TA1C is off to a fantastic start as day two has just finished up. Students woke up at 7am to eat a quick breakfast before heading to Casco Viejo, the old city of Panama. During the walking tour of the city, students were able to see the Pacific Ocean, the president of Panama’s house, and Santa Maria de la Antigua Church, which the Pope visited in January of this year. During the tour, students also visited various plazas and learned about the history of Panama. The students heard the story of El Chorrillo, the neighborhood deeply affected by a U.S. invasion on December 20, 1989. It is a painful memory for Panamanians to retell, but necessary to impart so history does not repeat itself.
Lastly, students shopped for gifts and keepsakes for family and friends back home (wink wink, parents!).

In the afternoon we took a 4-hour bus ride to Las Tablas, our new home for two weeks. We are really lucky to be visiting during the Festival de Santa Librada, which is a celebration for the patron Saint of Las Tablas. Students walked around the small city tonight and tomorrow will have more of an opportunity to experience the wonderful culture of this city during the festival. The group ate dinner together and had finished our first nightly meeting before 10pm.

Everyone is excited for their first full day in Las Tablas tomorrow! Buenas Noches!

Tim & Louise