Class XIII Arrives in Panama City

By Mike Danna
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations Director

Good morning from Panama City.

Class 13 of the LSU AgLeadership Program touched down in the Canal Zone at 9:51 p.m. EST after an uneventful three-hour flight from Miami.  Current temperature, which is always the current temperature regardless of time of day, is 82 with an expected high of 90.

Our day begins with a brief tour of downtown Panama, followed by a visit to the Melo Egg production plant.  For those of you following Outtakes & Observations, I’ll be updating the blog daily as long as I have Internet access.  At our current hotel, the Hotel El Panama, the connection is solid.  I’m told Nicaragua’s Internet is sketchy as best, so if we’re down I’ll try to post a few photos to the TWILA Facebook page if I can get a cell signal.

For those who work with Lisa Register, she and Joey are no worse for wear after the flight and I was told that several of you would be looking for photos.  Jim Monroe’s the best shooter this side of the Great Wall, so we’ll have plenty of pix coming later this evening.

Lisa and I briefly discussed her meal preferences.  Apparently she’s not a big rice and beans fans (something tells me chicken), so hopefully she’ll find something to suit her tastes.  I’ve met a few class members and got a chance to briefly visit with them.  Ed Reeves is a property manager for A. Wilbert’s Sons, a large timber and land management company.  I became familiar with Wilbert when I traveled with Vic Blanchard from Class 12 in 2012.  Ed’s wife Ann is traveling with him.

Derek Albert and I visited on the plane.  Derek is a farmer and farm journalist who’s been writing about agriculture for years.  I’m looking forward to visiting with him as well.  There aren’t too many farm journalists so I know he’ll keep me honest as I document our travels through Central America.

A big shout out to Cheryl Duplechain, Bobby’s administrative assistant, for getting all the tickets and travel documents lined up for us as we departed New Orleans.  A trip like this is all about the small details and we’ll be relying on Cheryl in a big way over the next 12 days.

Thanks for following.  Until next time…