This March break, 12 students and two faculty members are traveling to Panama to engage with the complexity of research, communities, and conservation in the unique ecosystems of Panama. Please enjoy the blog post below from Ethan ’25 & Magda ’26 where they share about their final day in Panama, from heartfelt goodbyes at Mamoni to exploring the historic streets of Casco Antigua, visiting the Panama Canal, and reflecting on a life-changing journey filled with learning, culture, and unforgettable memories.
Our final day in Panama, and our last at Mamoni
A restful sleep, I’m as excited as can be
Heading down to breakfast I spotted an orange frog
A reminder of the nature here, away from all the smog
Pineapple, plantains, and a conversation about big cats
We then got prepared to make some traditional wraps
Making tamales was easy and sweet
A traditional meal you can eat on your feet
Just corn, chicken, and vegetables in plantain leaves
Simple and reliable, like the Lakers’ Austin Reaves
Then a heartfelt goodbye to all our friends in the valley
But we had to leave, there was no time for dilly-dally
Goodbye to Nico from Delaware, the most interesting man
Who was so funny and helpful, I’ll forever be a fan
Farewell to the leaders of the reserve, like the Great Kandi and Nathan
Their wisdom and experience leave us with hope and inspiration
Finally the volunteers–Richard, Rio, and Sofia
Nothing but love and a really hard ‘see ya’
We were handed over to the steadiest and most talented driver Javier
He showcased skillful maneuvering of the treacherous terrain without a scare
I felt the truck bump and roll over rocks with a crumble
But with Javier at the wheel, we never took a stumble
The ride had the most regular music and conversation
In no time, we already arrived at our destination
After a smooth car ride to the Panama City
We looked at the skyline, so vibrant and pretty
With a stop at an engineering masterpiece (the Panama canal)
Eating tamales at the mall with a lot of laughter and unease
We watched an interesting movie about the history
I was so moved, learning about all the deaths made me feel sorry
We never thought it was possible to create ocean continuity
But the system of locks and dams again proved human ingenuity
The grandest cruise and cargo ships, larger than life
We even saw a guy taking a selfie with his wife
A cruise passed with a group so friendly and diverse
Not a single unusual occurrence, we might have been cursed
The bad weather and rain didn’t stop us from cheering
Everybody we saw was showing their emotions and feelings
We hopped on a bus to Casco Antigua, or the colonial town
Excitement was high and we were not let down
On the bus ride, we were met with nothing but love and good vibes
Waving at locals through the windows, it was one of our favorite drives
The road to the old city was a quick and safe cruise
Having some time off to buy ice cream and enjoy the beautiful views
We walked through the streets, taking photos and buying souvenirs
Danyi and Martin encouraged us to create lasting memories with our peers
Speaking spanish revolved around our favorite phrases
Que pasa or Que tal served as our conversation bases
After an hour of walking we finally had some food
The traditional Panamanian restaurant really lightened our mood
After dinner, we took a long walk to the famous Panama sign
The safety, cleanliness, great views had us feeling quite fine
A short final activity and reflection had me feeling some typa way
I was having so much fun with the group and I really wanted to stay
But the time had come to sleep and rest for the travel ahead
Everyone was so tired we all went straight to bed
Despite only being in Panama for a week, I felt my life change
The unique places we visited spanned such a wide range
From San Blas to Mamoni to Panama City we learned so many new things
I can’t wait to apply this knowledge to my life at school this spring
I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the locals and my peers
This is surely an adventure I’ll remember for years
-Ethan ’25 & Magda ’26
