Panama
Trip Start
Dec 11, 2008
1
2
33
Trip End
Apr 30, 2009
Where I stayed
Panama City, Panama
Friday, December 12, 2008
The plane touched down at the Tocuman Airport in Panama close to midnight. We took the first taxi we saw and got into the city. With most of the hotel fully booked, we "crashed" at Residential Touristico Volcan for the night. We stayed here seven years ago, the last time we were in this tropical city. The place has not changed, still a jail cell room with cold water showers.
Next day we were glad to move to the nearby hotel Veracruz, a respectable hotel for $55 per night, at least it had clean sheets, air conditioning and warm water showers.
Panama, hot and humid, a big melting pot of latinos, carribbean blacks, along with a multi influx of tourists from Venezuela, Columbia, and the United States. Food is still cheap at $5 for basic dinner at a hotel resturant, taxi usually around $3. People are very helpful and some speak good English.
Last time when we are here seven years ago, we had it rough as Juliette lost her bag and all the IDs and money. We reluctently stayed for 2 weeks to get everything organized. This time around, we exocisted our past demons, and Panama, the city named "the bridge of the Americas", is our starting point. This chaotically beautiful city is pleasant and well worth the visit.
My basic understanding of Spanish is slowly coming back, Juliette is already fluent. Long road ahead still.... hopefully good weather and travel will come our way.... ciao.
