The “Highest” Spanish Learning Experience in Panama

Back in November 2008 when we started this Blog we decided that the main theme would be the "Habla Ya Experience"... until now there hasn't been a single post about this topic (ooops!) but after fellow students Paul Keys, 27, from New Columbia, Canada and Brian Miller, 33, from Alaska had the unique opportunity to have their Spanish class with star Spanish Teacher Gustavo Quintero on the Top of the Baru Volcano, Panama's highest point, I thought it was something worthwhile sharing and hopefully this post will get us back on track on about what Habla Ya Panama Spanish School's Blog should be about. Below you will find the accounts of these three adventurers who decided to live the "Highest" Spanish learning experience in Panama!

Brian Miller, 33, Alaska, U.S.A.
2 week Immersion Program: Group 4 PLUS 1 + Home Stay

For me climbing Volcan Baru was an amazing experience. Three things stood out for me; the vegetation, learning more about the physical nature of volcanoes, and last being on a spot where you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The vegetation was lush and diverse, bamboo as thick as my arm and thirty feet long next to orchids and tiny red flowers we call Indian paintbrush all of it shaded by the verdant jungle canopy. The similarities with the plants of BC was interesting, some almost identical, especially as we got higher. Alder, Indian paintbrush and several varieties of heather were similar. It was like walking through 13.5km (27 in otal) of carefully planted shrubs and flowers.

We saw three craters that were the mouths of the volcano. The image of liquid rock bubbling and frothing out will stick with me. Left behind are slightly porous rocks, red black and all shades of gray many salt and pepperish. Young rocks only cool for seven hundred years.

The pinnacle was breathtakingly beautifully the towns of Boquete and and Volcan surrounded by classic patterns of agriculture. The craters and surrounding hillsides were close and in more detail. We could not see both oceans due to clouds but knowing we might have was outstanding in itself.

My legs hurt and probably will for a few days, a small price for such an experience. Special thanks to Gustavo and Habla Ya for making it happen.

Paul Keys, 27, British Columbia, Canada
1 week Total Spanish Immersion: Group 4 + Home Stay

Thanks to the people at Habla Ya I was able to make the most of my short stay in Boquete. One of the greatest experiences that I will take with me was an all day hike up Volcan Baru. Our Spanish teacher, my classmate and I spent the day hiking and conversing in Español. ¿Qué es eso? ¿Cómo se dice? ¿Repita por favor?... all while we climbed higher and higher up the mountain.

The views became better and better as the surroundings changed. Once we had reached the top we had a long and well deserved lunch. We took in the spectacular views of the volcano, its surroundings mountains, the peaks of agriculture and civilization in the distance. I could see the Pacific Ocean on one side and what appeared to be the Atlantic on the other. I was able to take a few quick pictures before the clouds cut off the view below.

On the descent we saw many unfamiliar birds and something called (a gato solo). We chatted and review the many new words and connectors we had learned as gravity, now our friend, helped ease our return.

Once at the bottom there were two wonderful people that gave us a ride. They went as far as to take me to my host family's home. It was one fine day! That I won't soon forget.

Gustavo Quintero, 23, La Prosperidad, Panama
Spanish Teacher at Habla Ya since November 2008

Hello, my name is Gustavo Quintero, a Spanish professor from the serene town of Boquete, and I want to share with you one of the greatest experiences I've ever lived as a teacher...

I work at Habla Ya Panama Spanish School, a very cool place to work at (and of course to study at!). With us you can live the best Spanish Learning Experience ever. For all of us here at Habla Ya, it's very important to make our student's learning as enjoyable as possible. This not only includes the Spanish classes but also the activities out of the school.

Last week, I had opportunity to teach Spanish in a very different yet incredible way. My students and I hiked to the highest point of Panama: Baru Volcano! With its 3,475 meters over sea level, is a majestic place with many rare animals not often seen in other parts of Panama. We were three guys walking through 30 kilometers of green forest, amazing landscapes, and exotic plants and practicing Spanish all through the hike. They asked me many questions which I answered with pleasure. We stopped many times for small breaks, drinking water and taking pictures. After each break, I encouraged my students to continue with a sonorous "¡Vamos Chicos!"

As soon as we reached the top of the volcano we took a nap, prepared sandwiches, ate chocolates, drank water, and thanked God for the excellent day we were having. "I mean everything was perfect: low wind speed, nice temperature, delicious food, and enriching Spanish lessons." Yeah, we were having Spanish lessons at one of the highest points of Central America.

After talking a while and admiring the awesome landscapes, gigantic mountains covered with a thin blanket of clouds and ocean blue sky which made it hard to distinguish the Pacific Ocean, we headed back to Boquete. What surprised me most was that even though we had been walking for hours, we had still had energy to talk about topics regarding Spanish such as grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics. Though at one point, one of our topics was interrupted by a small mammal called "Gato Solo or Suto". Later we also got to see two strange birds called "Pavas Negras" What a nice day!

Finally, the night swept in and the view was simply astonishing. The dark night was illuminated by a full moon and millions of bright stars. "¿Cómo se dice star en español?" asked one of the students, "Se dice estrella" I replied. A soft and refreshing breeze began to hit our face and our path was magically lighted by the moon.

Jaime and Gerta, members of the Habla Ya team, gave us a ride back to our homes once we had arrived to the entrance of the National Park. Although we were physically tired, we had no reasons to complain. It was something I'll never forget. Thanks to my student's motivation and enthusiasm about learning Spanish we were able to LIVE THE MOST AMAZING SPANISH LEARNING EXPERIENCE! See you next time...

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