16 de Febrero 2011

Today, we switched hostels - Moving from La Jungla to Mamallena. We were paying $29 a night in a dorm at La Jungla and figured for $30 a night we could have a private room at Mamallena. After a cancelation came thru right when we needed it, we moved on over. Now we have a cute little room in a very nice hostel.

We then took a taxi to Casco Viejo, the older part of town across a small harbor from Downtown. Traffic in Panama City is horrible, very stop and go and congested. Tons of cars, tons of taxis, and some buses. We have been taking taxi's arround town as we have heard that the buses are complicated, coupled with the fact that the taxi's are dirt cheap. We can get almost anywhere we want for $2. But, the trouble is getting them to stop. They are very very particular about who they pick up and where they are heading. If they want to drive north and you are heading south, they just point in a general direction and drive off. It takes talking to 10-20 taxis before you can find one heading where you want it to head. And this isnt only for us foreigners, I see the same process happen to the locals as well. Its very confusing. Mari made a comment to one driver that they operate like collectivos, he replied that they are more like selectivos. I liked that response.

Anyway, we arrived to Casco Viejo only to be confronted by the Panamanian sun and heat. The clouds parted and the sun popped out to say hello. And it got hot. Mari (and her cyst) are now very sensitive to heat, so we snapped ate a quick lunch, snapped some quick photos, and retreated back to the hostel to relax.

A small group of kids were walking by as I was taking a picture of the boy in red sitting on the counter, but the boy in black wanted one of his own as well - to the hilarity of his friends.


The view of downtown across the harbor from Casco Viejo. If possible, look at the amount of buildings under construction.


Casco Viejo street corner.


As it was burning up outside under the sun, we indoors into one of the four churches in Casco Viejo. Enormous vaulted ceilings, immense doors, beautifully created stain glass windows of the classic saints. This was a beautiful structure.


Travis staring off into the Gulf of Panama.

Cystem Updates

Here are the updates on Mari's cyst.

I took this one yesterday afternoon. The swelling seems to be reducing around the cyst, which is good. But its increasing swelling right at the area of the cyst. Almost likes its thrusting outward. Its way more pronounced now than it was before.


I took this one today. I am sorry to say that I dont think its getting any better, even with medication. I am glad we altered our flight to arrive a few days sooner to Uruguay because I think Mari needs to have this removed as soon as possible. Its an unfortunate way to arrive home, but better there than here. In Uruguay she will have the love and support of family and friends.

9 de Febrero 2011

Mari and I left Boquete this morning, barely. It was late in the day, but we did. We escaped the pleasant black hole that is Boquete. We took the local bus to David ($1.50 each) where we transfered to a minibus headed to Changuinola. We got off early in a town called Almirante ($7.00 each) where we (barely) caught a boat ($5.00 each) headed out to Isla Colon. We are now in an island town called Bocas Del Toro. We are on the northern coast of Panama, which means we are back on the Carribean side of the world once again, which we havent seen since Belize.

Knowing we would be rolling into town late, we decided to book a place in advance, before we left Boquete. When we arrived, of course no one knew anything and all that existed was my name scribbled next to a room name that no one possessed the power to actually give us. For months, we have traveled without reservations. It has always worked out, but sometimes it just costs a little more in the end, as all the cheap rooms are rented already. Anyway, we left the hostel Spanish by the Sea in spite, and ended up staying in Casa Verde. A very nice place. Its got a bar and restaurant, as well as a nice communal kitchen, a beautiful deck for sunning, and several dorm rooms and private rooms. The unfortunate part is we are paying $30 for a private room, but its better to arrive and pay a bit more than to arrive and have nothing available for rent.

After checking in, we ran to a local bar to watch Uruguay beat Argentina in the Under 20 soccer tournament. Its a hexagonal tournament, which I have never heard of, but six teams compete for the title. The top two go directly to the Olympics in London. Looks like Uruguay is kicking ass in the soccer world lately.

We arrived under cover of night, but the town already has the allure of a Caribbean beach town. I cant wait to explore a little more tomorrow.

We bought tickets to Uruguay. We will be flying from Panama City on the evening of Feb. 24th. So from here on out, we are going to fully enjoy the rest of our trip. There is a scuba diving certification program here that I want to check out. Perhaps I will go through with it. We'll see.

