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All right. Good morning. Today is July 3rd, 2000 and 15. My name is Hannah. Suicide. I We're here with a really talking about the Panama Canal Zone. Okay. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. Um, we could start by you talking us when and where were you born?

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Well, thank you for the opportunity. I was born in Panama. Okay. September 1965 e a city. Okay. Are your parents from Panama? Yeah. Both my parents are from Panama. Well, one of them passed away. It was from the original. Tricky on my mother from, uh, from Panama.

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And why did your parents do for a living? Where did they work? Well, my father was a mechanic, and he worked for the bottom bacchanal. Uh, once. And then my mother was She also worked for the Panama Canal for a little bit. She was a cook.

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She was a seamstress. She pretty much stay home. Uh, that was work. Okay, So what do you have? What's your earliest memory that you have of growing up in Panama? What do you remember? Well, I have lots of memories because I am my grandfather owned uh, man in L.

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A one of the hot spots for Panama and my family comes on my mom's side from the Greco family, which is the one that owned the Hotel Greco. So I spent a lot of my time in the value, of course, Um, in the mountains, in the river off.

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I like to say I did a lot of horseback riding, but I did because I was the chicken of the families did not do that. Uh, just spending time in a violent was one of my greatest memory. Okay. And what was your grandfather's name? Costa. Dino Greco.

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Okay. And your parents name? My parents also ferry Gonzalez E O Gonzalez. Okay. And do you have any siblings? Yes. I have two siblings. Insula Celeste to grow. Okay, Um, and do what do you remember about going to school and does in Panama? Well, I grew up in Panama City, so I went Thio school called Belisario Porras is pretty famous.

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It's a public school, but one that you learn so much. It has a lot of people that have come out of political borders, are professionals from Panama, and it's just a very unique school in the district off. I want to say San Francisco in the capital.

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And, uh, I did not go toe the schools within the d o d department of the hit schools, but I was able to go often because one of my cousins lived home base, So I will go. It was different from growing up in Panama City versus, uh, going to the spinal column.

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McConnell schools. Why was it different? Well, I remember when my daughter no, my daughter, my cousin, was in school. She could go, uh, in regular clothes while in Panama. You have to wear uniforms, is your in kindergarten. And that was the difference. I love the fact that she could go wear regular clothes.

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Okay. Um, was there any difference? You know, from what we hear about the Panama Canal Zone there things are very in the way structure you want. Thio, buy your product. The commissary. Your parents has started schedules like, did you feel that difference when you would go visit on the zone?

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Well, I love being in the song because it was like a completely different world from living in Panama City. Everything was a lot more structure, Definitely. Because as soon as we come into the base way have to be our very best, because the and peace of the SPS where, uh, in the guard, the area and you need to be make sure you don't do anything that will get you in trouble because you're on base.

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So even though we were so young, I was still like, we're coming into base. You just put your best suit on because you're coming through. Um, I love it because it was everything was clean. Whenever I went to the commissary with my aunt and uncle, you had all these different variety that we did not have a plan, a law e One of our things that we enjoy as Panamanians was the sweetheart, believe it or not, because you will get it on base.

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So I was fortunate because my cousin will buy it and then, you know, I could come to school like who? I have a sweet r e. It was funny, but those are like the things that are I remember I like the, uh, the area off the base because it was everything was structure, but yet everything looks so nice.

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Yeah. Other fun memories. So besides your cousin going after, Did you spend time with other you from the zone? Well, I did, because obviously e will go to the parties. Uh, once upon a time, I celebrated Halloween. So because my and lived on actually living locally So we will go and, you know, mingle with kids and then that to me, just being able thio to spend time with them and play with them.

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I was just part of them as well, even though I didn't live there. Well, I mean, tell me a little bit about what would you do for fun? Like, what did kids there from the zone? Well, we pretty much played the same games that we did in Panama.

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You know, lots of, uh I don't remember how it is in English. Um, what you saw? Hello. I can remember what it is in hospital. How do you play in that arena? Uh, with a stone that you threw it on the, uh Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say.

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That one, uh, my cousin, she always enjoy the outdoors, That she was always climbing trees. Not me, but her friends and her. That was the thing we will play. Condi wishes hide and see e don't know as kids, we did a lot of the regular same games.

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And even though there was, uh, back then I did not speak the language. But my cousin was always translating, and a lot of the kids knew Spanish as well. So way communicated regardless, Uh, lots of races. Uh, you know, just around the same thing. Games as the kids in the states.

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Nothing go into the water, but way. We're always so cautious because, uh, you didn't get in trouble on my cousin was a great sooner. I wasn't so my you know, it was more restricted because I don't wanna get in trouble. Okay, so you brought up languages, so I was actually gonna ask you about that.

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So when did you start learning English? Well, I was interested in the language, obviously, because I used to be a canal zone and spend time with my friends and, uh, Valerie, my cousin. Uh, but I didn't learn the language until I came here to study when I was in my sophomore year in high school.

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Ok, so that but most of the people on the canals on new Spanish. Ah, lot of the kids. Definitely. Because, ah, lot of them had, uh, in the houses. They have, uh, mates that spoke Spanish, and, you know, they communicated with them in Spanish, so I will say that a great majority of them could understand.

