Airports

From Kansas City to Panama City

waiting to board the plane in KC

When we arrived at KCI it was still snowing/raining with about a 500 foot ceiling. It took about twenty minutes for all twenty eight of us to make it through security, with only minimal "random searches." Although spirits were high, many travelers around us were not so excited. After about an hour, we boarded the plane and were off. In Atlanta, we only got a little lost on the trams on the way to our next gate in Atlanta. At around two we ate lunch at the food court, with the last truly American meal for the next two weeks, then, walked it off around the terminal.

While waiting at the gate, we met some Panamanian citizens on their way back to Panama after attending college in Kentucky. They were from Arreijan, the larger neighboring city near to the ones we will be staying in for the home stay. They gave us the scoop on the area we would be staying in and also the vibe of Panama City. It was lucky that we met them because our plane was delayed three hours after our four hour layover. The problem ended up being a glitch in the plane's computer and the crew were able to fix it. On the bright side, in compensation for the delay, the entire flight was given complementary access to every movie in the entire entertainment system. Customs in Panama only took an hour and we were well on our way to the hotel. - Duncan Murray

Atlanta airport with new Panamanian friends

From Panama City to Kansas City

4:30am - students wake up and make their way, groggily, to the hotel lobby in Panama City.

5:00 - The tour bus leaves the hotel on the way to the airport.

5:45 - Everyone says their tearful goodbyes to Freddy at the airport.

7:15 - The students board the plane and commence the catch up of sleep from the night before.

1:00 - The plane arrives at Atlanta after some mild turbulence at the runway and a go-around. After exiting the plane, everyone rushes to get food in the food court.

group hug with Barb

5:30 - After some slight delays, the students board the plane back to MCI.

7:30pm - The plane arrives and the students are given a warm welcome with hugs by their anxious parents waiting in the lobby. A wonderful way to end a special trip. - Duncan Murray

Allison and her mom

Cole and his mom

Corey and her mom

Karina and her mom

Michael and his family