DAY IN DAVID

Last friday was a big day for me. Paul was away overnight and woke up early to head out to sea to fish with a couple of friends. I had the car and a to do list that was impressive. Well, impressive for Panama. Dentist, post office, buy a bathing suit, groceries and home. I realize that might seem to be a short list, but let me explain.

David is a 45 minute drive down the hill. I had never been to this dentist before and most places do not have addresses, simply directions like: Left at car lot, right at second big rock, drive a little ways and look for the two story building. We found the dentist no problem and the kids got their teeth cleaned. We also were informed that Syd needs 4 teeth removed and braces. Not a shock to us.

Josh getting his teeth cleaned

Syd getting her teeth cleaned

After the dentist we had some lunch and then went looking for the post office. Two months ago, my sister Judy sent us a package of some home schooling supplies, English kids books and DVDs. All very coveted here. We heard through our small little town grapevine that “the slip” was at the local post office. Great and not so great. Getting “the slip” only means the package is sitting in customs in David. Last time we got a package, it took Paul 3 hours and $35 to receive it. I had planned for a 3 hour event. We had high calorie snacks, water, books, coloring stuff and were ready to bunker down. Not necessary, we were in and out within 1 hour and that included a 30 minute wait as the customs lady was eating her lunch. As well, no cost, not sure why, maybe because I gave the custom lady some jujubes from our package.

Feeling pretty good about the day so far, minus the part about fighting with a sales lady about what size I was,( I will explain later) I headed outside to find a parking ticket on my windshield! I ask the security guy where can I pay this and he tells me where. I actually know where to go. Again, no addresses here. I drive over and line up. I left the kids in the car with the a/c on as it was smoking hot and they were pretty much done. 10 minutes later, parking ticket paid, only $1! Sweet. I am also feeling pretty good about the fact that everyone seems to be able to understand what I am saying or asking. This is a huge deal for me, to be understood, especially when speaking my 4th language. AT this point I am singing “I’m Every Woman ".

Now about fighting with the sales lady. I must prelude this by saying I am not very proud of this moment. I had to get a new bathing suit. No big deal right? We all walk into a store and I ask for womans bathing suits. Now an interesting thing occurs when you walk into a store here in Panama. You basically get a personal stalker. A woman who works there tags you and follows at a very close range behind you wherever you go. A little nerve racking at first, but then you learn to use their expertise. We head to bathing suits with Joshua sighing very loudly and saying “I can’t believe you brought me here!” I see a one piece that looks ½ decent. I grab a medium, my usually size. My personal stalker grabs my medium right out of my hands and says “NO!” She shoves a 2XL into my hands instead. I have to say, I usually do not get caught up in the whole size and label thing, but something snapped in me. I grab the medium and said “SI” and shoved the 2XL bathing suit dramatically back in her hands. We go back and forth , then she brings in reinforcements, tag stalker shopping. I look hopelessly at Syd, she just shrugs. I reluctantly take the 2XL and am lead to a dressing room. My stalker opens the door but then says “No es poco” (It is small) and I get lead to a larger dressing room. At this point I am feeling like a hippo as I slink into the massive dressing room to try on my massive bathing suit. Guess what? It fit, really well. I knew I had put on some weight, but come one, 2XL. We head to the cash and I pay and slink my way out of the store.

We are all hot and sticky, I am a little flustered from the bathing suit experience so we decide to go out for a coke. (A bib deal for my kids) The lady at the coke counter asks me if I want Coke Zero. I say no and she looks really surprised and reluctantly passes me a sugar laden coke. To add insult to injury, I headed to Reys (a local grocery store) to get a few odds and ends. In the check out line I meet a lovely lady and we start up a conversation. During this conversation, we somehow we end up talking about plastic surgery. She gives me her plastic surgeons name and location!

So, my self esteem got a little shaken, obviously not too much because I just finished an ice cream and it is 10 pm! Maybe that’s how I got to be a 2XL! Saying that, the sizing here is very odd. A wee friend of mine is normally size 7 and she had to buy a size 14! Needless to say, the tags on my new bathing suit have been cut out!

Hope this gave you a good laugh.
Until I blog again.

Linda