Arrived.

I have arrived in Panama, via the Tocumen International Airport--a tiny low-hassle affair that could be cleared in five minutes if you sprint off the plane and jump a few cues. I am staying at the Hostel Amador Familiar (http://www.hostalamadorfamiliar.com/) in Balboa, though only God knows how I ended up here from the airport. I'd given the cabbie such a confusing and broken description of where I was going I was a little amazed to find myself in front of the hostel where I'd made a reservation.

The trip is going well so far inasmuch as no luggage has been lost. The handle on my roller suitcase did get stuck, and in an effort to pry it into its erect position my finger got caught in it and I spent about five painful and embarrassing minutes wrestling my ring finger from its vice like grip, while amused tourists and airport workers looked on. So I'd say, in terms of my international traveling experience, I'm about par for the course at present.