We had a long drive back to Panama City. On the way we stopped in La Pintada, a small town known for the Joyas de Panama Cigar Factory and Artesanias Hat Maker. Purchased 25 Panamanian cigars in a wooden box for $65.00 and took pictures of three guys rolling cigars. The picture of me with all the cigars is in the drying room. We’re talking quite the stash. (our bus driver and his helper below cigar factory picture)
The Panamanian hat is an interesting story. The hats shown here are authentic; the one Teddy Roosevelt made popular is actually Honduran. He purchased it in Panama, but the guy who sold it to him was Honduran. Panamanian hats are clearly different and made from fiber that is resilient. You can crush them into your suitcase and they bounce back to their original shape.
Long day. Arrived in Panama City at 7:30PM and said our goodbyes. Laura arranged rides for all of us. I was hoping Oscar, her driver who also owns his own taxi, would take me to Panama Suites, but alas his friend took Ramesh and Jancie because we were going in the same direction.
Long and short of it, this guy followed Ramesh’s directions without a hitch; but then he got lost trying to find my place. We drove around for 30 minutes (he spoke no English and you know I don’t have Spanish) until I convinced him to call the cell phone number for Panama Suites. Alfredo, the manager, answered and guided this knucklehead to the hotel.
Turns out the hotel is really an apartment building in El Congrejo, a cool neighborhood smack-dab in the heart of Panama City. I awoke to tree-lined streets and three block from the Veneto Casino and about 30 restaurants. Nice!
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