So far the two events that I will remember most in my Peace
Corps would be GAD camp and the Special Olympics. Last week was the kick off of
the Latin America and Caribbean Special Olympics. I was given to the honor in
being a part it. Thanks to a volunteer named Cat that decided to extend her
service as a liason between Peace Corps and Special Olympics, we were given
food and lodging during our time in Panama City.
Watching the games was simply amazing. Seeing all of the athletes
happily compete for their countries with all the difficulties they face daily
was inspiring. Seeing them cheer and congratulate their competition as if they
were all on the same team was another amazing site. Even if they lost they
refused to let it put them down, they still celebrated.
The various Olympic events were located all over Panama City.
Five other volunteers and I were assigned to the soccer completion for that
week. I was given 6 high school students to assist me with the job of hydration
specialist (water and powerade boy). Each day we were assigned a new batch of
high schools to assist us with our duties. The kids were great to work with and
made everything as smooth as possible (well except the last group).
The two sets of kids that stood out in my mind were the last
two groups I was assigned for the week. The group that was assigned to me on Thursday
was almost perfect. I was actually pretty freaked out by it. These kids spoke
perfect English. I almost forgot I was in Panama being around them. They were
well behaved and did everything without being asked. But what really freaked me
out was that they were all super attractive. ALL OF THEM. It’s like they were genetically
engineered to be a super society. Im glad I didn’t go to that high school . I
would have been the school hunchback of Notre Dame. My daily rating for them: Excellent!!!
The batch that we received on Friday must have been the rich
kids. Some of them drove to the stadium and they refused to free lunch to go to
TGI Fridays. When I asked one of them to get a bag of ice he said “Ice? Carry ice,
really?”. Also when I told them that all the volunteers in yellow shirts (them)
couldn’t crowd around and talk so much because it kinda looks bad to the
parents and sponsors they told me “That is racist”. I just walked away and said
thank God this is a half a day because I might choke one of these kids. My
rating for them: SUCKED
Even though we encountered a few speed bumps along the way
the games still ended up being a success. Over all the experience was great. I
hope that I will be given the opportunity to participate again in the near
future.