Panama Canal

 There's not much to say. 

A pilot -- someone who was experienced and specializing in taking ships through difficult channels -- came aboard and navigated the ship.

I'm not sure about this, but I think the canal was owned by Panama but under permanent contract with the US. 

I remember that we had some problem; we had 2 engines on the ship and one of them temporarily gave out.  Whoever had the conn (IDK the source of this word, but it means command) had some difficulties.  I was managing the deck crew, and we had to use our fenders, our big bumpers (3-4 feet long, round 1.5 feet in diameter) to keep us bouncing off the side. We went through 3 locks -- I can't remember -- and there was some difference in height. In the middle of the Panama canal is a lake; ships had to go through 2 locks on one side and 1 lock on the other side. I think we had to go through 2 locks first to raise the ship to the lake then 1 lock to lower the ship to the Atlantic. 

As soon as we were going through the canal, we were aware there was some geologic uncertainty. I can't remember the name of the hill but we were afraid it was going to slide down into the canal. 

We were in Panama for a couple days. I went down town. I was wearing a short sleeve sportshirt and in the pocket was a pen of the old style -- one that you squeeze to fill with ink.  A couple of young urchins (10-11 years old) surrounded me suddenly; one of them had in his hand a magazine or folded newspaper hitting my chest -- they were after my pen. They used the paper to conceal the hand that grabbed my pen. As soon as they got my pen they ran. Perhaps I should have been scared but I wasn't. 

I bought fabric for Joan there. It was green with white embroidery. Nana made a skirt out of it.  I bought sportshirt for my dad which I have. I also bought an aquamarine gemstone. I kept the gemstone in my dresser drawer for over 50 years then had a pendant made for Joan with a singular small diamond.  The first time she wore it the clasp broke, and we lost it.