Taking a bus from Panama to David has always been an all day affair.  Panama is positioned in an east-west orientation, and the entire day is spent heading west.  Half-way through is a large town called Santiago, where you can head either north into the hills towards Sante Fe, or south onto the Peninsula de Azuero.

After that is the remainder of Santiago province, Veraguas, and finally Chirichi province which borders Costly Rica. If you are planning to travel here, to David, you’d be better off flying out of Panama than taking the bus, because the entire length of the Panamerican highway is being redone from Santiago onward. Also, I saw a freakin cockroach on the bus. I was pointing out the new drink holders installed, went to open it up, and out came a little one, about an inch long.  Cass was in shock and stopped moving for a bit…

Several years ago they were working on the south lane, which was in terrible condition in places.  Now they are doing the north lane, including every single bridge, an incredible amount of landscaping and erosion protection, a brand new as yet incomplete hydroelectric dam, and miles upon miles of intermittently completed road reconstruction, shunting the bus from the northbound to southbound lanes and back again repeatedly, ad infinatum, effectively turning the entire distance between into two lane highway. It is work that needs to be done, for sure, but fly damnit, fly!

On a positive note.  Ummm.  We’re here in David, at my favorite little spot, Pension Costa Rica.  All the familiar places are still here.  Prices are cheap.  Food is good, and I’m tired.