Making our way to Panama City.
 |
| I’ll miss Santa Catalina! |
We headed out early from Santa Catalina to catch the bus to Sona, which is our mid-way stop to get to Panama City. The bus stopped so many times it took a couple of hours to reach Sona, compared to the 45-minute taxi ride it took us the other day.
Making our way to Panama City
Luckily, our next bus was direct to Panama City. However, our 9:30 AM bus sat around and didn’t leave until 10:30 AM. Even more fun, somewhere the bus was leaking water, I think from the AC and it just happened to be leaking on me. However, I used my Sponge Bob duck tape to redirect the flow! I’ve definitely learned not to go on a trip without duck tape.
 |
| Riding the bus from Sona. |
We arrived in Panama City at 3:30 PM and grabbed a taxi to get to our hostel. We ended up helping the taxi driver find it. Even with the address, he drove past it once. We checked into Los Mostros Hostel – looks promising.
We went for a walk around town and stopped at a French restaurant, Cafe Chic, for dinner. I loved the images on the walls that looked like over large record covers from jazz players. We were there really early so there wasn’t any crowd and I enjoyed my stew.
Panama Fever!
We went for a walk around town and watched the sunset. It was then that I realized that the heat was not just coming from the hot Panamanian sun. I was coming down with a fever, darn it!
 |
| We can see this cool building from our hostel window. |
But a fever can’t stop me from getting around! We went shopping in preparation for our trip to the Amazon,
then headed back to our hostel to plan tomorrow. We plan on seeing the Panama Canal and touring old town.
Then, Rebecca went off in search of Carnival fun with a group from the hostel.
Be in the Know: The walk along the open water at the Bay of Panama in Panama City is beautiful but very stinky due to sewage in the waters. The city is hoping to clean up that problem eventually.
Some concerned roommates
Because my injury from the beach hike is still swollen, I’ve bought some lineament, wrapped my leg, and put more ice on it. I’ve also taken some Ibuprofen. Luckily, I was able to get the hostel to turn on the A/C early so I can try to get some sleep for my fever. Often, just being in a bunk trying to sleep does not guarantee quiet, but people have been walking in, see my leg all wrapped up and get all quiet, concerned, and helpful. I’ll have to remember that next time I don’t feel well at a hostel.
Our Hostel in Panama City
So far I like Los Mostros Hostel. There is a big kitchen, common areas with plenty of space – out front a billiard table, out back a pool. Plus, it was in a great location. We didn’t have to walk very far to get to shopping, etc.
Want to see more:
Day 20 Santa Catalina, Panama
Day 22 Panama City, Panama
I’m Sonja Dewing. I’m an award winning creative writer, a published author of Toy of the Gods, an adventure in the Amazon. If you’d like a free copy of the prequel, Ire of the Gods, sign up for my email list and you’ll get it right away.