Other than that, we are drinking Balboa and doing well. I see Balboa recieved a C grade, I cant say I am surprised. It seems all the national beers do. But Mari likes this one the best so far, if that has any meaning. On a whim I looked up my personal favorite, Mannys Pale Ale from Seattle, and it has a rating of an A-. Hmmm, I may have to pilfer through the site a bit more to find which beers are A's and A+'s.

T

7 de Febrero 2011

I have to apologize for my slightly negative review of Boquete before, this is actually a very sweet, beautiful small town set in a valley between green tree filled mountains with hot, dry sun during the day and cool crisp winds at night. The air is clean and pleasantly filled with the smell of flowers that grow abundently anywhere and everywhere. I can definately see why this is a bustling center of retirees. Its got all the elements of a great place to retire, if you enjoy the benefits of a small , quiet mountain town.



Yesterday, Mari and I visited a garden located about a 20 min walk away from the center of town. It was exquisitely filled with all types of plants, planted with thought and care. There were several Koy ponds speckling the area, and a winding path that made its way throughout - sometimes crossing bridges over the ponds. We saw daisies, hydrangia, orchids, and a hundred more that I cant name by sight. Later, we went to the local gringo bar to watch the superbowl and drink beer. Which actually entailed Mari using the WI-FI while I watched the first half of the superbowl with the other expats in the bar. We ended up leaving halfway thru because the we were sitting in the open air bar freezing due to the nightly temperature drop and heavy winds, only to watch the Steelers get destroyed. Thus we retreated to our warm, comfortable room. I learned today the Green Bay did win, but the score was a bit closer than I had anticipated after watching the first half.

Today, Mari and I headed out of town on the local collectivo headed towards the town of Caldera to visit some hotsprings. Even though the local volcanoe is inactive, there are still remnants of volcanic activity - ie hot springs. The collectivo dropped us off at the entrance to the dirt road headed towards the hot springs - about a 40 minute walk away. It was a perfect day for a hike as you can see from the photo.

Arriving at the hot springs, we found that we were on private property and paid the owners $2 each for our entrance fee. The land is still natural, and its simply a local family on farm land that has a few hot springs in their backyard. As we walked towards the springs we sighted a cute little monkey prancing about in the trees. Pulling a small honey candy from our pockets I enticed the monkey down for a treat.

He absolutely loved that candy. He sat licking and sucking on it for quite a while. Displaying all his cute and desirable qualities in the process. He was so cute. Look at the way he uses his tail.


Having put in our monkey time, we headed to the springs. The springs are in the same natural state they probably were 200 years ago. Its nice sometimes to compare the state of things here to the states. Here, it lies used, yet unaltered for all to use for a minimal fee. I know in the states, these natural springs would have been bought and altered by some company bent on creating a natural spa. They would have been excavated to produce clean, concrete pools and lined with benches for sitting. Possibly all of it would be housed in a rustic looking log cabin type building to insulate the heat within. All, most likely done in order to charge exhorbinant fees. Or.... perhaps I am just a bit jaded?

Yet here, its simply a pebble and dirt bottomed pond in the back of the house. They done sell soda, beer, water, or anything. You simply pay to use the ponds and leave. I read there were 3 ponds, but we only saw 2. Both were shallower than I had imagine, perhaps knee deep in the center. But they were wide enough to lay back in and enjoy. And the best part, both were very very warm. Surpisingly so.

We alternated between the hot springs and the cold water river flowing alongside, just for the pure juxtiposition of it all.

On our way out, we ran into this cute little two some. The little boy was barefoot and buck naked, running around the yard while his older sister looked after him. They were incredibly gorgeous. And Mari and I fell in love with the local children yet again, as we have in ever single country we have visited. We pondered why they werent in school, and what their futures were in this little village. But nonetheless, they live in a safe, beautiful stretch of Panama that looks and feels like a natural paradise. I think they have a lot to look forward to.

Tomorrow, we will leave Boquete headed to the coast. Possibly the Carribean, possibly the Pacific. Either way, this town will be missed as it has been one of the highlites of our entire trip. If you get the chance to visit, I would highly encourage you to do so.