Seeing
the Panama Canal was the prize piece of this trip. We have enjoyed our previous
stops in the Bahamas and Cartagena, and will enjoy our visits on the West Coast
(Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, etc.), but this was what we came to
see.
Intermittent
mist notwithstanding, this full-day passing through the important historical,
engineering and geographic landmark lived up to our expectations. We sat on the
balcony and watched the waters rise and fall, the lines be secured and freed,
passed through the mountain cuts, followed huge cargo ships, saw the progress
and the third set of locks progressing.
The
guest speaker yesterday afternoon ducked the political questions, although he
did disabuse one guy of his notion that the Panama Canal is being run by the
Chinese. (Where do people get this stuff? Never mind, I know.) Whether
President Carter achieved his goal 40 years ago of improving the U.S. image in
Central America and/or reducing its boot print in the area is still an
unanswered question. Well, it’s unanswered by history; the current answer
depends on one’s political point of view. But my favorite story about that
contentious period (yes, so old I teach history from memory now—but I think it’s
worth noting that it’s a non-issue except for those who are continuing
congregants at Our Lady of the Perpetually Pissed) comes from a reporter
questioning Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) about whether we should keep the Panama
Canal. How long ago this was is clear from his answer: “Hell, yes, we should
keep it. After all, we stole it fair and square!”
In any
case, we enjoyed the ride.
Tomorrow
is a day at sea, and I may (finally?) put down my thoughts and compilation of
responses to the daily barrage of questions we’ve gotten about Ferguson. I like
to think I take a middle ground, making it likely I can offend everyone. Sigh.
I will
soon add pictures to at least some of the previous entries, as well as today’s,
for those who are interested.
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