It is Father’s Day here in Panamá and back home in the States. We hope all you fathers out there have a great day!
We are still living in Valle Escondido here in Boquete Panamá and we are currently spending our Sunday under curfew/lockdown, which means we cannot leave the house. This is the fourth or fifth Sunday spent under lockdown and we hope it ends soon, although it is bearable for one day a week. A day in lockdown does make it OK to be lazy for the whole day.
As Nancy mentioned in our last post, late last month we received our first shots of the Pfizer vaccine which means we are due for our second and final shots withing the next week or so. We are waiting for news as to when those shots will be available for us. We hope we hear something soon as we are anxious to get fully vaccinated. Here in Panamá masks and social distancing are still mandatory, although other than that (and Sunday lockdowns), life is normal. We go to the gym several times a week, we go to restaurants, we go on hikes, we go to our medical appointments, and our freedom of movement is mostly unrestricted. We still hope more vaccines will be available here soon. The more people who get vaccinated, better off we all are.
El castillo embrujado de Pepe
Hiking
Last Thursday we went on a hike up to El Salto, which is a mountainous area very close to Volcán Barú the highest peak in Panamá at 11,398 feet. According to the altimeter ap on my phone at the highest point on our hike we got to almost 6,500 feet after starting at about 5,900 feet. The hike was uphill almost all the way, and I could feel the altitude. The views were spectacular, the scenery was beautiful, and the exercise was great. We left early to beat the rain and we were back before it started. We are getting rain almost every day now as the rainy season picks up momentum. A couple of weeks before we went on a long hike up to an abandoned building that is know locally as El Castillo embrujado de Pepe or The Haunted Castle of Pepe. It is the remains of a huge house next to a coffee farm that was started, but never completed, and it is an interesting site. Of course, the locals say it is haunted. There are many places here that are worth seeing and they can be anywhere. You can turn off one of the main roads around here and start down a rocky narrow road the does not seem to lead anywhere, and it takes you to sights you would never expect to see, and neighborhoods that you would have had no idea were back there. A sturdy vehicle with four-wheel drive is a good thing to have as many of the roads are pretty sketchy and this seems to be a region where the hills and mountains never looked to steep to put a road on.
El Salto
Life goes on for us here, and every day brings something a bit different. We are hoping we will have good news about our second vaccine shots very soon.
In my last post I touched on the Covid 19 vaccination situation here in Panamá. At that time, we knew that Craig would be able to get the Pfizer vaccine since he is over 60 years old. They opened things up in our province of Chiriquí a few weeks ago, however we needed to wait until it was time for Boquete district. This past week there was mass vaccine distribution of the Pfizer vaccine at the local schools. Craig had his appointment on Thursday and I went along to see if they would allow me to receive one. I am under 60 by 1 year and 2 weeks. I’ve read some online posts saying that they knew of people under 60 who had gotten vaccinated so I thought I would take a stab at it! Craig’s appointment was at the school in Bajo Boquete close to where we are living. There was no line to speak of. I was very hopeful that it would happen. Alas when they saw that I was 2 weeks short of 59, they turned me down and told me I would have to go to the David Fairgrounds to get the AstraZeneca. I had signed up on the website to receive the AstraZeneca but hadn’t received an appointment time yet. The next day friends of ours called and told us about a possible opportunity to get the Pfizer shot at the school in El Francis south of us. Minsa was trying to round people up to receive the shot. Apparently, they had extra and looking for volunteers but we needed to get down there quickly (maybe because it was a Friday afternoon?) Exceeding the speed limit, we rushed down there. Fingers crossed, I got in line and they led me along from checkpoint to checkpoint. There was a moment where I thought my age would be an issue once again, but they made it happen. After they filled out my paperwork, I was seated with a socially-distanced grouping of 6 chairs. The nurse went from person to person and when all 6 of us received our shots, we were led into another room to sit and wait 15 minutes in the event we had any side effects. Exiting the door, Craig was outside waiting for me with umbrella in hand to escort me to the car. The next day I had a little soreness in my arm but no other side effects.
We’re off for little beach get-away for a few days at Playa Barqueta. Feeling relieved and hopeful. Loving life, what a great feeling.
