Blog Uno: Panama Perceptions!

Prior to leaving for Panama, I honestly did not know what to expect! I was unsure about everything from the conditions of the homes we would be living in, to the conditions of the city. I vaguely envisioned a poor, rundown, uneducated country with little to no common commodities (air conditioning, WiFi, hot water…ect.) I pictured lots of bugs and extreme heat. Although I was right about some of these perceptions, I was happy to discover that Panama is actually very beautiful and not at all uneducated.

When we arrived in Panama City, the first thing I thought was why didn’t I try to learn Spanish?! It was extremely intimidating just getting off the plane. This was my very first time traveling out of the USA to a Spanish speaking country in Central America. Once we arrived, I was surprised to discover that the airport was a lot more modern than I expected with numerous terminals. Then we got to customs, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to say, “I will be staying for 3 week…” I didn’t really expect an interpreter with us, yet I expected way more Panamanians to know English. Needless to say, the language barrier is frustrating. I now truly have a better understanding of how difficult it must be for those who come to America not knowing a word of English.

Once we started driving around Panama City we saw a lot of beautiful scenery, as well as many parts that were very poor. The poorer areas seem to present the serious need to restoration, however, the city remains nice despite all the dilapidated buildings and homes. As we traveled deeper into the city, I noticed all the bright colors and the unique Panamanian culture. I found that the Panamanians are some of the most warm and welcoming people I have ever met. They are proud of their cultural and are happy to share it with us! I am really enjoying learning about all of the cultural similarities and differences, and I am looking forward to all the experiences yet to come!