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.

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.

the three Fridas

 This is the real Frida Kalho, famous Mexican artist and activtist:

 

This is me dressed as Frida for Halloween:

I thought my idea was so original, until another Frida showed up at the party.  And then an hour later, another Frida.  What had been embarrassing with 2 of us became funny with three of us, so we had to take some pictures in front of the paper mache devil (but no smiling, b/c Frida never smiled for the camera):

Alissa Frida, Jamie Frida, and Laura Frida

Halloween treats

Cute little tombstone cupcakes with my friend's names/initials on them. Everyone enjoyed eating their own death!

Flat Stanley

Stanley and 4 kinds of ceviche

My friend Ben, who is 8 years old, read a book called "Flat Stanley," a story about a little boy who gets smushed flat (by a bulletin board- scary much?) and goes on to have all kinds of adventures.  All of the kids in Ben's class made a Stanley, and sent him to a faraway friend or relative.   Flat Stanley went with me to the conference in Mexico, as well as to the Canal.  Here are some of my favorite moments:

Stanley by the Abe Lincoln statue in Mexico City- Ben's school is in IL 

Stanley at the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal

Stanley napping in the hotel room- we had a lot of adventures!

cool stuff I saw in Mexico

In the airport, ran into these nice men from Papallan, Colombia.  Since I was helping a friend's son with his 'Flat Stanley' project, it seemed the perfect chance for a picture.  

On my Mexico City food tour, we did a gourmet truffle tasting with tequila pairing.  I tried banana and tutti-fruiti, and both were surprisingly good.  After all, the Aztecs were the first to trade with chocolate.

Finally saw it in real life!  After ten years of teaching the Aztec calendar in all of it's glory, I saw it in real life.  Check that one off of the bucket list!

And this is some other Aztec art, but it was big, made out of stone, and carved by hand.  Awesome.