Trip to Panama City...

Restaurant Bus in Boca

Today is my trip to Panama City. Let me be to first to tell you that I am not looking forward to it.  First I have to take a ferry to Almirante. From there I catch a bus to David (4 hours) and from David I take a bus to the city (7-8 hours). I had decided I would try to catch the night bus so that I could get to Panama City early in the morning. That way I could sleep on the bus and save money since I wouldn't have to pay for a hostel for the night. I woke up around 8 and went first and got my clothes from the laundry mat since I had nothing to wear. I then got ready and packed my stuff. I went downstairs for my free breakfast of pancakes and orange juice. Yes!  The guy came through and gave me a free breakfast...I wasn't too sure if he would. I then went back to the room to do nothing until I had to check out at 11 am. Since I wanted to take the 11 pm bus I had some time to kill. So I relaxed in the hammock fir about 2 hours. I then went to get food to eat and when I came back I decided I should probably get a move on it. I had decided I would go try to watch a movie while I was in David to kill time and now I was running late (if I wanted to see a movie). So I grabbed my stuff and went and bought a ticket for the boat. I waited maybe 30 minutes for the ferry. I took the ferry to Almirante which took about 30 minutes. When I arrived to the dock I was assaulted by all the cabdrivers yelling   destinations and trying to get you to take their cab. One guy asked if I was going to the city and I said yes. He told me there was a guy going to the city and would take me direct for $25 which is $2 less than the bus to Panama City but they were waiting for 1-2 more people. So I decided to wait since I had a little time although I may have to miss my movie.  The next ferry came and no one was going to Panama City or if they were they either had their ticket or were making their way someway else. So now I was getting a bit worried because I didn't want to chance it and not make it to David on time (and I still wanted to see my movie if I had time). So I went and talked to the guy and asked him if it was sure if the guy was going to the city. They kind I gave me an iffy answer so it seems like it he didn't get more people he wasn't going. So I said I would wait a little while longer than I would just get on the bus. So I waited maybe 15 or so minutes and was about to get up when the guy came by an told me to come. They had found another woman to go to the city. I asked the guy if it was still $25 since it was just 2 of us and he said yes. So I put my stuff in the truck and off we went. I slept on and off during the trip. When I was awake I tried to figure out how the guy, whom I thought was a taxi driver, would make his money as $50 wouldn't go a long way driving 10 hours to the city. It would cover gas but wouldn't make you much money. Well sometime during the late evening I came to the conclusion that he was not a taxi driver and was just a guy going to Panama City and I happened to get off the boat at the right time and day. Well really I should have guessed it earlier since we got into a regular car and not a yellow taxi and when I asked about the distance to Panama City he told me 14 hours (it's 10 hrs.). All in all we got into the city around 1:30 or 2 am. He dropped me off near the district I was going to and hailed me a cab. I was a little worried at this point because it was early in the morning and I didn't know were I was. Also I didn't have a hostel for the night. I had called a hostel the other day and booked it for tonight. But still didn't have one for the moment. I paid the guy and took the cab to Casco Viejo. During the taxi ride I hoped that there would be a room for me. When we got to the hostel the guy charged me more than he should of but I didn't argue. I went to the hostel and was let in. I was in luck! They had one dorm bed and a private room. I didn't have enough money so I thought I would have to sleep in the dorm room but they told me I could pay in the morning (well really same day but you know what I'm saying). I had only $11 left because I had went to the bank and it wouldn't let me take money out. So I was a little worried that my bank had put a hold on my card even though I told them I would be out of the country. I got my room key and put my stuff down. Then I got on the internet to send a message to my aunts friend to tell him not to come get me at 6 am because I was already in Panama. So I forgot to mention my Aunt knows someone in the city, Dariel. He used to live in the town I grew up in. I had FB him and he had told me he could show me around and that he would come get me at 6 am from the bus stop. Anyways off to bed.