Had today my experience with the absolutely inefficient Panamanian bureaucracy. Unbelievable. Most of the people don’t know what they need to do and many people are sitting around and simply don’t do anything; I even would not be surprised if some of them only came to visit their friends being employed.

I needed to go by taxi to Colon (70 USD) to get a document, which was, until recently, available here at the customs office of the marina.

Today, I was also lucky because Ari, the lady, who drove us to Colon, helped me with the helpless administration staff. Persons in charge of issuing a common document needed to get advice by phone or from other people in the room.

One young lady, she used an old electrical type writer, entered as country of registration for our MaRe “Polen”. I never mentioned the word “Polen” at all. However while she filled in the document she was busy talking to her colleagues/friends. Fortunately the one who filled in the important document wrote “Alemania”.

I feel it also shows the quality of the only 6 year compulsory school system. Everybody can read and write, but not more. Only a small percentage of the population gets more education. A good system for the corrupt upperclass to keep privileges for themself and the majority of the population at low level of education and income.

Tomorrow morning I need to go to the immigration office at Portobello for outbounce clearance.

Hope to cast lines tomorrow by 0900 – 1000.