the drive to el valle was kinda tricky….since it was raining very hard….plus there was construction going on. the first time, i went the wrong way….but saw the national stadium, and an overturned truck. once i got to el valle, i drove around looking for hotels. one hotel ended up being a private residence. in their lobby (aka living room), the hostess (owner) asked me what i was doing. i then mistook her for an american (she did not have a panamanian accent), etc. etc. anwyays, i’m now here, at a hotel.
el valle is pretty incredible. it’s a charming ‘mountain’ town. i imagine it’s like aspen? (i’ve never been there). it also doesn’t seem like it belongs here (from what i’ve seen of panama so far)….it’s just too nice. the owner of the hotel i’m at is a retired german ship captain. unfortunately, he has no contacts for shipping my boat…or tagging along for a ride. he’s also selling the hotel here for $1.3M