road to the bridge
up the bridge
escort
down the other side
Panama City
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The ride from La Chorrera got more and more beautiful (and hilly) as we got closer to Panama City. At times it felt like we were back in the jungles of Costa Rica as we rode in the last few miles leading towards the Bridge of the Americas that passes over the Panama Canal. We had heard that bikers weren’t necessarily allowed over this bridge, but we were hoping to just ride over like ignorant gringos. We immediately got stopped by the police that told us it was prohibited to ride over the bridge. He said also that the sidewalk and one of the two lanes was closed due to construction, so we would not be able to get across. Out of a little frustration I asked what we were supposed to do and what our options were. He must have had some compassion for us because he came up with the best idea. He said that he would follow behind us in the police car to protect us from the traffic behind us so that we could ride over the bridge. Brilliant!! Apparently it is not prohibited if you are being escorted by a cop car with its lights and sirens on!
This put a little stress on Mark and I as the whole first half of the bridge is a nice uphill. We rode as fast as we could, but I couldn’t quite tell how long the line of cars was behind our police escort. They didn’t even stop on the other side of the bridge, but they then escorted us all the way into a safe part of town to ensure that we wouldn’t get mugged. What hospitality!! This might be crazy talk, but I think they just didn’t have anything else to do. Regardless, it was pretty awesome to be able to ride over the bridge, although I would have liked to take more time to look around.
We rode into town and called a connection that Mark had here in the city that was expecting us. We slowly got directions through the city to his house where we got to meet our new host family. We were greeted with jumping up and down and hands flailing from Ilcias, the dad, and photographs of us arriving. They are the most incredibly hospitable and friendly family I have ever met (and by the way, neither Mark nor I knew them before this. They are friends of friends of Mark’s mom).
Now Mark and I will hang out here with them until we hear when our ship is arriving, but we still aren’t sure when that will be.
Kody, you are getting REALLY good at the “while riding” shots – I think you have a future. And I must say that Mark is quite the model – he’s got the tan and everything:) Cuidense