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And also, if you have friends that work from Panamanian side use, okay. Do you remember what were the relationships between the adults like the Panamanians, like your parents and then people would never go in the zone. Yeah, well, in my family site, we always had a great relationship because we used to, uh, meet them frequently because of my end living in Khalkhali.

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But also because my family was in the hospitality business in an alibi. So my uncle had the hotel. It was just part of the service. Uh, they will come in and we will treat them, you know, great. Because they brought the the economy up in about you being able Thio to spend a lot of money, like at the restaurant of the hotel or the vendors.

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So in my family case, it was always a very nice way. Had a great relationship that can also, And I say we have good friends too. I remember my mom's friends that were somehow tied to the can also, and they were always great people. I just have the best memories from them.

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Does your family still own that hotel? Yes. Still within the family. And we will, um we have a cabin in the mountains called Oh, a piece of paradise. And then that that's in my grand parents are land. And then my other cousin owns Calagna Potosi. No one is close toe India Remedia.

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So we pretty much have stayed with the hospitality business because it's just been in the family. Krystle. Okay, Um, do you remember what year your grandfather felt? That hotel? Wow, that was a good one. I honestly don't remember that. But it was my uncle's. It was my My grandfather is brother who, actually on the hotel Michael.

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But I know that he also worked for the Panama Canal and he had his business on the side. Wife will stay and then he traveled back and forth. I know that after a while, you know, business was he did his assistant all the time, so he spent more time, but I want to say earliest.

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Uh, yearly. Let's see. My mother was born in 1925 so I want to say maybe 1915. Okay. So, um, I was gonna ask you said your your software year of high school you started here in the United States. So why did your family move here? No, they didn't move here.

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My aunt happened to, uh she was transferred back to the states. And then when I was in high school, I wanted to learn the language. Because even though I was taking courses in Panama, I know that I was not gonna be able to improve eso The opportunity arrives that I could come to the States and again live with my aunt s.

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I came to Florida on e just I went into the river school. E I don't want to go into the easel classes because I wanted to make sure that I could have just mingle. Andi learned the language. So that's what I did. E became better. Okay, So why didn't your aunt into first part working at Amazon?

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My I did not work for the bottom of it was my uncle who was in the He was in the Air Force s. Oh, my mom. My and my my mom. She was a seamstress to sew. They just did, you know, some jobs, uh, houses whenever they had a e.

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Okay, eso then what part of Florida did you move? Thio? I was in the Panhandle, so it was in the area of for Walton Beach, Florida. Okay, And then we're the Americans in the Panhandle Different than the Americans in the Panama Canal Zone. Or was it were you able to activate pretty easily?

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Well, in the Panhandle, it reminds me more of home because of the access to the beach and the fact that there were a lot younger, a younger generation, because when we first when I first all right, I went to my cousin's house. For Myers, it was a little tiny topical, Lovell, that when I did not monetize as much because it was, uh, generation, there was a lot older than I waas.

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And also it was the beach was not close by. Um, so it waas It was a pretty shopping experience coming from the city versus a little town. The Panhandle was not necessarily a city, but it was more alive. My kid, young people in being 15 was like, Oh, you know.

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Okay, so they only spent one year and again. No, I stay here until I graduated from high school. Then I went back to Panama, continue my education at the University of Panama. And then when I was saying my fourth year, I met my husband, uh, actually was my third year going into my fourth year.

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I met my husband a prior to just cost. We got married in 1989 prior to just cost Asai mentioned before and the reason why it was such an emphasis in that it's because then we got married and we move on base and I live in Clayton.

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And then, uh, I spent a lot of time in there. Uh, however, I got pregnant and I could go to school as much because I was sick all the time. And then we had started having difficulties because of the commotion and the tension that was going on in 1989.

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So then December 2, in the when the workgroup way had to stay on base and they closed the basis so I pretty much cannot go to school because I was not allowed to go out of base. So it was a transition period. It was very difficult, especially because I was pregnant and my husband being in the middle of the war.

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So by then, thank God my neighbors were very close way all pulled together because at that time they started Russian food of the commentary. So we could just we have to live with what we had. So we all gathered into one apartment and the three of us, uh, actually was four of us who live in the different apartments gathered into one, and we share what we had.

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So it was it was great, because in the middle of so much sadness and in so much fear of what's going on with our husband, we were able to pull together. Way tried to stay as close as we could and way help each other. And thank God, one of the two of the husband were able to come in and check on us.

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So that's that's backtrack of widows if you covered a lot of information. Um, So what were you studying in college? I studied international affairs. Eso I made it until my third year. And then in my fourth year as I mentioned, I could go anymore because we restraint from leaving the base eso.

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Anyway, um, I decided to stay fresh to start fresh, uh, Central Texas College on base. And I did my associate with them. And then later on, I continue my education, and I ended up graduating. Asan, Leo University in Florida. Okay. My to finish my your question.

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I graduated as a human resource management. Okay, that's really good on Ben. What was what did your husband doing? The military. What was my husband was in in the engineers have the Kobe, Um he was with the army, and then he we were transferred back to the states Way ended up in three area, uh, Arizona for his retirement.

