Title: Caminante

Gender: Male

Age: 53

Sun Sign: Virgo

Chinese Sign: Fire Monkey

Location: Panamá City, República de Panamá

I am an educator at an international school in Panamá City, Panamá. I meet fascinating people here in Panamá. They are alive, vibrant, aware. I listen to their stories. They have been invaded, occupied, exploited. They have developed a rich culture of literature, music, art. They are gaining a sense of themselves as an independent sovereignty. They have a strong sense of their own ecology, and their unique position on the planet. Why is this about me? Well, I married a Panamanian, and through her, I have adopted a Panamanian boy. We are becoming children of the world, and breaking free of nationalistic restraints. I teach children to read, but more importantly I teach them to love themselves, to love their earth, their colleagues, their rich and lovely tropical land. Children naturally love life and living. They enjoy learning and they enjoy becoming skilled and competent. They love to laugh, to share ideas and to be in this world, feeling the earth under their feet, the warmth of tropical breeze on their shoulders, and to feel the warm Pacific and Atlantic envelop them. My son reminds me every day just how wonderful it is to be a child. And, he reminds me every day that I am always welcome to be a child of the earth whenever I want to. Panama is being destroyed, brick by mortar filled brick. Americans, Europeans, Canadians and Asians are busy making fast bucks for cheap retirement housing — all at Panama’s expense. There is plenty of evidence that Panama isn’t going to stand for it. I am getting to know those Panamanians. I love nature, I am in a remarkable part of the world to study and appreciate birds, both the locals and the migratory ones. I am a fighter, I have a good sense of law and believe in the rule of law as opposed to rule of leaders. I have been very active in my teacher’s union in California, and have learned that social and economic justice comes with intrepid, steadfast application. We get where we want to go by staying curious (about our own selves as well as others), asking questions, constantly asking questions. I do my research very, very carefully. When ready, I move forward with my group, and we usually prevail. I don’t hang with naysayers, with folks that are steeped in doom and gloom about this planet. Awareness about the tragedies and atrocities is crucial. It is counterproductive to focus on it. There is a very positive force of people and energy here in Panamá that are solution oriented, that appreciate their rainforests, their beaches, their indigenous peoples. I am a very forturnate man living in an exciting part of the world.

Member Since: Sunday, January 28 2007

Last Visit: 444 days ago.

Profile Viewed: 586 times (last viewed less than a minute ago)