11/12/09 - day 2.

got up around half 9 after a very broken nights sleep - woke up every 3 hours or so each time struggling to nod off again. enquired previously mentioned breakfast - shocker - they dont do it. the woner recommended me a place down the street so i went there and had bagels. they were good and felt really full after.

got a taxi to the miraflores locks after that which is where the viewing deck is for the panama canal. its quite impressive and huuuuge but pity there werent any ships going through when i was there. snapped away though. it was a baking hot day, back was soooo sweaty and i can only imagine the patch that must have formed on my shirt! met a couple who, in spanish, asked me for the time. i answered them, again, in spanish. we were walking the same way to get the bus back to the city, so later i asked them, in spanish, if i had the right bus stop to get back in to the city. i did and that was fine. when we were on the bus, i was stood near them and could hear them talking to each other - in english. i nearly burst out laughing but hoped they didnt want to speak to me again as it thought it would be too embarrassing to admit to the situation and didnt want to have to keep up the charade!

got to the main bus station and decided to go to "casco viejo" which is the old, historic, colonial part of the city. very different to the buily up high rise modern area where my hostel was near to. had a quality chat with the taxi driver who took me there, he was describing his love for the panamanian women, his discription included the use of the phrase "big backsides" which was thought was hilarious.

casco viejo was really nice, lots of historic nick-nacks like old govenrment buildings, cathedrals and indiginous kuna folk selling had made bits n bobs. only thing about the area was that it had a reputation for being dangerous. although i was assured this was no longer the case, there is something about walking down a street with as many security guards and tourist police as civilians on it that makes you feel uneasy. after stopping for a drink (i was sooooooo hot) i walked along the coast line that goes around the area before going bac to the hostel as i was feeling knackered probabaly due to lack of sleep and the crazy heat/humidity.

had an afternoon nap, got up around 6pm, ate some pasta other guys in the hostel offered as they had cooked too much, had a coupla beers while siitting around chatting. few of them went out, but i declined as still felt quite tired. nights out here dont start tim midnight and generally finish around 5-6 in the morning. i knew i wouldnt last that and had plans to be up early in the morning so turned in around 12.