Definitely a new experience!!!

Today our driver took us to work a really different and round about way and he had to pay tolls. We thought this a bit weird but didn't think anything of it because traffic here is cray cray! We got to work and worked on our laptops for a little while.

 This is our cubicle area

 Cindy showing off her and I's desk. Why yes, that is a GIANT computer that runs Windows XP behind her. Guess who was lucky enough to get that one. This girl :p

 Our calendar for November. The red is us. The random black stuff was left over that we couldn't get off...

Our spanish board of the day :D It was suppose to be words and phrases of the day. Now it is our goal to know all the things in red, and then we will have words of the day at the bottom in blue.

Close to lunch time, we were given our Computer logins and internet access. HOORAY!!!!!!! We got to check our email and start to use translators to shift through our piles of Spanish documents. 

During lunch we learned that the situation in Panama City is grim. Luckily, we leave early for work. On our way to work, we had noticed a bunch of people in lines in front of the National Assembly holding flags. Turns out those were protesters, preparing to shut down the street that we live on. Around 8 am, protesters dispersed throughout the city and blocked all major roads. The city cancelled the Metro Bus service. Police dispersed to try to disperse the protesters. Battles between the police and protesters lasted for several hours and some ACP workers did not think the police would be able to regain control. Protesters began looting stores and throwing rocks at police. Police used tear gas to try and break up the crowds. Most of the city shut down in an attempt to fend off the protesters. Three of the four malls shut down due to security problems. There were also plans for demonstrations later in the afternoon. Once it looked like the police had regained some sense of control, our sponsor advised us to head home as soon as possible before more demonstrations began and before protesters began to shut down roads for the evening commute. Around 2 pm, the buses started back up and we left work at 2:30. The malls are all still shut down but the police have regained control of the city.

When we got home, we went to the roof of our building to look at the city and see if we could see anything going on. There were beautiful views, but nothing interesting to see in terms of protests. I took some pictures with my real camera this time instead of with the tablet. Similar views but better quality.

 This is MultiPlaza, the most expensive of the malls. It is currently on lock down as one of the 3 key protest locations was right next to it.

 Panamanian hill side

This is the park in front of our building, as viewed from the roof

Panaoramas help to do this view justice.

This is the National Assembly Building, one of the areas of protest this morning.

View down the side of the next building.

Our pool, with Keith across the way taking a picture.

Work clothes (thanks mom) and the bright sunny skyline

The top part that you see is the gym!!!

Hard Rock Cafe Hotel :D

Now we are trying to determine if it is safe to go out and where. Living in a place like this is definitely a new experience, I'm just glad we experience the "effects" of the protests and riots and not actually experience them first hand!!!