Shifting Gears Journey: Weeks 9-11 in Panama

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Hello! I’ve spent the last month volunteering in Panama’s rainforest and figured it was time for an update. Originally, I planned to explore most of Central America after Mexico, but a fixed date in Peru shortened my timeline.

During my time in Mexico, I realized something was missing—I yearned for a sense of contribution in my daily life. This led me to explore volunteering opportunities throughout Latin America using WWOOFing and Worldpackers. these websites have so many options that I was initially overwhelmed. Sifting through them, I found one that fit what I was looking for.

My search for hands-on experience in sustainable living brought me to Geoversity’s rainforest campus in Panama’s Mamoni Valley. The month I spent there gave me exactly what I needed: a reconnection with nature, a steady routine, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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Reflections From a Backpack

Before leaving Canada, I found myself daydreaming about finding a place where I would discover community, space, and purpose—elements I believed would lead to a sense of flow and clarity that I’d struggled to tap into. I thought I needed the perfect place to invoke profound insight.

When I arrived at the rainforest at Geoversity, I found much of what I was seeking: like-minded people, meaningful work, structure, and an environment removed from everyday struggles. Yet, despite this, I was still fundamentally myself. The same thoughts and worries I had before followed me there. As Jon Kabat-Zinn famously wrote, “wherever you go, there you are.” No matter how far I travel or how perfect the destination, I cannot escape the contents of my own mind. While I can look outward for inspiration, the true guide and leader for my life lies within.

Still, our environment matters; it can amplify, distort, or diminish what exists within us, but no place is so perfect that it can transform us without our own internal work. I share this as a reminder to myself and others: if we postpone our personal growth until we find the perfect place (or time), we’ll be waiting forever. By learning to listen to the still quiet voice within, we can follow its guidance while taking responsibility for the changes we seek.

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Discovering New Places

Geoversity Campus (Pop. 6-50)

I spent three weeks volunteering with Geoversity, a non-profit focused on conservation, sustainability, and education in Panama’s rainforest. Seeking to contribute and learn during my travels, I found exactly what I was looking for—working with my hands alongside a small team of 3-5 volunteers to maintain their facility.

Geoversity’s Campus, founded in 2001 on farmland, was established with the goal of restoring the land to its natural state. Now, over 20 years later, it’s hard to imagine this was once a farm as every corner of this place brims with life of the native flora and fauna. The buildings are made using local bamboo, and the centre operates with a focus on sustainable living. The warm weather doesn’t require buildings to have solid walls, which meant I was immersed in the Panamanian rainforest 24/7.

I’ll be honest—though I worked about 30 hours per week, it often felt like a guest at a resort. Between visiting groups, our volunteer team had the place to ourselves. After days of fixing roads, splitting bamboo, and pruning banana trees with a machete, I spent many hours soaking in the surrounding nature. I enjoyed chef-prepared meals, dips in the natural pool, and peaceful hammock naps.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and it helped me reflect on what I want from future volunteer opportunities. I realized that finding truly meaningful ways to contribute will require more than just a few weeks of volunteering. Still, this experience served as a valuable stepping stone as I move forward on this multi-faceted journey.

Bryan and Jessica’s House (Pop. 4)

Neighbouring the Geoversity Campus is the home of Bryan and Jessica, a space they have intentionally cultivated for self-sufficient living. Looking to escape the rat race and live sustainably, they moved from California to Panama for a life farming and raising a family in the rainforest. They built a simple home on a hilltop bordering the jungle along with a small farm sufficient to support themselves and their two daughters. Surrounding their house is the rainforest of panama with a landscape view of nearby foothills and jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets.

Bryan and Jessica use a farming technique called permaculture which focuses on holistic, self-sufficient ecosystems that work with existing natural systems. Practices such as companion planting, natural pest control, and waste return are all part of this process. They generously share their knowledge and experience with others who are interested in this type of life.

