來自巴拿馬的新年快樂 (Feliz Año Nuevo desde Panamá)

It's a new year in Panama ...

Gung hay fat choy! It's 4709. Welcome to the year of the Dragon. This is supposed to be one of those super lucky years that no one told the Mayans about. I can't speak for the future, but at the dawn of the Ox three years ago I was picking up two dollar bets at a blackjack table like they were grapes. As my tiny bets multiplied, gongs sounded as a dragon dance broke out on the floor. My buddy Pope*, slapped me on the back, and passed me a drink of Seco. My night in Panama City, Panama had just begun.


*Name changed to protect our friendship.

In less than 12 hours I would be on a plane back to the States, and less than 36 hours before that I landed at Tocumen airport.

It started with an upcoming four day weekend, a little extra cash, a burning desire to get out of LA, and a video on Facebook...

Pope!

Wierd Question. Watched your vids - any chance you're gonna be in Panama, Jan 23-26? Happy early B-Day! Near Panama City? Wanna visitor?

-Jack

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Jack!

I'll be here until Feb. 2nd. Your dates are intriguing. Beds could be limited but sleep in a hammock or make a bed out of an inflatable raft. You are more than welcome. You fly to PTY- airport code. Then take a taxi to a place called Albrook- bus station- grab a bus to GORGONA. Airport is about 2 hours away. I have a lot of pickups. But not around my birthday.

Let me know what you are thinking.

-P

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Ok - I'm in. I'll sleep in a hammock happily. Raft - no problem. If I arrived at the airport at 10:30 Friday the 23rd, and left at 2:50 on the following Monday, would that work?

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Yes. We would have to work out that bus situation. You would leave the airport and go to Albrook- maybe a $15 cab ride. Hop on a bus to Gorgona or Coranado. Call my cell from a shop and I would come get you. Is this a weekend trip or are you talking about Feb. 2nd?

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It'd be 10:30 Friday AM actually... the bus & cab sound great. I can even brush up on my gringo Spanish. It's just a weekend trip ... so Monday the 26th

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What time is your flight on the 26th?

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It'd be leaving Panama city @ 2:50PM...

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These sound good. you realize you'd be here for about 48 hours?

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48 hours in Panama sounds better than 48 hours in LA right now.

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Jack, what's your regular email address. I have an info packet to forward to you.

(next day)

It's just a helping hand, currently i am drunk on rum watching the waves hit my feet.

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Are you giving me the hard sell? I already booked the ticket.

To  Be Continued ...