My
perceptions of Panama before I arrived were very slim. Honestly, I didn’t do
much research about the country or anything before I left because I didn’t want
to have any perceptions that would skew my insights and observations once I got
here. My arrival in Panama was much different than everyone else’s on the trip
because I spent a week here doing tourist things and hanging out with my family
before. One of my first observations upon arrival is that it was extremely hot
here. Obviously that was to be expected, but it was my absolute first thought!
Next I noticed that the people here are very willing to help and very friendly.
On our way from
the airport to our hotel in our rental car we got hopelessly lost and had to
stop many times for directions, on our 3rd gas station a man and a
women decided we would never find it ourselves and said that we could follow
them 20 miles to our hotel. They got us there in no time and even left us their
name and number in case we needed anything else. I also noticed during that
first week how diverse Panama City is. When we got lost another time (we got
lost several times) we turned in to the projects of Panama City and discovered
how dilapidated the houses and businesses were and how much of a divide there
was between those people and the people who live in the city. However, even in
the ghetto people were exceptionally willing to help us figure out where to go.
As far as arriving in Chitre, I actually thought it would be a much smaller
town. I was surprised by the amount of resources they have here and the
welcoming people. I feel like a celebrity here!
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