Heber, Utah [USA].... again!

Waiting...... lots of waiting....

I have successfully returned to the US, not a particularly easy task without a passport....

I've been asked several times, so let me explain how that works:
All US passports (at least for the common-folk like myself) are printed in the US.  If someone needs a passport in another country, like me in this case, one may apply at the local US embassy and then wait for the application to be sent to the US, the passport to be printed, and then the passport to be shipped back to the corresponding embassy.  Not terribly difficult, but not terribly fast either.

In my case, I deemed it easier to just return to the US..... In addition to a passport, I also needed a new bank/credit card, bike gear, and other stuff.... and.... it HAS been an incredible ski season.... so, why not go back and get a few turns while I'm waiting anyway?

So, the embassy was able to print me a temporary, 5-day passport that will only allow me to enter the US (not travel to other countries).  It did get me on and off the plane and there wasn't major drama, but there was a LOT of sweet-talking at the airport and a LOT of explaining why I did not have entry nor exit stamps in passport...  oh well, what's life without some sweet-talking and unexpectedness?

Now, my new passport application has been sent and there's not much to do but wait... and enjoy some winter in Utah!

Panama City [Panamá]

Panamá.... oh Panamá....  I'll start off by saying that every time I say Panama City, the words "Paradise City" (by Guns 'n Roses) pop into my head and it may be quite fitting....

On that note, Panamá is intent on keeping the journey VERY real!  It has been three unbelievable weeks!

It all started with a difficult entry from Costa Rica.  Granted, the difficulties were on the "tico" side of the border, but it was still a difficult time...  let me just say that it involved a shady-looking mini-van in a shadier-looking parking lot and the police eventually got involved....

Since that time, I have been hit by a bus, robbed while sleeping at a fire station, had a stretch of six nights straight without sleep, and been attacked by some sort of tick insect that gorged on my blood for several days.  What can I say?!?!?  Life, particularly on a bike, is a string of unexpected events!!!

On the plus side, I've spent some amazing days at a jungle preserve and hiked the highest point in Panamá, a volcano where I was actually cold for the first time in over three months.

Tomorrow, I'll head back to the US for a few weeks to get everything sorted out from being robbed.... hope to be in the ever elusive Colombia by the first of March!!!