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So Okay. And then so divorce that you were referring to. We're talking about Noriega, right? That was just cost. Okay, Just cause Okay, so can you explain a little bit? About what? What was the political situation like at that time? Like, what did you feel about the war that was going on?

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Um, well, Noriega was a dictator of Obama, and he wanted to and, you know, impose his his decisions. One, uh, he wanted to speak from all of us. All the Panamanians. And I disagree, because I don't think the majority of the Panamanians felt like him. And he was proven because, uh, back then, prior to well, I'm even going farther because I work for Panama City in 1987 when the the thing started and it was way will try to rebel against Noriega because the whole country was upset because of what he was doing.

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So we will protest, But we always protest are very Pacific. Um, I remember working at the Holiday Inn and then the there was a, uh what you call it a manifestation. That's not a word, but the people will gather go into 53. That group was called, uh, e can't remember, but everything we did was peaceful, like we were white on.

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We were going the street with pots and pants and, you know, protest protest against the government because we do not agree with what he was doing. How are you going to declare a war with the United States when you're not speaking from all of us that it was just minority that disagree.

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Mhm. So that's just was very much against it, especially because I was torn between two. I love Panama, but I It was also part of the States. You know, my husband was in the military serving his country, and, you know, e I'm pretty much I always feel that I was in both sides even though I was born in the canal.

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So I spent so much time in there that, you know, I always mingled with them, had a great relationship. My family did. And you know, why am I going to why is my country gonna go into a work with somebody that has always been very kind to us?

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You know, we have Panama, I think very stable. Uh, because of the military presence in there, Some people might say later on. But off course, once the military lab, the Panama Canal song, we were gonna go down the tubes and we were not gonna be able to, uh, sustain ourselves.

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But that proved to be wrong because we did. But that doesn't mean that we do not. We're not appreciative of what Everything that the United States did for our country. Okay, I said you were also loving on the zone. You're part of it to rent the whole transitioning from being American on Thio being fully passed over the Panamanian government.

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What were your thoughts experiencing that? What was that transition like in the middle of a war? Yeah. And even before because you were still there because the treaty 7 77. So you were part of that, you know? All right. Yes, yes. Because in 1977 when the treaty was very young, super young.

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But I remember how that was back with mandatory host and how he wanted to pretty much imposed, uh, his ideas to us as Children. A very early age, because I remember clearly when I was in, uh, Alitalia Boras. And we have to be like a snowstorm.

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Puerto Rico's, uh, speech, whatever way, have to be very respectful. You know, if somebody from the common dance Yeah, somebody friend, the military, Panama, come into the school for some reason, or another one. It was like, Oh, you know, it was like, Oh, you know, your best.

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It was almost like being in the military because, like s O like our papa, you know, arrive. That's how we felt, Like e. But I only I'm a Christian woman. So I only even about at an early age to me it was possible because I was like, we were only supposed to give that reverence to God.

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I mean, who is he? I mean, he's the general of Panama, but it's not so when he did sign the treaty for my family was like, Oh, way were we were sad because, you know, way we're thinking of, like, so many years from now that way, uh, can always gonna close his doors.

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No, It's gonna close these doors, like, let me take that back. But the military presidents never be there anymore. But, you know, as I said, before it continue, way have been successful. And for for our family, it was sad because we have always had a great relationship with them.

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Okay, so, um, during just cause your parents are still living in Paris Well, my parents thank God they were in Alba. So even though there was so much turmoil going on, I was very happy because they were not in the city. So you have to worry about people coming in and probably trying to break into their houses and anything like that because they went to our house in the countryside and over there, there was not as much, uh, scars a judge.

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The food was not there was not a shortage. You know, my family got, you know, there there's plenty of things in the house that you can meet from. So I was very pleased that and I also I could communicate with them because for some reason, the lines in the city were bad.

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But in the countryside, I remember breaking up the phone and calling them, like, how you doing and everything was OK. Like don't worry about it s Oh, my sisters weren't in the city, of course, but, uh, thank God everybody was cautious not to be involved. Try to you on the street on such a more.

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Okay. And then after just cause did you stay in the booth? Yeah. I was very lucky because right when everything happened Ah, lot of the military's families were taking out of Panama e mean in a matter of, I mean, they will come and tell you. We have to move today.

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You know, we are going to the, uh, to take our flight tomorrow. So just scholar, everything you have just, you know, it's kind of like what? When you wash movies, uh, that they take you out of a place very quickly because of everything that was going on.

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However, you know what? Someone husband, Please let them do everything you can to see if we can stay until the very end. And I was one of the fortunate that our group did not leave at all. But we were like, I'm sure next online toward the end.

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Like things don't get better. We have to take out the families. But all of my friends, they leave. They were they had to move really quickly. I had a friend who just cause, uh, she has just got to marry not too long ago. Then one of her everything that she had received from her wedding.

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No, but she had collected herself. Um, we're burning one of the fires that happening. E believe if it wasn't for result e a lot of things were happening. It was a time of a lot of a commotion stress for us. Oh. Mm hmm. So what year did you end up believing?

