Sitting in YYZ

Halfway through our trip we’re sitting in Pearson Airport waiting for our next flight. Through multiple gates and checks, we made our way to the express walkway (a chance to arrange bags hanging off of us), and ended up in what appears to be the “iPod wing” of the airport. Pic Yes, a scourge of “pay for” iPods descended upon what would otherwise be useful seating area. A field of blinking screens, I wonder at the $$’s invested installing them.  Edit — Apparently the internet was free, the pay pads were for ordering food, or something.

Granted, it’s not yet 8 AM here, but the tables are virtually vacant, and those with people seated are using the seating, not the iPod. Maybe it’s a different scene in busier times, but it appears an awful waste of space as I write.
Airports, as a business, seem all about the captive wallets that roam about in limbo between destinations. once past security, you are subject to whatever price is imposed upon you should you desire to, say, eat, drink…. or otherwise function as a human being. Breakfast for two here, 19 buks. Who actually shops at the Gucci store? Where can I meet one of “those” people?
Anyways, another half hour before boarding.

Getting to PTY was another story altogether. The flight wasn´t full, so once we were in the air you could move around and look for better seats. Pity that the only one left in which the two of us could stretch out on and attempt to get some sleep was right in front of two yappy French (who also spoke perfect English) flight attendants on their days off.

I thought they might wind themselves out after a while, and was thankful for my earplugs, but on top of that, all the other flight attendants wanted to come by and chat them up. Chatty Cathy and her twin ruled the 5 1/2 hr flight out of Toronto.

In any case, we landed fine, were fingerprinted and photographed, my box of car parts searched, and made our way to a decent hotel as soon as we were able. Finally, some peace and quiet so we could both string together a few hours shut-eye.

Panama City is 31 C and the humidity is about 70% it seems. It´s HOT, but by 6 the sun had set and I was wanting to head out on a walk to get my bearings. The promenade along the sea front has had lots of work done to it, with walkovers every few blocks so you don´t have to challenge traffic to get over to it.

Lots of people out and about, playing soccer, bike riding, roller blading, there was a ¨muscle beach¨ of sorts, and plenty of folks just plain walking and enjoying the evening breeze.

We made our way back by crossing one of the different crossovers and found Esquina de Favor for some eats. Nothing fancy. Hamburgers, actually, but food nonetheless.

Finding our way back to the hotel gave me a better sense of where I am, and now I´m typing this into the free computers  Middle of the road, and good (the maid came shortly after and gave us a blanket).
So, yayyyy, we made it!. I´ll post some pics tomorrow because I didnt´know if I could insert a usb stick into this thing until I got here and started whacking away at the keys.

Until then.