First Week in Panama!

Hello from David, Panama, in the beautiful Chiriqui province! Luis and I have been here for less than a week and already we have seen so much that I think it would take hours to really tell all the stories! Panama is even more beautiful than I imagined. The Chiriqui region is so rich and green and full of life that from the comfort of Luis father's air conditioned car there are endless sights to behold.
This is how our journey began:
On Wednesday last week we woke up to a very slushy and snowy Montreal. I thought to myself that it was definitely time to get out of Montreal. Luis and I were nervous that we might not actually make it out that day because of the snow. The cab driver who took us to the airport told us that many flights were cancelled or delayed that day. Nevertheless we took our suitcases and backpacks into the cab to try our luck at the airport. Luis carried me and my backpack over a deep pool of slush. I didn't bring winter boots because I certainly wouldn't be needing them in Panama. The taxi wheels struggled in the snow for a few tense moments and then we were off. We made it to our gate in plenty of time and even had time for a cup of second cup coffee. We situated ourselves as comfortably as possible in our small airplanes seats for the flight to Newark. The pilot announced that we would be waiting for an hour to be in line to de-ice the plane, and that we would then be in line for one hour to de-ice the plane! This turned into four and a half hours of waiting before we even left Montreal! This left us an half hour window to get to our gate for Panama City and eat a quick slice of expensive airport pizza while gawking at the huge crowd of people headed for Panama right next to another large crowd heading for Hamburg . The big plane for Panama City was very comfortable. A big lady with highly processed blond hair and an eggplantesque physique sitting behind us hit Luis on the head with a pizza box getting up to use the lavatory and earned herself the name ¨Queen Kong.¨ She didn't even notice. We were seated next to a young man in a black t-shirt with the word ¨Unlearn¨ on the front. At first we didn't talk with him. Toward the end of the flight we learned that he was a McGill student from Panama City and that he lived about one street away from us in Montreal!
He was amused by some of the Spanish slang that Luis had taught me and we shared the experience of descending into Panama with him. It was dark outside by the time we arrived. From the window on the way we were able to see what must have been Cuba and perhaps some of Florida. When we fly back in January I look forward to the daylight view of these places from the window. The first images of Panama were trees, trees, and trees and waves hitting a dark shore. I noticed that there were fewer lights brightening the streets than I have seen in american cities at night. Exiting the plane we were immediately hit with the hot aroma of plants. I felt a slight hint of fear at being separated from Luis in the ¨strangers¨ line while he walked smoothly through the Panamanian natives line for customs. I showed the customs officer my passport and he instructed me to give 5 dollars to a random teenager who stood with a crumpled ¨Tourist's card¨ in his hand. ¨Excuse me?¨I looked from the teenager to the customs officer, shrugged inside and gave him the money. Welcome to Panama!
Luis's parents were there waiting for the two weary travellers and greeted us with hugs and kisses. Their friend from Panama City came to help them drive to the airport and we all took the suitcases to the car. We stopped briefly at a restaurant to have a bite to eat. My first meal in Panama was a plate of cooked vegetables in butter. Since I have been here I have noticed that when vegetables are involved, butter is also usually involved. In restaurants the fact that I am vegetarian isn't a problem although I get the occasional funny look accompanied by a ¨crazy gringos¨ type nod.
That night in Panama we slept in a very nice hotel called Hotel Sevilla. I would have likedto have used the pool, but we were too tired. I liked the orange and green bedspread and curtain. The colors in the room reminded me of a Shakespeare play. The view from the window showed houses and faded apartments with laundry hanging out to dry. There were other hotels and beyond that the cranes and machines used for city construction. We ate a delicious breakfast on the top floor of the hotel. I was happy to wear my butterfly skirt and sheer blue shirt again and to feel the air on my skin after what feels like a long time. There were lots of windows showing th pale blue sky, and the trees on the hill at the edge of the city. We drank yellow paper cups of Duran coffee from Panama. We ate pastries and fresh fruit. Even though I knew the fruit would be good I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious taste of fresh tart orange juice!
Luis parents met us at the hotel and we drove around the city. Luis father entertained us by telling us a story about himself. Luis father is from the country and he had a little truck. At one time he was asked to move a horse through Panama city in the back. He charged 3 dollars to move the horse through the city, but everybody told him he should have charged 5 dollars instead. He accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up bringing the horse through the busy downtown area and the market. It must have been a funny sight. He was stopped by a police officer and I am sure he was nervous about what he might say. Luckilly the police officer was also from the country and he let him pass.
Before we made the 6 hour trip to Luis hometown of David we spent a little bit of time driving to see the Bridge of the Americas and the entrance to the Panama Canal and to see a beautiful view of the city skyline from three islands. The sunlight and the air felt absolutely amazing and we watched fish swimming from the harbor. We also made a stop at Luis grandfather's house in a very elite area in Panama City. The house was full of beautiful ironwork that Luis grandfather had done himself over the years and some artwork that Luis stepgrandmother made. We met their little dog named Chester who was very sweet and wanted a lot of attention. I now know how to talk to dogs in Spanish! The back patio gave us a glimpse of green grass and plants and several lovely birds. I was quite impressed, but since then I have seen so many more amazing trees, plants, and birds!
Well, I am starting to get tired of writing, but there is still so much more to tell. The drive to David that day was so full of things to describe that I will have to write it in another entry! I saw horses, rivers, people, dogs, birds....so many things. I'll write more very soon! I wish everyone well and I am having a wonderful time in Panama!