the car hunt

Before arriving in Santiago, we never considered using anything but taxis and public transportation, but we have seen how different our quality of life as a family would be if we had our own transportation, so we're on the hunt. Last weekend, we rented a car to make sure we could handle the streets and traffic. It's nothing compared to Panama City, but drivers here are still more aggressive than back home, and riding in taxis means no car seats (and usually no seatbelts!) for the girls. Luckily, traffic means mostly slow speeds, and we think driving is manageable.

We spent a day meeting people in the parking lot of the grocery store to look at and test drive cars. One guy thought from my texts that I was Panamanian! We're still looking for the right car here as it'll be easier than buying in Panama City, but there are ten times more options there.

The next day we drove the rental car south to the beach. We headed for Torio, and it was breathtaking! But after an hour plus of winding hilly roads, Earl said, "You've gotta really want the beach!" We drove down the gravel road to the beach, noticing that we might not make it back out in our Toyota Yaris if it rained. So when we felt some sprinkles, we hurried back. We had an amazing fried fish lunch--the whole fish--and then stopped at Playa Reina, which was more populated, but narrower and not as clean as Torio.

We were hoping to see a bit of the folklore festival in nearby Atalaya, but when we came through, it was raining, and the whole parade (minus the cows and cart) was taking shelter under the awning of the mini mart.

Details to remember:

• Getting into the car in Torio, we counted chicks in a family of chickens and passed a boy on a horse headed to the beach.
• On the way home, a dog stood by the road, ready for a face off with our car! We were able to outrun him, but just barely.
• Cora discovered that she loves patacones (mashed, fried plaintains) with ketchup.