The driver from the university arrived at 5:30 (instead of 5:45!) and we went over to UTP where he picked up the official car and drove to the airport on Tumbla Muerta. It was great to see the western part of the city as we chatted in Spanish. I'm so tickled I can actually talk with people reasonably fluently! I've been speaking primarily Spanish this week. And I'm concerned that I will lose it next week at CHI where it'll be (almost?) all in English (and perhaps a bit of French?) I anticipate returning to Panama rusty once again.
The Copa Air flight from Panama to Washington was smooth and uneventful. I sat next to a retired diplomat and we had a lovely (brief) conversation before he turned to his laptop where he watched "Ten years a slave" (which I want to see!) I dipped in and out of "Saving Mr. Banks" (which I also want to see properly) and read. Overall a lovely trip so far.
And getting through Immigration and Customs was also uneventful.
The fun began when I got to the A terminal to await my United Express flight to Montreal.
It all seemed fine at first, although we would have to walk out to the commuter plane in an increasingly hard rain, but then, I'm learning how to deal with rain in Panama as the rainy season has arrived. And then the plane developed mechanical issues. For a moment or two, it seemed OK. And then the delay lengthened.
And lengthened.
And I started to get more and more concerned about whether I'd make my connection in Montreal onwards to Toronto and CHI.
So I went up to check about whether there might be a later flight to Toronto from Montreal in case I missed my connection (which was becoming more and more likely)
And it was then that I encountered one of those "Random Acts of Kindness." I suspect now that these are not actually "Random" for these guys.
Delight!
I have to say that I never would have expected (or even thought of) this option, but I am so thankful that Asadi did this for me. It gave me a chance to grab a bite to eat and to catch my breath (and find some new books in English that are hard to find in Panama City) And charge my phone and computer. I was so pleased that I posted it on Facebook and took a photo and then emailed both to Asadi's boss (he's Maxwell's boss as far as I can tell)
See what great customer service can do?
When it time to board, Asadi came and got me to let me pre-board and the rest of the experience with United Express was just great.
Clearing into Canada was smooth and I met Jack Carroll (an eminent scientist and friend from Penn State for those of you reading this who don't know who he is) and we shared a cab to downtown.
Another smooth checkin at the Westin at 1:30 am and a swoop up to the room where David was already snoozing. I tried so be quiet so as not to wake him, but after all this time, I really needed and wanted a HUG!
And so it was. So sweet. So late.
Goodnight. ZZzz....
