Panama!!!
Trip Start
Aug 12, 2008
1
26
Trip End
Nov 21, 2008
Panama, Panama
Friday, November 21, 2008
The culture here is distinctively Central American/Caribbean. The colors are brighter, the salsa pumps from the bars into the streets, and the neighborhoods are classic! On our first day, we took a walk around Casco Viejo, which is where the roots of the city lie. The surrounding neighborhood is definitely impoverished and right on you when you get off the bus, but the charm is still there. Food stands around every corner perched right on the street, clothes hanging out to dry from the colonial-style balconies, and the graffiti-painted busses that line up in droves at each unmarked bus stop.
We had a nice lunch in town, and walked through the market areas. We were warned more than once to be careful, and when I broke out the video camera to catch some shots the policeman told me that it was an invitation to be robbed and recommended I not use it. For the most part, we just stuck to main streets.
In the evening, we went to see the Panama Canal. This was actually really impressive. We timed it to see the bigger ships coming through. The main one we saw was an enormous cargo ship, as big as they get I'm sure. The space between the boat and the canal was less than 10 feet on each side. From our view it looked like less than 5. They pass the boats through in stages (locks). The ship enters from the ocean, is put into a lock, the water is then raised, with the ship to the height of the manmade lake that is on the other side of the lock. After the ships pass through this lake, the locks reverse the process to lower the boat to the sea. This is done to allow the passage of ships in a controlloed waterway not at mercy with the tides. We saw a few ships, and then headed out to see the nightlife.
Nightlife is happening in Panama City. We went to a main drag, had an awesome seafood dinner (our last one of the trip!), and then searched for some live music. We ended the night having some drinks at a huka bar, and reflecting back on all the things we've done over the last 100 days. It's pretty incredible that we're STILL travelling. We're still on the same trip we started back in early August. When we left, Michael Phelps was in the middle of his Olympic run, and Barack Obama had just clinched the Democratic Nominee. He's now the president-elect. Crazy.
We have our last day today, and will be heading back to L.A. tonight to reunite with our family and friends. I know none of you are reading this today, but are you ready to party? We have much to celebrate. Our amazing trip, seeing you all finally, but most importantly, we're getting married!!! I sincerely can't wait to celebrate in person. This trip, in all it's amazing forms and circumstances, will forever be remembered and reflected upon. Shared through video and pics. And cherished through the years to come. But you know, I'm excited to get back to home. The world will not dissappoint if you give it a chance, and for those seeking peace or adventure, it's out there. But in the end, there really is no place like home. And no matter where you go, or for how long, somehow it always brings you back. That in itself is another trip.
