Choque del dia IV.

I am keeping the tradition and posting another bunch of situations, which took my breath here for a while:

• Avenida Central = Via Espana - First few weeks in Panama city I was a little bit puzzled by the name of the streets. I was told, that the main avenue, which is going through the whole Panama city center is Avenida central - quite obvious name I thought, and it looked as a good landmark. But after few days we were in a car and I had a feeling that I know that street. But I was told, that I am at Via Espana... It was strange, but probably the streets were just similar. Then again after several days we were at Via Espana (I was almost sure about it), but when I asked, what is the name of the street, I was told, that we are at Avenida Central... That confused me a lot until I looked at the map, which I bought and realized, that all the main streets in Panama have two names. So if you will be looking for Avenida Simon Bolivar and they will send you to Transistmica, don't be surprised, it is the same street. As well as Calle R. J. Alfaro and Tumba Muerto... etc.
• Currency - In Panama the official currency is called Balboa, however there are no Balboa bills, just coins. The exchange ratio Balboa:US Dollar is 1:1 and in Panama all the time your are using the US Dollar bills to pay and either US coins or Balboa coins, which are the same size. But of course it would be too easy in this way. As I said the US Dollar bills are accepted in Panama, but not all of them. 50$ & 100$ bills are not accepted almost anywhere. People are probably afraid of falsification. So when I came to Panama with 2 bills of 100$ Franklin told me that we have to go to casino... When he saw my face, he realized, that probably he should explain it more and I was told, that the 50$ and 100$ bills are accepted only in banks and casinos and in casinos it take much less time to change it. So I have already visited several casinos in Panama. Don't worry - I am not into gambling.
• Taxi drivers - when you stop the taxi on the street (there are plenty of them and they usually use the horn to get customers, which is making me a little bit sick of taxi drivers) first you have to tell the taxi driver, where do you want to go and then ask, if he is willing to take you there. If you are lucky, the second or third taxi driver will say yes and you can sit in the car. If the taxi driver is not in the mood of taking you where do you want to go, he just drives away without telling you anything. My personal record is 5 cabs in a row refusing to take me.