Pedasi here we come again

We left our house in Calgary about 3:45 AM to get to the airport in plenty of time for our 6 AM flight (thank you Heather, much appreciated). It was so cold, at least -23C. Even though we were going to be in Panama City by evening, I decided to wear a warm jacket ‘just in case’ we didn’t make our connections. With a 50 minute lay over in Denver, and 70 minutes in Houston (which included a change in terminal), I had no comfort level that we would actually make those connecting flights. But we did! Everything went like clockwork.

Thankfully we had time in Calgary to go to the lounge to get breakfast as we sure didn’t in either Denver or Houston, and I am not a lover of airplane food. Yes, we were in the cheap seats 🙂

Denver Airport was a mad dash, however Houston felt like we had loads of time. Even though we had to change terminals, the train made it quick.

We landed in Panama City about 7:30 PM. Except for immigration the airport was quiet. There is a new terminal but we did not get to see it as immigration is in the old one. It seemed like most everybody had only carry on luggage, including us, with little on the carousel.

The taxi to Casco Viejo cost a bit more than I remember, still only $30 for a half hour drive. We stayed at Selina’ts as it was where our transport to Pedasi was departing from the next morning. By the time we got to the hostel it was after 9PM, all I could think of was food as we hadn’t had anything proper to eat since 5AM in Calgary. (Anybody who knows me will totally understand that food is always top of my mind). We hadn’t stayed in a hostel for many years but it was great. Private room, private bath, rooftop restaurant and a good bed. For less than a 12 hour stay it more than met our needs.

The next morning we were on the bus at 8:30. There was very little traffic as it was a holiday and we were out of the city lickity split. We made it to Pedasi in just five hours. That is the fastest ever for us. Daryl found a company online, My Pink Bus, that does shuttles from Selina’s to Venao (and will stop in Pedasi). It had big comfy seats, wifi and air conditioning. It was perfect. We did not yet have Panama SIM cards, and with our arrival in Pedasi being so much sooner than I had thought, thanks to the wifi we were able to talk with the guy meeting us at the house with a key.

This year we really had to search to find a long term rental, either houses were too rustic or out of our price range. This is also our first year being right in town.

Our little house has a front deck and a back deck. The only dining table is outside, but that is okay as who wants to spend time inside when you don’t have to? When you rent a house from pictures online it can be challenging. We have been pretty lucky so far.

Is there anything about places we have stayed that I would like to change? Of course there is. This is the first house we have stayed in that has hot water only in the shower. The first time we did dishes I ran the ‘hot’ water forever. Then Daryl looked under the sink and there is only one water hose. The water runs tepid, not like when you are in a cold climate. So not a problem, just different. And the chickens and roosters across the street, well at 4:30 AM I am sure you can imagine my thoughts!

There is also a good size back yard and some pretty flowers. The airbnb said mango and plantain, we’ll get no mango for sure, but maybe plantain.

The picture in no way does justice to the size of the leaves on this Elephant Ear, They are truly massive, I am guessing about 12 ” by 18″.

The same afternoon we arrived the fruit and veggie truck came by. That is one of the things I really like about being here, there is not much that can’t be delivered to your front door.

The first morning cup of coffee, sitting outside in the warmth, even if the sun is not shining is such an amazing feeling. And yes, that spider was just as big as it looks.

It doesn’t take long to get settled in. The morning after we arrived, Daryl went to pick up the car…. just a 5-10 minute walk. We were then able to go stock up on ‘stuff’. Now it is time to get on with living in our winter home.

Cheers

Ruth