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Animal. So then I stayed until 2000, when the truth is ended. Uh, so I work for the part of the school defense. Guilt in power. So, in between transitioning his own thio, the Panamanian government, and then the war that ends afternoon e gets pushed out. What did it feel like living in Panama in the middle of all that change and all that term?

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Well, what were you feeling? Because it was so many things that were going on, right? Well again, Thank God. Uh, my neighbors and I had such a great relationship to that. We were able to leave together in the middle of all that because, ah, lot of times you cannot necessarily stand, you know, not being at your house.

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But we were all so concerned about each other because, for example, I had had a previous accident with my best friend, and she could not move her arm because she had a fracture. Um, the other lady, I had a young child, and then I, um it's always sick because I was, uh, pregnant.

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Thank God. I remember this lady from Mexico on Her name was Selena, and she was so great because she was the strongest one on all of us. She was the oldest 12 but at the same time, she was like, I feel like I'm the nurse from everybody because she was taking care of us.

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But at the same time, you know, we all pulled together even though we're all, for some reason or another one tied up because, like, what I will do was like Okay, I'll go to my pantry, I get whatever I have. And you know, e tried to help each other, like with the baby.

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So we were in close encounters because we live in the area off the 500 area in Clayton. But she's definitely across the building 5 19. And if you remember that, that was a very important building in Panama where the people from Korea were trying to bombard.

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It s so a lot of time when they threw the whatever they were doing, our building when we were living will shake, and that was pretty scary. I remember that a lot of times we were so naive that we will come out like, Oh, did you hear that?

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And then think out one of the majors came in. You shouldn't even be outside because, you know, it's pretty. And it was it was a time off fear a lot of fear, because I remember clearly going out on the balcony and seeing the whole sky completely dark.

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Um, and it was because of the all the bomb bar bombs that were trying being thrown at a radio, you could see it from where we were. It was like fireworks, but truly, it was the real thing. But the major thing that I will say about that time, it was how we put together a So, um, for ladies not being able to spend time with her husband, but just, you know, making the best of it in a very difficult time.

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Okay. And then what happened after after the war ended well afterward and that it was still we were living restraint because we could leave the base for a while until they will give us the okay that a week ago. So when we were able to go into the city, it was like a major relief, because first, um we could actually walk away without having to feel like, you know, they're going to stop us on.

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They're not gonna let us get out of the bosses. So my friends and I remember we went to 40 of July. There's a street called four of July and it's famous because they have all the then it was a store. I can't remember the name of the store, but I'm sure a lot of you will know which one is it.

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We'll go in there. And the four of us were crazy because we were just, like, enjoying how the linen and, you know, just already planning for the days ahead, because it was like, Okay, now we can. The world is over and we can actually concentrating something that is gonna bring us happiness.

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So for us, it was just going toe for July and looking at Aldo linen and how you're gonna put your table on what you're gonna do. It was amazing that something so little was so yeah, provide us so much joy just because we were able to go shopping without having to fear that somebody was gonna a tackles or something and that was not the case because again we were in the city in the majority of Panamanians were not the military from Noriega.

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On the contrary, they were like happy that we were able to come out. But looking at my personal experience, I feel restraining. And it is something that you you unless you live that moment. It is, uh, is very chaotic because they're telling you you cannot leave.

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And, you know, unless you are somebody from Cuba that knows that you can leave the island. Because unless another dictator like Costco tells you, you can go, you know, And I'm very gracious, very, very thankful to God that, you know, Obama transition. Even though we went to award, it was smooth, and we were able to help our freedom like it.

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Freedom from Korea. Okay. And then you mentioned a bit that the Panamanians were happy that you were ableto get out a Yes, because my friends off course, they were like, you know, we can see you. Because, like, we were worried about our own families outside the base, they were worried about us because again they were thinking, you know, they knew that we were protected because we had the whole government of the United States backing us up.

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But at the same time, you know how How are you feeling being inside and not being able to come out and see your family, even though I knew they were fine. But it's not the same as you coming out and give him a hug. You know, it's just their insurance.

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So it wasn't like there was a spine border that you were designed. You were in Paramount, like the relationships were very intermingle. They're very mixed. Yeah, I say, I think that's the beauty of one of them. We have, I think, the majority of Obama. We are very peaceful people, way like to party.

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That's the thing we're all about joy. And, you know, we look forward to mingle with our friends and family. Way have always had that relationship with three us. And it was always, you know, when what we're gonna do this weekend, you know, we're gonna go base.

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I'm sure a lot of stories that you have her is like how the families that used to come back and forth to base or vice versa. That will come to because We have a lot of, um, people from the United States coming into the city, or they enjoy our areas off glacier like, you know, where you could go on spin and feel like I have to say that the people in the city live a like the states, more of, ah, fast paced life.

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But when you go to the countryside and to this day is more peaceful. So a lot of times you just wanted to leave the city just because you wanted to have the tranquility on, be able to enjoy the beaches and enjoy the mountains and need and you know.

00:32:07.540 - 00:32:27.550

Okay, So you said after divorce, you ended up working for a teacher for the Department of Defense, right? Yes. I'm a teacher. Uh, I started with the Department of Defense. E started with my girls were younger, and I worked for the Child Development Center in Clayton.

