I’m seventy-four years old and took to my first Pilates class ever yesterday. Do you practice Pilates??? I think it will do me good. I’m pretty strong for a little old lady but my core sure could use some work. Among other Pilates’ benefits the core can be vastly strengthened. A strong core aligns the back, narrows the waist (theoretically) and improves balance — super, super important as we grow older.
I had a private lesson with a young woman who speaks English and enjoys the fact that she can practice her English while teaching me. Right now I absolutely must hear all the instructions in English but I hope later on she will revert to using a little Spanish so I can get some language practice myself. I thought I was flexible. I can touch my toes and grab the bottom my feet while standing. Oh, but I learned today that is not nearly enough! Form is critical and the exercise/stretching equipment includes some very peculiar contraptions. The hardest part of the exercise program is the brainwork that accompanies the pushes and pulls. The tailbone must be tucked in. The middle back must be flat on the floor, belly button pulled toward the back and the shoulders relaxed. Try that, will ya? My instructor, Danella, had to remind me over and over again to relax my shoulders.
Stay tuned to see how I feel in the morning.
After class I met Stan on the pool deck. He’d been hanging out there after his gym workout until he could see me walking back to the apartment. He had our day planned. He grilled one of his delicious grilled ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch then we headed out for trip to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal. He’s been dying to go there. We actually passed through the Panama Canal a few years ago on a cruise ship and enjoyed a firsthand look at the process. While I was not enthralled about this outing today it was something to get us out of the house and it made Stan happy.
Creation of the locks system is an amazing engineering feat and passage through them is quite fascinating to watch. Actually the process is much better understood watching from the land perspective than it was from our ship’s view before. Ok, picture this: First, the canal is not just a big ditch cut across the country. It is set of man-made structures that connect two lakes that in effect create a canal passageway through Panama from ocean to ocean. In order to pass through the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic and vice versa ships must maneuver through three sets of locks that act as elevators that raise and lower ships a total of 87 feet from ocean to ocean. The raising helps ships reach the level of water in the lakes and the lowering brings them back down to the level of the opposite ocean. Traveling from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic for example, vessels pass first through the Miraflores Locks just outside Panama City to the small Miraflores Lake, then through the San Pedro Miguel locks to the grand Gatun Lake and the finally through the Gatun Locks in to the Atlantic Ocean near Colon, Panama. Please understand this is definitely no scientific account – it’s my simple understanding of this very complicated and miraculous process.
We watched several vessels pass through the locks with only inches to spare from the walls on either side of the locks. This precarious passage is controlled by cables attached from the ship to electric “mules” that travel cogged tracks along both side of the locks. The cables pull the vessel and also provide tension on either side of it which keeps the vessel from touching the walls of the locks. It’s a very tight fit.
Over time the shipping industry and cruise lines began to build much wider and deeper ships than those of 1914 when the system first opened. In 2016 construction on two new set of locks was completed near to the original Miraflores Locks and Gatun locks. These new locks enable the newer ships one and a half times original capacity to enter the lakes to begin their journey through the canal.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching and learning about the canal, and having seen ships enter the canal from the Pacific, I’d now to make a day trip to Colon to witness the passage of vessels from the canal into the Atlantic.
In the evening although we had to peek between buildings, the sky was clear enough for us to see that glorious full moon over Panama. Knowing we may be joining loved ones at home in gazing at that very same beautiful moon made the distance between us seem much less vast.
In the background a huge container ship is passing through the new larger locks 
“We are the canal; together we are Panama” 
Note the close fit! 
My thoughts about the Panama Canal always begin with the terrible loss of lives during construction. According to hospital records, 5,609 died of diseases and accidents during the U.S. construction period. Of these, 4,500 were West Indian workers. A total of 350 white Americans died. I know it’s an engineering feat of great renown and it’s saved many lives since no one has to go around the dangerous southern route but I can’t help but want to remember those who gave their lives to the project.
Sadly you are correct. And another 20,000 died during the earlier French attempt to build the canal. While other monumental construction projects suffered tremendous death toll, the Panama Canal project remains the deadliest.
Thanks for bring up this important point.
I loved seeing that when I was there in 1999 but didn’t know now there are new locks. What an adventure you are one. I tell people here how inspiring this is to me that you are having this adventure I hope we’re fit enough to do it once Reto retires. I started pilates this year as well and love it. Hope you continue I believe it’s something really great and yoga hasnever been my thing so I’m happy I found this form of exercise. Keep enjoying life!
Barry, thanks for your encouragement! The bad part about this kind of life is that unless you are independently wealthy or don’t mind living on nothing, most people have to wait until retirement — which in our case means we are old. Old in years, yes! But fortunately we both are fit, still love learning and exploring and we have lots of energy. We don’t know how long that will last. Who ever does? Still that’s why we have poured ourselves into this adventure. It’s not for everyone but I’m sure happy it works for us . . . and you and Reto too some day.
As for Pilates — I’m excited!
Big hugs to you!
We traveled half way through the Panama Canal and back for our 55th Anniversary. Our favorite cruise, very interesting journey. So much history and a success thanks to the USA who completed this difficult task. Enjoying your blog, stay safe and healthy.
Sharon– I’m glad you and Woody got to see The Panama Canal first hand. It is a completely fascinating process and the mere thought of what it took to construct it is a bit overwhelming! Y’all take care and enjoy each other. And thanks for following my blog!!