| Marco in 2007-'08 |
Welcome to April 2007 (and beyond) and more adventures with Marco. In 2005 Marco wanted, badly it
seemed, to jump on the airplane and go back to America with me. His Dad had been gone for 3 years
and he wanted to come and live with me. I explained about passports and paperwork, but I could plainly
see that he did have a strong drive to want to go to the USA. And in 2007 when I visited again, this drive
was still there, although Marco was older (16), wiser, and understood the process now. I spent some
time thinking about the idea of Marco going to the States for school, and decided to take him seriously.
And Marco was very happy. We went to an office in the city to inquire about Marco getting a passport.
(It's easy and only $50, same day service!) and went to the U.S. Consular office to find info on student
exchange programs (do-able, but definitely NOT easy), and we also went to enroll him in an intensive
English language school. THEN came the dedication to figure out how this can be done!
seemed, to jump on the airplane and go back to America with me. His Dad had been gone for 3 years
and he wanted to come and live with me. I explained about passports and paperwork, but I could plainly
see that he did have a strong drive to want to go to the USA. And in 2007 when I visited again, this drive
was still there, although Marco was older (16), wiser, and understood the process now. I spent some
time thinking about the idea of Marco going to the States for school, and decided to take him seriously.
And Marco was very happy. We went to an office in the city to inquire about Marco getting a passport.
(It's easy and only $50, same day service!) and went to the U.S. Consular office to find info on student
exchange programs (do-able, but definitely NOT easy), and we also went to enroll him in an intensive
English language school. THEN came the dedication to figure out how this can be done!
Below are some photos from my April and September '07 trips to walk you through getting to
know Marco and visit his current life in Panama. THANK YOU for your interest in Marco and the
Embera, and this exciting opportunity to help him fulfill his dream to visit the USA for a yearor
two of high school studies. He really is a great kid! Maybe you can tell from these pictures.
know Marco and visit his current life in Panama. THANK YOU for your interest in Marco and the
Embera, and this exciting opportunity to help him fulfill his dream to visit the USA for a yearor
two of high school studies. He really is a great kid! Maybe you can tell from these pictures.
Our first day in '07. It is a special treat
to rent bikes with (l-r) Otniel, Elvin
(Marco's oldest brother, a university
student), and Anne Gordon, who was
our Animal Expert on the movie shoot.
This was only the second time Marco
rented bikes and had some tourist fun.
to rent bikes with (l-r) Otniel, Elvin
(Marco's oldest brother, a university
student), and Anne Gordon, who was
our Animal Expert on the movie shoot.
This was only the second time Marco
rented bikes and had some tourist fun.
Marco is all smiles as he leans on a pole
near the dock at his village. He would
love to tell you all about his village and
his Embera culture. He likes to fish, drive
the motor-canoe, and plays a lot of
soccer/futbol.
near the dock at his village. He would
love to tell you all about his village and
his Embera culture. He likes to fish, drive
the motor-canoe, and plays a lot of
soccer/futbol.
Here's Marco and me standing in front of
his room/hut. We are wearing our
stunt-man tee shirts from the movie shoot
three years ago. I'm impressed he still
has his in good shape! They don't have
many possessions in the village, but what
they do have they seem to take care of.
his room/hut. We are wearing our
stunt-man tee shirts from the movie shoot
three years ago. I'm impressed he still
has his in good shape! They don't have
many possessions in the village, but what
they do have they seem to take care of.
I just think this is a cool picture from my
"Hotel de Marco" bed, shot through the
complimentary mosquito netting. Is it
just me, or do you see an interesting
symbol in the photo? Hmmmm.
"Hotel de Marco" bed, shot through the
complimentary mosquito netting. Is it
just me, or do you see an interesting
symbol in the photo? Hmmmm.
Click photos to enlarge
Here are a few more pix of Marco in '07: Hanging out in the hammock in the large family hut
reading the newspaper... mostly for the sports of course. The next photo is Marco with his dog,
Puma, and his soccer uniform on. And on the right is Marco spiffed up for working at "the Bar",
which is rather like a concession stand selling soda and beer. There is a pool table there (see
below) and I am concerned about the heavy drinking done in the evening by the locals. Marco is a
good kid, but this bar environment does not seem fitting for any teenager to be working in. (2008 -
Marco no longer works there.)
reading the newspaper... mostly for the sports of course. The next photo is Marco with his dog,
Puma, and his soccer uniform on. And on the right is Marco spiffed up for working at "the Bar",
which is rather like a concession stand selling soda and beer. There is a pool table there (see
below) and I am concerned about the heavy drinking done in the evening by the locals. Marco is a
good kid, but this bar environment does not seem fitting for any teenager to be working in. (2008 -
Marco no longer works there.)
Here's Marco in the kitchen of his mom
and dad's hut. They bring in fresh
drinking water from the bar in 5-gallon
buckets every few days. His mom
cooks good meals on the propane
stove.
and dad's hut. They bring in fresh
drinking water from the bar in 5-gallon
buckets every few days. His mom
cooks good meals on the propane
stove.
Marco is up on the roof of his hut
securing the plastic cover over the
peak. We saw some dark clouds and
he climbed up to fix the roof. Good
thing, at 3 AM it just poured rain! And
we did stay dry.
securing the plastic cover over the
peak. We saw some dark clouds and
he climbed up to fix the roof. Good
thing, at 3 AM it just poured rain! And
we did stay dry.
Here is the new boat that was donated
by a local government official. It is very
sturdy and will be great for the older
tourists to ride in. In front are Marco's
sister Lizbet, Rob, Marco's dad, Atilano,
and his mom, Mitzy.
by a local government official. It is very
sturdy and will be great for the older
tourists to ride in. In front are Marco's
sister Lizbet, Rob, Marco's dad, Atilano,
and his mom, Mitzy.
This is one of my favorite photos of
Marco doing some school work in
Panama. He studied at the
American English Overseas Center
for over a year. He had to also
attend Bella Vista School and also
spend time back in his Embera
community helping build the huts
and work with tourists. Marco, you
worked hard, and I am so proud
of you for learning English and
being dedicated to your goal!
Marco doing some school work in
Panama. He studied at the
American English Overseas Center
for over a year. He had to also
attend Bella Vista School and also
spend time back in his Embera
community helping build the huts
and work with tourists. Marco, you
worked hard, and I am so proud
of you for learning English and
being dedicated to your goal!
There is a lot of work to do in the
village. Here Marco's dad level's a line
for a beam in a new hut.
village. Here Marco's dad level's a line
for a beam in a new hut.
Almost all the work is done by hand
in the village. Marco is working on
his brother's hut while his dad trims
the roof.
in the village. Marco is working on
his brother's hut while his dad trims
the roof.
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