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Then I was able to go into the elementary for department first from school in power, and then I stayed with them until, uh, basis closed. So we had to, like, pretty much everybody received their letter. So, termination of contract, then, uh, we transition into the State's.

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Okay, So you grew up. You You said you have worked in the hotels in Panama and then you go to work with the Department of Defense. What was it like working for the different for, you know, different areas. Yeah, lately Career. Oh, yeah. It z funny, because I have always worked ever since I was young, because I didn't work.

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But because my family had that business, I always tried to make sure that the customers will have the best service even at an early age. I remember telling them, Oh, you want a You know, I was I would be the one that I could put you work to go.

00:33:26.060 - 00:33:47.860

Um however, I have always enjoyed teaching, So that was just something else that called me. Even though my field really is human resource, my other background is teaching, and I really enjoy when I started with my own girls, uh, teaching them because I wanted them to have a strong base on.

00:33:47.860 - 00:34:08.170

That's why I stay home. But when they were older, I wanted to make sure I could go and still be with them, teaching them, but at the same time earning a little income for me. So that was just perfect. Because to this day I continue because now that I'm older, it gives me the flexibility that my mom still in Panama.

00:34:08.180 - 00:34:27.060

She's turning 90 this year, and I'm able to go back and forth and if I was in another job, will not have the freedom and flexibility that I have a teacher. So I really enjoy, um, my profession because I'm able to teach the Children Spanish because that's what I teach them.

00:34:27.060 - 00:35:00.260

But at the same time, I'm I'm not only bringing my language, I bring the folklore. I bring the culture, I bring the food. I'm all about that because I belong to 1/4 floor in group. I actually dance folkloric music from Panama. So whenever I have the opportunity, I put on my boy era and I dress up and, you know, even have my students dancing to and you know, and the best thing of it is that I not only do Panama, I'm all about the whole countries.

00:35:00.240 - 00:35:18.860

So this year I had the opportunity of doing multiple transfer, and I integrated not only Latin America but Asia Africa. It's like eh, So I really enjoy it. So when you had your daughters and there were little what was the first language that you taught them Spanish or English?

00:35:19.740 - 00:35:37.980

They say both of them because I will speak to them in Spanish and my husband would speak to them in English and we will go back and forth when my youngest one, uh, she my oldest one Christina, she was bilingual and she was little. She could go back and forth.

00:35:38.200 - 00:36:06.380

It's definitely It was She didn't want to speak as early as her sister, and, uh so I was worried, like maybe I'm getting help confused. But when she started a school on, I think that's one of the reasons why I went into preschool because I wanted to make sure, like, okay, let me put her into school because maybe, you know, she needs to be with other kids so she can come out of her shell herself and she hasn't stopped since then.

00:36:06.390 - 00:36:26.690

Eso No, I did not harm them. And I'm very grateful that I did that because, uh, now Stephanie is becoming proficient in her third land, which will be Portuguese. So I think it's great that you have that opportunity of teaching your Children at an early age Uh, both languages is awesome given to them.

00:36:26.700 - 00:36:47.760

Don't worry about thinking that you gonna harm them because of anything. You will harm them if you do not teach them their other languages. Okay, so what's that important to you that they use and understood Spanish and were able to speak the language? Definitely, definitely, because I have a lot of families that speak English, but the majority of them speak Spanish, of course.

00:36:47.760 - 00:37:05.370

And it was I want them to be able to communicate and they are fully bilingual. They can go back and forth, and it's great to be able to see them mingle with my family and not having to worry like, what is that, Mom? Because they can interpret their own mhm language.

00:37:05.380 - 00:37:26.730

So what was it like when you got your termination of contract letters? That was very difficult because, you know, they're telling you you will no longer have a job, and I was not fortunate to be like some others that have been in the in the Department of Defense for so long that my job transferred.

00:37:26.740 - 00:37:46.450

I was not one of them. So it was hard. It was hard for many reasons because, uh, it was the end of an era that the president was not gonna be there anymore. So we had to move because that was it. Either you move or if you were lucky enough to stay in Panama.

00:37:46.460 - 00:38:06.170

But, uh, for us, that was not the case because my husband was in the military, so we had to move. Uh, but just I always say that you have to give it your best. Doesn't matter on that's being part of the military were forced to move even though we don't want to.

00:38:06.180 - 00:38:25.160

But that's what you married too. So just give it your best shot and look forward to see what else you know. It doesn't matter where they sent me. I always said I will make it a point to mingle where whoever is out there because I'm not gonna be shelter into my house thinking like, you know, I'm afraid to get out.

00:38:25.170 - 00:38:42.670

No, it doesn't matter where they sent me. I was always said, We'll go out and meet people. And if I have to learn the language, we will learn it. But you know we're not gonna be stuck at home crying because we're no longer final on. I'm very fortunate that I'm able to go often cause I go at least three times a year.

00:38:42.680 - 00:38:59.340

Okay. Eso What was that like for your family when you had to go? Oh, it was difficult. It was very difficult to remember one of my cousin telling me because I was devastating because I'm very, very close to my family, and it was hard for me.

00:38:59.350 - 00:39:12.050

But he said, You know, you make your own family now, so you have to go with your family. And you know, you think the lower that you have your own child now and just hold on to that. And that's what I did because I was like it.

