Tourist day today. We met up with some new friends and they took us to lunch at a resort on a beach. Sitting at an outdoor restaurant on the ocean, feeling the ocean breeze was heavenly. Knowing that it was just minutes from our new home was even better. This was NOT vacation, this was where we lived. Afterwards we got a grand tour of Panama. She was an amazing tour guide having grown up in Panama.
Went to a used car lot to look at cars. Currently we just have a rental car and want to toss it as soon as possible. But found out that if you do get a car right now, you won’t get a license plate until October. I guess Panama ran out of license plates. Go figure. Yet, it is ok to drive your car. In the states we wouldn’t think of having someone go with us to get a car. Down here we really need someone , someone who can speak the language and also knows the culture. As I have said before, we are helpless. Learning quickly, but still helpless. We are dependent on new friends.
But how does one pay for a car, get insurance, etc.? (argggg) So many things to figure out. AND we have to figure out how to get our Panamanian drivers license. Guess what, not an easy thing. You have to get your current state side license authenticated by the US embassy. Ok, several people told us how to do this complicated process. Then just read today on a forum that someone went to the embassy yesterday to get this done and the Panamanian government once again, changed the laws. Now, no one knows!!! This country is famous for changing laws overnight without telling anyone about it. More than anything, governmental officials love to stamp / authenticate / validate things. Once you go someplace, pay a fee and get something officially stamped (usually after waiting in line for a while), then you can consider yourself successful.
Ahhh - more patience building exercises!
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