22-May 2014: Finally

Events prior to departure:

Wohoooo,
   It has been a while since I have been given clearance to do an international trip.  My last trip was 10th April for a Jiu Jitsu Seminar.  I toured Mount Vernon, Monticello, Richmond, and Colonial Williamsburg from Friday-Sunday.  However, my drive and need for adventure was not satisfied by that trip.  It pretty much made me want to travel internationally for an extended amount of time.  Quietly, of course, I was corresponding with a good friend, from my good old days at Randy-Mac, Nikki!  She always asked me to come visit her so I decided why not!  We agreed on 22-May to 1st-June 2014.  So of course I searched for cheap airline tickets because it is the largest expense I put forth.  Copa Airlines is fairly inexpensive.  The downside is a lay over in Panama City for 5 hours---ahhhahahahaha just kidding :)  I can venture out!  So that was the plan.  I sent Nikki some places that I wanted to go to and she insisted on planning out the final logistics.  Lastly, prior to departing, my roommate from college sent us a message indicating that she will be in Tobago for the Memorial Day weekend.  So us Randy Mac-Women are going to party!  The last two nights (Monday and Tuesday) were filled with all nighters (who knew I'm back in college) to ensure that both jobs are left with no loose ends.

22-May 2014

Obviously, my excitement kept me completely energized.  My dad took me to the airport and had some reading material on safety for me to read and report back.  On the way to my gate, a gentleman fell, and I learned that his wife does the insurance/liability stuff for NASW members and social workers.  I got her business card.  Then onto my gate.  I was sitting with a couple of nice folks on the plane.  We cheered before eating!  Cheered for wonderful travels!  So I land in Panama City and everyone assumes I know Spanish and speak to me in Spanish.  I attempted to speak back, asking for directions, drinks, and such.  To my dismay my phone stopped working and the only way to troubleshoot was through using the pay phone which wouldn't put me through to the number.  So I sent messages to Nikki via facebook which is not user friendly on my phone.  I really wanted to see the city but the lack of phone access caused my stubbornness to excel!  I finally turned off the phone and right before I left I checked it, and it worked!  My goodness, amazing!  The second flight went by quick but was extremely cold.  Also, in great effort to open my food that was sealed extremely tightly, I cut my finger with a plastic knife.  Leave it to me to inflict self-pain and wounds. Upon arriving I befriended the customs officer!  We both had bandaids on.  I had multiple taxi drivers ask if I wanted a ride to which I politely declined.  And, finally, I see my friend Nikki, and her friend, Andre :)  They took me on a mini tour at midnight (in the car) but still quite quaint and lovely.  Now even though I was wide awake arriving to Nikki's home, I iced down and got my sleep in :)