I thought it would be a good day to update the blog, it being a quarantine day in our province of Chiriquí. There has been a large increase in the number of Covid cases in Chiriquí and Veraguas provinces. MINSA (El Ministerio de Salud) once again decided to lock us down the last two Sundays. Apparently, Sundays are big family gathering and party days here in Panamá and people have become laxer. I don’t have the answers but I do not agree with their solution, as recent history has shown. On the bright side, it is one day out of the week. It gives me an opportunity to catch up on things I would otherwise put on the back burner.
Pfizer vaccines are being distributed province by province. Finally, it is Chiriquí’s turn. Last week, some of the districts in Chiriquí had vaccination clinics being held at many of the local schools. This coming week, Boquete district is supposed to have them available, but for people over 60 years old or people with health conditions. Unfortunately, I will have to wait a bit longer as I am not yet 60, but Craig will be able to get it. We have signed up on the official website and waiting to receive verification that he has an appointment. There is so much news on social media about this from all sorts of sources and I find it very bewildering. Additionally, the latest news is that there has been a delivery of Astra Zeneca available for men over 30 and women over 50 that want to get the vaccine. I don’t understand the age variations! There is a separate website to sign up for this which I am having difficulty with. I have to admit that I am a bit on the fence about Astra Zeneca. I am a proponent of getting vaccinated, but the reported blood clot issues, albeit a very low percentage, gives me a little pause. I do believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Many of our friends and acquaintances here have flown to the US to get their shots and have since returned.
Life goes on and we keep ourselves fairly busy. We had a small gathering of friends in our home last week which was a lot of fun. We also drove to David this week for Craig’s dermatologist appointment which he will report on later. A few times a week we visit the Panaderia and Fruit and Vegetable Market as well as general grocery shopping.
Caldera Hot Springs Hike
Yesterday we drove approximately 35 minutes from our house to Caldera Hot Springs with our Panamanian friend, Mily. What a big difference in climate in that short distance! We hiked along a very rocky road to some areas with small thermal pools. We did not go in as we did not bring our swimsuits. The pools looked a bit tricky to get into without slipping. I am not the most sure-footed person! Then we went further down to see the river. After our excursion, we went out to lunch. What a lovely day spent and bonus of practicing our Spanish.
We also continue to do our group hikes as often as we can. Being one with nature and the comradery of the group is so much fun.
Fungi on the hiking trail
Panama Post Office
We had an interesting experience shipping packages to the USA via the Panamá Post Office. We sent out 3 packages that cost around $11 total. It will probably take 3-4 weeks, but it was not time sensitive. First you do not seal the package. Second you need to bring your own glue, not tape. We walked into the office with our 3 bubble envelopes that were already pre-addressed. The clerk inspected what was going into the envelopes (coffee). She sealed our envelopes and I had to write my name across where she sealed the envelope. She then gave us the stamps that we needed to affix to the envelope ourselves with the glue that we brought. I think this may be because of Covid. No licking! We also had to affix a customs paper that showed what was in the envelope and the value. You cannot use a US address as the return address. Since there are no traditional street addresses and mail delivery in Panama, we used the address for Mailboxes, Etc. as our return address. Mailboxes, Etc. is the company we use to import our internet shopping. Fingers crossed, hopefully our packages will arrive intact!
The weather here has been so nice the last few weeks. Officially the rainy season has started, but not much rain has fallen of late. Various places on the mountain have different climates! You can experience a frequent light misty rain known locally as “bajareque”, and then a few moments later it can get really hot when the sun came out. I found this cool website that explains what influences our weather www.boqueteweather.com/climate. This sort of weather is what makes the coffee from Panamá so good!
If I’ve peaked your interest about Panamá, I recommend Panama Relocation Tours on-line guide where you can learn how to relocate to Panamá with total confidence. We took the group tour almost 3 years ago that cemented our lifestyle here today! The on-line guide will give you all the same information but without the worry of traveling during Covid.
We’re taking things day by day here and enjoying what each day may bring. We’ve been given this opportunity to not have to do the daily 9-5 grind. Panamá isn’t perfect by any stretch, but if you open up your heart and mind, who knows what experience could present itself. There is so much more out there in this great big world than the US and gaining this new perspective is invaluable.
We have been back in Boquete for over six weeks, and things feel a bit different than they do when we were here last year. Just about everyone here is very diligent about wearing their masks and practicing social distancing. There is a temperature taking station at every store, bar, and restaurant we have been to. We are living in Valle Escondido and the weather here seems to be much damper and chillier than at our last house in Alto Boquete. When we got here, we had some excellent weather for a couple of weeks, but since then things have been much damper and rainier.
