November 29, 2003
Panama City, Panama

back in panama... impressions:

wow... i can't believe i'm here again.

its been over 3 months since i left.  stepping out of the airport two days ago was unreal.  dressed in my sweater... laughing...  i switched into a lighter shirt and changed a dollar... for some american quarters (american money here, remember) to make a phone call to willy (wilberto)... my customs agent.

"daniel! where are you?"  ah... here... here, willy....

"well go over to the costa azul... larry baker is there.... call me later... we'll go out to the whorehouse..."

had to laugh at that... stories still to tell. 

and my spanish... friends back home said 'do you speak spanish now?' and i said, 'yeah' (in english), 'sure... pretty good'... when they challenged me to say something... i fumbled around ... clumsy... but here different... i got in a taxicab and the driver rattled off 'a donde usted?' (to where, you?)  and away i went chattering w/ the guy like i'd never been gone a day.... amazing how the brain works...  of course i have no real proof that anyone is understanding a damn thing i'm saying.  except that they aren't throwing things at me.

got to costa azul... essentially a hotel for folks that want prostitutes.

and no... i fell asleep straightaway...