Country Article / Postcards

Keeping Out of Jail...For Now...

Date: 07/03/2006

Dear International Living Reader,

On a trip to Panama's Chiriqui Highlands, I took an internal flight from Albrook (Panama City's local airport). My taxi driver on the way there wanted to collect me on my return. So, I gave him the arrival time of my return flight and my final destination--the Miramar Intercontinental Hotel. Rather stupidly, I also told him my name.

Did I know the Aeroperlas return flight would be three hours late? Or that Alberto, the half-witted cabbie, would sit outside Albrook for over two hours without inquiring as to why no flight had landed? Or that he'd then chase off to Tocumen International Airport on a whim to look for me?

Fast forward a few days later to my room in the Miramar. Phone call from reception...and a torrent of Spanish from an outraged Alberto. Although my Spanish is limited, I managed to apologize and explain that bad weather delayed the return flight. Alberto didn't accept my apology (was it my Spanish?)

He turned up at the Miramar wanting $15 for his troubles. (As I wasn't there, he convinced himself that the hotel was hiding me.) He returned again later that night demanding $60...otherwise he'd get the police to issue a citation.

Did Alberto have a cop friend, I wondered? And had they concocted some kind of scam? I didn't know, but apparently he was ranting and raving so much that the hotel security guards were called.

Next morning, one of the Miramar's managers wanted to "discuss the problem." Mr. Christian wasn't sure what would transpire if I didn't give the taxi driver any money. He didn't know if being issued with a citation--and not paying it--would get as far as immigration. However, even if it did, he assured me, things in Panama move so slowly that I'd have undoubtedly left the country before it became a problem.

Emmm...I'm returning to Panama in October for an International Living event (our first-ever Ultimate Event) and I certainly don't want problems with immigration.

Although it seemed a ludicrous situation, I asked Mr. Christian to call Alberto and offer the $15 compensation. I wasn't paying $60. (Certainly not after learning the fare to Albrook should be $5--the rogue stung me for $12.)

But, as Alberto didn't turn up at the hotel to collect his blood money, I don't know what awaits when I return. Of course, if worst comes to worst, I'm sure "Postcards From a Panamanian Jail" will make entertaining reading...

Steenie Harvey
Roving Europe Editor (on loan to Panama City), International Living

P.S. Speaking of bad weather airlines...on my way to Panama, American Airlines didn't offer compensation when stormy weather delayed my flight from Madrid to Miami--with the result that I missed the Panama City connection. Who paid the $79 overnight hotel bill in Miami? Yes, me.

Editor's note: Poor Steenie...we've really dropped her in it this time. "Steenie," we said, "Go to Panama. Find out everything there is not to like about the place, then tell our readers all about it." We should have armed her with a copy of the just-updated Panama: The Owner's Manual first. But good news--you can try Panama today for a buck. During our " Panama Uncensored" coverage (which ends tomorrow), you can get the latest edition of Panama: The Owner's Manual for about the price of a cup of coffee in Panama City. Here's how.