Panama City

All I’d heard about Panama City from other flight attendants before I went was that there was a brothel right across the street from my hotel. At least that’s what stuck with me.

Seeing it was February the first time I was able to snag a layover in Panama, I was pretty elated to go down there. For those of you who don’t know Chicago in February isn’t he most enviable place of living. Panama City was a good 70 degrees warmer I’d say.

For everyone else walking around the heat wasn’t anything crazy. The people were dressed in long pants and sleeve in what my mind felt like 100 degree heat so it’s safe to say I stood out a bit in shorts and a tank.

Regardless of obviously being foreign I felt plenty safe walking the streets alone. There were plenty of people wherever I went (mostly touristy spots) so I felt fine being alone.

The ruins of an old Spanish church in Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo was my first stop. Casco Viejo is considered the older Central America character which I was looking for. Panama was the first time I’d ever been anywhere in Central America so I was looking to get the most out of my 24 hours.

Walking around this area was easy. By that I mean I stumbled on an old abandoned church and lively shops. As someone who loves to shop I adore finding unique local spots to look for a souvenir that’ll really make me remember my time in that city. Here I bought my mom and I each a jeweled sunglasses chain that was decorated with golden seashells.

To be honest I spent most of my time in Panama just walking the streets enjoying the heat, a random what I believe was a music festival of some sort that I stumbled onto and talking to the bartender at my hotel about his previous life as a flight attendant.

I ended my day by skipping the gym and enjoying the whole hotel pool to myself. That is until I’m pretty sure I saw a bat and sprinted inside to safety.

If you want to see a highlight from my Panama City adventure click here and click through my pictures below!