After our first month here, we were able to negotiate a rental in the large house below the apartment where we were originally staying. This house is certainly the largest house we have ever lived in and its very nice, with high ceilings, big rooms, beautiful floors, and a nice kitchen. It does have its quirks, however. It tends to be chilly, the furniture is not to our taste, the hot water in the showers is inconsistent, and it echoes. Sometimes we feel a bit out of place here. But it is a nice house in a quiet neighborhood.
rental in Valle Escondido
Leaky Windshield
The windshield in our car developed a substantial leak right in the center over the dashboard during some of the heavy rain we have had. It was quite inconvenient, but we took the car down to Value Motors in Boquete and they took care of it for a whopping $15. We have had nothing but good experiences with Victor, George, and the whole crew at Value Motors.
New Family Doctor
We have been to see a local doctor for check-ups and minor medical issues, and we found a new doctor in town. Dr. Tuer speaks perfect English, she takes time to figure out what ails you, she answers her emails, and is very attentive.
Playa Barqueta
Last week we took a drive to the beach at Playa La Barqueta to visit some friends who have a condo right on the beach. The drive was an hour and a half right through heavy traffic in David to get there, but it was quite a nice place. It was our first glimpse on this trip of the ocean on the Gulf of Chiriqui, and it was beautiful. Warm weather, the beach, good friends and, best of all, no rain all day. Even though we are only seven or eight degrees from the equator here there is something to be said for living near the beach, as long as you have AC!
Playa Barqueta
Three Lost Waterfalls Hike
The other day we went on a hike with a local group to The Three Lost Waterfalls in Los Naranjos. It was quite an adventure in a very Panamanian way. Just to get there the drive is up some very windy, narrow, and steep roads, and once you are there the parking situation is pretty sketchy. Then take a walk over a suspension bridge that could use a little maintenance and up a very steep rocky trail that takes you to the booth where you pay your $8 fee. I was almost worn out from the walk to the pay station, but I had not seen anything yet. The trail was very narrow, very steep, very rocky, and, because of the recent damp weather, very muddy and slippery. We made it to the first waterfall, and it was nice. We made it to the second waterfall, and it was beautiful. Then we set off for the third waterfall and the trail immediately became almost vertical, rocky, and slippery. “Trail” is probably a kind word for this obstacle course. There were some knotted ropes in seemingly random locations to help with the climb. We did eventually get to the third waterfall, and I see why it is “lost”. It is beautiful and you certainly get your exercise getting to it. The trip back, although physically easer, is far more challenging because going downhill it is very easy to lose your footing and take a serious tumble. Help would be a long way away in the event of a serious accident. After almost four hours of trekking, we did succeed in getting back to our cars, although one or two of our companions had some nicks, cuts, and bruises. What an adventure!
It’s been three weeks since we got back and we have been settling in like we were never gone. Finding a place to rent, visiting with old friends, hiking, shopping, exercising, and of course relaxing, have been on the agenda. We wake up every morning to the songs of so many kinds of birds…¡PARAÍSO!
Valle Escondido
We have landed in the gated community of Valle Escondido in Bajo Boquete on this particular stay. Browsing through a short-term rental website gave me a lead in finding our small one bedroom, one bath apartment attached to a grand home (up twenty-nine stairs…very good exercise!) We rented this apartment for one month while we were searching for something longer term. It really has a splendid view on the terrace and is my favorite part of the apartment. As luck would have it, we were able to negotiate a great deal for four months on the house downstairs as it is currently vacant. In Panamá it really is about connections and word of mouth as little is actually advertised on the internet. After that rental we will probably return to the US for a while for some business matters, but we will go with the flow.
