Well, here I am, in Panama! Finally! I never thought I'd be here again. After spending a month in August with all the kids it's so weird to be here just with my husband!I am by myself in a hotel room with www! After catching up with a few boggy friend, sending my kids Tday ecards, watching enough Spanish on TV, and catching up on my em I decided it's time to blog! Before my husband comes home from work and hogs the www code! There is no wi fi here and it's like $13 a day for www. I am even skipping lunch! LOL! I haven't been alone (without kids I mean) in such a long time that I am glued to the bed with my laptop.
I tried to write all my thoughts down yesterday but it was so crazily busy! Then, the curfew cop told me to sign out. It was like 10 pm. Ever since he left I haven't gone to bed before midnight! WOW! I actually couldn't sleep but didn't want to have the comp screen wake him up! So, I laid quietly and prayed till sleep came around midnight! LOL!
My trip was awesome! The drive to Baton Rouge was long and many bathroom stops for the girls. For about 15 min we were in very heavy rain and it was sort of scary. I really wished I made an effort to get my hubby's truck fixed (dead battery that wouldn't start, so a new one would have been needed but not much time). But we made it, strong crosswinds for an old van and all.
My very good friend in Baton Rouge offered to drive me in my van and come pick me up upon return. We made it just in time after a long heart to heart catch up talk with a great friend! So refreshing!
Upon weighing my check in suitcase I was unpleasantly surprised that it was showing 54 lbs. My son took care of the suitcase and was positive it was 46 lbs. There was no way over 50lbs in that suitcase-just clothes and a tripod, which was barely 5lbs!So, I spent a good 20 min rearranging clothes into my carry on to make it an exact 50.0 lbs to the surprise of the airline workers. Hubby suggested I ask for their most recent calibration certificate. I had no clue I could. I had another suitcase inside of it for my husband to use and was getting ready to split my suitcase into 2 when they told me it's going to be an extra $25 for an additional suitcase. I am going overseas! I traveled in August and we were allowed 2 each! Oh, no, m'am. It's changed since September! Well, it doesn't say so on their site! At least I had plenty of time. I made it to the gate in time for boarding to start but the flight was delayed. I was getting a bit nervous, to say the least! I only had a 45 min layover in Houston. I think I like flying out of Atlanta better. The airplane had more room and a movie was shown. Oh, well! I am grateful for clean airplanes and friendly service!
My seat was all the way in the last row and you know how it is when the seat belt off sign goes off and everyone gets up and starts getting off the place. Husband recommended I tell the flight attendant about my dilemma and she promised to make a PA asking passangers to let me off the plane first. Well, the person sitting next to me heard it and offered to bother his friend who was a whole lot closer in the front! I was elated. I was first off the plane and on my way over a mile to my next gate. I had 20 min to make it there! I was in tears by now for there was no way for me to run with a carry on fast enough! And all the wheels were going the opposite direction. 3 minutes into my crazy dash I get called to jump in and rushed to my gate by this funny man in one of those fast go carts (i got no clue what they are called). He drove me like crazy laughing and making jokes at people to get out of the way, on your left, on your right! I had no clue those things can be so easy to maneuvers! I made it on right in time for boarding my seats! As I stood in the corridor I called hubby to let him know I will indeed be coming and that I totally forgot that I had $1 in my wallet! One needs $5 for an entry visa at the customs and they do not take checks! As I was telling him that on the phone the gentleman in front offered me $5! I was beyond myself! I realized I can write him a check and he graciously refused! WOW! WOW! WOW! That's al I can say! God took care of all my needs! We took off to Panama 5 mins after I sat down! I finally took a deep breath and relaxed!
It is different to spend such a great holiday without our children. Panamanians do not celebrate Thanksgiving and with the torrential rains that have swept all the Caribbean shoreline and have caused major flooding our spirits are a bit further from thanksgiving. But we are together. We weren't looking forward to spending 3 days in this hotel room but every other location on the Pacific coast is booked now. Many people returned to their countries. Well, I can't return and I don't want to return. I am just starting to enjoy myself!
Yesterday after I ate lunch with my husband and coworkers I broke a nail and couldn't find any nail clippers (kids I know y'all took them out!) I decided it's time to pamper myself. Front desk gave me the number for the closes salon and I was there in a few minutes. For $19 I got a ped and man with design. I was so temped to get acrylic ones for it was unbelievably inexpensive compared to the US. That's about the only thing that's inexpensive in this country.
We do hope and pray that the weather clears up. Our plans for a second honeymoon on the Caribbean have been cancelled and we only have 3 days together off work. But we are together! And we are so grateful! Hope your Thanksgiving is great! Blessings, Natalie
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