00:39:12.060 - 00:39:28.750

And it's not the end of the world because I will be able to come. It's not like when I move the first time that I had to wait for a letter from my mom. You know, I have to wait for a call from my mom and my sisters because back then, forget about cell phone technology.

00:39:28.760 - 00:39:46.520

None of that I was back in the old days. Letters, you know, so I look forward to them. Vs. It's 2000. The calls are gonna be expensive, but I'll be one calling all the time just because I wanna know. Okay, on Ben, Where did you You said you move to Texas.

00:39:46.520 - 00:40:02.410

Was that one way moved to Arizona? Arizona? Okay. And how long were you in Arizona? We didn't stay long because my husband was just going to go to school there for six months and then way. Stay there. And then we moved to Colorado. Colorado, beautiful state.

00:40:02.420 - 00:40:21.290

It was just different because I was coming from the warm weather into cold weather. So it was It was hard, but again, I found out that people from Colorado are very nice and friendly, so I was able to just transition very smooth. I missed the weather because that was my big thing.

00:40:21.300 - 00:40:40.400

You know, it was like, Oh, I can't stand this cold weather, but, you know, we managed okay? And how long were you in Colorado for? And then I was lucky that we were only there for two years. Because then my husband was, um, being transferred to Egypt because we could go toe Egypt.

00:40:40.410 - 00:41:01.830

Then I don't wanna. I do not want to deal with cold weather in Colorado. So we moved to Florida because my family was in Florida. So my husband was a year in Egypt. Then, after his return, we were lucky and blessed because they gave us my deal, which is in Tampa.

00:41:01.840 - 00:41:24.910

So I was able to stay close to. My relatives are not as close but yet in Florida and warm weather way. Have stay way. Okay, so way haven't mentioned that you are. You are vendor now. Yes, I've been a vendor for this is like my eight year okay, and I truly enjoy it because I get Thio.

00:41:24.920 - 00:41:41.930

See a lot of the faces from the Panama Canal. We all have a lot of memories. Way relate a lot. It's just great. Great, because it's again the relationship that we build so young and that we still going on and you see it in the reunion.

00:41:41.930 - 00:42:00.240

That's the best part of it, I think being able to see those faces when they meet their friends like oh, I truly enjoy as a vendor just meeting them because it gives me like social. It's such a joy when I see somebody from the re union problem.

00:42:00.600 - 00:42:23.900

1940 on I'm like It's my mom's, uh, time or, um, you know, e I right away. See them in Panama with their hearts and their clothing, that era of the dances, the same thing that was going here in the States. But it was in Panama on my C.

00:42:23.910 - 00:42:40.690

I don't know I'm all about I'm very visual so I can see them in that era. And of course, they always carry their pictures. Eso you get to see you get to see what they look like and I right away put out That's definitely you just a little bit older.

00:42:40.690 - 00:43:02.450

So it's just the reunions to me is such a special bond, and I am very thankful to be able to be in a society where we can have that, you know, even though our little Panama Canal Zone is no is there. But it's no longer there like we remember, but just being able to transfer that thio here.

00:43:02.460 - 00:43:25.450

It's just amazing because we continue and the Panama Canal Society it's just great because they are parliamentarians as well as they are from the state s. So it's really the best off the two worlds. Okay, so how did your husband, you and your husband go about making the decision to become vendors?

00:43:25.460 - 00:43:46.080

Vendors? Yeah, How that happen? Because it's it's very specific type of thing. All right, well, again, I think it has to do with the business within me. Although I'm a teacher, that part of me still within. So a friend of mine, I came one time when she was a mentor.

00:43:46.090 - 00:44:24.880

Uh, and I was like, you know, I could do this. And I especially enjoy again teaching about my clothing, uh, specifically folkloric. And I noticed that there was the need because during the reunion, and you wanna wear something from para eso I bring pretty much the hot and the jewelry that we were with our Bougherra's on and the ladies love it because way talk about the Panamanian dress attire is, uh is one of the most expensive of the world.

00:44:25.090 - 00:44:47.150

Babayaro will cost you around 5000 on above, because when you look at it all the way to 10,000, but it's because ah, lot of the jewelry that we were belonged to our grandparent's grandmother specifically. So it's a goal. That is, like 18 or more 24 care people.

00:44:47.590 - 00:45:06.270

And you know, the pearls that we may wear in our head. Some of them are really pearls. Right now, we're doing the Sorosky pearl, so it is very, very expensive in the piece that you were in your head easily could cost you six hundreds and, uh, one Carolina Chata.

00:45:06.280 - 00:45:29.700

If you happen to have the old one from your grandma, you know that it's worth a lot of money because the ones we wear are all played it because we cannot afford to have the real stuff. We will carry too much. Um, you know, even a callous trio, which is one of our, um, uh, collieries our necklaces that one go played.

00:45:29.700 - 00:45:53.260

It is $900. Yeah, and the dress, because it's so expensive. The reason why is because it's either a crossed ege. So it takes a lot of money, lady a whole year to make it so I teach them about why is our quality is so expensive. But for us, Panamanians is We're very proud of our heritage.

