½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

So i just got back from travel in Panama (23 Oct - 1 Nov) after a productive business visit regarding an agricultural initiative that is still  "tabu."...I had scheduled a rental car from dollar rent a car in Tocumen with full coverage and went on my merry way. In Santiago Veraguas, I decided to park my car in an authorized parking in front of a cantina which means if there are parking lines drawn, you can park there. I left the vehicle to go shopping and upon my approaching my vehicle ( a Kia RIO) the men at the cantina were all looking at me kinda' strange. As I got closer to the vehicle i saw impact damage on my rear bumper. Naturally i ask if anyone saw anything...no one replied. Then I said, "let me rephrase that, If anyone has any information on what happened, they will receive un agradecimiento....immediately a gentleman pulled out his cell phone and showed me a pic of the actual hit & run vehicle with a license plate. I gave him a 5 dollar bill and thanked him. I called the rental car rep who told me not to worry since I had full coverage but i needed to go to the police (transit division) and fill out a "choque y fuga" (hit & run) report. You'll be required to write down the details (Spanish preferred) and once complete, they'll tear off the bottom half as proof you did the report. it is that piece of paper you'll have to turn in when you turn your car in....Here's the catch:

- You will be cited to appear in court provided you don't have to leave earlier than the court date. If you do have to leave, the rental car company WILL charge your credit card $180.00 for a lawyer fee to represent you in court..they don't tell you this, but it happens. Or you can pay $10 bux and do a power of attorney (poder) to have someone else represent you in court for what it's worth. Happy travels!