Heather returns to Panama!

After four difficult months of recuperation and rehab in the US, Heather got clearance from her doctor to travel to Panama, to the delight of Steve and the people of Chepo.  On her arrival, she was told that she was fatter (a compliment in Panama) and very white.

Heather gets a welcome at the school

Heather arrived just in time for the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of our host parents, Aristides and Odilia.  Everyone was glad to see her.

After only three nights in Chepo, it was time to head back to Panama City, where Steve was to finish up his Peace Corps career.  On Steve's last day as a Peace Corps volunteer (March 14), Dave and Melissa arrived for a visit.  On the way in from the airport we stopped at Ancon Hill, where we got a great view of the city.

The Baileys all headed back to Chepo for four nights of fun and relaxation.  The first item on the agenda was a trip to the local park ranger station for a hike and spin on the burro.  Luckily no one fell off!

The next day it was time for a trip to the local swimming hole with the local kids, something that Heather and Steve have done many times, but Dave and Melissa had never experienced.

On the way home, Dave stopped for a game of street baseball with some of the kids.

Back at the house, the neighborhood kids came over for some play and reading with the Bailey family.

When the kids left, it was time for pizza!

On Monday, Heather headed to school while Dave, Melissa, and Steve went to the big waterfall.  Heather wasn't quite in shape for the trip down the hill to the falls.

Two brothers who live near the falls showed us their private swimming hole above the falls.  

Melissa tries out the water chute

On Tuesday it was time for a trip to the Alto del Higo, the highest point in our province.  We invited 23 ninth graders who had never been there to go with us.  The antenna at the top is 100 feet high, and gives a great view of the Pacific coast, only a few miles away.

The kids scramble up the tower

All too soon it was time to come down.  They loved the excursion.

On Wednesday, the family's final day in Chepo, the school threw a going-away party for Steve and Heather.  They printed up a big poster of the two of us with sticky notes from dozens of the students wishing us a speedy return to Chepo.

There was tipico Panamanian music and dancing.

Steve wrote and sung a décima, a traditional Panamanian song.

Heather and Steve pose with Heather's English teachers Omar and Ormelis

It was a very emotional day for everyone, with lots of goodbye hugs and a few tears.