Panama City - It´s all about the visa

Trip Start Sep 09, 2008
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Trip End Aug 17, 2009


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Flag of Panama  ,
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

After believing we would arrive around 5.30am Monday morning here in Panama City, we actually pulled into the bus terminal at 2.30am, a slight miss calculation on my part. We attempted to get some sleep, making the most of our concrete beds, the station floor. After an hour or two we all decided it was a pointless exercise and so grabbed a coffee and a chocolate bar each. As the sun began to creep onto the horizon we loaded our backpacks onto a chicken bus and headed into the awakening city. I love the hustle and bustle of a city stirring in the early hours and this was no exception as the bus tore through the awakening streets. We were dropped off near to the waterīs edge and walked down the main Boulevard with the backdrop of Panama Cityīs rising skyline looming behind us. It was a contrast to the old part of town that we have been staying in these past few nights. Itīs quite a place what with itīs crumbling colonial buildings, stray dogs and colorful locals.
Panama city is all about one thing and thatīs our visas for India and so the day after we arrived we made our way to the embassy armed with all the necessary documents. We were told that it would take five working days to issue our visas due to the fact that we were applying outside of our countries of origin. With the visa problem all but sorted we had to decide where we would spend Mishīs birthday. After looking at the map we opted for Bocas Del toro, a group of islands to the north west of the country. Here we would be able to enjoy a few days of sunshine, snorkeling and kayaking once again the the crystal clear Caribbean sea.
Cities donīt hold much for either of us and we have grown much more attached to our time spent beside the sea, lake or in smaller villages and towns. Panama City is no exception to the rule. We have explored the bars at night and we have tried out a few eating spots. Itīs hard to get worked up about the place. Our only real diversion came in the way of a trip to the casino, where our backpacker budget didnīt stretch too far but far enough for us to enjoy the experience. It was just as much fun to watch the serious gamblers throwing away their money and their varying reaction to a big loss, some being gracious in defeat and other throwing tantrums of the highest order. I made full use of the free drink situation and walked out of the place happy that I hadnīt blown a weeks money, haha. Tomorrow we head west out of the city and onwards towards the islands. I canīt wait to get to India and use railways once again!

XXX
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