Banking
One major thing that we needed to do was go to our Banistmo bank office in David and straighten out a problem we were having with our “soft token”, which is a two-factor security authentication that is used to authorize the use of their service. I had been using my banking app to make payments and transfers while we were in the States without a hitch until about a month before we arrived. I was getting all kinds of error messages. I needed this to work as this is how a lot of banking and payments get done here. As part of the Covid protocol, only one of us was allowed in the bank, so I masked up and waited in a socially-distanced line for my turn to speak with a customer service representative while Craig went to Panafoto for a battery back-up and some other miscellaneous items at Do-It-Center. There were actually two lines at the bank, and I really hoped I was in the correct line. One was for customer service, and the other for teller business. When it was my turn, I spoke (in the best Spanish I could muster) to the rep about my issue. He had me replicate what was happening by doing a transfer from my checking to savings which did work, however the proof of its success was whether I could make a third-party transfer or pay a bill, which I did not try there as I had no one to pay. I was pretty flustered, and I guess satisfied at that point that the soft token was going to work. So, I thanked him for his help and out I went. This had taken quite a bit of time and Craig was done with his business, so he had walked to the TGI Fridays in the same strip mall and I met him there for a beer (which I really needed at this point)! I am happy to report that my soft token is working, and I can accomplish everything I need to, so it was not a waste of time.
Groceries were another big to-do and required visits to several different stores to stock up on supplies. You generally will not find everything you need at one store, and if you are looking for particular products, grab them when you see them because who knows when you will see them again. I had really missed the fruit and vegetable stalls at the public market in town. We stock up there about once a week with plenty of fruits and vegetables for less than $6!
We were also anxious to get back to the gym! We had a membership at The Haven before Covid hit last year and gyms were forced to close. The people there are so warm and friendly and they have good equipment for our needs. And, they recently purchased all new treadmills and ellipticals! They had put our membership on hold last year and let us use up the days we had previously paid for! They also have an exercise pool, hot tub, infrared sauna, steam sauna, various exercise classes and treatments including massage (which was one of Craig’s first priorities).
view from hike
Hiking was another activity I was ready to get back into and we were able to hook up with a small group of people who meet every Wednesday, rain permitting. I had really missed the social aspect of this as well, catching up with people while enjoying nature. Today’s hike was cancelled due to rain, so Craig and I went out in the rain on our hike own close to home. The rainy season seems to have started early this year! It does make the landscape more beautiful with vibrant and lush greenery.
Boquete 110th Anniversary Concert
Last weekend we attended an outdoor concert in the town square with friends. It was part of the celebration of Boquete’s 110th anniversary. The band was comprised of some very talented local expats who performed some jazzy numbers. Of course it was drizzling, and as it got heavier, we headed out and grabbed some burgers at La Cuchilla (a nice new burger joint in town) then continued the festivities at Boquete Brewing Company where a live Panamanian band was playing both American and Spanish rock music. What a great night! It was so great to see things open and people going out and having a good time. They do take Covid seriously here and it is mandatory to wear a mask even while you are outside walking around town. We feel it is a small price to pay to get back to normalcy.
It’s been a while since we posted to our blog – apologies! Now that we have returned, you all will be hearing from us on a much more regular basis and we thank all of you for reading our blog!
When we left Panamá, we did not expect to be gone for so long – we’ve spent the past seven months in Fort Pierce, Florida (on the barrier island of Hutchinson Island). We enjoyed our stay there and spent some much-needed time with family as well as lots of beach days. We were patiently waiting for the COVID restrictions in Panamá to be relaxed which took much longer than we expected. There are still some restrictions here, but things are far better than they were when we left. Panamá is reopening and we could not be happier.
Our travels back to Panamá took 4 days and it was a long tiring journey to say the least. We started last Sunday by getting our COVID tests at a rapid test center in Stuart, Florida (one of the requirements to enter the country is a negative COVID test taken within forty-eight hours of arrival). We also had to complete an online Health Declaration for travel to receive QR codes (sent via e-mail), which had to be presented at the airport. This after several days of packing and trying to prioritize the things we needed to take with us. It is a bit stressful trying to fit everything you will need into two suitcases and one carry on each and needless to say there are a few items we forgot, but here we are regardless.
dinner venue at Miami Int’l Airport
Last Monday my sister-in-law drove us to the metro station in West Palm Beach and we took the train from there right into Miami International Airport. And we were not travelling lightly – it’s a good thing that suitcases have wheels or we never would have made it. Monday night we spent at the Miami Airport Hotel, which was extremely convenient, but far from inexpensive (I don’t believe anything is a bargain once you’re inside of an airport).
Tuesday we flew from Miami to Tocumen Airport near Panamá City on an American Airlines flight. All went well with the flight, and the first thing we had to do in Panamá was show our (almost) two-day old COVID tests. Then through customs and a quick taxi ride to the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino, which is where we always stay when we are between flights. It is a nice hotel and it was nice to be back in Panamá!
at the Riande in P.C.
