The exodus from Panama City began today. People from the city are heading to their familial homes in the countryside. Which means that there are huge traffic jams. HUGE traffic jams.
Which also means there are not a lot of cabs available.
And this translates into the seller's market - with price hikes.
Cabs here do not have meters. This can be a good thing if you're going a short distance but are caught in a traffic jam like today. But it can also be a bad thing - especially if you are or look like a tourist.
Case in point: Today, I flagged a cab to go the El Dorado mall to get my data plan renewed en route to the University. The first one said it would be $5. Which is ridiculous since it should only cost $1.25 or $1.50. So I said no, no more than $2 and he sped away. Then, no cabs. And no cabs. Finally came a cab whose driver said it would be $2.50. Even though this was high, it seemed, given the paucity, that this was what I'd have to pay, so I got in. Moments later, as Panamanian taxis are wont to do, he picked up another customer going to the same place. He quoted $1.50 to her.
We went off into the teeth of the traffic. As usual, I got into a conversation (in Spanish of course) and we discussed all manner of things including the upcoming weekend, traffic, and the political campaign. As we approached El Dorado, the woman in the back paid him so she could jump out. I asked him why he was charging me $2.50, a dollar more than he was charging her. With which he said that, no, I only owed him $1.50.
Foreigners pay more.
Things got even worse on the way back. I waited almost 30 minutes before I got a cab at a "reasonable" (for today) rate - again $2.50. This time, cabbies were quoting $5 and even $6 for the ride! I tried cab after cab but either they were going in the opposite direction, or were full, or were price gouging.
But it was worth the wait. The cabbie turned out to have lived in Manhattan for 10 years and he was keen to practice his English. We had a lovely conversation - this time in English - and the traffic jam had eased ever so slightly, so we made much better time.
And now, it is getting late. Aris and her boys arrive to pick me up at 5 am! So sweet dreams - I've got to "sleep in a hurry" (as David used to say as a lad)