This lifestyle, though incredible, doesn’t come without sacrifices. The nearest town lies across a river that frequently floods, making it difficult to access supplies and essential services like hospitals. Despite this, Bryan and Jessica say the costs feel minuscule for what they have. While some might define a millionaire life by status and material possessions, for this family, true wealth lies in their sawdust floors, sunset views, and deep connection to the land.

You can check them out @junglefamilypanama on instagram.

Panama City (Pop. 1 million)

With a few days left before my flight to Peru, I spent my remaining time in Panama’s capital. Transitioning from the rainforest into a concrete jungle required adjustment. The pristine air, humming wildlife, and towering trees gave way to exhaust fumes, drones of traffic, and soaring skyscrapers. Yet, by setting aside comparisons, I found beauty in this coastal city.

Panama City’s skyline left me astonished for its size in Central America. Friends who showed me around called it “mini New York”—an apt description. The city’s status as a tax haven, bolstered by international banking and foreign investment, has driven significant economic growth.

Though my three-day visit limited deeper exploration, I made sure to visit the Panama Canal. The canal’s history is deeply woven into Panama’s national story. Its construction in the early 1900s encompassed a failed French attempt, complex U.S. relations, and Panama’s journey to independence. Today, Panama owns and operates this crucial component of global trade.

The canal’s engineering is ingenious—ships traverse three locks (like steps) from sea level up to Lake Gatun, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes at 425 square kilometers. As ships pass through, lake water flows to the ocean, making the canal’s operation dependent on water levels. Factors linked to climate change have taken their toll: in recent years, lower water levels have cut ship traffic nearly in half, forcing more vessels to take the three-week detour around South America.

The Faces of Travel

Geoversity Squad

The team of volunteers and staff at Geoversity were an amazing group to spend a few weeks with. Though I was the oldest volunteer, I recognized I had much to learn from everyone. A certain level of maturity seems prerequisite for spending weeks in the rainforest.

Declan, a down-to-earth hippie from Massachusetts, shared his love for mycology and literature. Emma, a warm-hearted soul from Ireland, was always quick to lend a helping hand and embodied a selflessness I aspire to. Niko, part carpenter and part monk, impressed me with his discipline to wake up at 4 AM every day and introduced me to the Korean martial art of Kook Sool Won. Wanja, a German living the van life in Canada, shared his videography skills, and we bonded over daily workouts and our love for eggs.

Bryan

Of the unique and interesting people I’ve met, Bryan is in a league of his own. Since the age of 10, he dreamed of living in the rainforest, which he has made his reality. Several years ago, Bryan moved his family to a remote section of Panama to pursue a more sustainable life. Everything on his 2-hectare plot of land has been built and cultivated by hand.

I’ve met few people as thorough and driven as Bryan. When I stopped by one Saturday to help and learn from him, he showed me how he meticulously tracks the time he spends on each section of his land to measure caloric output from his efforts. He explained that he does this to ensure the effort he puts in is enough to feed his family.

Following permaculture practices, he creates natural systems that support one another. His chickens and ducks have ponds next to plants that thrive on their excrement. He’s thorough about incorporating all organic matter into the system—even demonstrating how he uses his nitrogen-rich urine to feed his plants. Together, we filled a backpack sprayer and distributed this natural fertilizer between his corn and pumpkins. I made sure to stay clear of the splash zone.

Bryan also finds time for family life and personal health. To sustain their lifestyle, he works online as a physical therapist a couple of days per week, cooks most meals, and makes time for his wife Jessica and two daughters. He also maintains a functional fitness regime and has even undertaken multi-day hikes while fasting just to study the effects on his bloodwork.

I learned a lot from my time with Bryan and his family, as his passion for sustainability has shown me pathways I can apply in my own life when I finally decide to settle down.

Dirk

Another uncommon and kind person, I had the pleasure of sharing late-night philosophical chats with Dirk at a hostel in Panama City. Dirk has spent his life working and living as an environmentalist, truly embodying sustainable living. He started a sabbatical at 40 which continues today, 15 years later. Now, he spends his time enjoying life, giving back to the community, and cycling everywhere he goes—including this trip from California to Panama.

