Quiet Blog

Big day tomorrow!

We are making a road trip. Granted it is only a day trip but we have graduated!  We are renting a car tomorrow and heading to two beaches within driving distance of Panama City.  All other beaches — and they are probably the best ones — require a flight or a very long drive.  Isn’t that surprising?  Panama is a very small country, yet to reach must-do Panamanian destinations like David, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and of course, the San Blas Islands from Panama City, a flight is often the best way to travel.

We plan to see Punta Charme, often described as Panama’s most beautiful beach, and Playa de Coronado.  Both are in the same area of the country.  We will get the nearby beaches under our belts then lock down a three or four day sail through the islands of San Blas later.  San Blas is said to be one of the most beautiful group of islands on earth and for the most part have been left in pristine conditions, meaning no electricity except via generator, no WIFI, no indoor plumbing and most people overnight in wooden huts.  We are considering making our trip among the islands via boat day and overnight.  Stan has talked about having a sail boat and sailing the tropics since I’ve known the man.  Of course, neither of us knows how to sail.  He says this trip would help fulfill his sailing dream.

My blog has been quiet for the last few days, yes.  That’s because I had to make a necessary flight back to the US to have a follow-up breast exam performed.  When a call back for diagnostic mammogram is required, do not mess around.  Do not delay! Do not postpone!  Thankfully the follow-up exam proved all clear for me and surely put my mind is at ease.  Thank you to the few who knew about it and the prayers you offered.

Negative Covid test in hand, I flew to Atlanta mid-afternoon on Monday and returned to Panama on Wednesday.  It was a quick trip indeed but I got so much done!  In addition to the planned exam, I saw a dermatologist for a new peculiar spot on my arm.  It wasn’t there a month ago so I decided to have it checked while I could.  I received an all clear on that as well, thank goodness!  I stopped by the bank to change big bills for one dollar bills – many items are sold on the street in Panama, like fresh tropical fruit, huge luscious avocados, raspados, and cold drinks.  Everything is a dollar or in the case of avocados, $2.  These vendors will pass on a sale rather than make change for a $20.  I came back to Panama with $200 in ones, talk about a wad of cash!  While in Atlanta I surprised the folks conducting pantry day at Solidarity Sandy Springs by stopping by.  I didn’t give anyone warning that I might visit because I just didn’t know if I could make it there by 1:30 pm the time everyone leaves for the day.  Talk about hugs!!  I got some really good ones and many requests to carry hugs back to Panama for Stan – we sure miss that place, its volunteers and the privilege of helping serve the underserved. 

With a little time left, I had my hair trimmed and got a mani-pedi.  Check!  All lady-type necessities done!  This happy day was topped off by dinner with Cody.  At 9:45 the next morning I was back on a plane heading south.

There was one little hiccup at the airport.  I tried to check in 24-hours ahead online.  The site said I’d need to see an agent.  I thought it might be something weird with my phone.  At the airport I tried the kiosk.  It too said, see an agent.  I did.  They asked when I planned to return from Panama.  I told them I planned to leave Panama and head to Columbia next February.  Do you have your reservation?  No, I said.  I fly standby when I can.  Well, they said, you cannot return to Panama without a reservation to leave their country.  I argued with two agents and a manager.  A bit of a scramble later, Stan made a temporary reservation for me and voila, I was eligible to fly and still had time to catch my planned flight.  Nothing like a little jolt like that in the morning to get you going!  Better than a double shot espresso.  Lesson learned, read all the info on entering and exiting a country.  Seems the agent who handled our check-in and baggage drop back in October overlooked this Panamanian regulation.

I am grateful for my good medical reports and I’m happy I got an unexpected chance to see friends and my darling Cody, of course, but I am happiest now to be back where I belong — with Stan.