Although we were given a few minutes to chat; we were both very happy and nostalgic. This person used to go to our school and for me it was really interesting seeing how much we had changed throughout the years. My obsession with tea began at trip in Ecuador, after being invited to tea time, with the British ambassador’s wife who was a good friend of my aunt and uncle. Since then, I have become a tea connoisseur, and drink it religiously as water. Meeting new people influences and shapes your preferences. You start appreciating other people’s culture and embrace it in your own.

The experience of learning new things through, actual traveling there rather than reading about them is astonishing to me. Travelling always changes my point of view, and it makes me a more understanding person.   It has taught me not to judge people based on their culture or stereotypes, and to tolerate others opinions and differences, all this is thanks to traveling.  The best thing about traveling is that it proves to you that you can survive on your own, and gives you an unique understanding of yourself. So I  am really  grateful for  the chances I got to experience, in my trips and all the adventures I  got to relish. 

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                                                                                                 Andrea