Tip for the month

John and I went to the Bio-Fit Center together and worked out with separate trainers. I felt much better than the previous two days and I had lots of energy. I had a good work out, working on balance and lower body strength. On the way back to the hotel we asked the driver to stop at an organic food store we found out about from the nutritionist, Anna, at the Bio-Fit Center. We picked up some nuts and dried fruit and bought a box of cereal for our driver. I don't know what the protocol is for tipping, but we've been giving our drivers a couple of dollars for each round trip ride to our daily appointments. We also tip our maid two dollars a day. When we go out to dinner we've found that many places add a ten percent tip, or propina, to the bill. John usually gives them another ten percent on top of that. I will give Ivan a nice tip tomorrow for working so hard with me the past four weeks.


When we arrived back at the hotel another van was dropping off Connie and Chris and their son Owen from Connie's visit to the plastic surgeon for lipo. She seemed to be doing well, but I'm sure the drugs they had given her hadn't worn off yet. Chris told us they had their blog up and running, so for more information on Panama and stem cells here is her site:  My Stem Cell Journey.

John and I went to the room and ate lunch and then went out shopping. First we stopped at the Dollar Rental Car place on the bottom floor of this building and reserved a car for our trip to Boquete on Saturday. We walked down the street on our way to Rey's Supermarket looking at the wares displayed by the street vendors. In the picture above I am talking to a guy who makes all his own jewelry. At Rey's we bought a bag of pecans and a birthday card for my brother. I was looking for a card to give to Ivan tomorrow but the pickings were slim. Next door we found another store that looked something like a Ben Franklin and they had more cards. I found what I needed and we headed back to the hotel. I was walking better today and had good energy. There were overcast skies and it was cooler than usual, but I could tell I was reaching the limit of my energy reserves as we walked back into the hotel. The picture below is of the Torres de Alba Hotel from down the street by the sidewalk vendors. The building on the immediate left is the Veneto Hotel and Casino.

I relaxed for a bit then made dinner. Tomorrow is my final day of treatment. I'm dissappointed that I haven't felt any results but I know all the reasons why I am one of those people for whom it will take time.