Never Draw a Line in the Sand in Panama

This is the land of fluidity.

God help you if you have to get something done before a deadline.

I have a project at my house. It requires a contractor to visit the house and check it out.

The problem is that I am busier than a one armed paper hanger in preparation for my trip.

I arranged for the visit this morning, knowing that it probably wouldn't happen. Things just don't happen on the first try here.

I call early to get a status and hear the normal run around and uncertainty. So I forget about it and go on with my day.

I have a business meeting and international phone call scheduled for noon.

So, of course, I get a call at 11 AM saying that the contractor is on his way.

What!!?? Where did that come from?

Sure enough, just draw a line in the sand and see what happens. This place loves to screw with you.

So I go meet the guy, he is of course late, and we head up to my house. I call my business partner and tell him I will be late. He was gracious because he has lived here for a few years and knows the ropes...and fortunately, the call was rescheduled.

The alternative was to put this project off for another month. Not very palatable. So I squeeze the appointment in and it worked out.

The Land of Unfulfilled Expectations, it is!

Funny thing, I am getting used to it. In a small way...