Layover is defined as a period of time when you are not traveling in the middle of a journey. I usually object to layovers because I prefer to quickly arrive at my destination. I have recently begun to see the benefits of having a layover while traveling. It allows you the opportunity to see multiple cities/countries in one trip. Can you believe that some airports offer free layover tours? After flying from Bogota, Colombia, I chose to layover in Panama City, Panama for 8 hours.
Panama’s official currency is known as the Balboa. One Balboa is equal to one US Dollar. While at the airport, I exchanged Colombian Pesos for US dollars.
As I completed my transaction, the young lady at the currency exchange counter complimented me on my hair. She told me that my afro was pretty and she was glad that I embraced my natural hair. She stated, “airport employers forced her to straighten her hair because is seen as more professional”. She became sad when her niece informed her that she disliked her kinky hair and wanted to straighten her hair. She is now dedicated to returning her own hair to its natural state, teaching her niece to embrace her own hair, and will be starting an online forum which teaches young girls to love the hair they are born with.
I didn’t realize that wearing my hair in its natural state sends a powerful message to women across the world. As women, our hair is seen as a crown of glory. It is time that we embrace our coils, curls, and kinkiness. Repeat after me. I LOVE MY HAIR!
I really wanted to explore the Embera Indian Village but was unable to do so. Instead I went on a quick city tour and stopped in the Historical District of Panama to see sites such as churches, Panama Canal, and Centennial Bridge.
After touring the city, I was picked up by Ali from Poopy Tours.
We traveled to the Curundu neighborhood for lunch. Peach Fuzz International was highly recommended by those who have visited Panama. I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Danny, the owner of this awesome seafood establishment.
Tiffany: Where are you from?
Danny: I am Panamanian but grew up in the United States. In 2005, I officially decided to move back to Panama.
Tiffany: When did you learn to cook?
Danny: My grandfather worked outside of the home and my grandmother cared for the children. She often cooked for her children and grandchildren. At the age of 13, my grandmother decided that she was going to teach the boys in the family how to cook. Traditionally, women do all the cooking at family gatherings. In our family, the men cook and the women eat.
Tiffany: Why did you decide on this location?
Danny: Curundu was considered one of the worst neighborhood with shanty houses and no running water. It was so bad that even the police were afraid to come into the neighborhood due to the deadly crimes. The neighborhood has come along way, I absolutely feel safe here. The locals know me and can appreciate great seafood.
Tiffany: I love supporting Black business. Travelers who visit, say,” you can’t visit Panama without stopping by to taste Danny’s seafood”. The food was delicious. My favorite was the pantacones stuffed with shrimp and of course, the fish was fried to perfection.
Have you ever tried a layover? Did you stay at the airport or were you able to explore the city?
I love travel posts! I often feel like I was there after reading them. You gave a good description of what the people were like. Enjoyed the bit about natural hair, as I am an advocate of it. Good share!
Thank you so much! When I write I want to bring my readers along with me. I was surprised that she gave me a compliment but it was a pleasant surprise.
I just learned something new. Interesting post!
You learn something new every day! Thanks for stopping by to comment 🙂
The fish looks absolutely delicious, Tiffany! I haven’t had a layover longer than 4 hrs yet but this seems to be an interesting way to get a quick overview of a place.
Hello BBP! The fish sooo good! I highly recommend doing a longer layover! Try it out and let me know if you enjoyed or not! Thank you so much for visiting 🙂
Amazing post! I felt as though I was there on the trip as well. My family is from Panama and I would love to visit. Thank you for this and all of the pictures😍
That is so cool! Have you ever visited Panama. If not, hope you have the opportunity to visit soon. It would certainly be fun to visit a country with a Panamanian to see sites that are not commonly seen by tourist.
Great tips! I had a long layover there too, but yours looks way better!
Thanks 🙂
It looks like a beautiful place with beautiful people. Natural hair definitely makes a statement, even here in the States in some places. It’s such a shame that straight hair is seen as professional but the hair that naturally grows from your scalp is somehow unprofessional!
If my layover is in a great place like Panama I certainly wouldn’t mind either! When I can’t see a way around a layover when traveling, I try to select a city that would be fun to tour.
I used to avoid layovers like a plague, I’m so glad I have learned to embrace them. What cities have you toured?
Yes. Layovers can be very useful to break up long trips. I’ve done it when traveling from NYC to Asian destinations to break up the 20+ hour trip.
What Asian destinations have you been on? I have only been to Thailand and loved it 🙂
Your layover looks like it was a ton of fun and beautiful too. I love seeing you do your thang!
What a great idea! We have a 10 hour layover in Miami this summer and are wondering what we should do. We will have our 3 small children with us, so we won’t try to cram too much in…but it’s definitely enough time for us to get out and explore!
I havent been to Miami in a very long time but I hear they have a cool arts district and the beach (getting hands and feet wet) would be great options. Have fun on your upcoming trip 🙂
Thanks for sharing such an amazing post! You look like you had a blast in Panama 🙂
I have loved your journey for a while now. You inspire me. I wish my daughters would take up traveling.
