Hola ! I am sitting down right now about to go out to get some hamburgers and juice with my mom. My sister went to a party for one of her friends from school. I went to Volcan yesterday and saw different parts of Panama. Volcan is located in Chiriqui but it further up than where I am living. It is about an hour drive and an hour and a half to Volcan Baru. Volcan Baru is the only place in the world where you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. I did not get the chance to climb the mountain yesterday because we left in the afternoon and it is an all day activity! It is alot cooler in the mountains and quiet too. It was cool getting to see how people live there. For example, there is an outdoor bathroom and there is no electricity so we used candles at night. The roads are really rocky and hard to drive on but the houses have more land and more privacy too. I also went to Costa Rica two weeks ago with my mom and sister and got to see the frontier. This is a zone libre mall where one street your in Panama and the other your in Costa Rica. It was neat seeing all the license plate change, and the different colored taxi's. We spent the afternoon shopping and looking at all the different stores than went back to the city to eat dinner. I am going to the gym almost every day now to keep me busy and not thinking about home during the holidays, because it is really hard being away from my family and friends during Christmas time. I am sure I will enjoy seeing how they celebrate though, and I am in a great family too. We have decorated the house and got the Christmas tree today and will decorate later tonight or maybe tomorrow. I have a german friend who is with AFS too who lives nearby my house who I will walk around with or go into the city sometimes. My best friend Yessenia lives pretty close to me too. She is in my class in school and has helped me ALOT. She doesnt want me to leave and says I have to stay here for the year or she is going to come to the US with me haha! I am enjoying my time but I am missing everyone alot. I think that if I stay occupied and visiting different places that this lonely feeling sometimes will fade. I want to visit Bocas Del Toro, but it is very expensive but maybe I will go with my family another time. I am excited to come back and start my second semester and see all my family and friends but I am also trying to focus my attention here and do all I can while I'm here because I know this is an oppurtunity not everyone is able to take. Some things I have noticed about the culture.... moving your pointer finger up and down means yes, they point to things with their lips, there are street venders everywhere that sell anything from hamburgers to ice cream. Alot of things are more natural and they cook rice every day. After 9 pm you have to be in the house if you are under 18, but this is stricter in Panama City. I live about 7 hours from the city so its more laid back where I am living, but the law is still enforced and kids do follow it. Right now it is becoming summer and so it is only going to get warmer, which seems impossible. I am leaving now to go get something to eat, but I will write again sooner than past times! I have been busy so I am sorry! I will have pictures to post too! xoxoxoxo Madison