Life After Panama

Life has pretty much returned to normal.
It was crazy to come in on that international flight and watch a flight welcoming people to the United States.
In a way it kind of felt like I had never left at all, God just turned on the tanning lamp and sprinkled in some Spanish. I guess just because Panama was controlled by the US for so long. Still, it was weird to put myself in the shoes of an immigrant. Coming to America for the first time must be insane.
And overwhelming.
And maybe even a little exciting. For whatever reason, the videos made me feel like the country had changed into this perfect world. Or maybe I kind of realized how great of a country we have, despite the flaws.
There's no place like it.
While I miss the sun, and even the Spanish, I am happy to be home. For anyone considering a move or a trip to Panama- do it. It was a wonderful trip. Although I would recommend a few things.
Take a compass.
I spent most of our trip believing we were staying on the North side (really the west, actually) of the canal when we were stay on the bottom part (east side). It was hard to adjust my mind to place myself correctly in the universe as we moved about since it was already stuck on the previous logic. It also would have been cool on the plane to know which direction we were going. Actually now that I think about it, take a map too. Or at least google map a couple times.
A watch!
This is something I would have thought I would have remembered especially after wanting one on my cruise, but I didn't even think about it. Using my phone was okay, but why carry something like an iPhone that is only good for the time and maybe a quick minute on the internet if "WiFiParaTodos" is around. Oh and the Panamanains don't do daylight savings time. Something else I wish I would have known before I woke up panicking our last day since my phone had already adjusted to the new time that Panama does not accept.
Frick!
Experience Carnavales if you can. And Taboga Island, too. And of course the canal. Roam through Old Panama. It is incredible. Wear sunscreen.