A car with a donut tire, windy roads, and a $50 pay-off.....

06.16.2011

Well we have made it to Changuinola. It has been a long few days of traveling, but we are thankful that we have made it safely!
We had a late start from panama city yesterday, due to car issues, but we worked it out! When we went to get the car at the airport Tuesday night they wouldn't let us get it because we had no credit card. Frustrating since nothing said that on the website, so luckily we were able to get ahold of one of the missionaries in panama city to help us out.
While we waited for all of that to work out we were able to have breakfast with Pablo. It was great to see him and talk with him about what he's been up to. We will see him again when we return to panama city next week.
after we worked out the car issue, we were off! Panama city has some crazy driving. First come, first serve. And a lot of bottle-necking...but we made it out alive! Ha! Much of the drive was fine....lots of people walking the streets, lots of stray dogs, and lots of rain. We went throughout several towns and also some beautiful areas of trees and mountains....
Since we were late getting to Changuinola, we called Silvia to find out what we were to do.  We didn't want to impose on Alicia (who we are staying with) that late. So went tried to get a hotel room for the night....no room at the inn!!! Can you believe it? No rooms available in Changuinola, Panama!! We checked 6 different hotels! So we ended up calling Alicia and made our way to her house in El Silencio. It's a very cute house. She has fixed us up very nicely and we are so appreciative of her. She had made us dinner before we arrived, so we ate at 11:30pm last night! 
Today we slept in since we had a late night last night. We woke up several times to a dog hacking outside our bedroom (ha!) and a rooster crowing! So, needless to say it's already been an interesting morning. 
Well i'm off to take my cold shower...wish me well......