March 5, 2011
Got the the Panama border and its a zoo. A helper and watcher find us and they are welcomed. Got our bikes checked out relatively painlessly, then they put us in a linkup that wraps around the migration building almost 500 meters long. We told them that we are paying them for "rapid service" and this is ridiculous so they butt us into the line up near the front and it still takes over an hour to get near the front of the line, pushing with the other little ladies doing the same thing. Then we find out the line to the left is for people with vehicles to check out of Panama. Virtually empty, I push into line behind a family of 4 who is exiting their vehicle as well. The bullshit that they had to do (as Panamericanos) was ridiculous, but after 1/2 hour they were through, then us. Gave our passports, the customs had to take video pics of us, stamp our passports and we are through the exit of Panama. Then we had to be checked into Costa Rica. done. After this, we need bike insurance, photocopies of our registrations, passports (every page), pay the $17 per person fee and then back to the aduana to import the bikes. Basic guy fills out the import forms using 1 or 2 fingers, then passes the forms to another guy who writes our info on a small piece of paper to give to a control guy when we drive 50 meters down the road. Finally into Costa Rica, 3 hours later at 33ºc. Both of us dripping in sweat.
Down the road to blow dry, we are heading for Monteverde to visit Michael's teach, Jen Boss, who has taken a year sabbatical to teach here in Costa Rice. Arrive, find a cheap hostel, call Jen, pick up beer, ride to her place, hang out, and go to dinner with her. Big day! Boy am I bushed.
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