DAY #1 - Panama Canal

Today we started off the day eating breakfast at the hotel restaurant.  They had a buffet with made-to-order omelettes, waffles, and TONS of fruit.  My dad and I both agree that the fruit here is absolutely out-of-this-world!  It is so fresh and full of so much flavor - really amazing!! 

Out of all the things to do here, I decided we should visit Monkey Island.  I researched it on the internet and found many tour companies providing boat transportation there and back.  Per my dad's advice, we decided to ask the senorita at the front desk about the Island to make sure it was safe and wouldn't exacerbate any MS symptoms (as heat often does).  I am very disappointed to report that there are no more monkeys on the outskirts of the Island.  :(  They are doing construction on the Panama Canal, so all the noise has forced the monkeys into hiding deep in the jungle.  Too bad too because I read that the monkeys used to come up to the boats and the captains would feed them grapes.  That would've been so cool!!

Since we couldn't go to Monkey Island, we decided to visit the Panama Canal today.  We found a guy who works at the hotel to drive us there and back.  His name is Jacob and he is VERY knowlegeable about Panama.  He has lived in Panama his whole life and gives bird-watching tours on a regular basis.  He was happy to drive us around the city so we could see the outside of different buildings as well as the US Embassy.  The U.S. Embassy is close to the canal which was once owned by the United States.  We even saw the old military housing.  People have now bought them as investments - particularly Colombians, Americans, and rich Panamanians.

When we got to the Panama Canal, we ate at the Miraflores Lock Restaurant. 

Due to his "connections," Jacob was able to get us a good table (normally you need a reservation when it's busy), and we ate at the buffet.  We had delicious steak, chicken, and perhaps the most interesting: a plaintain dish that tasted like barbeque sauce.  Imagine eating a barbecued banana!  I wasn't a huge fan of that dish, but everything else was delicious!  Again, the fruits and vegetables were like nothing I've ever experienced!

 

The restaurant is open with windows on the sides where you can see part of the canal.  We were lucky and got there at the perfect time to see a huge ship coming through. 

We didn't get to stay the whole time the ship was coming in because Jacob was politely waiting for us downstairs.  It was relly interesting how they made the announcements over the PA system.  First, they would announce something in Spanish and then in English - opposite of the airplane.  My dad thought this was an interesting tidbit.  We got maps of the canal that has some interesting information about the construction they are working on and how it will be completed.  Did you know that the new Panama Canal locks will be 427 meters long and 55 meters wide, the size of four football fields???  Very cool!  If we get time, we might go back and visit the museum.

 

 

After visiting the canal, we took some pictures around town.  If you look REALLY close in the background of the picture below, you can see all the ships lined up to pass through the Panama Canal...they are to the left of the islands. 

 

We also thought these other pictures below were blog-worthy.  Some of the buildings (mostly banks) are really unique.  Look at the "twisted" office building!

 

One last experience I want to include is - the driving here is....well....interesting to say the least.  There are no shoulders on the roads, and the lanes are very narrow.  There doesn't appear to be a right-of-way - people just go when they feel like it and try not to hit one another.  We even saw someone change directions by driving over a median!  Motorcycles ride on the lines between cars, and people are combing the streets selling things.  What a unique experience!

Monday's my first appointment at the Stem Cell Institute.  We received a welcome package today that included a local cell phone to use in case we need to contact them.  They are definitely organized!  Thanks for all your thought and prayers!!  I will let you all know how it goes.

P.S.  Watched the Huskers game today and it was in Spanish.  Cool huh?