Blogs from Panama City, Panamá, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 35

After a 15 hour journey on a bus from San Jose we finally made it in to Panama City at 6am. Viva Panama!! Upon arrival we hopped into the first available cab to take us away, so that we could sleep. We ignored the fact that the cab had a cracked windshield and a busted up rear end, and we went on the ride of our lives!! No really, he almost got in 5 accidents in less than 15 minutes. We thought we may die twice. My favorite part of it was that when I asked what had happened to his windshield, which was obviously cracked in front of the driver and passenger, he told us that he hit a telephone and his head. Yes ladies and gentlemen his head had broken the windshield. Seatbelts ... read more

And all of a sudden we hit buildings... after months of flat cities and small pueblos- Panamá city is like the City of OZ popping up out of nowhere! So modern and happening with tons of traffic and a sultry nightlife scene- it really is a city that doesn´t sleep. Had heard that the hospitals in Panamá City are very modern and many of the doctors have trained in the states, so my chances of finding a bilingual doctor were high. This sounded great after several confusing experiences with the Nicaraguan doctors who spoke very, very quickly using fancy medical terms that even when they would repeat the plan, I felt somewhat confused. So, went right to the hospital after the arrival to Panamá City and was seen by an orthopedic surgeon. He spoke some ... read more

After a week of academically-oriented things, it was time to relax. So Thursday night I went with other IP students to a club I had not been to before called Buzz. It was an interesting experience. Good points: everything was free for me, because I'm female. Not fair in any way, and not the intended goal or result of the women's liberation movement, but it works for me at this point in life, so I won't complain. More good points: it was very large, lots of people who for the most part respected your space. Very few tables, which was good because everyone just filled the open floor and could dance. Lots of music, lots of dancing. Thus, I was happy. Then the few sticking points: gimicks are good for a club - it helps ... read more

We have found paradise. Even the locals think that Playa las Lajas is paradise, and I have met a lot of locals. We are camping on the beach under a long palapa, next to the Pacific Ocean. The waves are pleasant, and fun for boogie boarding/surfing when the tide starts coming in. I am always with company, because of various friends I have met around the place, even though it is not over touristified or busy on weekdays. When arriving, Dad and I met some fellow Albertans from Edmonton. A couple, Darren and Sandra, and related Angie had five boys about my age. They were fun and we had a few adventures. Darren took us out boogie boarding behind his rented vehicle on the beach. We just held onto a rope behind the truck and glided ... read more

Anyway, today I didn’t go to the children’s hospital in the morning, in exchange for sleep, getting caught up on homework, and writing all this. I hope it is entertaining, as you read about Sara, the backpacking, crowded-bus-taking adventurer. Classes will not seem very exciting after this. Pooh. Even though this combined with many other factors has caused several of my IP friends to decide to stay here this summer, I don’t think I can because of the whole graduating on time thing, not to mention missing everyone. I think I will make an effort to save up and go somewhere else for a little while this summer, though. Traveling, especially in Latin America, really isn’t that expensive or difficult from what I’ve seen. More needs to be done, maybe to Costa Rica or south to ... read more