I had never been to the rainforest before coming to Barro Colorado Island, but Alexis was basically a professional. He had already been living on the island for two months, plus had more experience working in other Panamanian rainforests, so he has taught me a lot when it comes to field work. Alexis is from Panama City, so he's also been able to teach me a lot of Panamanian phrases that I wouldn't have ever learned in a Spanish dictionary or in class in the United States.
Me llamo (my name is) Alexis Omar Moreno Ortiz.
Yo vivo (I live) in Panama City in a popular barrio (neighborhood) called San Felipe. El barrio has lots of history, because the neighboring area, Casco Antiguo, is 356 years old! I live in an apartment on the first floor. For the past three months, while working on B.C.I., I spend five nights a week on the island and two back home in the city. Many other Panamanian researchers commute to the island, too.
