Cuidad del Saber

Hi, from the City of Knowledge. It's an old army base in Clayton. It feels very safe, you'll be glad to hear. I've only seen one entrance and it's surrounded by a tall fence. The base is now used as a knowledge center. Basically, there are a few schools and a gym a couple restuarants and several rows of villas. Just across the street is the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. If you catch it just right you can see the ships as they enter an exit.
I'm still trying to get my card reader to work so I can upload some pictures. Haven't had much success. :(
Today was 'Be-a tourist' day. And though I make fun of such people, I was indeed lookin' touristy. Haha. Katie (my roommate) and I decided it was more important to take too many pictures and do the touristy stuff than to go home and not have taken enough.
The day started at 8am. Not too early, which I liked. I got in about 9 hours of sleep... so needed! We got ready and loaded the bus at 9. Our tour guide Bianca was so so nice! And animated and funny! Our driver - Jorge, was also very nice. We took a ride south to "The Old City" and heard all the history of Panama and it's holidays, presidents, etc. Drive through crowded streets with cars on either side and people was very nerve wracking. There were plenty of times I thought for sure there would be a collision, but there never was. Thanks, Jorge!
As we drove through the city, we saw a lot of impoverished areas backed right up to beautiful buildings. It was odd. There was no rhyme (or none that was apparent) to how the city was set up or where things were. Restuarants, shops, public buildings, and apartments were randomly everywhere. The government has ordered that all of the buildings in the Old City be restored without any major changes to the look of them. The ones that were finished were so beautiful!
We stopped at a cathedral, that was again, randomly placed on a street corner. San Jose. The inside of it was so ornate and beautiful. During one of the wars, the priests actually covered the alter in clay to make it look ugly and unappealing to the pirates. The pirates left it alone cause it was ugly - but it was really hand-carved mahogany and plated with gold. I wish I could show you a picture of it! :/
We toured all through the city, saw some government officials in the town square listening to a band play the Panamanian anthem. Very cool. And regardless of the heat (today it was about 95 at 10am), these officials (and most everyone walking around the town square) were dressed in suits - and other various fashion-forward outfits.
We did a lot of walking, even crawled down part of a cliff to take a picture with the Pacific and Panama City skyline in the background. Watching everyone try and make it down made me wonder if we're ready for the jungle yet. Haha.
The Panama Canal came last, and it was spectacular. Almost $1 billion of revenue come from the Panama Canal each year. We saw a ship that paid $285, 000 just to come through the canal!!
We're catching on to the spanish and several of us are attempting a little bit of communication. The people here are so nice and friendly. And everyone greets everyone else. I've completely mastered the "Buenas" that is used to say good morning, afternoon, or evening. You say it with a little bob of your head. :)
Two more interesting things:
1. Most of the schools here are public and all require the kids to wear uniforms. The uniform colors designate what grade you're in. It is required to go to school until 9th grade, and after that for 10th-12th you study a specific field (like business, or science). Once you graduate then you go on to a university or trade school that continues what you already studied. So, if you didn't choose science to study in high school - you have to go back and take those credits to move on in a university studying science.
The police are also very strict on truency. If they see you out they either take you to school or to the police station.
2. After lunch we were standing outside the cafe and a beggar came up and asked for change. Several of us gave him some, and our sweet tour guide just smiled. Once we got back into the bus she told us to look back at the man. He was sitting on the bench with a cell phone. She said she admired our sweet, compassionate hearts, but that we weren't to encourage the beggars. She said that he needed to get a job. They don't like when people give the beggars money, because it encourages the children not to work, she said. Maybe something America should consider...