They say Panama is the most advanced and "civilized" country in Central America but it still is going to be an adventure.
So, after I packed my things I headed down to the breakfast area and grabbed a toast and a cup of coffee while I had to converse with some strange people sitting next to me. I can't even put a name in it why they were strange but they certainly were... but I guess this is my final goodbye to LA.
I quickly found the bus to the airport, had to change one more at the strange bus depot in the middle of an industrial area and then got dropped off a the Avianca Terminal at LAX.
Although the check-in went straight forward and I even got window seats on both flights by the friendly staff the terminal was pretty bad.
They were renovating a lot apparently but there was not even a small stall to get a coffee.
I used the time to catch up a little on my blog and felt excited to get down to a brand new place in the world (for me).
My route was going over San Salvador which is (as opposed to Panama) probably the most (or at least one of the most) dangerous countries in Central America to travel to. Some statistics give it the highest murder rate in the world and the streets are rumoured to be ruled gangs.
I only had a short stopover of 40 minutes there so there was luckily no time or reason to consider a visit of the outside of the terminal.
Although when the staff at LAX announced a 25 minutes delay of my flight down there I started to think, what happens if I should miss my connection to Panama?
Will I be sent to some strange hotel chosen by the Airline and have to wait a day there? But the person at the counter "ensured" me - there SHOULD not be a problem.
The flight was ok but the food was pretty bad. Just mashed potatoes with some gravy sauce - but I was able to practice my first sentences in spanish when deciding between wine and beer.
When we landed I got off the plane and asked where I had to go for the flight to Panama.
"Down to Gate 4" they said - which was of course at the other end of the terminal. It's not a big terminal but it stretches for a while.
There were only 10 minutes left until the plane was supposed to take off. Usually they close the doors at least 15 minutes before.
I tried to listen to the Spanish announcements if I could here "Panama" or my name while walking at brisk pace past all the shops and bars that had already closed for the night but couldn't hear anything. I felt I didn't even have time to check the screens... I didn't want to stay in the Murder capitol of the world....
Back at the end of the corridor I could see a big 4 but no one at the gate... no passengers at least...
I increased my pace and while approaching the gate the guy at the counter already asked me if I was Andreas Hess.
Yes - I am. He led me down the stairs and told me to follow the lines on the floor across the open airfield... no one around and only a smallish plane in the distance (maybe 200m away).
The Path however led me there and I was received by friendly cabin crew and welcomed by name when I walked up the little steps that were folded down from the Embraer 190 short-haul aircraft. It had only a 2 and 2 seat configuration and I was to sit where ever I pleased on this nearly empty flight.
The same minute I sat down we had closed the doors, folded up the stairs and were pushed back to taxi to takeoff. (We were exactly on schedule of our 20:50 flight).
I felt like a private jet that I had to share with a couple of other High Profile Executives.
Unfortunately the food did not follow this concept and was as bad as on the first flight but I did have lots of space and wouldn't have minded to continue my journey a couple of miles further south after we started to descent after just an hour flight.
Welcome to Panama the sign said and I really felt excited to be here. Immigration and Customs was quick and I took a taxi for the 30 $ that they charge to everyone going from the airport to the city (as read on the internet before) - all regulated apparently.
The ride into the city passed by a lot of modern buildings. Outlet shops and offices and large parking spaces, little access roads running parallel to the Highway. I was very much like a city in the US - aside from the fact that the drive turned up techno music on his tuned stereo system to 11.
When we arrived at the B&B I had booked for the first night I rang the bell but no one opened. It was past midnight and we were in some suburb outside of the main area and my GPS had not yet found satellites. I had asked if it was ok to arrive around 1am and they said - not a problem.
After the drive rang the B&B from his phone finally a guy opened the door and all my fears were gone.
I shook hands with the driver like I had known him for years and went in. A lovely place ... pure luxury .. AC, my own bathroom, fresh towels and little shampoo bottles on the bed and even my own satellite TV.
I got a cup of tea in the kitchen - no, that didn't belong to my room but was nice as well and relaxed on the bed with some Spanish TV show on.
I was very excited to be in Central America now and ready to explore the City.
Soon I should learn that not all of Panama is as comfy as my double bedroom here.
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