Once again it is time to leave Panama.  I spent the last day packing up and discovered once again I have way too much to bring back.  I just cannot resist the Indian crafts and all the deals down on the cheap street, not to mention all the pounds - and yes I do mean pounds- of sea glass I have picked up to make jewelry with.
Being this is so heavy I cannot waste the weight in my checked luggage so it is placed in my carry on back pack - does the phrase "oh my aching back" ever apply here! 
And once again I am traveling on the 3 AM flight out of the city, and once again I swear I will NEVER do that again no matter how cheap it is.  When you travel at that time your day is so strange, I tried to nap in the afternoon but that did not happen.  I had one last dinner on the roof with Goldie and Mary as I watched the sun set and the ships pass thru the canal.  I have found that there terrace is one of my favorite places- so beautiful, so relaxing and so wonderful to be with good friends. 
I had arranged a driver again and he was to arrive at midnight- at 11:15 I get a call asking which building I am in as he is outside???? Yes I was packed but had wanted that one last look thru, a brush of my teeth and times for goodbyes in a good way.  I told him I needed a few minutes and would call.  Now I am running around trying to say goodbye and finding myself in tears and unable to talk as I closed the door one final time - or so I thought.  Goldie escorted me to the street and it was then I discovered that I had ran out of minutes on my phone and could not call and of course Goldie did not have his so run back up stairs and yell at Mary to call the driver- oh nothing is ever easy at times.
By the time I got back down stairs though he had seen my luggage and was waiting as he was just down the block.
The good thing about traveling in the city that late at night is that there is no traffic and the trip went quickly and all too soon I was at the airport and waiting in line to check in - the driver had set my luggage up towards the front and I was to just collect it when it was time to check in.  Luckily there was a nice couple who spoke English behind me and we had struck up a conversation when it suddenly hit me I did not have my bag with my computers in it!!!! Panic but then I knew it had to be with my driver and I did have his number but no phone minutes. This was no time to be proud so asked if could use their phone and would gladly pay them. They did not have one but his sister did who had brought them to the airport and they let me use their - I called and the driver said no it was not there but I said please go check it is in a  black bag and would be on the floor of the front seat and sure enough it was - I begged him to bring it back out to me which he was none too happy about but he did and arrived just as I reached the check in counter, and of course my luggage was overweight and I had to move things around. But then out to the car and grab my bag and thank him - oh and it did cost me another $20 for him to return.
Now it was time to settle in for the 3 hours - go thru all the security - and when you are in an airport  waiting at that time there are no store open to speak of and no places to eat so it is boring.
I am returning to the states but going to Atlanta to spend time with Dustin and his family. It is a great stop over and so much fun to see the grandkids.  But before that I once again "lost" a bag by leaving one on the plane at my stop in Ft Lauderdale and remembered it on the walkway out of the plane - I did discover that you CANNOT turn around and go back to the doors but I met the stewardess about that time with my bag in her hand.  Now it was time to get thru immigration and customs.  Back to the good old USA. Time to start living like an American, going to the Walmarts, driving a car and dealing with the fast paced life.  And once again I have left a little of me back in Panama.  Will I return?  I can only let fate decide that but I am sure if it is not for an extended stay it will be to visit my friends. 
I thank all of you who kept up with my writings and who worried about me during the Indian problems ( although there really was no need) It is nice to know that my experiences are of interest to you all.  So for now I say until next time - whenever that will be.