Panamanians are extremely friendly and receptive to Americans. For decades the United States had a major influence in Panama, because of the Panama Canal. In fact, the American dollar is the official currency used in Panama. Monterrey is the third largest city in Mexico with a population of 3 million. It is situated in a valley between the Cerro de la Silla mountains from the east and the Cerro de las Mitras mountains in the west.
Evenings are cool and days can be quite warm.
Monterrey has a modern metro system with an entrance beside the Howard Johnson Hotel, the hotel of choice for TLC clients. Monterrey is a modern industrial city with a highly skilled and educated population. The downtown area has undergone renewal and remodeling with a number of architecturally interesting buildings. The Grand Plaza is claimed to be the biggest civic square in the world. It contains numerous retail stores, souvenir shops, restaurants and other fine establishments of interest.