Reasons to Miss Panama

Though leaving is still a ways out, I already have a creeping nostalgia. There will be things I will truly miss and/or remember about my time in Panama.  Here's a few.  I'm sure there will be an addendum list in the future:

• Awesome salsa music on everyday radio
• Grape nut ice cream (yes, it's a flavor, and yes, it's exactly what you think it is, and yes, it's delicious)
• $2 lunches
• Falling asleep to the sound of frogs, crickets, and the river
• Morning cup of coffee with view of the river
• Commute to work is a hike
• Children yelling "Oti", lit up with excitement
• Lack of stress
• Starry nights
• Seeing shadows cast by the light of the moon
• Bus ride from Chiriqui Grande over the continental divide to David
• Boat ride from Kwite to Chiriqui Grande
• Fried chicken
• Ladies who work at Hotel Toledo
• Hotel Toledo in general
• Space cadet who works at Fonda Orly
• Omega Stereo
• Las Lajas beach
• A hot cup of tea after hiking in the pounding rain
• Santa Clara host family during training
• Holding a newborn Ngabe in my arms
• Chicha
• Feeling of excitement and anticipation of seeing volunteers, hot water, AC, and cold beer
• Cold soda after a hard day's work
• Day of manual labor
• Only checking my email once every few weeks
• Lack of BlackBerry's
• Rate of personal growth
• Time to think about life
• Candlelit evenings
• Being the first white person to visit somewhere
• Bathing in a river
• El Rio Mananti
• Going to the mountains and feeling cold for the first time in months