Dirk’s lifestyle demonstrates that living sustainably doesn’t mean sacrificing fulfillment. The last vehicle he owned ran on used cooking oil, but after it was stolen three times, he took it as a sign that a bike was all he needed. A minimalist to the core, Dirk saves money through food-sharing programs at grocery stores, happily accepting what stores would otherwise discard. As we parted ways, he showed me his simple bike setup and reminded me that we don’t need fancy things to live the life we want.

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One Interesting Story…

At my volunteer stay, I met several mycologists who shared their fascination with the world of fungi. During a hike through nearby farmland, we discovered mushrooms growing out of cow patties. These mushrooms had a certain magical quality. I learned that they thrive in specific conditions – typically appearing in cow droppings after a heavy rainfall followed by sunny days. When these perfect conditions arrived, our group ventured out to explore.

A mystical scene unfolded before us each time we approached the fields. Dense tropical greenery sprouted from the earth, exotic birds soared overhead, and a light mist clung to the ground. It felt like we were in a fairytale. Even if we had returned empty-handed, the breathtaking views would have made the adventure worthwhile. Fortune smiled upon us though, as we always identified a handful of these fantastic fungi on our expeditions.

In moments like these, I make sure to pause and take everything in. These experiences embody an essential part of life – being fully present and appreciating the immense beauty and wonder of life on our remarkable planet.

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What I’ve Been Eating

Thanksgiving Dinner

Bryan and Jessica graciously invited our volunteer group over for American Thanksgiving dinner, with almost everything prepared from ingredients grown on their land. We arrived early to help with preparations and were immediately put to work. Starting with fresh ingredients is a time consuming operation.

Duck was on the menu, which meant selecting from the feathered flock waddling around outside their kitchen. I believe that those who eat meat should be willing to participate in the process, so I volunteered to slaughter a duck. This was my first time doing something like this, and I felt nervous. Instead of using the block and meat cleaver I had expected, I was instructed to hold the duck on the ground and quickly remove its head by hand—a humane method when done properly. This was followed by the meticulous tasks of plucking feathers, processing the meat, and placing it in the pressure cooker to tenderize.

After several hours of collaborative effort, our anticipated feast was ready. The meal tasted even more special knowing everything had come from the land and we’d all helped prepare it. We began with appetizers: soft-boiled duck eggs in kombucha alongside fresh-baked bread. Next came boiled taro leaves with spinach stems and roasted pumpkin seeds. For the main course, we enjoyed a garden salad, sliced taro baked with onion and cheese, and tender pressure-cooked duck with a balsamic vinegar gravy.

The cherry—or rather, pumpkin—on top was Bryan’s homemade pumpkin pie. Except for a few ingredients in the crust, everything in the pie came from their land. Our group of volunteers marvelled at how the entire feast had been produced on this family’s small farm. I found myself reflecting on how what was once commonplace now required a journey to Panama’s rainforest to experience.

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Final Thoughts

Moving from Mexico’s vibrant cities and culture to Panama’s peaceful rainforest changed not just my pace of days, but also my way of thinking and engaging with the world. The structured routine of volunteer work, combined with the rainforest’s natural rhythm, has created space for peace and deeper reflection.

I’m finding that getting the most out of this life lies in a balance between exploration and stillness. While some days are filled with new adventures and movement, others are spent in quiet contemplation, allowing me to fully absorb what I’ve experienced. Within this ebb and flow, I aim to remain present, not missing where I’ve come from or anticipating what’s next

My journey continues in Peru, A country I visited three years ago and felt called back to. Now that we’re into December, I’m confronted with the reality of a snow-less winter. Christmas won’t be the same without frigid temperatures or family to spend the holidays with, but I’m looking forward to spending it here with friends. the seasonal contrast serves as yet another reminder of the changes that travel brings.

“Wisdom tells me I’m nothing. Love tells me I’m everything. Between these two, my life flows.” – Nisargadatta Maharaj

With love,
Adam