Day at Immigration, day 2

We went back this morning and joined the line outside immigration today at 7:00am. The line was already approaching 60 people long.

When it opened at 7.30, most of us filed into the migration section (far back down the hall on the left) and got our number. The line there was simple and organized. Once all the numbers were gone, there seemed to no longer be any organization, just people waiting around and latecomers tyring to figure out what to do.

We got our number and began the long wait, about 2.5 hours for our number to be called.

The form we got yesterday was not the only form we were supposed to have. Apparently we were to REGISTER with immigration (a different set of requirements), and then ask for the extension (the set of requirements I had yesterday). That meant that I needed to have two more passport fotos, and another copy of my passport.

Since we expected that we’d be waiting a while for our number to be called, i went on an expedition to find a place that would make the fotos. After walking around several blocks in Calidonia this morning, i finally found a place to get the fotos: the little street vendor selling pastries across the street has a little side business making carnet photos. I found it only because i saw a flash, not because it was advertised on a sign.

While waiting, we saw several people making their first visit — and discovering that all the numbers for the day were gone. That was us yesterday.

Eventually, our number was called. I was registered with immigration in an easy interview process, basically demographic information for their computer. He took my complete copy of my passport and my carnet photos.

I was fingerprinted, and then told to go pay my $1.00 processing fee at the cashier’s box (another line). When i returned to present my receipt, my passport was returned to me and then I was directed to go to the line for the tourist extension.

Since i had given away my only copy of my passport, i had to go make a new one before visiting the desk for the prorroga. While getting the copy made, I was presented with yet a third list of requirements for the prorroga, some of which we didn’t have.

I sat down with a person who took all my copies of everything I had brought, and he just scanned it over. Didn’t seem important to him that I was missing a local utility bill. He stamped my application, asked me to bring him a copy of the application, and then told me to come back on Wednesday.

This whole zoo of a process took about 5 hours.

No complaints, just telling my story. It’s panama and I don’t expect excellent customer service.

Drop In visitor

We had our first non-family visitor to our apartment today.

During the last few years of visiting Panama, we had gotten to know a security guard in the complex where we were staying.

Last week while walking an errand for some bread, I encountered this guard on the street (in a city of 1.8 million people!). We visited for a while there on the corner since we hadn’t talked since March.

Today, his whole family knocks on our door and we visit for a while in our living room, surrounded still by boxes from unpacking and disassembled furniture.

We’re praying for his family, wondering what God may have in store.

Day 1 for immigration

We made our initial visit to immigration today, for the sole purpose of extending our tourist visa another 30 days while we apply for our residency.

The office was packed with people. Signs were lacking. Very little direction.

We started asking around as to what the process was.

Here is what we learned from people who were also waiting in line.

Take a number, but to get a number, you have to get there at 6.00am since there are only limited numbers every day. Office opens at 7.30.

Get the right form. Since Panama changed their visa requirements, the forms on the government website are 2 years out of date. We found the form in the office, and the list of requirements are now printed on them.

So, after an hour or so of standing in line, we left with a form that tells us what to bring tomorrow.

Lord willing, I’ll get a number tomorrow.

It also appears that after we submit our paperwork, we have to pay some processing fees, and then come back a few days later to pick up the extension.

For those of you who live in the states who complain about the line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, you have it easy.

A tale of two lost americans

No matter how hard I try to blend in, people can tell I’m not from here.

If I’m standing with Brenda, people will speak to her in Spanish.

If Brenda is not around, they will either not speak to me, or try English.

Today we were walking home from the grocery store after church. Brandon and I walked a little faster and so Brenda and our daughter were lagging behind.

An American tourist approaches my wife and begins “Mi amor, estoy perdido” (my dear, I’m lost), and then shows Brenda the roomkey to the Marriott hotel. Brenda replied in english, gave directions and sent him along the way.

As we were one block ahead, an American gentleman sitting in his car hollers at me in English: “Do you know this area, I’m lost.” He too was looking for other Marriott hotel, and was flustered at Panama City’s one-way streets that sometimes switch one-way in the middle of the neighborhood.

One lost American speaks to my wife in Spanish.

Another lost American speaks to me in English.

On the same journey home.

Another reminder to me that I’m not from here.

Divine Coincidence?

While waiting for school to begin, and our stuff to arrive, we got to spend lots of time walking around the city. Down the street from our apartment is a little park that has a soccer field.

We visited the parks and my kids played. My son encountered a bi-lingual kid, who then invited us to kick a soccer ball around on the field. See photos here on Facebook.

The other people in the photos were also on the field and the teenage girl watched over our daughter on the field to make sure she could play.

We learn a few days later that they live in the same building that we do when we encounter them in the social area.

While its a minor coincidence in our day, we also see this “chance” encounter with a neighbor part of our praying to meet our neighbors and beginning to pray for them.

A glimpse of our life

Surprise
A few days ago, while in the shower, I reached for the shampoo bottle and found a lizard staring at me. My kids have found lots of lizards (little salamander size) during our time here, but this one crawled thru the window and was enjoying a hot shower.

Waiting
While we have been waiting for our furniture and other posessions to arrive, it feels like we’ve been camping in our condo.

As we continue to pray for our neighbors, we are beginning to meet them. On a natural level, its only a matter of time, but we also know that in the sovereignty of God, we are meeting them in a not -so – random order or timing. I won’t share their stories here without their permission.

A day in the life
We chose not to have a car for a while.

As such, we are adjusting to walking nearly everywhere, or using public transportation. Where we live in the city, most everything we need (like a grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, malls) are within a good walk. The longest walk we’ve made has been about 45 minutes across town one way.

Each day also includes a trip to the pool and so our kids are growing in their confidence about swimming.

We’ve run into some interesting characters.

Tourists stand out so much that we play “Spot the tourist” game.

One man tries to sell me a love poem that looks like it was printed out in the early 90s with PrinterMaster 1.0.

Street vendors sell food and beveranges out of the back of their truck or off their bicycle cart.

Banks have armed security guards standing outside. We live in the financial district, so we see lots of guards.

Getting Around:
We are learning the bus routes here.

In our old hometown, there were signs for bus stops, and printed schedules and fares. Buses ran on a time schedule.

Here, buses stop where ever they want on their assigned route. In fact, we’ve seen buses stop at places where there is a “No Bus Stop” sign.

There is no “time”, and the bus route is paitned on the window above the door. More than once, we’ve gotten on the wrong bus and have had unguided tours of different parts of the city.

Informing our prayer
Bus tripping thru other parts of town, its clear to see blight, urban poverty, and its associated social problems. Such trips give us a glimpse of the city that informs our prayer.

Living in the financial district simply puts us the upper middle class — homes are nice, new construction condos are expensive, and the condo towers are getting taller (one new construction tower at 80 floors, prices 1 bedroom condos that begin at 250K and 3 bedrooms that start at 550K).

But as we ride thru our city, we’re beginning to get a feel of its pulse and its needs.

Let me ask you this:
Do you have a spiritual sense of where you live?

Blessings!
Chris

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