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Well here we wait...in the rain...Since I have arrived in Panama City, there have been no days without thunderstorms, but last night and today have so far been the most dismal, dark, and dreary.
Yet, the excitement mounts as now the only hurdle left to making the transit of the Panama Canal is the remaining linehandlers need to arrive on time tomorrow with the lines and fenders.
Upon arriving at Panama City a week ago, I took the bus to Albrook Mall and made the mistake of getting off too early. I had to pay a taxi $10 to take me the rest of the way to the station. Then after catching the express bus to Colon, the bus sputtered and died, fortunately near the Texaco station in Sabanitas. I called Russ to let him know I was here and then I ran out of minutes. He was waiting in Colon and ran around frantically, carrying a backpack full of booze for the transit, to all the possible bus stops thinking that here meant Colon.
They fixed the bus in 10 minutes or so and I arrived in Colon and immediately bought a $2 phone card and called Russ back. 15 minutes later we were on the bus to Portobelo. This is a long winding road and I was glad to have a seat and not be standing in the aisle!
The rain was nice and held off for the dighy ride to the sailboat "Aspara". She looks beautiful! All new paint inside, fresh varnish and everything working great except the ever frustrating refridgerator. We will just have to buy ice for the transit.
I am excited to be here! When Russ called, I was on the plane in less than 48 hours! In the morning we went up to Captain Jack's. He has done a lot of work. The place really looks great too! The table is in, the floor is tiled, new murals...
Dave from Anasu is there, either really early, or he never left...he offered me a taste of his wasabi bloody mary. Wow that's a wake me up drink! He and the bar tender are making up a theme song for the net or something. We eat omelettes and get some ice and groceries and hurry back before the rain.
We sailed for Colon in the pouring rain on Monday and by Wednesday had managed to get admeasured and paid the bank. Now our Transit appointment is set for Saturday afternoon. We are anchored near Club Nautico bucking and rolling with each passing workboat, watching the parade of container ships and cruiseliners pass by mere hundreds of feet away. If it would just stop raining!
