Arrival Day: The Start of Something Extraordinary

Hi all! Yadariselt and Paco checking in.

Our Panama adventure is officially underway, and what an incredible first day it has been!

The excitement started long before sunrise as our Glimpsers gathered for their early morning departure. While a 5:45 a.m. flight isn’t everyone’s favorite way to start the day, our students handled the travel like seasoned adventurers. We’re happy to report that the journey was smooth, and even though there was a slight delay on the flight from Houston to Panama, everyone arrived safely in Panamá ready to begin this unforgettable experience.

For many of our travelers, stepping outside the airport was their first taste of Panama’s famous tropical climate. The humid air made quite the first impression! It was a fun reminder that they’re far from home and about to experience a completely different environment over the next couple of weeks.

A huge shoutout goes to our amazing Global Glimpse Leaders, Kalena and Richard, whose encouragement, organization, and positive attitudes kept everyone smiling throughout the travel day. Their support helped make the journey stress-free and enjoyable for all. Once in Panama, the group received a warm welcome from us, Yadariselt and Paco. Their excitement was contagious as we greeted the students and welcomed them to the start of an amazing adventure.

After checking into the hotel, everyone gathered together for dinner. Nothing brings people together quite like sharing a meal; grilled chicken, salad and rice was the menu for tonight partnered with a refreshing strawberry lemonade. The dining room was filled with conversations, laughter, and plenty of excitement as students started getting to know one another. This excitement was complemented by an electric buzz, powered by the match between Mexico and Ecuador tonight.

Tomorrow promises to be another unforgettable day as we visit one of Panama’s most iconic landmarks, the Panamá Canal. Seeing the massive ships navigate through the locks is always an incredible experience and offers students a firsthand look at one of the world’s greatest engineering accomplishments. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey to Chitré, the community that will become our home for the remainder of the program. There, our Glimpsers will begin immersing themselves in local culture, developing leadership skills, and participating in meaningful service-learning experiences.

Thank you for joining us as we follow this exciting journey! Day one has already been filled with smiles, new friendships, and the excitement of discovering a new country. If today is any indication, we’re in for an unforgettable adventure together.

We can’t wait to share more with you tomorrow!

Until next time,

Paco and Yadariselt