Quito and Panama City

Saturday, Feb. 19

We were transfered over to Cafe Cultura we were given a suite that had a small sitting room in it.   Then we went to the handicraft market and the nearby Parque Ejido where the artists set up their work.  We purchased 3 small watercolour paintings done by a Ecuadorian artist.

In the afternoon John, David, Marie and I went over to the Amazonas avenue and I had my hair trimmed and had a pedicure.  The hair cut cost $3.00 USD and the pedicure cost $5.00.  Amazing.  The girls were absolutely amazed at what these would cost in Canada and wanted to move to Canada and work there!

At cocktail time, David and Diana joined us at our hotel and we all had dinner together in our dining room.  It was a really good meal and we all really enjoyed it.

Sunday, Feb. 20

After breakfast John and I went to the park and the handicraft market and then packed up our things and at 1.45 p.m. headed to the Quito airport.  Checkin was very slow even though I had done the web check in it did not matter as one had to stand in the long line up with everyone else who had not done the web check in.  After going through security we met up with David and Diana.  The plane left on time and arrived in Panama City early at 5.20 pm and there was no gate for us so we disembarked on the tarmac and then were bused to the terminal.  Immigration was a zoo as 2 jumbo jets had landed from Europe along with many, many other planes.  It was incredibly busy.  Getting the luggage was not an issue, but then we stood in another really long line up for customs where they put everything we owned in the x-ray machine.  Finally we got out of the airport and it was 7 p.m.  The driver did not show up from the hotel to pick us up so we took a taxi to the hotel after a stop at the grocery store for supplies and arrived at the hotel at 8 p.m.  We were tired by then and very glad to check into a lovely suite here at the Country Inn and Suites, Amador on the causeway.

Our room faces the canal and has a couch, 2 TV's that actually work and a king sized bed, bathroom and a balcony overlooking the Panama Canal.  We are in heaven!  Oh, and unlimited HOT WATER!!!!!

Monday, Feb.. 21

We visited Casco Viejo this morning which is a really interesting area as it is the 'old Panama'.  The buildings are spanish colonial.  For lunch, we went to our favorite restaurant, Alberto's.
This afternoon we had a siesta and then went to the pool.  Sunset on the balcony and the Marshall's have arrived from Quito.  We are now awaiting David who is waiting at the airport for Wendy to arrive from Houston.  She would have had a long day coming flying from Calgary via Houston.
We hope to do the partial canal transit on thursday.
Pictures to follow.