Blogs from Panamá, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 57

Our first project will be dedicated to finding out the actual needs that exist within Panama. In a recent group meeting we decided that there is a water problem in some areas that are receiving water from a water truck once a week. The proposed solution was to raise money in order to build a water system. We are considering soliciting the help of the LDS missionaries in the area to help with the manual labor of building. In order to effectively help the people of Panama in these areas we need to get our Non-Profit organization rollin.. We will be applying with the state and IRS, finding contacts, and planning for future events. ... read more

FINALLY Panama. This is the day I turn my life over to a tour guide for the first time ever. For you oh intrepid traveler who travels when and where on a whim--as I have up to now--you may sense how I feel as I wake that morning in Houston to cool and windy weather. What have I gotten myself into?? Our group consists of Kate, our 43 year old lawyer daughter, her husband Chris, their 17 year old German exchange student Nadette, and 74 year old me. Extreme Panama has sent no information on anyone else or even if there is anyone else on the tour. Nadette worrys she won't like them. Frankly, we all probably do. It would be nice if the tour would tell us but oh well, this is Panama. No problem. ... read more

This entry covers 24 January through 27 January 2006: I stayed with my friend Margaret in Panama City (Ciudad de Panama), and enjoyed the sites in the old neighborhood of the city where she had stayed for 5 weeks -- Casco Viejo. While it is an old, seemingly unsafe part of the city, it afforded some interesting views into the old days of Panama. The old architecture is being renovated to some of its original glory. There are some interesting classic buildings and a lovely walk along the ocean. Also, several buildings have rooftop views of the canal and the boats queuing up to enter the canal. Photos will be uploaded later, but it was interesting to find myself photographing a yacht one evening from Casco Viejo and then photographing it the next day from the ... read more

Well we arrived here yesterday morning after 24 hours on the road, this broke down into two bus rides, and the layover we had (that I mentioned) in my previous blog entry. Getting into Panama City was really cool, it´s by far more modern than any other Central American cities, a lot of things I hadn´t even seen since North America. The bus station we arrived in was completely enormous, reminded me almost exactly of the Airport in Phoenix. We hopped in a cab to find our hostel, and had an absolute nightmare of a time getting the cabby to find this place. Ryan describes the ordeal on his blog. We finally found it, checked in, and I headed right to bed for a nap, the semi-sleep I get on the bus is great for making ... read more

Christmas in Cartagena was great but then again so was christmas eve and boxing day. Without friends and family it was just another good day on the road. The German owner of the Casa Viena hostel didn´t make a fuss, it was business as usual but a good business so I was glad to be in his hostel. Cartagena provided me with a wealth of new information to assist in the next stage of my travels, and serves as a half way house between South America and Central America. The colonial town is also a superb tourist destination and provided for very picturesque photos. I'd hoped to secure a spot on a sail boat, dear reader, with the plan being to arrive in Panama City following a five day voyage via the San Blas islands. However ... read more