Outside of traveling to Mexico, this was my first time traveling outside of the U.S. Fun experience and fed my need to want to keep exploring! Some people have asked what I loved most about visiting Panama and I would say that I really enjoyed being in a country where I don't understand the language. It was fun to feel totally foreign and it was a surprise to return home thinking I should still be hearing everyone speak Spanish. The trip did make me want to brush up on my Spanish once again.
Here are some photos that give a little taste of Panama City. Some of these photos are made possible by friends who took more pictures than I did.
We got to stay at the temple housing, thanks to my friend, Craig's, amazing parents. Awesome housing that really made it feel more like I was in Hawaii than Panama.
Modern Wealth and Poverty
Most of Panama City is very modern, along with plenty of pockets of poverty and crime.
Panama Viejo - Old, Old Panama
Touring old, old Panama. In 1671, the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city, so all that remain are ruins. Panama Viejo was moved to Casco Viejo (Old Panama), which is in the middle of current day Panama City.
Crazy tall trees in Panama - Just one of many
Beautiful Orchid Tree at Panama Viejo
Panama Canal
Interesting history of how it all came about. A new canal is being built and expected to be finished by this summer.
Roaming Through The Jungle
The jungles have plenty of poisonous snakes, critters, and probably strange locals, so we just went slightly into the jungle to try and spot some creatures. We only heard birds. My friends stayed at a resort after I left, where they saw sloths, red frogs, dolphins, and other animals.
Did someone say pineapple?
Plenty of delicious produce at the local fruit market. I wonder what they do with the produce that doesn't sell.
All around amazing, but short trip!
Glad I got to go though, and it helped me realize everyone needs to experience being a foreigner now and then...Though, our last night was spent eating dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Very Americanized in downtown Panama City. Clean water, fresh food, even American currency.