00:45:53.270 - 00:46:06.660

And we teach our Children since their little because my daughters have been dancing with me since they were little too. And they have their Bougherra's, even though they and I still keep them because I feel. But whenever I have, my grandkids will be wearing the year.

00:46:06.660 - 00:46:30.890

That's not my daughter's award. Eso is something that I learned that it was that need and they truly have accepted it. And they come to me and I already have my customers that look forward, Thio which somebody did you bring this year? What do you have, what peace you have for the Sierra out and you don't necessarily have to where we are, uh, to be dressed in a Panamanian tired.

00:46:30.890 - 00:46:55.540

We have different, uh, shirts and things like that. So that's what I have. I got into it, and I also do the Barbies because I figured they needed to be a fundamental Barbie the way create their own ideas and that Wow. Okay, And then so the gutierrez and other things that you sell So you have people that you buy them from in Panama, right?

00:46:55.540 - 00:47:16.680

Well, my sister's some of them, my sisters, because they also have the sisters on them. Yes, I do not. But some of them they do it. Some of them I have friends who you know they will buy from them. Then that's why I do it. This is a real international enterprise that you have here a little bit, and I only do it during this time of the year because I'm a teacher.

00:47:16.690 - 00:47:38.790

So it just gives me that, like my job for the summer. And I love it because I'm able to again mingle with the people from Obama Canal. I truly enjoy all the activities that they have. I do have to say that it could be even better, like in the vendor area, if they will allow us to have like music.

00:47:38.800 - 00:47:59.660

Because remember, I'm a It's all about life on dancing. And when you come in and you have music, people are contagious right away. You want to start shaking your shoulders, and that's what we are. And when you come into the vendors, sometimes when this one of the ventures on the music, it's kind of like something is missing way.

00:47:59.660 - 00:48:27.270

Need that injection that way? Well, you know, if you can say, give me a suggestion, let us bring music into the vendors because we need that doesn't have competition of, like, people that are gonna come out with address from Panama that you created. And it's like a competition that you can, um, get a prize.

00:48:27.270 - 00:48:47.280

But that way you get the people excited about We need to come up with new ideas for the members to be completely static about coming to the reunion, because who knows what they're gonna come out with this year? Exactly. Um, have you attended the reunions before you were a vendor?

00:48:48.270 - 00:49:04.180

Well, that's when I came with my friend that she was a vendor. And then she invited me. I was I had just moved. Uh, well, it was after I didn't know about the reunions until she told me. And that was that year. And then the next year, I decided, like, Why not let me just deal?

00:49:04.190 - 00:49:27.080

After all, my parents were part of the Panama Canal when they work, okay. And so, you know, it's really interesting because the Americans of them zone they were American, but in a way, they grew up with that kind of money and cultural you're talking about. So do you feel like, you know, like, what does it mean to you to be able to bring back that culture to them.

00:49:27.080 - 00:49:53.430

That's also, in a way, part of their culture. Thio. Well, again, it's just great memories that we all share. So whenever I bring that here, like they they love it because some of the things they have forgotten about it. And then they're like, Oh, I remember that, like, Panamanian crazy about eating monk over today way.

00:49:53.430 - 00:50:14.210

Love that stuff and, you know, way may make comments about, like, you remember all the monk als in and all of the can also, you know, just going and picking them up. And, you know, and we get so caught up in the food of Panama because it's so good like, ah, Latin America that, you know, we get the cravings right away.

00:50:14.210 - 00:50:28.870

So here I am, teaching the most of our book. Orlando, you could go here and there, and you can get that as well, you know? So it's just bringing those memory back relating and at the same time, uh, telling them you know what? You don't have to go.

00:50:28.870 - 00:50:47.770

So far, we're here. For example. This is what I've been doing right now and a same time on overtaxing for a friend. Not that I wanted. It admitted my choice to do that. It was mostly because I was like, Wait a second. I get tortillas, empanada, Manolas all the time because I buy from this lady.

00:50:47.780 - 00:51:09.110

But, you know, if you're here in this area, you know where she is. So I'm also giving them their their their information. Because if you miss the Armenian food somebody, Tampa makes it. You just have to order from her. Uh, I also advertise about our our own group by Panama because we're very close.

00:51:09.120 - 00:51:22.400

And if you want to ever come see us, you know, we have different events to where the year. And you know, if you happen to be in town power, you happen to be in Orlando in Florida area, you know, you don't have to go so far.

00:51:22.410 - 00:51:41.850

We have it. We try thio, keep our culture so that we will not have the nostalgic, you know, And then so your full great group, it's it's also a business you charge for your performances. We are not appropriated funds, uh, were based on the nation's. But we do different activities where we can.

00:51:41.860 - 00:52:05.150

You know come out with Because, as I mentioned, uh, the attire for the Panamanian, Uh, folklore is very expensive, so we have toe change, different skirts and stuff like that. It's like constant, uh, move. Resource is so we need Thio. Get that back. So you're a teacher.

00:52:05.160 - 00:52:45.510

You're a vendor. You also have your dance group s. So what? Don't you dio think my reason I wear a lot of hats? Uh, because I have Thio because the sun and I don't get along too well, but I think it's part of me, just like I wear a lot of hearts and at the same time, Uh, that's just the way I am when I was in in my school, Uh, they do give me quite a few different responsibilities, and I'm like, I cannot handle anymore because they want me to be part of the, like, the sound system.

