Day 3 – Saturday, October 15, 2005

This is the day of the conference. Dr Rios' group are presenting to approximately 200 med students, doctors and nurses from around Panama. The conference is focused on pediatric medicine.

During the conference, we were taken to the farm home of one of the Panamanian Minister's wife. We were accompanied by one of her good friends and a translator.

The farm was a 45 minute drive from Santiago. Beautiful countryside with treacherous roads after leaving the main highway.

The farm consisted of approximately six sections of land and had been in their family for four generations. Cold, sparkling rivers with mountain spring feeds run through the farm and we visited one of the natural swimming pools formed by a river near the main dwelling. We got to see the cattle and crops that provided the income for the families living on the farm. It was very peaceful and we could have spent several days there instead of just a few hours. We were served a rice dish and wine and than returned to the city.

Randy had made it to Santiago in our absence along with the ailing doctor (now in good shape). They had been driven to Santiago from Panama City.

That afternoon we were able to watch the Astros in Spanish. Later in the evening we took the University bus across the street for a seafood dinner and from there we went to watch a professional soccer game. The team is partially owned by Dr Rios and they are ranked second in
the country. That night they beat their arch rivals. We only saw part of the game and at half time we went across the field and had our pictures taken with the soccer players. Trying to leave the stadium in the crush of spectators made us realize how some fans manage to get trampled at latin soccer games.

We returned to the hotel and dressed for another reception for the group from Houston. Again, we were entertained with dancers, etc., and doctors were all presented with gifts from the University staff. We were even given a small gift. It was fun watching all the Panamanians dance.

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