After the snow blizzards,
amidst the big freeze (-16 to -25 degrees),we finally took off on board the 11.55pm United Airlines plane for Panama City, albeit leaving at 1am because of the (ground) stacking of all the other planes.
Due to arrive at Panama at 5am, we had to then make an unscheduled stop at Charlotte-Douglas airport in North Carolina because one of the stewardesses had a stroke. Yeah, we know it was the right thing to do. Now having to wait for a replacement steward, we all had to leave the plane to sit around in the airport’s departure lounge. Mysteriously, a replacement turned up within 30 minutes, so back on board we all filed. It felt a bit like being on the Noah’s Ark guest list.
At 5am, we left Charlotte – who knew it even existed? – and actually arrived at Panama airport at 10am this morning. That’s 53 hours late. Lucky we’re chilled. Well remarkably, actually.
Indoors & I have already finished a book each, played series of Scrabble, Banana, Wordwrap, (I think she’s winning), completed two crosswords …… and only today has the eagle landed.
First off, we did what we said we wouldn’t do and walked around a not so savoury part of the city. But it was daylight. Deluged by one of them Central American showers, we took a bus to sort the beautiful, colonial-style architectured old town, had some great ceviche, then delish octopus and then, before it got dark, hailed a taxi for the return-to-hotel journey.
Should have been simple, the taxi driver said he knew where the hotel was. He then asked if we could find it on Google Maps for him – poor connection, so as we possibly neared the location he rang up the hotel, who talked him in. Using Indoors’ phone. Day one in Panama & we’ve already breeched her monthly calls allowance.
Chris & Kath's Travel Time 