Thank you so much, you are also an inspiration as well. Maybe they will one day, traveling opens up a whole new world. Have them check out my blog for travel inspiration 🙂
I can think of far worse places than Panama City to have an 8 hour layover. Looks like you guys did it right. Nice pics!
Way to make the most of your short time there! I’ve booked long layovers intentionally a couple of times. The first time, I spent 17 hours in Amsterdam on my way home from Poland and we got to do a canal cruise. Another time, I had 6 hours in Las Vegas so I spent it wandering the Strip.
Wow so wonderful to know your hair sent a powerful message.
Loved your travelogue and snippets from the life over there. I love reading these personal stories.
I know most travel blogs write about to do list but I enjoy writing more personal stories, after all I want you to feel as if you are there with me. Thanks for your feedback, it is much appreciated 🙂
I’m definitely a fan of layovers. Like you said, it’s like a vacation inside a vacation. I had no idea that some airports offered layover tours though! I need to check that out.
Yes its several international airports that offer the tours, definitely check them out 🙂
Layovers are definitely a great way to see more countries/cities! Sounds like you had an amazing time in Panama, the people you met sound so lovely 🙂
Yes, I’m now excited to plan more trips with layovers due to this experience 🙂
Oh yes! I love a cheeky stopover and I would be thrilled to get to eat such yummy seafood when I did. Those little pantacones look sooooo good.
The pantacones were so yummy, I could go for some right now. lol Cool thing is you can get them stuffed with different things 🙂
It looks like you really made the most of your layover and made lots of new friends. My husband and I try to schedule layovers or stopovers as well. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to see another city and decide if it’s someplace you would like to come back to.
Michelle that is a great idea and didn’t think of that but it is a great way to see if you want to explore on a longer vacation 🙂 What cities have you been able to explore while on a layover ?
I love that conversation that you had at the currency exchange. It makes me sad that woman’s niece didn’t like her hair- the forum she’s going to create will inspire so many young girls! I would love to check out Panama City- it seems like SUCH a genuine, lovely place!
Hey Anya, I was grateful for the dialogue. Yes it sad about her niece. I think as parents it is super important to empower our young women and let them know they are beautiful on both the outside and in.
I love how your natural hair inspired the workers at the airport. 8 hrs is def enough to get a bit of flavor of a city. Awesome use if a layover!
Yes I was definitely surprised by there comments but I was so happy after meeting them 🙂
We have never had a layover that long that we would be able to explore the city. But it is something we have been talking about trying lately. Funny that I came across this post :). Danny’s seafood looks awesome and a definite must have when visiting. I would also want to see the canal when I visit Panama.
It always happens like that, you talk about something and then you start hearing or seeing that very thing. The food was delicious and I’m glad I could partake. I highly encourage exploring during a long layover 🙂
Looks like you really used your short time well!! I’ve never tried using an extended layover before.. maybe I’ll have to do that on my next trip! 😉
1st time for everything, try it and see if you enjoy, I did 🙂
Looks like you had a great time on your trip. The fish looks amazing!
What a great experience!!! My brother in law is Panamanian and we are often invited to family events and I have a chance to see and enjoy the culture.
That is cool, hopefully you and your family will be able to travel to Panama in the future 🙂
I love, love, love your dress! You are completely adorable! I’ve heard nothing but great things about Panama. I really hope to visit some day.
Awe thank you so much, I actually bought it on the clearance rack at Forever 21. Yes I hope to get back to Panama for a longer stay next time 🙂
I’m always nervous to leave the airport during layovers shorter than 12hrs for fear I won’t get back through customs. I’ll definitely try this on my next long layover shorter than that. You had a great time!
Hey Monique, if you have at least 8-10 hours you would be ok. If you have 3-4 and its traffic, I would say stay at the airport. Yes try it and let me know how it works out 🙂
Great post! I love the part about the woman at the airport and the hair- its true that you should embrace who you are!
Thank you Lauren! I agree, accept yourself first and others will have no choice but to do so.
You totally lucked out, the food looks amazing. I have never had a layover beyond 2 hrs. I need to travel with you.
Hey girl, yes you should travel with me, it looks like you know how to have fun 🙂 The food was really good.
I’ve never been on a plane before but as frustrating as a layover could be I imagine exploring the city would make it really fun!
Wow 😮 Curious to know why you have never rode a plane ✈️ is it fear or you don’t have a desire too? Yes I enjoyed exploring, wish I had more time
Hey Kayvona, Curious to know how you normally travel? Are you afraid of planes? Yes layovers can be really fun if you plan ahead.
We were thisclose to heading to Panama for spring break. Your post makes me wish we had gone. Thanks for sharing!
Awe to bad! Where did you all go for Spring Break?
Awe too bad! Where did you guys end up going for Spring break?
These are some great photos, thanks for sharing
The conversation you had with ladies about natural hair was so precious.
This is the reason I love to travel, you never know the connections and interactions you will make with people! I was inspiring her without the intention to do so, I agree the interaction was very precious