Panama City

We{re here! Safe and sound. Panama City looks a lot like Miami and although we've only been here less than 2 days, I think we're all ready to go on to the next stop, El Valle, which is located in the middle of an extinct volcano crater, and is surrounded by natural hot springs and waterfalls. We're staying in a hostel in a dorm room with about 9 other people in Panama City, definitely an experience. Yesterday when we arrived, we explored the area that we're in, Casco Viejo, including the presidential palace, where the president lives. Today, we woke up early and went on a 2 hour hike through a national park near the city. However, it being the wet season, it poured in the middle of the hike. Luckily, we had our rain coats, and were so sweaty anyway that we welcomed the rain. We also got to see an incredible view of the city. Then, we went to the main bus terminal, got a typical Panamanian lunch (I have a feeling w'll be eating rice beans twice a day for the next two weeks, since all they really have here is meat) and then got the bus to Miraflores, one of the locks on the Panama Canal. We happily paid the relatively steep museum fee in exchange for some great air conditioning and interesting exhibit on the canal. Then we got to see some big cargo ships go through the canal. On the bus there, we made friends with Tommy, a local who was very friendly to us. When we mentioned we didn't know anyone and we just planned this trip two days ago, he insisted on giving us his number and email in case we need anything. Unfortunately, our bus ride back was eventful in a different way...I got stung by a bee. Now, with a swelled neck from the bee bite and soar feet, we're exhausted and back at the hostel.

So far, my Spanish is serving me well and we're really enjoying just talking to people and exploring. Other kids at the hostel have given us some good advice (there was even a kid from McGill!) and we're excited to see where our next journey takes us. Keep posted!

Family, I am alive.