Ships waiting to transit the Panama Canal
Wednesday was another early day for us – out of the hotel by six am and a shuttle ride back to the airport for the morning flight to David towards the western end of the country. It was only a one-hour flight (another nice flight – we had good luck with our air travel this trip) and we were in David by 9:30 am. Some friends from Boquete picked us up at the airport and drove us to our rental in Boquete. We dropped of our bags and then back to Value Motors in Boquete to collect our car. They took good care of our car for us, taking care of maintenance and renewing our license plates. It’s a 2014 Nissan X-Trail, a bit battered, but has always gotten us where we need to go.
So here we are back in Boquete and so far so good.
Four and a half months ago, we returned to the US to wait out the Coronavirus crisis here in our home country. We have been enjoying the Florida lifestyle, the sunshine and outdoor activities that go along with it. When we were debating this while under quarantine in Panamá, we knew that we wouldn’t be going back to Pennsylvania. Although our family is there, we were so done with snow and cold weather. My brother-in-law here in Fort Pierce, FL was able to find a fully furnished rental for us that was vacant (a condo unit belonging to the brother of his close friends). We are actually off the mainland on Hutchinson Island, an area within walking distance to beaches, the intercoastal and inlet…a very touristy place with a laid-back vibe. We are truly blessed!
We knew that this was temporary though. One of the reasons for moving abroad was so we could afford to retire early. Obviously with us back in the states, our expenses were raised dramatically. And the biggie…health care (we are not yet eligible for Medicare). We were self-insuring in Panamá because it is much less expensive than in the US. We could certainly do nothing and pray, or bite the bullet. Because we had a life-changing event that happened outside of open enrollment, we were able to get on a Health Marketplace plan in September. And because of our ages, it still wasn’t exactly cheap, but was much more affordable than buying privately. With no work income except social security and investment distributions, we qualified for a subsidy based on the numbers on our 2019 income tax return.
Our initial plan was to stay through the holidays. I had started the search for a rental for our return in January, reaching out to friends, Facebook, Encuentra24 and Panama Craigslist. Surely Coronavirus would be under control by then…NOT! Most places have seen a resurgence of the virus because of colder weather bringing everyone indoors, holiday gatherings and just complacency in general. And new strains of the virus have been discovered in England and South Africa. Panama had loosened up on restrictions the past few months with everything reopened. But in November, a month filled with many Panamanian holidays, they had an uptick again in cases. MINSA once again decreed that there would be total quarantine again the weekends surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, as well as back to the gender-based days for men and women to grocery shop and do essential business. And they have just announced that January will have more quarantines and curfews. I fear that strict guidelines will be in place again soon so they can get things under control while they wait for the vaccines to arrive. President Cortizo just announced that within 90 days they will start the vaccination process.
So, it looks like we are putting our return on hold. We will stay put until we feel it is safe to travel again. We’re hoping to be vaccinated here as soon as it becomes available. The quick approval of the vaccinations is very controversial, but we have decided it is right for us. Watching the news last night, I saw a piece on how people may have to show proof of vaccination digitally in order to travel in the future. What a strange new world we live in.
Here’s wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year filled with much peace and love.
Hurricane Eta has caused significant flooding, mudslides, and road damage in Chiriquí Province, our 2nd home. Panamá’s National Civil Protection Agency (SINAPROC) is monitoring the situation on the ground and working to assist individuals in the affected areas.
“Media sources report that flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall and rising levels in the Chiriquí Viejo River has impacted multiple areas of Chiriquí Province. Updates indicate that one person was killed and approximately seven people are missing in the Tierras Altas area. Updated sources report that at least 1,000 people and families in Chiriquí have been evacuated. The Hornito highway in Gualaca that connects Bocas del Toro province has collapsed and left an unspecified number of people stranded. There are several landslides occurring in the area. At least 500 residents have been evacuated in the area and housed in evacuation centers as search and rescue operations are underway. At least six people were rescued. At least 214 homes have been damaged or destroyed in multiple locations by floodwaters and fallen trees. Seven homes have been damaged in Boquete District, 15 homes have been damaged in Majagual sector, one home in David District, and 30 homes have been damaged in Baco, with an unspecified number of homes damaged in Corotu, Los Marias, and Baru Districts. At least seven landslides have been registered in Cerro Punta and Volcan and the Ngabe-Bugle region. Several other communities have been isolated by the flooding, and crops have been destroyed. Emergency services are continuing relocation operations for those families affected by the flooding. Resources continue to be mobilized to those affected. Floodwaters are reportedly receding in some areas; however, rainfall is expected to continue across the province. No injuries have been immediately reported. A Yellow Alert has been issued in Chiriquí for Thursday, November 5.”
