Finally, I have my plates and insurance and everything that I need to be legal this year everywhere in Central America.

This day was relatively painless, in fact I had fun.  Of course, it took all day, but that was because I had a list of other things to do.  I think the hardest part was just getting all the paperwork together so I retained every one of the original documents and they got only copies.  I started at 9 and had a plate, stickers, lunch, and insurance by 2.

Some notes on paperwork. 

Whenever you are dealing with legalities down here, do everything you can to hold onto you originals.  There are some times when it can’t be avoided, but it is best to have them.

Keep a folder of all your originals, and a separate folder of copies.  Keep them in different locations.  Then, when you have to produce something, no one can see you flipping through the originals for a copy.

I carry a copy of my passport and visa when I am just walking around in new places, as well/instead of the real thing.  You can never be sure when some person in authority decides to assert themselves by confiscating something, so when asked I always produce the copy first.  If there is a really big stink about it, I am able to produce my originals, but up until then you don’t have to worry about some dickhead pushing you for a bribe with your document in his back pocket and his hand out.

This is also the reason to drive around using an international drivers license instead of your one from home.  If you get a ticket or something, the cop takes your license (that is if you can’t bribe him, which usually is the case), and you have to go to court in the countrys’ capital to get it back.  Sounds like a pain in the ass, doesn’t it.  But… you still have yours from home.

Part of the trick down here is to avoid letting the situation exist where you can be taken advantage of.  This is just good advice, and rarely needed.  I am making it sound as though corruption is rampant and around every corner.  It really isn’t that bad, but when you don’t have a firm grasp on the language, it can leave you in a distinct disadvantage in sticky situations.  I have only been in one situation where I was worried about someone keeping my license, and when you are this far from home… never again.

Bla bla bla,

Now that I have it all together, I will be heading toward the Peninsula de Azuero. The more I hear, the better the beaches sound. Santa Catalina is THE surfing beach here.  That seems as good a place to start as any.

There are still a few minor things I need to do to my car.  Maintenance, front end lube, oil change, that sort of thing, but it is good to be “Good to Go!”

I now have a bit of a tan…I shouldn’t scare too many more chickens, and this should get more interesting from here on in.

Published
2007/01/31