Unlikely Sunburns & High School History Lessons Come to Life (Panama)

A few hours after lying out by the pool at our hotel in Panama, I noticed a sunburn in one of the most unlikely of places: my belly button. Yes, it is in fact possible. Who knew.

Anyway, for the last five days, I was in Panama with my friends Kathy, Lauren, and Nichole. I went to see one of the 8th wonders of the modern world… Growing up, my family and I spent many happy summer weekends in and around Duluth, MN, watching the cargo ships entering and leaving the harbor. I was reminded of these times as I watched enormous vessels traverse through the locks of the Panama Canal.

I was impressed by the many men that came from Barbados, Cuba, Mexico, America, and many other countries to sacrifice their sweat, bodies, and even lives to build the canal. I can barely fathom how they managed to engineer such a feat.

Geeky as it may be, it was so interesting learning about all this- in person rather than from a textbook, and who knows but maybe someday I’ll get to interpret a lecture about this, and I’ll actually know what they are talking about! As interpreters, we collect knowledge because the more you know about a topic, the better your interpretation. So, thanks for joining me for my little history lesson for the day!

Adam and Eve wouldn’t have had to such a worry, but next time you don that bathing suit, don’t overlook a little sunscreen application to that fuzz-catching crevice. :)