Passing Go

Saturday Night at the Riande

Well, we completed the circuit of the board and passed by Go last night when we landed in Boston. The trip down to Panama City from David went without issues although dodging thunders storms in a small plane can always lead to some sphincter tightening. A recurrent theme on this trip has been the inability of the airlines to get the passenger doors of the planes open, it happened on three of our four flights. We got to Panama City and had to wait nearly twenty minutes for them to figure out how to open the door. Our luggage actually beat us to the gate which is a first, especially given some of our prior experiences in this area with this specific flight.

With my Two Buddies

The hotel bus was waiting for us and we had a poolside balcony room all set up when we checked into the Airport Riande. There were a couple of Quinceañera parties going on which added to the pageantry. I’m still not sure why dressing 15 year olds up like beauty queens or in some cases, high priced hookers, makes sense but it’s a cultural thing. The best aspect to our hotel arrival was the presence of the Panama City branch of my wife’s family. We sat down for a very late dinner in the hotel restaurant that stretched to almost midnight with non-stop laughter and conversation. I got to sit with the two youngest from the niece/nephew brigade and we caught up on movies and pop culture in general. It’s testament to the interconnectivity of today’s world that they were much more informed on American pop culture than I was. Of course it could be I’m getting old. Nah, I’m going with the whole interconnected world thing.

Flying Back to Boston with Mother in Law and Her Daughter

The flight back to Boston yesterday was interesting because we had my mother in law and her brother along for the ride. My wife, ever the dutiful daughter, was bending over backwards to make sure they were taken of which meant serial conversations with the airline personnel to make sure they were afforded every creature comfort available. I was severely impressed with her dogged pursuit of their well-being. Of course this meant scant attention to or toleration of my attempts at the humor in the situation. I’ve got to learn to keep my mouth shut. She even backtracked through security when her uncle, a novice flyer, was running up against modern flight restrictions; several bottles of shampoo were sacrificed.

Wife Getting uncle Through Security

Immigration in Boston was interesting as we split into three separate groups to get through and reunited in baggage claim. I don’t know if it was the dehydration of the flight, lack of food, or the aforementioned over protective wife but I had a serious headache by the time we hit the Mass Pike on the way home; that always helps with a nighttime drive. I was going to rescue the Wonder Pooch from canine paradise at Great Aunt’s house but the headache made that problematic. Buddy gets to luxuriate one more day. No pictures of the First Blog Reader since her mother seems to be rationing them nowadays but rest assured I will supply once they become available.

Wife and Her Sister in Cerro Punta Earlier in the Week

Daughter of Year Award Winner