Arriva Bien

Week One

I´m here, the bicycle´s here, so we´re ready for the off tomorrow. To start with just easy hops - I´m slightly off peak fitness at the moment, so gently does it for the first day or two!

Had a couple of days settling in at Panama City. Fairly hot and humid - it´s rained every day so far, despite the dry season having started according to the calenday anyway. The Panamanians are very warm and friendly. despite my appalling Spanish, they try to understand what I am saying! - I speak only un poquito but am trying to pick up a few new words when I can!

Christmas is coming, so the decorations are up and real trees are on sale at the supermarket - though I´m not sure where they have come from - Norway is a bit of a hike from here. It´s kind of strange seeing Santa and reindeer standing next to palm trees. Best of all - I haven´t heard Slade anywhere! It was alright the first few time I heard it, but ...

Now where did it all go wrong at C&W - I might have got the company to fund some trips, I mean to pursue business opportunities!

Went to the canal Wednesday - very impressive! - them´s workers at the bottom of the gate.

The bus journey home was a nightmare as the traffic was diabolical. It took ages, finally the guy next to me recommended walking as quicker, but I got lost and it was getting late and dark so I took a taxi - who also got lost so we had to ask a few people before getting in some more traffic jams. He also got quite irate with a guy who pulled out in front - "Frena, frena!" - i.e. his brakes didn´t work very well. Mostly cars are quite new and good condition though, I think I got the bottom end of the transport network!

Saw some humming birds and some others to look up in the book yesterday in the Metropolitan Park - 400 acres of Rainforset just outside the city.

Also there were some raccon type animals in the trees but the pictures just show leaves!

Hostel has been nice - lots of people from all over the world to talk to, and one or two beers have disappeared down the hatch.

Pip pip,

Chris