Before arriving to Panama, endless thoughts ran through my
head about what I pictured it to be. I
had never been to Panama before, nor I had learned anything about the
area. I pictured Panama as a severely
under-developed country, with dirt roads, few cars, and homes made from sticks
and palm frons. I had learned about the
Panama Canal, but never knew it would be so extravagant. I expected it to be hot, especially after
what I had heard from others, but never imagined I could ever be this hot in my
life, ALL hours of the day. As my plane landed at
the Panama City Airport, suddenly my thoughts had begun to change. Wait a
second; am I landing in the right place? To my surprise, paved roads and tall
buildings were visible in the distance.
I got off the plane and headed into the airport, which held many
terminals, and was much bigger than I had anticipated! What shocked me the most
was getting on the bus and noticing my surroundings. The bus that picked us up
was one of hundreds of cars around.
I
never imagined that Panama had so many cars or even the majority of the same
cars we have in the U.S.
Driving through
the city was also very different than I had expected.
Tall buildings, many people, and cars filled
the streets.
It almost looked to me just
as downtown Tampa appears! There is construction on almost every street corner in Panama City, which I had never expected. They are trying to refurbish the area.
In addition, I expected there to be bugs, but not hundreds
of them coming in the house as they please.
There are no screens or even glass on some of the windows where we are
staying, which is something I am beginning to adjust to. There is no air
conditioning in our house, so the doors and windows are open all hours of the
day, and it is still hot. I never knew I
could ever sweat this much in my life!
The scenery in Panama is breathtaking, though! After seeing
this country, I am surprised at all the mountainous regions and vast fields
that overtake the roadside. I had no
idea it would be so beautiful here!
Overall, I expected it wouldn’t be easy, and it definitely
isn’t. From laundry to cooking,
everything is more difficult here than what I am used to. Drying my clothes on
a clothesline and lighting the stove with a match are just a few things that I surely
didn’t prepare myself for. However, I am
beginning to adjust well after this first week.
Even though it may be very hard at times, I am so grateful for this
opportunity, thankful for my life back home, and wouldn’t want to change my
experience here in Panama for the world.
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