FAILED ATTEMPT

The electricity went off this morning with the coffee carafe only half full. The building has it`s own generator, as do all of the new buildings; however, little did I know that the building`s electric is only for the building. That is, the elevators and lock on the main door work, as do common area lights, but your apartment is toast. (I had already had my toast, too). I talked to the security guy on the way out, he he said lights were off in the whole area.

So, what to do? I thought it would be a good opportunity to go to Taboga Island since on my first attempt I was completely in the wrong area of town for the dock. I first went to the ATM and replenished my funds, then hailed a cab. The first one either didn`t understand or didn`t know where I wanted to go. The second one took me out the causeway, which is a really pretty area with views over the water back to the city. He took me to the ticket office, only to find that the last boat left at 8:30AM. It was 10AM by the time we got there. This time I got a schedule, and think I´ll go on Sunday at 10:30AM, and return on the 3PM. Maybe the third time will be a charm.

I asked my driver, Roberto, to take me to the Parque Natural Metropolitano, also known as "The Lungs of Panama City". The park is 655 acreas of wilderness within the city limits. We stopped at the visitor center. Unfortunately, the park is set up mostly for hikers and bikers, so we just drove through it. Then I decided to go to Allbrook Mall, where Roberto dropped me.

Although I had nothing to buy, the Mall itself is worth seeing. It is huge with most of the stores that you would find in an international mall. I walked the whole mall and had lunch at the food court, then, hailed another cab for home.

I have yet to get wet in the rain, which now seems to occur daily. I had no more than gotten in the cab, and it started to pour, and continued until within two blocks of my apartment. Once again, my luck is holding. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket!