Sunday, November 17, 2013

Repreosa factory

my hand holding a piece in need of sand blasting
The Reprosa Factory is a great little shop in Panama that makes beautiful jewelry using the techniques of pre-Colombian societies.

1.  make a wax figure in the desired shape.
2.  pour plaster of paris around the wax figure.
3.  let the plaster harden.
4.  melt the wax, leaving the shape in the plaster.
5.  use a centrifuge to spin the molten silver into the space in the plaster.
6.  wash off the plaster, shine up the piece, and voila!
The people making the wax molds

a beautiful polished piece, waiting for final treatment

view from my apt at 6:30 pm on Nov 17


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Bocas Town, part II

For our Patrias Weekend break, some friends and I headed to Bocas del Toro, a chain of beautiful islands on the Caribbean side, right near Costa Rica.

Yes, the water really is this clear, and the beaches really are this beautiful.
We decided to ride bikes out to a beach bar for lunch.  On the way, we ran into one of my really sweet, really wealthy students.  He was heading out to surf, and chatted with me for a few minutes. When he found out where we were headed, he insisted that his valet (for lack of a better term...maybe manservant?) drive us and the bikes there. His valet was so kind, and even loaded and unloaded the bikes for us.
Mariah, Julia, Rebekah, and Laura
We arrived at the beach bar, and had a lovely afternoon sunning and eating and drinking.  Because it was a national holiday, the whole country was dry for the day, but the bartender mixed up some fruit punch with a little extra kick.
This is the town- a bunch of houses built right on the water, all with boat docks.  It's very much an island paradise.

Friday, November 8, 2013

PANAMUN XXI

6 months of planning, hundreds of hours of meetings, 120 visiting delegates, and 3 days of amazing Model United Nations conference.










The top three students in charge of the conference are the Secretariat- they are the movers, shakers, and decision makers.  And they are sweet and amazingly talented kids.  Here we are, in conference about something imperative, during the last day.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Bocas Town

beachside bar at Playa Bluff
Only a short 45 minute flight from Panama City, we find Bocas del Toro, a set of islands that are too cute to be for real.  Almost like Mackinaw Island, everyone rides bikes, eats fresh food, and hangs out in hotel rooms that are cooled by ocean breezes.  It's awesome.

This is where I spent 3 days recovering from the Model UN conference- lots of sleep, swimming, and hammock time were exactly what I needed.
Hotel decorated in the Panamanian Patriot colors

Leo's watching over me

Every day on the way home from work, I pass this billboard, blow a kiss at Leo, and continue on my way home.  Thanks Tag Heuer, for knowing exactly where to place that advertisement to ensure my maximum happiness.