After the Panama Canal we went to Ciudad Viejo. It’s one of the older areas of Panama and has a lot of history. 
We visited a few Catholic churches. I may have mentioned it, repeatedly every time I do confession Thursday but I was raised Catholic and really appreciate this.
Said a little prayer here <3 I needed that.
We walked around and explored building and more churches that were built in the 1600s. Remember, I live in SoCal where basically nothing is older than the 1980s so it’s big deal to me. 
It was hot so we grabbed some raspados from a cart for refreshment. 
And continued to explore…
There was an amazing view of the Panama City skyline! 
From here we had our tour guide drop us off somewhere for lunch. We were insistent on finding something small and local, but that was a battle of sorts. We ended up at a local chain that did have a lot of local residents, so it worked.
I got pollo asada, “salad” (coleslaw) and arroz con vegetables. It might have been my hunger talking, but I thought it was delicious!
We stopped at Dunkin Donuts for the second time today and this time got a treat to go with our shared iced coffee. It was disappointing, which is a plus because I let Ben have it after one bite.
Then, we took a break and headed back to the hotel for a break. Blogging and calls home via Skype ensued.
We decided to look around at a few near-by places for dinner and nothing really jumped out at us. On our route we stopped in a grocery store and decided to piece together dinner there!
I love checking out local grocery stores when I travel. Is that weird?
We ended up with quite the feast and enjoyed our local meal on the floor of our hotel room. Romantic, no?
Our spread included: chicken tamales (wrapped in banana leaves), empanadas, salad, mixed veggies, tuna salad with macaroni
And dessert! A guyaba jelly roll and fancy layered pastry
Ben was proud of his beverage
I was proud to find a Zevia! 
We’re heading to a park tomorrow. Better bust out the bug spray!
I love checking out grocery stores when I travel, too! And not even just when I leave the country…really anywhere. In fact, my family took a little staycation in NYC over the summer (we live in NYC’s suburbs, but spent a weekend in Manhattan), & I spent almost 2 hours one morning strolling along the main street near our hotel exploring the awesome/fancy Manhattan groceries. So much good stuff!
the pictures are beautiful… so is that donut.. 🙂
I love old cities and churches with the architecture and history. Glad you are having fun! And I can’t do Dunkin Donuts donuts either. They just don’t compare to my beloved dutch monkey ones close to me
I love going to different groceries stores even if they are just in the next town over. I always find something new and exciting. My husband and I are headed to Spokane next month and I am excited for my first-ever Trader Joes experience!
I love going to grocery stores in other countries too! It makes me feel like a local. I think it gives cultural insight, is a great way to eat for less $$ and get some in some veggies all at the same time
That doughnut actually looks like my favorite kind. Good thing I can’t eat them anymore! Because I’d be diving face first.
Aw, romantic dinner on the floor. Gotta love hotel living 🙂
I LOVE going to grocery stores in other countries too! You learn a lot about what locals eat and you can get meals for so cheap. It’s the anthropology major in me 🙂
It seems really beautiful in Panama! I love buildings that aren’t painted in the “traditional” US colors – I just can’t help but take pictures of them. Have a great time on your trip.
You and Ben seem like you truly enjoy one another… glad you’re having a good time!
Be on the lookout for mangonadas and chamoy! my fav.
Will do 🙂
Wow the buildings are gorgeous 🙂 Looks like your having a blast!
Ooooh. I love old churches & buildings. The older, the more interesting. I always wonder about all the things that have happened there over the years.
Did you skip third grade or something? Southern California has plenty of history and even some old churches (see: the missions).
I know, I just think OC is so super generic and new. The missions are really all we have though, right? (And we learned that in 4th grade at my school.)
Wow Panama is beautiful! I am so jealous!!
i always think that grocery stores in other countries are like so super cool. i walk down every isle to see the stuff that they have that i’ve never seen. even when i lived in canada and went to the USA, i would always be amazed at the different flavors of soda and the names of chocolate bars. oh – and USA has a much broader selection of “cool” prepared food that i always see on blogs, so there’s been a few times i’ve had to pay extra luggage fees due to me bringing back something loserish like diet cherry pepsi or reese-chocolate shell for ice cream.
i always feel super dorky, but now that i live in an underdeveloped country, going to safeway or walmart is like one of the most exciting things that i do when i come back to a first world country!
Where do you live now?
i accepted a job transfer in to madagascar a couple of years ago. it was only supposed to be a 2yr gig, but after 2 yrs…it was obvious to me that i wasn’t ready to leave. 🙂
so many opportunties and life is great,but, our food selection is EXTREMELY LIMITED.
i long for mixed lettuce, berries, muffins (OH MUFFINS!!!), and the foods that i’m used it. but, i tough it out. and then i read blogs like yours – i have become obsessed with yogurtland. i found one on vacation last month and i was totally prepared to eat it EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. for supper. i miss it. i cry myself to sleep at night dreaming of it. and live vicariously through you and SR. 😛
I also love to check out the food in other countries. Unfortunately I am a vegan and currently living in Paris. I think there might be no other city where it could possibly be as hard as to be be vegan. The French love their butter and there cheese for sure! But I am absolutely in love with the city! For your next trip you should come and visit Europe!
Paris is definitely next on the list!!!
Looks so beautiful there! I love old buildings and churches too. ‘Twas my favorite part of Europe.
Now that looks like a fab dinner! (I *heart* going to local grocery stores when I travel… everyone needs to eat, so grocery stores and markets speak volumes about the local culture!)
Wow, you guys look like you’re having a blast. Thanks for sharing pics!