Day 2: Orientation Day
Student Trip Blog
June 15, 2025:
After days of hard labor, we took a day off at the beach, Uverito, to cool off and relax.
We started off with American cuisine, packed with pancakes & omlettes, which is a familar sight among the sea of new foods that we have been trying in Panama. Then, we got our hats, sunscreens, bug spray, and water bottles filled up before getting on the bus to head to the beach. We excitedly fell asleep in anticipation of all the fun to be had. When we got there, we were greeted by the doorway by a very colorful crab that can crawl sideways on walls. ( Becky screamed because she almost stepped on it )
The photo of the crab we saw:
Once we stepped inside, we were surprised with a indoor restaurant & pool with a view of palm trees, beautiful villas, a volleyball net, and thousands of seashells along the coast of a colliding ocean water mixed with rainwater from unpredictable weathers that burnt to touch. We happily kicked off our slippers and crocs to jump into the pool or go to the beach to play a game of beach volleyball and taking a stroll along the coast to pick up & admire thousands of cute seashells.
photos of us having fun:
Around noon, we had delicious lunches filled with chicken/fish fingers, roasted fish, salty fries, and fried plaintain. We hydrated ourselves with some bittersweet iced tea which is provided by the indoor restaurant we were staying. It was very delicious and we all had a great time at the beach.
Even our bus driver, Efrain took the time to chill out with us.
photo of our bus driver:
( Shout out to the bus driver for shuttling us around everywhere)
While today was only supposed to be a fun & chill day, we still put in a lot of effort into growing together. Reflecting on today, we all grew closer as a group and we never even realized it untill we made it back to the hotel. Some of us learned how to swim, others learned how to open up to each other just a little bit more and that little bit more made all the difference.
(Ps. Happy Fathers Day to all Fathers of the Glimpsers! )
đ
Days to go: 5
Good luck and hang in there đ
Comments (12)
Oorthuys
So glad you all had a day for fun, and made a new crab friend! Stick close to that one, they look like they know things.
Lien
Hi Nathan! Hope you are having fun in the sun. We all miss you at home. Canât wait to see what youâll do tomorrow. Whatever it is, remember to make it fun! Love you! Have a wonderful time everyone in the group!
Derrick Williams
Excellent synopsis. So happy glad everything is coming together so âswimmingly.â The friendships and bonds being forged can last a lifetime. So be sure youâre doing the important work and making every effort to listen to others, as well as being open enough to share your own story. This kind of adventure is really what life is all about⊠so lean into it as much as possible. Thereâs no telling how your life may change for the better because of this experience.
Adventures like this forces you to realize that the world is too big to stay in one place, and life is too short to do just one thing.
I love you son⊠enjoy every moment. Weâll be seeing you very soon.
~ 143! Dad
Kaleah
I hope you all enjoyed swimming yesterday, I very much enjoy all the updates youve shared so far! Can’t wait to see you, four more days left! đ
Thea - GG Staff
Hey CH1A! What a great blog post! Kudos to you for including reflections on your group dynamics.
I also love that you gave your bus driver a shoutout!! They’re a great part of each delegation that sometimes get overlooked in posts or trip summaries. I remember my own bus driver from my GG trip, and the belt buckle we gifted him, fondly!
Wishing you all a bright remainder of the trip đ
Alma Jacobo
Hi Innie Minnie
Looks like it was a fun day at the beach!
Few more days to go. Iâm glad we got to hear your voice and see your faceđ„°đ„°
We miss you a ton!!
Kaylah h
I hope youâre having fun Isaac! Canât wait to hear about your trip (:
Nessa and Julie
Isaac! Weâre enjoying seeing your pictures. Glad youâre having fun. A few more days to go, you got thisđȘ. Youâll be home in no time. Remember we have plans when you get back. Keep having fun and everyone stay safe. So proud of youâ€ïž
claudia
Looks like youâre having fun Isaac! We miss you! Canât wait to hear all about it!
Guess what? Nana is making you some mole when you get back đ
Alani
Iâm so glad you guys had a fun day today! It was so so so good to hear from you Rilee, we miss you so much! Is sounds like you guys are really bonding and getting closer, itâs really cool to watch your progress! Love you so, Mom đ
Jenny R
Thereâs nothing better than a beach day! It sounds like it felt as wonderful as it looks. Jorja we love you! Please come home⊠Brub is eating all the food.
Grammy
Hey grandson! (Tristen) So glad you got this amazing opportunity!!! Its something you’ll never forget and a story you’ll be able to share with your children and grandchildren one day. Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back. Be smart, be safe, and have a ball.
Love ya lots,
Grammie and Poppa