Girl Scout Bridging-Golden Gate Style

Last month Amara went on a very special Girl Scout adventure. Amara, along with 7,000 scouts, from all over the country (including Mikaiya from our troop) bridged from Junior to Cadet via walking over the famously beautiful and inspiring, Golden Gate Bridge.

This particular event is a biggie in the world of Girl Scouts. I did not realize when we started 6 years ago, that Girl Scouts from all over the USA work hard to earn money to come to the city by the Bay for their Cadet bridging (and I have learned since that there are similar bridging events all over the US and world). When I learned about this back as a new leader and shared with it Amara we knew that one day she would bridge too. So we both had been looking forward to the GG Bridging for a long time. And it did not disappoint. This may have been one of the best Nor Cal events so far.

What made it so special? 

First, we were very fortunate on the morning we got up early and headed out. The typical San Franscisco cold, wind and/or fog were absent. In their place was sun and warm but not hot, temperatures. A perfect day for making the 2 mile walk across the bridge and another several to Crissy Fields where the Scouts were met by booths with games, education informaton and tons of girls with whom they could S.W.A.P.

What is a S.W.A. P.  It's a Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. Each Scout makes up to a hundred S.W.A.P.S that they exchange with other girls.  Amara made safety pins with stones like jade and lapis and thanks to Mikaiya's mom, we attached a piece of paper with a saying, something about dreaming big, and our troop number.  Along the bridge and the entire route, girls would stop each other and make a swap.

I was unpreparred for was the amazing creativity from other troops with their S.W.A. P. Rainbows, shrinkydinks with the GGB on them (that was Mikaiya's), directors clapboards from a Burbank troop, pompoms, unicorns and so much more. Each had the troop number and location their troop. Each small enough to attach to safety pins so the girls could attach them to their vests. The best part though was meeting all those girls.

From Washing State to North Carolina; From Indiana to Colorado, Texas, So Cal, Nor Cal and everwhere in between, the girls go to meet other Scouts who made the trek for this most memorable event. All the girls were thoughtful, friendly, considerate and amazing. As a seasoned traveler, it made my heart happy that thousands of young Girl Scout were experiencing travel. There is nothing that can bridge hearts and minds or break down fears and false beliefs like traveling. So not only did the event afford actual bridging up to Cadet but it symbolically it was much, much more.

It really is true, that girls can do anything. It is also true that the Girl Scouts helps the girls to make a positive difference in our world. The amount of energy, excitement, effort and commitment getting to this event and all the fun and learning we had are seeds that were planted and will grow for a lifetime.

And, their off!

Local folks knew how lucky we were to have such a clear day in the Bay! The Universe must have been smiling down on all  those girls!

                                                           

 Mikaiya and Amara mid-span!

S.W.A.P Time!

All along the route, volunters cheered the girls on with signs, bells and more. It was quite heart warming.

The Coast Guard was out teaching water safety

One of the many booths 

At the other end!! They did it with smiles non-stop!

Monterey's Finest

Not that long ago, we spent a weekend in Monterey with some friends. It had been close to five years since we had last been down to the sweet seaside town, with its incredible availability to get up close to some of nature's finest. The coast in Monterey was, as always, breathtaking. The weather, even though it was typical foggy most of the day, was pleasant and we were able to walk everywhere from our downtown hotel. I am sure we would go more often but life is busy in the Bay Area and traffic can make even local trips unpleasant. And because it had been so long, the girls memories were distant, allowing them to see the area like it had been their first time.

We did get to experience something new for us a family though. Whale watching. We took an early morning tour, on a biodiesel boat, that allowed us to get pretty close to those splendid, magnificent creatures. The ocean was a bit rough that morning; the waves initially causing a bit of rockin n rollin. Something I found thrilling but not all in our party agreed. Havana's tummy got a bit queasy as did our friends. Yet that didn't take away from the peace and awe from the Pacific Ocean and the grandeur of seeing the whales. And the morning brought big smiles all around, when we saw sea otters, seals, and sea lions.

 There really is nothing quite like witnessing, up close, our non-human kin, Be it those who fly, crawl, swim or run, especially in their natural environment. Which is why being in nature remains of our families top things to do.

Six Years Ago

Barrio Chino Panama

 On our very last day in Panama, I dragged the family out in the middle of a very humid afternoon to check out the Chinatown in Panama City. There was just no way that I could board the plane the following morning without exploring the Chinese quarters. The 10% East Asian part of me is fascinated with the places that my fellow Chinese brothers and sisters settled in after their journeys across sea and land to find new opportunities. 

My expectations were not that high but I was still left a bit disappointed. It turned out that some years ago, the Panamanian-Chinese city folks moved out of Chinatown to another area in the city. Each day, some returned to work in the shops that line only a few small blocks. We discovered many party supply shops, a few handbag/backpack type stores, a few retail shops that sold jewelry, some restaurants and not much else. It was also very, very hot so that did not help my/our disappointed mood.

It was not a total bust though. I did score some knockoff Pandora charms (sterling silver at super reasonable prices) and I found silver evil eye charm for my sister. I was happy with my finds. I would return home with charms that would remind me of our amazing adventure and my big sis would have something too.

The best part of Chinatown may have been the rain that came pouring down as we walked back to our hotel. It was such a welcome relief.  By the time we returned to our room, it was a tad cooler but still hot enough to take one last dip in the hotel pool. And while Barrio Chino Panama was not all that, I am still glad we went. Better to have gone then to wonder what it was like.