Nothing going on, nothing new happening, nothing changing. I feel like I’m in an endless holding pattern at the moment with no direction. The virus situation doesn’t seem to be improving and curfews are still in effect. I’m mostly just counting down the days until I go to the US. But where and when should I get a COVID test? What should I pack? What am I going to forget to do, or take? I’m out of practice, not having traveled for 1 1/2 years. I know I’ll feel a lot better once I land in Seattle.
But, tomorrow is 14 days after our second vaccination, and I am so thankful to have that protection! I see in the news, both here and elsewhere, that vaccinated people are rarely getting sick or being hospitalized.
We’ve been getting a lot of rain and it’s been really chilly (low 70’s). Don’t laugh! For us, being accustomed to temperatures in the 80’s and more, it feels pretty chilly. Apparently I slept through an earthquake the other morning, and didn’t realize it until I saw all the chatter on the Facebook forums.
So, when there’s not much to do, and when it’s not raining, I play in the yard and look at bugs! Even after years of looking at Panamanian bugs, there are still so may new ones.
And, there’s a few other miscellaneous photos… One evening the dog ignored her dinner for too long, and one of those huge Brazilian giant cockroaches decided to help himself to a bit.
This photo was shared in a group for vaccine clinic volunteers. Apparently a calf wandered into the clinic one day and had to be escorted out. It’s common to see calves in people’s yards, where they can be cared for and watched closely until they are big enough to be sent to the farm or sold.
We have this cool beehive in a tree, but a while back we noticed that the bees seemed to be abandoning it and taking apart the front side (recycling for a new hive?) Here is is, before, and now.
I’m even bored with biking, so we’ve been walking. We have leaf cutter ants, and sometimes they can build pretty impressive villages of ant hills. We saw this in a nearby yard.
That’s all for now. But, on an up note, I had a fantastic birthday last weekend full of video chats, messages, visitors, family, friends, champagne, and chocolate ice cream. So, all in all, things are pretty darn good! And, life is moving forward even if it feels slow at times.
The Panama Adventure 
Wow! Very interesting, can’t wait to see it all for myself. My three year plan is now underway!
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That’s exciting! Best wishes
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Hey kris, don’t worry about the covid test. Get to Tocumen Airport a little earlier, they do it there for 50$! That’s a deal. In the us they wanted close to 300$! And in Germany, i heard, they also charge 200€! So: yeay panama!!!
Love your bug photos!
I’ve been in Panama for about 3 weeks now. After the second day i already knew
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You are loving Panama too? That’s great!
I think I need a test in David to fly (Monday am) from here to Panama City, so I’m hoping to get one Sunday afternoon that will also cover me for my Tuesday am flight from Tocumen. I’m off to do some research tomorrow. I’ll probably take advantage of the Tocumen tests when I return though. $300?! No thanks. I see they are testing at the San Francisco airport, but it’s also crazy expensive so I hope they don’t insist before letting me on my return flight.
I’m so glad you are enjoying your time here
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Ok. I got new information.
https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/USA?affiliateId=americanairlines&anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=travelrestrictions&originCountry=PAN
A covid test is needed for checkin, it appears, not just upon arrival. So my statement about taking the test in Tocumen is incorrect, since their testing is done in the area you can get to only after checkin! Darn! I have to worry about that now, too! Any information you have about where i can take such a test – especially on a walk-in basis, without the requirement to sign up long time in advance – is greatly appreciated!
Well, if psh comes to shove I’ll just have to stay here! 🤪😇😝
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I just returned from the David airport. After check in and past security, there is a testing center, free, 10 minutes. They will be open at 7 am in plenty of time for my morning flight. They are also there in the afternoon, 2-5 pm. I will let you know how it goes. My understanding is at Tocumen there are two testing centers, one down by the car rentals for departing passengers and another upstairs for arriving passengers. I’ll also let you know what I find there.
Of course it would be a terrible shame if you had to stay here!
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Awesome! They are so organized! Whao!
Thank you for the information!
I’ll be leaving on Wednesday from Tocumen. The only concern i had was whether they’d allow me to checkin. But if there’s a station before checkin, that is excellent!
Bien viaje! Enjoy your family!
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Well…. now I’m seeing a report from someone who was told the tests at the David airport are only for domestic travel and they weren’t allowed to proceed with DAV-PTY-Miami itinerary. *sigh* But you should be fine at Tocumen! I’ve decided to get tested at the hospital lab here, put that in my back pocket and proceed through the airport testing system, but I’ll have the backup plan if they give me any trouble. And, I’ll be traveling the day before you so I’ll report back on what’s happening at Tocumen.
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Thanks for the great link!
If you don’t want to test at the airport, I believe you can go to a clinic or hospital lab and get tested. Where are you, or where will you be leaving from? When do you leave? Hopefully I can provide some first hand info after I travel to the US on Tuesday which will help your planning.
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