I checked-in with the front desk because they had told me when I'd initially checked-in the week prior that I would have to change beds on my last night. But somehow they hadn't managed to book me at all, but said that they would put a mattress on the floor for me in an upstairs room, at the same price of course. I also asked about a place to get an authentic Panamanian breakfast. He recommended the CocaCola Cafe once again and I decided to give it another chance. It was again quite awful, but at least it was cheap. Also, before going to eat I dropped my laundry off at a launderia.
Back at the hostel, my mattress still wasn't laid down and I had to ask several times before the task was accomplished. I also managed to message the school to tell them I would not be accepting the teaching position and that I would not be showing up to the interview the next day.
In the meeting, not much more was said to us other than what was in the written info that was provided. However, it did make me rather nervous for the water damage that might occur to my things in the transport. There were a lot more people there than I expected to be on the trip. I didn't really talk to anybody though I did feel an attraction/interest in the older gentleman who was quite upset that no information was provided in Spanish, only in English. Perhaps, he would provide me with my only opportunity to practice Spanish on my trip.
As for the rest of my day, I had several things on my list of things I still wanted to do before leaving Panama City (mostly two different museums that I could go see). However, I just couldn't get myself motivated and felt quite overwhelmed with still needing to prepare for a 4 day adventure in the Caribbean.
In the end, I made my way back to the exchange place where I got some Colombian Pesos. Then went to the grocery store to get water, alcohol, ibuprofen, toiletries and tons of different kinds of plastic bags to protect all my electronics and bags. I spent quite a bit of time looking for different things and by the time I got to looking for tape the store was closing and the escalator to where the heavy duty tape was located had already been shut off.
Back at the hostel I decided to do at least one of the things that was still on my list of things to do and went to a nearby rooftop bar. I'd originally wanted to see the sunset from there but, of course the sun had already gone down. It was an enjoyable view anyway though.
Leave it to me to wait until the last night to actually develop connections. I'd invited 2 girls from the hostel over to my table which had a better view. They were both Peace Corps volunteers. We had a nice conversation and picked each others brains about our experiences. One of them was interested in becoming a social worker or therapist and was also interested in yoga. Her eyes lit up when I told her there was such thing as a Yoga Therapist.
Back at the hostel I still had a whole lot of packing and wrapping in plastic to do. However, I got caught up in yet another conversation. The guy whose bed was next to me was a Chinese guy who was trying to establish himself in Panama. Low and behold as we conversed longer, he is actually Panamanian, and yet didn't really know much Spanish. He was born here in Panama to his Chinese parents who decided to send him back to school in China for his entire childhood! Now as a young adult he is back here in Panama, where he is a resident and has a passport, while his parents are now retired back in China!
In any case, it was quite interesting for me to pick his brain as well and learn a bit more about Chinese migration. It is interesting to me that most all the early Chinese immigrants came from the Guangdong Province. But how did they choose where to go and why? This guy said that those that left his village in China all came to Panama. And boy, are they here in abundance. So many Chinese shops and successful Chinese businessman in Panama City! And somehow in someway I feel some kind of connection to them. I'm sure it's not mutual. Can they even tell that I'm half Chinese when I walk into their stores? I just fit right into the melting pot that is Panama City, other than not knowing Spanish that is....
In any case, we ended up finally ending our conversation and I managed to pack up my things for my trip. But I hardly slept a wink, so nervous for my adventure ahead...
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