Panama: A perfect weekend getaway

My sister Gonneke works for KLM. A couple of times each year she is allowed to bring someone on the trip with her. “Do you want to join me on a work trip to Panama City? We’ll leave on Thursday and be back on Sunday morning."

In this phase of my life I’m saying "yes” to almost every opportunity or invitation that comes my way. I get to visit places I wouldn’t have chosen myself and meet people that I otherwise wouldn’t have met. Trying out new things is sometimes uncomfortable, but it makes me feel like I’m living life to the fullest. For some reason that is important to me. 

“Of course I will join you!” I respond to her question as I’m purchasing a highly discounted ‘standby’ ticket. The rules are simple: if there is an empty seat, you can board the plane; if there isn’t, you’ll get your money back. 

A couple of days before our trip it turns out that the flight is overbooked by 7.. “Don't worry”, my sister reassures me, “there is always a chance people won’t show up or miss their connection. Let’s just go to Schiphol Airport and see what happens.” That attitude fits right in with my motto when trying new things: have no expectations and let beautiful things unfold. 

As I’m waiting until everyone has boarded the plane, I hear my name called. “Mister Verberne, please report to the agents at the gate.” Quickly I make my way over to the gate. “I’m sorry sir, we don’t have any seats remaining in economy class. Would you be interested in joining us in business class?”, the lady asks with a big smile. That must have been the easiest question I’ve gotten all week! 

I’ve been upgraded to first class a couple of times on domestic flights while living in the United States, but never flew business class on an intercontinental flight. Holy crap! The luxury! At first I have no clue what to do with all the space and where to leave my belongings. Then I find out there is so much space because you can totally flatten your chair to turn it into a bed. 

The food isn’t limited to a “Would you like chicken or pasta, sir?”, but instead I get a three course meal where I get to choose between things like a ‘Grouper filled pasta on spinach in a creamy noilly prat sauce with broad beans, carrot, asparagus and pearl onions’ and a ‘braised veal tartlet on kale mash with shallot purée, cucumber and mustard seed. “See if you can find a nice wine to accompany your food”, the flight attendant suggests as she hands me the wine menu. 

Lee - the co-pilot’s wife - is seated next to me and we’re having good conversations. It’s a very pleasant flight for obvious reasons and I even get to spend some quality time with Gonneke in between servings. 

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal when we get to the hotel. “Great flight everyone!”, the senior purser compliments the crew and starts cracking some jokes. I get to know more of Gonneke’s coworkers (not just the ones working in the area where I was seated) at the hotel bar. I’ve been on many flights before and had many short interactions with flight attendants, but it’s fun to get to know some of them a little better. It is good to realize that they are also just people doing the best they can. Everybody has a story to tell. 

The next morning we get up early and take an Uber to the harbor of Amador, where a boat takes us to the island of Taboga. Jimmy (the coco) and Pieter (the captain) are joining us for the trip. It’s a short 30 minute boat ride. The sun on our face, the wind through our hair, and reggaeton music in the background: vacation mode is on! 

It is not very crowded on the beach and there is plenty of sun to soak in. And Pina Colada’s. Holy crap! They’re serving the drink inside a pineapple! 

We talk, play ukulele, soccer and just chill out until it’s time for us to take the boat back to Panama City to have dinner and walk around old parts of town. 

For Saturday morning we’ve booked a private boat trip with Edwin. Shalini, one of Gonneke’s coworkers decides to join us last minute. Edwin picks us up at the hotel and starts telling us about the Panama Canal; about its history, the economic effects it has on the country as a whole, the negotiations with the United States. Of course I’ve heard about the canal and its purpose before, but it is interesting to learn about it through the lens of a local. A small motorboat takes us to the canal, where huge vessels filled with containers are making their way from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. 

Then we take an exit to enter Gatun Lake. The lake is part of a national park and it is a great place to spot wildlife. We get to see an alligator, different kinds of monkeys, a sloth and a couple of leguanas. 

It is quiet and peaceful on the lake as Edwin tells us about the different animals and birds we encounter. What a relaxing way to spend a Saturday morning.

Gonneke has to catch some sleep prior to our upcoming night flight, so I spend the last few hours by the pool; enjoying a podcast and one last Pina Colada. I make my way to the airport and report at the gate.  Lady Luck is still on my side as there is an open seat available. You guessed it: in business class! It’s strange to board a plane and be welcomed by people I just spent a couple of days with.  What a great weekend! What a great way to get an insight into my sisters work. What a job..