CERRO PUNTA – THE CANAL AND THE MEGACITY

Today, we woke up early in the morning at 6 AM to the loud sound of an Iguana running around on the retreat center’s loud metal roof. However, despite that loud wake up we were reenergized with some good sleep. We headed downstairs to eat omelets and fried dough with jam; with morale regained and energy at its highest since we boarded the plane we hopped on a bus and took a 40-minute drive to Panama City. Once we arrived, we got to see a beautiful view of the beach, we then preceded to take a few photos before our tour guide arrived.

Once the tour guide arrived, we left the beach view and began by learning about the street vendors and the cultural importance of the many handmade objects that they sold. Once we finished looking at the shops, we passed the presidential palace and arrived at plaza principal. Plaza de la Catedral which contained the minor basilica of Panama. There the tour guide taught us about the history and global importance of Panama. Ever since Spain had found it, Panama had become a bridge between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. We also learned how the first city of Panama, Panama Viejo renowned for being the city that could not be attacked due to the fluctuation of the tide, was in fact destroyed by an intelligent and competent pirate force that utilized prisoners from costal prisons as guides to raid the city. The present-day city of Panama now uses many of the original building materials that the old destroyed city once had.

Due to the heat, we went inside to a hat store and learned about the handmade Panama hat, and how popular President Theodore Roosevelt, as the hat he was gifted by Panama had become his favorite hat. After leaving the store we were able to shop at a couple of local vendors and gather many souvenirs for an hour. Once we finished shopping, we made it to a restaurant named Alura for lunch. We all picked meals prior, however due to shortages many of us at burgers. The food we ate was either a chicken wrap, a giant chicken dish or a burger. Since it was Mr. Serpas’ birthday we then surprised him with a cake and a firecracker. After that reenergizing meal, we hopped on the bus and went to the Panama Canal. There we watched a movie narrated by Morgan Freeman which told us about Canal’s importance and construction. Once the movie finished, we went out to see it raining hard. Though it was raining, we went to the canal viewing area, where we saw a huge cargo carrier being transported through the Canal. Once we finished viewing the Canal we went back on the bus and went back to the Retreat Center. We attended Mass at St. Anthony de Padua. We finished the evening with prayer and journaling.