The Flooding in Northern Panama Crisis Response Facebook Page
According to the PanaTimes, it was reported today that authorities are now confirming the deaths of 5 people in Chiriquí.
Although we are safe and sound in Florida at present, we are very distressed and pray for our Chiriquí friends and family. The Red Cross of Panama and many other organizations and residents have pulled together collecting donations of all kinds for the homeless and affected.
We have been back in Florida for just about the past two months. Last week we drove up to Pennsylvania to visit family, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, staying in an Airbnb, and generally doing all the things that we were unable to do in Panamá. Its interesting to see the difference in attitudes and approaches to the pandemic in different parts of the United States. Where we are staying in Florida, its like there is no virus at all, except for some people (including us) who wear masks and try to social distance with some consistency. In the Carolinas where we spent a couple of nights in hotels during our travels, there seemed to be even less care and attention given to the fact that there is still a highly contagious virus about. In Pennsylvania there was mandatory mask wearing and no seating at bars with limited indoor seating at restaurants.
This is all very different from the approach Panamá is taking. In our home province of Chiriquí there is a total quarantine this weekend once again, and many businesses are still closed, although that is supposed to start changing as of tomorrow. Hotels, lodging services, pools at limited capacity, transportation services, cultural institutions, and gambling, are among the sectors of the economy that will be allowed to open with varying degrees of occupancy. Most retail businesses and restaurants opened a couple of weeks ago. Schools, gyms, bars, and the beaches are some of the sectors that are still closed. The airports and the borders will also open tomorrow and tourists will be able to visit the country, which is good news for all. To enter Panamá, a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours of arrival will be required (PCR or antigen test). If you do not have that, you must get the test at Tocumen Airport for a charge of $50, however most airlines will not allow you to board unless you present a negative test result.
We know there is still hardship and need amongst many Panamanians and residents. We our still helping friends of ours buy food. It is distressing that some people have virtually nothing, and that the economic impact to their lives is still ongoing with no end in sight. It seems there should be more of a balance between fighting the virus and allowing people to work and to feed and take care of themselves. We are not sure what the answers are, but we help where we can.
Fort Pierce inlet
We are still in Fort Pierce, Florida, going to the beach, going out to eat, going to the gym, going for walks, and living our lives (while taking all the precautions we can). We miss Panamá and we miss our friends there. Maybe it has something to do with the pending election here, but people in Panamá are friendlier, seem to get along better, and seem to care for each other more so than here in South Florida.
We are hoping to return to Panamá early next year and pray that things will continue to improve there. It has certainly been a long and excruciating ordeal for everyone. Let’s hope 2021 brings us some light at the end of the tunnel.
Meanwhile, we will continue to post to our blog, and we certainly welcome all comments and questions.
It has been 5 months since Coronavirus reared its ugly head in Panamá. Our blog entries had dwindled since there wasn’t much to write about other than virus-related things. The government here has had one of the strictest quarantines in the world. After much deliberation, we have decided to return to the US, at least for the time being. I can’t tell you how this has weighed on us. We truly love Panamá, the beauty, the people, the friends we’ve made…but the feeling of being trapped was overwhelming, for me especially. It has been almost a year since we’ve seen our family and friends here and I needed a change of scenery. Not being about to go on hikes and to visit the beach are some of things I missed most. Being out in the fresh air made me feel happy, healthy and alive.
We had been watching with anticipation for airspace to open up so we could travel. Just when we thought Tocumen International Airport was set to open, the opening gets pushed back another month, then another. There had been humanitarian flights, but we held off. Since we were renting in Panama and our lease was just about up, we decided to go for it. We found a Copa flight to Miami departing August 14. I had been checking with the US Embassy frequently. There had been multiple humanitarian flights April through July, mostly with Copa Air, United, and Spirit Air. All of a sudden I wasn’t seeing any and I became concerned. What was happening was Tocumen was transitioning into a mini hub, a center of controlled operations for the interconnection of commercial flights. These would be the first steps towards restarting the airline’s controlled commercial operations, but they only represent 2% of its pre-crisis operation. Panamá is still not allowing tourists in, and these flights were for Panamanian citizens and foreign residents.
