I'm safe in Balboa, still aboard MSC Geneva, but caught in a little immigration snag. Panamanian law does not recognize "passengers" on commercial vessels, only crew, and since I have no status under the law, I am not allowed to disembark. (William
Least-Heat Moon's definition of travel is, "to live the real jeopardy of circumstance." This is what he was talking about.)
Who knew? Not MSC, the shipping company, not NSB, the ship's owners, and not Maris, the booking agency which got me aboard. Apparently I am the first person in my position in maritime history to sail through the canal and attempt to disembark in its' namesake. Believe that if you choose to.
My captain, who is at least as amused as I, has offered to take me to the destination of my choosing, that being Callao, Peru, five days south of here.
This may be my only communication until I arrive below the equator and find Wi-Fi. I'll continue to post Spot alerts every 24 hours while underway, although I have no way of knowing if they're getting out.
All is well.