Crossing the border into Panama proves to be the biggest challenge thus far. We arrive at the check out office, on the Costa Rican side at 5 am. Office doesn't open till 6am. A long line of people stand next to the semi's - all waiting for their stamp. Sky turns from black to blue to white and finally the line is moving.
Following the stamp we all walk in no mans land between the Costa Rican and Panamanian office. Here again we must wait i line. Only one window is open. Pride is taken in slowing the pace. Rumors spread that a return ticket is necessary in order to enter. I have none as I'll be continuing south with unplanned method.
Forced to buy a return bus ticket to Costa Rica I finally get my stamp and am let in. Last step is the baggage check. The whole ordeal ends up taking about 4 hours - but we all make it and none are turned away.
It's Saturday and road to Panama City is dotted with bike riders on race bikes with numbers on their backs. The road is closed and forces a detour through a neighborhood with low hanging power lines. One such line get caught on the bus - a web all gets pulled in the wrong direction and televisions inside homes turn black.
We cross high above the Panama Canal before entering the city and arriving at the fine looking bus terminal. The city in the distance looks more like Miami or Hong Kong then what I was expecting to find.
A taxi drives a group of us all going the same direction - Casco Viejo - the old French quarters.
Han and I check into the same hostel and go for a walk.
"ladies" bent in neon and the "coca cola cafe". It's humid and surprisingly quiet in the streets.
Overall there is a good vibe, very different for the other cities I've passed through the last week.
We have dinner at a cafe showing skateboarding on tv.
My stomach finally feeling better.
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