I somehow managed to work my way back to David, Panama on Wednesday (5/27). I am going to need a few days to get settled back in. The hotel stores my 'stuff' for me when I am gone, so I have to unpack and put away more than just my suitcase. But, here is a quick update. And, I will soon get back to normal (whatever that is) and start doing regular blog updates.
Back In The USA
I canceled my planned return last December as I was sitting on the balcony in flip-flops and shorts and I 'discovered' that it was cold and wintry in most of the U.S. Duh! (My new plan is to go back in April and September.) Therefore, it had been a year since I had been back to the States. So, there where some things that I was no longer used to, many of which I found amusing.
- I overheard a young lady complain, "I don't have any back pockets in these britches."
- In a similar vein, another woman was looking for her pocketbook (not her purse)
- I had also forgotten how many Southerners of all ages refer to their father as their daddy
- Many stores in Wilmington sell coozies - your choice, fits either a can or a long-neck. And, a lot of folks carry them around in their purse or back pocket.
- And, I hadn't seen ball caps worn backwards for a year. And, the number of adult males so afflicted still surprises me. Proof positive that certain people enter the gene pool only because the lifeguards were not paying attention?
Other interesting sightings.
- A construction pickup truck was sitting in the parking lot loaded down with huge tool boxes, construction materials and several ladders of various sizes and types. The ironic part? The truck was in a handicapped spot with a handicapped placard hanging on the rear-view mirror. Go figure????
- I noticed a startling placard on the glass of the entry door to a convenience store. It was the red circle with a diagonal line through it that normally includes script that is a big "P" or a graphic of a cigarette, or a 'no whatever' of some other variety. However, this sign had a graphic depicting a gun. A couple of days later I saw the same sign on the door of a Bank of America branch. Must cramp Bubba's style to have to leave his .45 in the pickup every time he goes in the bank or a 7-11.
And, yes, everyday I made it a point to indulge in 'rare' items - BBQ, grits, biscuits & sausage gravy, or 7-11 chili dogs. A red letter day included them all!
Charlotte Non-Stop To San Jose, Costa Rica
I ran into a new twist at the Charlotte airport on this trip. You have never been able to use curbside baggage check-in on international flights because of the passport review requirement. Only a properly authorized airline employee could do the passport check. So, inside, when I got to the head of the line, I was motioned to the next empty baggage scale, but the agent then walked off. It took a minute for me to realize that I was facing a machine - a machine similar to an ATM. The screen said "Scan your passport and credit card when prompted. Push 'Start' to proceed." (The first page of your passport has a UPC code across the bottom. And, the credit card is required to pay the U.S. Airways baggage charge.)
I scanned my passport and was then directed to insert my credit card. The machine then advised me that I owed $30 for my bag because I was overweight. When I pushed the 'OK' button, I was then advised that I could upgrade to first-class for $125 AND there was no charge for baggage for first-class passengers. I had no idea what amenities are included in modern day first-class, but I did know that my long legs were facing a four hour flight, and my bum leg is still painful and swollen. No brainer? And, pretty clever marketing by U.S. Air, huh?
The result was a big, wide comfortable seat with legroom and a complimentary Bloody Mary before they even started the engines. A meal was served (only slightly better than the airline meals of days past), and the bar was opened the entire flight. Good flight.
Hello Costa Rica!
As we approached the airport in San Jose (or more precisely, the city of Alejuela approximately 15 miles outside of downtown San Jose), the pilot announced that we were being put into a holding pattern because of an electronic equipment problem of some time at the airport. Since I was not flying out to David until the next morning, the 30 minute delay he anticipated did not bother me. I really chilled out when an angel arrived at my seat just as the pilot finished his announcement, delivering me a Crown Royal on the rocks. For me? (The angel had been known up to that point as the stewardess!) The delay was in fact only about 30 minutes.
However, the impact of the delay was yet to come. As hard as airport and airline officials try to spread out overseas flight arrivals to smooth the flow through customs and immigration, the delay had resulted in four, and maybe five, overseas flights hitting immigration at about the same time. What a mess! Since I had been through immigration here on several occasions, I knew that the long hallway filled with people led to a second long hallway into the immigration area. And, the immigration area is configured with ropes and stanchions tp direct a serpentine line. Therefore, hundreds of people in line. So I had a seat in the closest boarding gate area and got my book out. This bothered a young security guy who came over twice to tell me I had to get in line. But, since the first hall still was half full with people I just went, "Si, si", and kept reading. A few minutes later he showed up with a supervisor, so I told him that I had a "malo pie" (bad foot) and showed him my (still) swollen and red foot. That seemed to satisfy him. But, a few minutes later he showed up with a wheel chair. Oops! I got in line instead, exaggerating a limp. Ha!
I had gotten a really good offer from Expedia to stay overnight in a spa resort, complete with restaurant, casino and breakfast included. The Hotel Martino is about 20 minutes from the airport, but 'the deal' made it about half the price of hotels close to the airport including the Holiday Inn Express. Plus the scenery on the ride into the foothills around Alejuela, via the hotel's van, was supposed to make the drive worth the trouble. Ok. Well, when the van pulled away from the curb it began to sprinkle, and by the time we got off the airport grounds it was pouring as it can only pour in the tropics. All the way to the hotel the only thing you could see (sometimes) was the tail lights of the vehicle in front of us. When we got to the hotel, the driver drove right up the covered entryway sidewalk to the front door. After I checked in I discovered that the big building I was in housed the bar, restaurant, casino, etc, but all the rooms (including mine) where in buildings strung out over the grounds. Transport for me and my luggage was available by golf cart - golf cart in a pouring, wind driven rain? The alternative? Wait it out in the bar. The briar patch?
The Hotel Martino was beautiful and the restaurant was excellent - first class sea food fare. The sun drenched ride to the airport the next morning was indeed worth the ride. And, the flight to David was uneventful and only one hour long.
On To David
The surprise of the day was at the airport in David. All the immigration inspectors, customs employees and people who inspect baggage where wearing surgical masks and gloves. In addition, there were medical people in the processing area who administered a health questionnaire, passed out a swine flu handout and took everyone's temperature. What's that all about? Well, I read in the paper later that there have been 77 confirmed swine flu deaths in Panama. Doesn't sound like that many until you take into account the population base. If you consider Panama's population (3M) and compare it to the U.S., a similar epidemic in the U.S. would result in 7,700 deaths. Oh, that is a little different perspective , huh?
Two hours after I got to my hotel (home), it rained like I have never seen it in David complete with window-rattling lightning and thunder (also unusual). Sir, is that black cloud following you?
In future postings I'll provide updates on the cruise, some travel information and the latest from Panama and Central America.
Till Next Time. Pura Vida!
Click on the thumbnails to view photos full-size
I don´t think we are in North Carolina anymore!
Bubba, I don´t think that´s a carp.
No comment required on this beauty!
Ditto!
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