This was a day of planned business activities. For those of you who have ever had the experience of trying to conduct business in Latin America you will know what I am talking about. For those of you who haven't;

The first 20-30 minutes of any meeting focuses on family, politics, family, the economy and family. No business is discussed until they are ready;

No matter how well prepared you are, they will always find something else they need that you don't have readily at hand;

Always plan on it taking 2-3X the amount of time it would normally take you to accomplish something;

I started out with an early breakfast review of the planned meeting with my local business partner. We went over all the details, all the forms, all the paperwork and were convinced we had everything necessary to move forward. After the initial 35 minute family discussion, we were informed we were missing two very important documents. Impossible to know they were even required since the forms had not even been released yet by the Government and were not scheduled to go into effect until December. (gotta go back in Dec.)

We got everything straightened out and began running around to other appointments to complete the entire cycle of requirements. With each stop, we found additional things that were necessary and one reason or another why they could not be done today.

Thank goodness I had scheduled extra days in anticipation of just such a result;

By the end of the day we were tired, frustrated, exhausted and stressed...solution? Visit to Royal Ellegance.

Royal Ellegance Center-At the corner of Via Poras and Via Lilla 264-3313 across the street from the Shell station. Well, not exactly. The Shell station is about 1/2 block up the road. There is no marking of any kind on the front of this building to indicate there is a business operating there. In fact, it looks like a house. You have to go down the driveway and enter through the rear.

Small place but very comfortable inside. At first, I started to turn around and leave because I didn't see anything to my liking but decided to sit and have a beer with my partner to see what might show up. A group of locals was tuned into the NY/Bos final game on the big screen and all the girls were sitting around playing cards. They knew there would be no business while the game was on!

I am the only gringo there. My buddy had to leave after his beer so we agreed on breakfast the next morning. I got into watching the game. Bos was ahead 4-0 and looked like they had it sewn up.....not to be as we all know. By the time it went into extra innings, I had noticed a shapely young thing that had entered and had her in my gunsights. By this time, the locals at the next table (Big yankee fans) were whooping and hollering at every play. The manager was among them and he asked me who I was for. I told him Bos but only because I thought the Marlins could beat them easier than the Yankees. He bought me a beer. I got up to use the bano and told the hottie I would take her after the game. Couple more gringos came in and sat at a table near mine.

They too were enthralled in the game. When the game ended, I went to the bano again and when I came out, hottie was strolling down the hallway with one of the other gringos. Nothing else measured up so I decided to call it a night and just go back to my hotel.

What a horrible way to end a frustrating day! Too late to call anyone else and I didn't want to wait on this guy to finish and take seconds.

sandman

"You have to go down the driveway and enter through the rear."

Unfortunately, this sounds like the most erotic portion of your trip so far. I'm sorry it hasn't been more eventful.

Ahh my friend...but it gets better!

Just wait..........

Does this mean you are in Panama right now Sandman? I am headin there on Sunday through Thurs. WOuld be great to mee tup with you at Golden or something.

Tobieca

Tob-No...I am back in the US but have to go back in Dec. for some follow-up business.