00:52:45.510 - 00:53:01.560

And I'm like, I have no idea how to do that stuff. Why would I mean But, you know, sometimes you have to jump things that you don't necessarily are very comfortable with it, but because you have to help, you have to do it. So that's the way I look at it, I enjoy the challenge sometimes.

00:53:01.570 - 00:53:21.600

Okay, so you're eight years being a teacher. Do you have? I mean, I'm sorry. Not a teacher. A vendor. Do you have a favorite memory from this reunion? Like something that really sticks out to you? I think for me is just, um, other people that I made, I get I'm a tougher eso.

00:53:21.600 - 00:53:43.200

I get to hear all of stories, and I have great, uh, memories from there. One time I remember this lady for some reason we were talking, and then she wanted me to meet her husband because he's a singer on. I remember. I don't remember right now, but me, But I know that he came and he was seeing a senate for me.

00:53:43.210 - 00:53:58.360

And I thought I was so cool because I was like, Oh, that is so great. Because I have never heard somebody coming and do assert it for me in the re union. But it was because I guess she wanted me to know that, you know, he didn't vaccine and a beautiful voice, and, I don't know, he wanted to do it on.

00:53:58.360 - 00:54:18.870

I thought that was very, um, thoughtful of them. Also, one time we were in a dance with my daughter, and we met this other couple of great dancers. Wow, they are amazing. They don't. I don't think they have any Latin with them, but well, he grew up in the council to, But what great dancers?

00:54:18.870 - 00:54:38.080

I mean, they made us look like they are the best. And they sat together at the table at the re union party, and we dance all night long. And I thought it was one of the best memories. Also, because my daughter was so impressed. She was like, Mom, I've never seen so much energy in an older couple.

00:54:38.090 - 00:54:58.670

And what a great answers they synchronize so well, that's really nice. Yeah, it was just just the stories that I hear from them. I love them. Okay, Um and that was an axle. Since you've basically lived on both sides already, time our life? Do you identify as a Panamanian or is an American?

00:54:58.680 - 00:55:20.630

Do you identify as a Panamanian or is an American? Uh, I don't think either. I mean, I'm definitely a Panamanian, very proud of the fact that I'm so final, but I'm very proud of being a US citizen as well. Because, you know, my husband, uh, I love, um, him and I love this country.

00:55:20.630 - 00:55:39.960

And you know what this country has done for us, so I'm very proud of both of them. Okay. E never accept. What grade do you teach? Well, I actually have kindergarten all the way to a big breakthrough. Yes, like 100 75 video. Spanish? Yes. Wow, that's a lot.

00:55:39.970 - 00:56:00.080

Yes, my Tia. She's a Spanish teacher, but she works at the elementary school. She only has also Wow. Yeah, quite a few. Um, and I was my I guess I couldn't get to my last couple of questions here. What would you say is the biggest legacy of the Panama Canal Zone in your community?

00:56:00.090 - 00:56:28.580

The biggest legacy? Uh, okay, I don't know. It is the biggest legacy for Latin America is how to countries can work together and do a great job about it and learn from each other. E think that we learned so much from the United States, But at the same time, I want to say that you loathe The United States has learned so much about a little country panel as well It's just the relationship we have.

00:56:28.590 - 00:56:44.830

It's great because if you have that, you can be the sexual and any business you decide. Thio. So you said yourself that you go to prom with my at least three times a year. Have you seen any big changes, like, What are your impressions now of the Panama Canal?

00:56:44.830 - 00:57:02.760

Now that it's being operated by Panama again? I think I have said that way have been very successful because when you go to Panama and you see it versus so many years ago, you're like, Wow, I cannot believe this is my little bon because there's a cosmopolitan city.

00:57:02.770 - 00:57:22.100

Uh, it's some of the areas where you go. It's a lot of nostalgic if you live on base because everything has changed. You go in there and some of the houses look exactly the same. But then all of a sudden, you look the one next door and it's a match, and you remember, Oh, I used to live there.

00:57:22.100 - 00:57:39.950

Look at how it looks now. Some of the buildings are no longer there, and you know there's a nostalgic that, like wow, especially in the area of, and also because everything was so green because of all the buildings and all that. A lot of the the boss.

00:57:39.950 - 00:58:04.680

Kate, You know, the jungle, uh, has been taken away, so that's the sad part of it. But thank God is still a little bit so completely taken now, Um, And I guess in my last question is, if you could describe your experience living in the Panama Canal Zone in one word, what would it be if I can describe your experience living in the zone?

00:58:04.680 - 00:58:25.910

Anyone worried what we're going to be and why e Think I said that a lot. It's wonderful memories, wonderful memories. Yes, you could always, uh, you know, you're gonna take with you for the rest of your life. Okay? So I don't have any other questions. I don't know if there's something that I didn't ask you about.

00:58:25.920 - 00:58:36.710

Something that you want to add that we didn't cover in the interview. I think I'm good. You guys so much Because I have to go back to the vendors. Oh, thank you. Okay. Um and this concludes this interview