Panamá 2025 - Students Going Global (Day 4 - 5/23/2025)

Day 4 - Panama 

Wake up calls came early today with our kiddos out of bed and eating breakfast at 6:30AM. After filling our bellies, we left at 7:00 to travel to La Chorrera to visit the pineapple farm. My students didn’t know it, but they had a surprise on the way!

 

Yesterday, while driving, we discussed the “Diablos Rojos” or the “Red Devils,” the busses. Today, for the first time on one of my trips, Nafi, Irving, and our bus driver Carlos, made it possible for my students to ride these busses. We boarded at a stop, learned how the busses function, how much it costs to ride, and how to let them know that you want to get off (lots of people and loud music, .30 a ride, yell “parada” LOUD to get him to stop, make sure you give up your seat to an elder, and stand with the overhead bar if needed). 

Kids looked pretty timid getting on, but it is great to get to know how locals travel and live.

 

After our brief ride on the “Diablo Rojo” and a small discussion about redecorating the school busses in Goddard, we continued our journey to the pineapple farm. Along the way we were able to see the construction of bridges in the city to help with transportation, the neighborhood where Nafi lives (she is sometimes able to see sloths in her back yard), and several different types of housing. 

At the pineapple farm, students learned about the process of growing a pineapple from seed to processing and exportation. They watched a presentation from the farm owners and then went on a tractor tour to see how various types of fruits grow. 

Students boarded a tractor and trailer for a ride around the farm. Along the way, our guides stopped to get various fruits to try, and other things for us to see!

Students tried the following fruits:

• Starfruit
• Mango
• Annatto– painting and color dye
• Ginger – smell only
• Citronella
• Dragon fruit
• Passionfruit
• Pineapple

After learning about annatto, students used it for one of its natural purposes, as a color dye. Many used the anato as makeup, face paint and to just have random pictures all over their bodies. They had a lot of fun, until they got sweaty and began to rub it everywhere!

It was time to learn about the work that goes into making these plants possible. Students were shown how to measure out, dig a hole, and plant a pineapple seedling! Everyone took a turn at this task and we were told to come back and eat them once they are through the production. ;) The workers in this field each plant 1,000 (low end) to 3,000 (high end) every day. They earn $7.00 a day for their work. This definitely made students think a lot about manual labor and the work that goes into a fruit farm. 

   

Today was a work day for these field workers. One of them came to chat with us about what he does in the fields. I guarantee that he was also probably judging our work. We tried our best!

Below is our finished pineapple row!

Halfway through the pineapple farm tour, students were taken to the top of a hill. They had a beautiful view to use for picture-taking and they also had a tray of pineapple just for us! Everyone now REALLY understands why a pineapple from the farm is so much better than the pineapples we eat in Kansas. 

After a tractor tour of the fruits, students took part in a traditional Panamanian meal of arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), fried chicken and ensalada de papa con remulachas (potato beet salad). They also had a sweet plantain for dessert. I will say there was more food left on plates than I would have preferred, but I appreciate everyone who attempted to try new foods!

Lunch was followed by a bus ride to the Gamboa Rainforest. Students learned about the lifecycle of the butterfly, frogs that are protected in Panama, and the efforts to rehabilitate sloths. They also learned about the importance of orchids in the sanctuary. Do you know what the most popular orchid in the world is? It’s vanilla! We saw the frogs of Panama, were surrounded by the Panamanian rain and then went inside to see the sloths. The rescue center’s first mission is to rehabilitate the sloths and release them back into the wild, however sometimes they are unable to do so and occasionally, even if they do release them back into the wild, the sloths return. Students were able to see a sloth eat, sleep, and also learn that they typically only poop once a week due to their slow digestive systems.

Following the sloth sanctuary, our guide Emilio took us on a tour of Gatun Lake. Students wore “salvavidas” and took a ride on a speed boat! On the ride they were able to see three types of monkeys (capuchin, howler, and tamarin). They also learned that "monotiti" is a fun name for the tamarin monkeys. Students had up-close encounters with the monkeys on our boats. They also had a special surprise when one of the monkeys was carrying a baby on her back! Capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys both have a tail that can be used to grip, like and extra arm or leg. The tamarin monkeys have a tail as well, but it is primarily used for balance. 

Along with the monkeys, students also saw a crocodile, an iguana, bats, and many different types of birds (including snail kites, herons and more). 

Animals are not the only part of the boat ride that provides for a learning opportunity and fun. The boat tour allows students to get up close and personal with ships passing through the canal (they are big in the locks, but appear even bigger when your small boat is right next to them), tug boats, and wave jumping!

The rain has been present so far on our trip, but only when we have been inside. Another day full of amazing adventures, delicious food, and a Potter Point night-ending quiz!

 It was a beautiful day for a boat ride full of wows and laughs. We returned home with very tired students who were mostly asleep before the curfew. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventures!