Today there was a health fair in Alto Caballero. There were a lot of people there and there were stations set up to do everything giving vaccines, taking blood pressures, to helping people in more serious conditions in the emergency room. We also performed several pap smears on women who needed attention. It was very hectic and exhausting but I feel very good about being able to help as much as I can. The most exhausting part of my day was giving vaccines to babies who were not happy about being there at all. As soon as any of us stepped closer to them they started screaming and kicking. It took at least 2 of us to give the vaccine: one to help the mother hold the baby down and the other to quickly give the shot. As soon as we finished with one baby there was another who needed a vaccine. In the end it definitely felt good to have been a huge help today though. Let the adventure continue…

Alto Caballero Clinic

After we finished surveying the communities, we got a chance to participate in the clinics. This picture is of the clinic in Alto Caballero. It had an ER, a doctors office, a pharmacy, and an area to see infants and administer immunizations. It was a very rewarding experience.

Alto Caballero Clinic

Today we went to the clinic in Alto Caballero and were able to help with so much. Two of us worked in the E.R. where we inserted IVs, gave IV pushes, IMs, and PO medications. The room next to the E.R. was the women’s health room where they performed pap smears. In another room they were giving antibiotics to children and in another room the doctor was consulting with pregnant women. Today’s experience was incredible. Working in an environment where you reused alcohol wipes, gloves, etc. and didn’t follow all the specific health regulations we have in the U.S. was difficult at times but at the same time it was amazing to see how other cultures work and function. The patients we treated were not well off and it was very difficult at times to help them and their children, knowing that this may be the only healthcare they get this year. Today’s experience was great and will stay with me for the rest of my life.

The Villas

Our first 3 days we stayed in the Villa of the City of Knowledge. Lindsey, Annette, and myself became a handy man. One evening 0ur toilet broke after hours of maintenance and being stubborn women we decided we could handle it ourselves. We open up the top and the inside it dark brown and eroding and we are starring at a giant bowl with no clue how a toilet even works, holding a hot pink flash light as i might add. After Annette sticking her hand in the brown tank for 10 minutes we decided to call the emergency maintenance line.....and of course our toilet still isn't working. Looking back our reasoning and suggestions for trying to fix it were just crazy and I can't believe we thought our interventions were going to work. We are learning that this trip is not just about trying to understand a new culture and learn from them but also learning about ourselves and bringing out new talents!

University of Panama

Today we went to the University of Panama. We were warmly welcomed by the staff there. We got to walk around the campus and talk with a couple of the local students. The campus seemed to be very run down. We tried finding the bookstore but it was just a library to check out books. We took a picture with the Dean and got introduced at a ceremony. It was a great cultural learning experience to visit the school and see where students just like us learn at.

The Panal Canal

This is the panama canal that we toured yesterday. With our ticket we got free admission into the museum that talked about the history and building of the canal. The amazing part was actually seeing the canal in action. We saw a boat move through the locks and it was awesome to see all the people, machines, and time it takes to move the boat through such a tight space.

Bienvenidos a Panama!

Going to make this short and sweet, but I really am impressed by this city of Panama. It is a very busy and self-sustained community, and I feel welcomed by many of the Panamanian people here. The language barrier is a little difficult, but I am slowly picking up some of the language and remembering words that I have forgotten. It was really amazing to see how the Panama Canal works, and I was in awe at the complexity of the construction of the locks and the amount of time it took to construct the whole system. It took 20 years just for them to dig and clear a way through the mountains between the Pacific Ocean in the South and the Carribean sea in the North. Also, the amount of digging they had to do was enough to dig a hole from one side of the Earth to the other, and a few miles beyond! I'm really excited to experience the clinical settings in Chiriqui, where we will be traveling tomorrow by bus. I'm so glad to have this opportunity!

Red Devils

El autobus also called 'red devils' are the public transportation here in Panama. They are old school buses that are transported here and sold to those with contracts to drive. They are all individually owned and operated so each is decorated differently and has its own personal touch. Some stand out far more than others. As can be seen in this picture. Drivers hope this with entice passengers to ride with them since commuters are able to choose whichever bus they like. There are no set routes or times for for buses so drivers often race each other around the city to pick up as many riders as possible. This is often why they are referred to as red devils, because they are horrible drivers.

Ciudad Del Saber

Hello! Today is our second day, or dia, in Panama. We are staying in the City of Knowledge, El Ciudad del Saber! Our accomadations are very cozy and there is air conditioning! Woohoo! I know when we leave here there won't be any air conditioning, so we are using it to the max now! But, I digress.
Panama City is a wonderful ciudad, with very friendly people. I think the contrast between poverty and wealth is the most shocking so far. One side of the street in the "old city" (that is the old part of Panama City) is restored, while the other side of the street is completely dilapidated. However, each part has it's own beauty. I mean, I have never seen bulidings with vines and trees growing out of the windows and roofs totally collapsed! There is a charm to these buildings, as if they say, "Yes, we are antiquated, but you can only begin to imagine our history." They were once occupied by a more affluent people, but they moved out of the "old city" to bigger and newer communities. When they left, rents/leases became cheaper and the buildings were not quite as taken care of as they had been. Years of disregard just took it's toll on the "old city." However, around 1995 the Panamanian government started projects to restore the old buildings back to their original integrity, although I am told it has been a slow process.
We also saw the Panama Canal today. (Part of it at least.) We were fortunate enough to see ships pass through the locks. One ship had to pay $350,000 just to cross from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. The director said the Panamanian Government makes about 4-5 million a day from the ships passing through! They are literally and figuratively speaking a well-oiled machine! The canal stretches over 50 miles. The construction alone is truly something to marvel over. There was so much drilling they could have gone through Earth plus 900 kilometers! That is dedication!
As for the Panamanian people, well the one's I have met, they are a helpful and delightful population. I look forward to meeting more people from Panama.
I can only hope the trip continues to be as wonderful as today and yesterday have been! I will keep you informed!

The Panama Canal - Hannah Pettersson - Post 1

Visiting and touring the Panama Canal was an incredible experience. I really enjoyed watching the locks and seeing the ships transfer through. It was incredible to learn that ships were paying around 350,000 dollars for their vessel to move through the Panama Canal. It must be incredible for Panama’s economy to have created a canal so that ships do not have to travel around South America in order to get to their destination. One day I hope to travel through the Panama Canal. Hopefully on a cruise ship!

Old City- Panama City

While exploring the "Old City" in Panama City, we found some beautiful landscapes. This view is from the edge of a seawall and shows the Pacific Ocean!