--- title: Paraíso - Global Brigades Blog description: For me, the best part of Brigades is the opportunity to experience the raw truth of another culture, to spend 7 days living and breathing Panamanian life. I will never forget the smell of the air as we drive out of Panama City, through Las Margaritas, and climb the hills of the Madrono Valley. What […] image: https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-Preview-4-Nov-01-2021-09-24-19-51-PM.png --- [![Global_Brigades_logo_blue_gray_primary-3](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Global_Brigades_logo_blue_gray_primary-3.png?width=189&height=74&name=Global_Brigades_logo_blue_gray_primary-3.png "Global_Brigades_logo_blue_gray_primary-3")](https://www.globalbrigades.org/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.globalbrigades.org/get-involved/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.globalbrigades.org/get-involved/) ![Paraíso](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-Preview-4-Nov-01-2021-09-24-19-51-PM.png) Jul 15, 2009, 3:31:59 AM | # Paraíso For me, the best part of Brigades is the opportunity to experience the raw truth of another culture, to spend 7 days living and breathing Panamanian life. I will never forget the smell of the air as we drive out of Panama City, through Las Margaritas, and climb the hills of the Madrono Valley. What \[…\] Share - [mailto:?&subject=Paraíso&body=Paraíso%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.globalbrigades.org%2Fparaiso)](mailto:?&subject=Paraíso&body=Paraíso%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.globalbrigades.org%2Fparaiso)) - - - For me, the best part of Brigades is the opportunity to experience the raw truth of another culture, to spend 7 days living and breathing Panamanian life. I will never forget the smell of the air as we drive out of Panama City, through Las Margaritas, and climb the hills of the Madrono Valley. What adventure to cross a river in a truck! There is this beautiful bend in the road on the way to El Valle where every group stops to take a picture. It is the most breathtaking view of the valley with the Mamoni River below. The barren land, overgrazed by bone-thin cattle stretches for miles. And then, suddenly, down a muddy slope is the most lush, tropical forest you have ever seen. You are at Centro Madrono, Earthtrain’s rainforest preserve that borders the Kuna Yala. ### Written By: Maggie ## You May Also Like ### [![Paraíso](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-shot-2011-07-06-at-11_38_37-AM-300x195-Nov-01-2021-09-20-14-51-PM.png) *Jul 6, 2011, 10:18:47 AM | Brigader Buzz* Women’s Mentoring Group in Panama](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/womens-mentoring-group-in-panama) ### [![Paraíso](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bonding-with-community-NW-Nov-01-2021-09-43-55-13-PM.jpg) *Mar 18, 2011, 10:35:05 AM | Brigader Buzz* Panama: An Amazing Look Back](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/panama-an-amazing-look-back) ### [![Paraíso](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-Preview-4-Nov-01-2021-10-13-19-75-PM.png) *Nov 17, 2013, 9:45:56 PM | From the Field* Panama](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/panama) [Learn More](https://www.example.com) [![Global-Brigades-2010-Logo_Med-Res-2](https://blog.globalbrigades.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Global-Brigades-2010-Logo_Med-Res-2.jpg?width=250&height=108&name=Global-Brigades-2010-Logo_Med-Res-2.jpg "Global-Brigades-2010-Logo_Med-Res-2")](https://www.globalbrigades.org/) 1099 E Champlain Dr., Ste A176 , Fresno, California [tel:](tel:) © Global Brigades. All rights reserved. [Legal Notice](\"#\") | [Privacy Policy](\"#\") | [Site Map](\"#\") ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=4989916&fmt=gif)