More Panama

El Canal
The Canal is a must see for anyone traveling through Central America or for anyone who can appreciate such an amazing engineering spectacle. It’s fascinating how it was built, how it works and continues to work still with some original elements, the money it generates, the people involved in creating and maintaining it, the changes they plan to make to it, etc.

Sites
Some other things we saw in the city:
Casco Viejo, literally, the old compound
The White House complete with Heron. Nelson Mandela had given a heron as a gift to a female president. Now, a Heron is always on the steps.
The Ruins left by Pirate Henry Morgan.
Molas – traditional needle point blouses
Gamboa, Monkey Island where the little guys come right up and eat out of your hand. However, after learning more about the importance of every piece of the ecosystem I couldn’t bring myself to feed a monkey. Watching others do it was hard enough. Feeding the monkeys is a big fat no-no in Costa Rica. We also saw some crocs, a crap load of turtles and a huge iguana.
Amador – local marina with duty free shopping
The Americas Bridge – this one speaks for itself

Seth/Sed
I was sad to have such a short stay in such a unique place, but a random reunion with a COSI buddy in the airport made the departure quick and painless. Painess until I got a little seasick in the 12 seater plane. But, Seth, known as Sed to the native Spanish speakers, oddly appropriate since Sed also means thirsty in Spanish, was there to talk vegetable and keep my mind off the cookies I wanted to toss.

Casa Dulce Casa
I had a great trip and feel so fortunate to have been included by Patri and Tab, but this jungle girl was glad to return to Quepos/MA too. I hit the gym in the afternoon (getting weighed before boarding the Natire Air flight was NOT a highlight of the week), then hit Bambu Jam for a nice sweaty dance session. One of my favorite things, right next to blueberries and my biscuit, is Cum Bia with Michael.