Packing up

Our return to America has been touch and go. The eternal spring time, gorgeous scenery, endless hiking opportunities, and friendly people make it tough to leave. Coupled with the low cost of living we can understand why this is considered the top spot in the Western Hemisphere to retire.

We looked at a 2 bedroom apartment this evening that was recommended by a couple that has lived here 6 years. Including cable, Internet, and utilities the rent would be $350 per month. It also came furnished.

Because it was sprinkling we took our first Boquete cab ride. We had some difficulty describing to the taxi driver where we wanted to go, when suddenly he said “Mr. Ralph's?” “Si!” we cried out together. He knew the Americans up that hill and assumed we were going to visit them. It's a small town. The ride was 80 cents and I tipped big. De Anne chastised me for it. “He will expect that from now on”. I stood corrected.

We decided we had some family matters to attend to back in the States and did not bring enough things to prolong our stay indefinitely, so we are packing up with the intention of returning in a few months.

We will leave tomorrow morning and visit the Panama Canal Wednesday.

Another reason to leave - if I stay any longer I have this urge to buy a machete. After all, every other male over 6 years old here has one.