We got into the full-sized tour bus and drove to the entrance to the Panama Canal. Abdiel explained the process of going through the canal as we watched some ships go under the bridge and begin cruising through the canal.
In the city we toured a medical clinic. Then we rode through town on a
Red Devil bus. These buses are privately owned, and many drivers paint wild designs on their buses. Thirty cents is the bus fare.
Next we rode to Abdiel’s mother-in-law’s house for a cooking lesson. When we arrived, his cute little girl took my hand. I was surprised because I hadn’t taken Cha-Cha-Cha out of my tote bag yet. First, some of the people in our group peeled and cut up ripe plantain, then his wife fried it in butter, cinnamon, and cloves. Then green plantain was sliced, smashed in a press, and fried in olive oil until crispy by his mother-in-law. She had made some fresh pineapple juice in her blender and chilled it for us. Yum!
She handmade a chimichurri sauce with a spice similar to cilantro, pineapple mustard, and a few other ingredients. I asked her for the recipe since it is the best chimichurri sauce I have eaten. She wrote out the recipe and gave it to Abdiel, and she showed me the ingredients. Now he has two recipes that he will be giving to all of us.
I then got out Cha-Cha-Cha and talked with the children. They loved her.
Next we rode to the restaurant for lunch where I had salad and lemonade. Then we rode over three hours along the Panamanian Highway. We had a short break at a large supermarket. Then thirty minutes later we arrived at the new Cubita Hotel in Chitre.
At 6:30 we left for dinner. We ate in a private room of the popular restaurant, Salsa y Carbon. I ate veggie lasagna, broccoli soup, and flan for dinner. Then we had after dinner entertainment by two devil dancers.
Ship beginning trip through the Panama Canal
Abdiel and his family
Abdiel’s mother-in-law and wife frying green plantain
We rode on this Red Devil bus
One of the Devil dancers who danced for us after dinner