Having the proper credentials allowed us to book a flight from Tocumen. Since there are no domestic flights at this time, we had to hire a driver to take us to Panamá City for the 6 hour drive through multiple checkpoints. Our driver, Marc Vargas, not only is a world class tour guide, but also a jack of all trades and good friend. He has helped us with numerous things upon our arrival in Panamá 16 months ago. His English is perfect and he will go out of his way to help you. I had to contact the US Embassy who secured a “salvoconducto” (safe passage) for us from the Ministry of Health. This document was proof that we had permission to cross the provinces to catch our flight. Without that paperwork, we had to stay within our home province of Chiriquí. The only people allowed to fly into Tocumen are Panamanian citizens and legal foreign residents as well. We will be allowed to fly back to Panama whenever we want with a negative Covid test.
Entering Panama City on a rainy dayOur friend and driver, Marc Vargas
Before the journey, we sold our Nissan X-Trail, TV and soundbar, and other loose ends. The food in the fridge and other household products were given to our good friend and “maestra de español” Yaira, and her family. We donated some old clothes and books to the “Fundación Pro-Integración Capítulo de Boquete”, who provides handicapped members of our community needed equipment and funds to transport individuals to appointments, and for medications and treatments not covered by social security or public health. Needless to say it was a lot of planning in a very short period of time to execute our exit plan.
I should have taken pictures of our luggage. We both had 2 checked bags each and a carry on. Their weight limit is 23 kg and 3 of our bags weighed 22.5 – 22.8 kg…whew!!! We have a luggage scale and apparently it is pretty accurate. It took a great amount of time to even everything out. Thanks to Lee and Joann for selling us their nostalgic suitcase for $5. It came in mighty handy. In addition to the luggage, we allowed ourselves one large box each of personal belongings to ship back to the US. In a pre-Covid world there would have been multiple options, but we found out much to our chagrin, that DHL Express is the only shipping service doing business in Panamá at this time. They have the monopoly on shipping right now and are truly taking advantage of people. I shudder to tell you what it cost!
Check-in at Tocumenbaggage screening before flight
When we arrived at Tocumen, we appeared to be the only flight checking in and multiple preventative measures were in place. The television station, TVN Noticias, was interviewing people while we were checking in. Alas we did not make the cut.
Our 10:30 flight was a bit delayed, and finally we started to board. Craig and I had a space in between us on the flight (although Copa couldn’t commit that the middle seat would not get sold). After about 10-15 minutes in the air, the captain came on the loudspeaker to let us know that landing gear indicator was malfunctioning and they weren’t sure of the status. What would happen in this situation is drag which would use more fuel. So as a precaution, we turned around and landed back at Tocumen. Since there are many planes grounded now, we were able to get on a backup plane in a little over an hour. We boarded once again, but this time the flight attendant told us that someone would be sitting next to us. This was strange because it was all the same people in the same seats as before. Apparently a man in the back row asked the flight attendant if he could move up because he had a connecting flight to New York, and since we were already delayed now 3 hours, he wanted to give himself a fighting chance to get off the plane quicker and make his connection.
An almost empty airport
How are we feeling about everything now that we are in Florida? Very happy to be out and about doing the things we enjoy, but in a safe manner. People must wear masks going into stores, businesses, restaurants. From what we can see, people are safe-distancing. Practicing safety while keeping the economy open is what is happening here. On the flip side, we miss Panamá and the warm welcome we have received. Boquete is absolutely beautiful and I miss seeing Volcán Barú and the mountain ranges while out for a drive; the friendships we’ve cultivated along the way, even though we haven’t been able to spend much time socializing of late due to the strict quarantine; and the comfortable spring-like climate all year long.
So at the moment we are getting our bearings and figuring out our next move. A drive up to Pennsylvania to visit our kids and grandkids will be happening soon.
We haven’t closed the book on you, Panamá, we will be back!
At the Square Grouper in Fort Pierce, FLFeeling relaxedGetting some exercise walking along Seaway Drive on Hutchinson Island bridge.
We will be continuing to post on this blog wherever our travels take us!
