My first initial impression of the global business here in Panama City, Panama was whenever we first flew in and the language was different. They speak more Spanish with a heavy accent talking English so whenever they were checking out passports, I had to have my friend help translate for me. I found it very helpful throughout the entire experience to have a friend that can translate for me.
Our first day, we had visited Panama La Vieja, Casco Antiguo, the altar de oro/ gold Alta and inglesia San Jos?. It was beautiful to see the different historic landscapes that are still standing to this day. We got to climb a tower to the top which showed us an extraordinary view of Panama and an ocean view as well. We got to see a beautiful cathedral where pictures can be taken, and you can even sit down and say a prayer.
Our second day, we got to take a canoe ride along the Chagres River into the community and really immerse myself into their culture. We canoed down and then hiked to a beautiful waterfall and afterwards hiked/ canoed back. We were welcomed with music played and flower crowns for the girls. The guys then played music as the ladies of the village danced along and soon grabbed people to all dance to their cultural music. We then were also greeted with fruits similar to the U.S like pineapple, avocado, papaya, watermelon. I got to gain knowledge in this village when it started to rain on us, and we were stuck at the village due to not being able to canoe back. It showed me how these indigenous people adapt to the rain and how they live around it since it rains in Panama quit often.
The differences between the two that caught my attention was the driving here, it is quite common for everyone to honk and there aren?t lines in the street to follow. Also, the currency, while the dollars are the same here, I did end up having Panama?s dollar coins, fifty cents, and regular coins as well. I decided to keep them as souvenirs since they cannot be used in the United States.
