American Airlines: Consolation Prize

The small silver lining to our delays and deboarding for another plane: we had some time to have a drink in the Miami airport. Doug, Alicia and Mark wandered off for burgers, but Kim and I settled into a small wine bar to relax before our new plane was ready. It was a good decision:

Yes that's a flight of red wines and a charcuterie platter...the olives were dressed with mint, a combination I need to try again before I release full judgement. I would has taken a photo of Kim's Pinot Grigio, but it was gone...

Getting Settled: Panama

Words can describe the warmth of our hosts as we entered the airport waiting area. English-speaking, compassionate Rotarians who made us feel instantly comfortable.

Kim was whisked away by Alexei and his family, as his 2 children wanted to work on their English with their Canadian Girl. The rest of us piled into vehicles and took a scenic night-drive into the city. We arrived to an Italian Restaurant full of locals and tourists, and we rejoiced that we were on our first patio in months!

Our hosts for the dinner included members of three different Rotary Clubs. The food was great, and well needed after a long gap after our previous meal.

The conversation was great, and we garnered some interesting information:
1. Had we arrived on-time we were scheduled to see a baseball game...their national game, and an event my world-traveled brother insisted we try to incorporate.
2. Rodrigo (yellow shirt above) is the only Panamanian to participate in Le Mans 24 hour car race in France (11th in 79, 25th in 82)
3. Minimum wage in Panama is $450 per month
4. They are as excited to be hosting us, as we are to be travelling

Alicia headed with Andy to his horse farm out of the city, and the boys (Mark, Doug, Curt) piled in with Nestor Broce, our co-ordinator for our time in Panama. Doug was dropped with Mario, who had been at the PGA Tournament: Panama Claro Championship...won this year by Australian Matthew Goggin. Next, I (Curt) was dropped to Victor's condo. Victor was out at a concert, so I crashed immediately, saving introductions for the morning. Mark was headed to Nestor's parents house.

I'm writing on Monday morning, with the leisure/rest time we were scheduled. Only Mark has anything scheduled this morning: a visit to the Panama Port Authority.

I woke to meet Victor in his wonderfully clean condo. Plenty of food, a local cellphone for me, and promises of a big night thursday with a friend of his who owns numerous bars downtown.

Our luggage arrived early this morning as well, so my walk over to the best mall in the city will be to sample the coffee, and not to be purchasing clothes and toiletries...thank goodness.

For all you Canadians reading this, it's a balmy 26 C already this morning...

Thank You American Airlines

Plane 1 (toronto-miami) over-fueled by 20,000 pounds: Delay 1 hour

Plane 2 (miami-panama) had a broken hydraulic fitting that needed replacing: Delay 1 hour
Plane 2 (miami-panama) could not get satisfactory oil pressure even after repair: Delay 1.5 hours
Plane 3 (miami-panama) worked flawlessly and was not delayed.
Unfortunately, only Mark's luggage made it aboard Plane 3.
Waiting at baggage carousel, and dealing with American Airlines official (thanks Doug): Delay 1 hour

All in all it was a lot longer day of travel than was inticipated. We woke at 3am at our Toronto hotel, and finally passed through security in Panama at 7pm. A joyous 16 hours of travel.

At least American Airlines replaced my 30 lbs of personal luggage and toiletries with this:

C

First Flight.....before the Afternoon Delight

We have successfully made it through customs; almost lost one team member to protein powder but luckily there was a sympathetic gym junkie at the gate.  Curt is starting his 28 days of bad decisions.  We aren't quite sure what that means for his host Rotary club but we are hopeful that it won't mean he becomes victim to the traveling fever outside of our itinerary.  Gate 15 is our open door to Miami where we have a 2 hours layover before heading to destination Panama!  We are hoping Team Lider doesn't snore on the plane and embarrass us all; we are quite distinguishable by are obnoxious Canadian hats and red shirts :)

Costa Rica Itinerary

Rotary Clubs
Club Rotario de Belén
Club Rotario de Rohrmoser
Club Rotario de San José

Cultural Visits
Meeting at the Canadian Embassy
Visit to the Nacional Theather Visit to Poas Volcano
Meeting with Rotaracts

Definitely lots more in this itinerary, but details were not revealed to us beyond when we will be doing other cultural visits, and our vocational visits.

Curt

Nicaragua Itinerary

The balance of our itineraries are coming in now...

Rotary Clubs

Chinandega’s Rotary Club Managua’s Rotary Club

Cultural Visits
Visit to aqueduct proyect
You’ll be taken directly to Hotel Suyapa Beach located at the beach in Leon. Visit to communities that have benefit from the water well drilling projects.Visit to the Rotarian Clinic and Las Tortuguitas kinder garden. Visit to UNAN (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua), University in Leon, department of International Relations and the Odontological DepartmentVisit to Sugar Mill “Ingenio San Antonio” 

Visit to Corinto’s port
Visit to Cerro Negro Volcano
Visit to the San Jacinto’s Hervideros
Travel to Masaya to the inauguration of a school with the Masaya and Alaska clubs.

Visit to Masaya’s market of crafts and Catarina Visit to Jinotepe and Granada

Cramming to get everything 'done' at home/work so the next month can be thoroughly enjoyed.

Curt