A word about buses, October 5th, 2007

I think we mentioned that we have been taking the bus to and from Panama City to El Valle. We just walk out to the main street (2 blocks) and flag down a bus which says "Panama City". Or, we can walk into town (5 blocks) and wait at the bus stop, which is covered and has benches.

Last week we were returning to Panama City with our friend Gill (and her very large, heavy suitcase) so that we could play in PC for a day before she had to catch her flight home to Portugal. Since it was raining, Tommy drove Gill, me and the suitcase into town to the covered bus stop. He returned the van back home, fiddled a bit as only Tommy can, and then started walking back towards town to catch the bus.

In the mean time, Gill and I had caught a bus, and I explained that "mi esposo" was walking towards the bus, and that we wanted him to get on the bus. Luckily, for the fiddle factor, our bus meandered all around town and finally headed out. As we were passing our lane, I spotted Tommy a half block down, which somehow I conveyed to the bus driver. The bus turned around and went to pick up Tommy! Lovely.

Earlier this week, we were in PC but had so many appointments, that we were later than normal getting to the bus station. We ended up on a bus which left at 6pm, which meant that a half hour later it was dark outside (and inside, of course), and everything was a bit slower because it was "rush hour" and raining. About halfway home, we noticed that all the street lights were out, and that the only lights near houses and stores were car lights which were pointed at the buildings. Also about this time, our full bus started picking up additional passengers so that the aisle was completely jammed with standers and several guys were hanging out the doorway. Imagine the joy of having a backpack in your face, as well as the delightful smells of so many crammed, wet bodies. We were ever so glad to enter El Valle, where there was light and fresh air!

These buses seat 25 to 30 people, and are relatively new. The latin music plays constantly and loudly; Gill tried to drown out the music with her IPOD but was only marginally successful. The bus driver normally has a helper, who stations himself near the doorway. He flags down passengers, helps people on and off, and takes the money. He also is the guy who has to hang out the doorway when the bus is jammed.

The journey takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the bus driver's mood more than anything, it seems. In PC, the final stop is the Albrook Mall, from which a $2 cab ride will get you into the middle of town. All this fun and convenience for only $3.50, each way. Can you beat it?