Official conference business report: Everything is going well, speakers are connecting to listeners, discussions have been breaking out in sessions, and opinions and expertise have been voiced. We have grown closer to one another in sharing our stories of how the visitor experience works in each of our cases. (Plus, you have to see this hotel. You shall - I have posted choice photos.)
I learned a lot Thursday with my fellow conference attendees and met many new and interesting people
. But the highlight of the day for me was the evening's festivities – a trip to Panama City.
Our hosts, Rick and Alvaro, had outdone themselves – starting with transportation. We were carried into town on "Diablos Rojos" or “Red Devils” – transformed US school buses that looked like brightly light and brightly decorated party buses. Incredible art adorns the outside of each bus – unique to one of the 4 artists in Panama who are commissioned to paint them. Words can’t describe, so here is a picture . . .
So we all get into the bus, and arrive in Panama City at the soon to be opened new BioMuseo. This is one of the most conceptually interesting new museums to be built in the world today, and it has been designed by Frank Gehry, who is a world-renowned architect and coincidentally is married to a Panamanian. The BioMuseo will tell the story of the evolution of the North and South American continents and their unique connection in Panama – we previewed the building, and the museums, and I believe I will need to return to Panama when it officially opens in 2 years.
After dinner at the museum we took the Red Devil to Panama City, and got Balboa beers, and enjoyed having beverages as we walked through Casco Viejo – the old city. Very colonial, very Latin, very friendly.
I have included pictures of our adventures from Thursday evening – More later.
Diane
Evening hijinks in the Red Devil . . .
Friday, May 06, 2011
Gamboa, Colón, Panama
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2025-02-09
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Gretchen Gaede
2011-05-09
Happy Mother's Day - meant to post yesterday, but the day got away form me. We'll have to get together when you get back.
Love, Gretchen and Ryan