April 1-9: Panama City Redeems Itself!
Trip Start
Jan 13, 2009
1
26
Trip End
Apr 09, 2009
Panama City, Panama
Thursday, April 2, 2009
We got a cab to the area of town we wanted to go to, and the scummy driver allowed both Joseph and Andrea to pay him (each didn't know the other paid) so that he got a double fare out of the deal. At least this was our very last taxi ride in Central America. From here on out out we'll take the Panama City public buses, which look like terrors on wheels but only cost .25 each and are very easy to figure out.
The buses are hilarious. They are traditional school buses but have usually been painted bright colors and airbrushed with voluptuous women and cartoon characters. They're all 'souped' up, with big smokestacks on the back and sometimes even shark fins stuck to the tops. When you get in, they may even have a blacklight on the inside with a feather boa or some form of 'bling' adorning the rearview mirror. If they are going longer distances, they'll blare loud music for the entire trip. Buses in Panama, above all Panama City, are definitely an experience.
After verifying prices at about 10 different hotels, we found that no one was going to rent us a decent room for less that $25/day. This would be the most we've ever spent on a room in Central or South America, but we gave in to the lures of AC and cable. We checked out a couple in that range and found one that is extremely nice, very clean with starched white sheets, a vanity and hot water! We figure we can keep the overall budget down if we just hang out in our rooms all day, eating next to nothing and limiting our activities to bus rides and walking.
After getting settled we took a bus to the mall so Joel could get cigars and we could walk around for a bit. Clothes in Panama are sooo cheap! I feel spoiled. I got a pair of shorts and two shirts for $10.
Back near our hotel, we found an awesome Chinese restaurant for dinner. $3.50 buys a giant plate of food that is enough for two people and even comes with a soda. Between the nice hotel, cheap clothes and good food, Panama City has redeemed itself!
(Apr. 2) Walked down past Plaza Cinco de Maya to the pedestrian street with an even greater abundance of cheap clothes for sale. Joseph was a trooper and survived a full three hours of shopping, being that he was fortified by an excellent .50 icecream cone partway through.
It was back to the Chinese food restaurant for dinner and, if possible, I think we got even more food tonight. We shall return...
(Apr. 3) Went to the dentist and got two cleanings, two sealants and three fillings for $155. Not cheap but certainly cheaper than in the US.
(Apr. 4) Happy Birthday Mom!
(Apr. 7) Went to the mall and got robbed on the bus ride back. Somebody behind us on the bus stole Andrea's wallet from Joel's back pocket and got our camera. We chased down a couple of guys who had been behind us and did nothing short of a strip search but didn't find anything. Just like in South America, it happened just before our flight home after having had nothing stolen the entire trip. Bummer.
(Apr. 9) Flight leaves at 2pm!!! Will be in Vegas by 9 :)
