Panama

It was hard to leave Shaun and Lariana but I headed south to Panama. I took a bus to a Manzillo from San Jose. It was the furthest south a bus went at the time I was leaving. It turned out to be a very small town. The grocery store was about the size of my hotel room. Fortunately I arrived at the right time. There was a stage set up on the beach and a band playing. It was a good small town time.

The next day, I felt a little sick but headed for the boarder. I must have just missed Chad, Paul, Liz and Katrina in the town I switched buses in. It would have been nice see them again and say goodbye. I was planning on hanging out with them for a couple of days but I have to move towards Caracas as I have little more than two weeks left.

The boarder crossing was a little strange. There was no security to mention and I could have easily smuggled a nuclear bomb. You have to watch these types of boarders because it's easy to miss getting the passport stamped. In this case the entry to Panama was one of the smallest buildings around. I had to ask the police where to go because they sure weren't going to tell me otherwise. They had flies to swat.

I was still feeling ill so I got a hotel and decided to go to Panama City the next morning. I knew that I would be back to Costa Rica so I can see the rest of Panama some other time. I bought a ticket for $22 on a first class buss and missed it the next morning. I don't know if you've ever looked at Central America on a map but one wouldn't think that there is more than one time zone. Panama is an hour ahead.

Anyway, I chicken bussed it for about 5 hours then took a nice bus for another 7. I checked into the hotel Shaun told me. It's expensive at $25 a nigh, far more than I have paid before, but Panama City would seem to be the place to live a little. There is a swimming pool on the roof with a fantastic view of the city. Tomorrow, I will look into how to get to Columbia - either boat or air. I have to see the canal too.