Since I was doing my SCUBA classes, my schedule was a bit off from the people I travelled with to Bocas. We were all headed to Panama City, but they decided to head out a day earlier. I ran across a British woman heading out the same day as me, so we decided to head off together. The boat ride back and catching the bus were uneventful.
After winding along curvy mountain roads for awhile, we came to a screeching halt. Apparently just minutes before, a loaded semi went out of control and went partly off the road. The cab was fully off and (luckily for the driver) stopped up against a tree. Unfortunately, the trailer was blocking the whole road. People had started moving the cargo into a pile by the side of the road. This went on for several hours, and well past sunset. Finally, a large tow truck showed up and pulled the truck back on the road. We scooted by the action and were on our way again! This was an unneeded delay in a trip that was already around nine hours long.
We arrived in Panama City early the next morning. We headed towards Mamallenas, the most favored hostel in town. Since they were full, and a couple of others they called were also full, we were directed to xxxx. This ended up being the worst hostel I stayed in. It was clean, had warm water, free internet, nice facilities, etc. The problem was the people managing it. They stuck rigidly with the rules set down for them. They didn't take into account the reason for the rules. The night manager is also the chief suspect in a camera theft from some friends of mine.
It wasn't a total loss, however. As it turned out, around seven people I met at my previous hostel in Bocas were also staying here! Much rum was consumed in the celebration.
Our group also went out for a night on the town. It was a weeknight, so the pickings were slim. We showed our stuff at a local salsa bar until late in the night, then hit the sack.
While in Panama City, the Canal is something you just can't miss. We hung around and watch giant tugs and trains move a giant barge through the locks. It was quite impressive. It was only impressive for one boat, then it was clearly time to leave.
With the mood around the hostel, and the general lack of activities in Panama City, I booked a flight out as soon as I could destined for Cartagena, Colombia.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Bocas
Based on recommendations, I picked another winner of a hostel upon my arrival in Bocas. I stayed in the annex at Mondo Taitu with the three people I met on the trip to Bocas and, as I would find out, a bunch of other good people.
The annex turned out to be perfect. It was basically half of the duplex next door to the main part of the hostel. We were able to create our own vibe and party on our own, yet go next door to hang out or visit the built-in bar at night. The annex also featured some decent (and some not-so-decent) artwork on the walls. The staff of the whole hostel turned out to be laid back, helpful, and fun.
As mentioned, we put together a good crew in the annex. The hostel bar hosts a costume night every Friday. We managed nearly full participation. My costume came together at the last minute (as everything tends to do in my world), but I was happy with the results. I started out by shaving my thick beard into quite an ugly display, then someone volunteered to paint my face, and with some borrowed clothes and accessories in my hair my costume was complete -- a clown-like beast that would surely make children cry.
The hostel bar tends to close a bit earlier so everyone can party elsewhere. Frequently we end up at a bar on the waterfront that has a dock built around an illuminated shipwreck. That night, most people changed out of their costumes before leaving. I decided to keep the display alive. It turned out to be the right decision. With the paint on my face, I decided not to partake of the tradition of diving in and swimming around (and cutting your feet on) the shipwreck. I managed to find a fun time anyways.
Lest you think all I did in Bocas was party, I also took the courses and qualified for my PADI open water SCUBA certification. At $175, it was too good a deal to pass up. I've found another hobby that I can spend money on in many parts of the world, and a beautiful new world under the waves.
The annex turned out to be perfect. It was basically half of the duplex next door to the main part of the hostel. We were able to create our own vibe and party on our own, yet go next door to hang out or visit the built-in bar at night. The annex also featured some decent (and some not-so-decent) artwork on the walls. The staff of the whole hostel turned out to be laid back, helpful, and fun.
As mentioned, we put together a good crew in the annex. The hostel bar hosts a costume night every Friday. We managed nearly full participation. My costume came together at the last minute (as everything tends to do in my world), but I was happy with the results. I started out by shaving my thick beard into quite an ugly display, then someone volunteered to paint my face, and with some borrowed clothes and accessories in my hair my costume was complete -- a clown-like beast that would surely make children cry.
The hostel bar tends to close a bit earlier so everyone can party elsewhere. Frequently we end up at a bar on the waterfront that has a dock built around an illuminated shipwreck. That night, most people changed out of their costumes before leaving. I decided to keep the display alive. It turned out to be the right decision. With the paint on my face, I decided not to partake of the tradition of diving in and swimming around (and cutting your feet on) the shipwreck. I managed to find a fun time anyways.
Lest you think all I did in Bocas was party, I also took the courses and qualified for my PADI open water SCUBA certification. At $175, it was too good a deal to pass up. I've found another hobby that I can spend money on in many parts of the world, and a beautiful new world under the waves.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Travelling to Bocas del Toro, Panama
After too many days of relaxing, I was ready to move on. Another short bus ride to the border, and a small bridge crossing by foot later, I was in Panama. Since Bocas is a chain of islands, we hopped a water taxi for the hour boat ride to the main island.
The boat took us through backwaters with all sorts of birds around, then into a larger body of water. This connected to the sea at various points, but was protected from the waves. It was wierd watching the waves break so far out. I snapped a bunch of pictures for visual aids.
In this area, the normal mode of transportation seemed to be canoes dug out of a single large tree. They used this for everything from fishing, to banana transportation, to going to visit the neighbors.
We finally arrived at the island after an idyllic and refreshing journey and settled in to the third cool hostel of my trip. More on that later...
The boat took us through backwaters with all sorts of birds around, then into a larger body of water. This connected to the sea at various points, but was protected from the waves. It was wierd watching the waves break so far out. I snapped a bunch of pictures for visual aids.
In this area, the normal mode of transportation seemed to be canoes dug out of a single large tree. They used this for everything from fishing, to banana transportation, to going to visit the neighbors.
We finally arrived at the island after an idyllic and refreshing journey and settled in to the third cool hostel of my trip. More on that later...
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Since I'm meeting the Moynihan's in Lima, Peru on August 16th, I decided to head south mas rapido. One of my new found friends was heading to Puerto Viejo, CR which isn't far from the Panama border. I decided to tag along.
I experienced my first bus ride in Central America. The Costa Rican countryside was mountainous and extremely green and scenic. I saw huge fields of bananas that support Dole and Chiquita. All of the bananas were contained in blue plastic bags which they apparently fill with various gasses to keep the bugs away.
I spent around three days in Puerto Viejo. Rockin' J's hostel, my home for the next few days, was indeed rockin'. I ran across a few of the same people I had first met in San Jose (and many new ones.)
A hurricane a few years ago surfaced a reef near shore. It made for an interesting bit of shoreline. There were a bunch of tidal pools in the reef that held interesting creatures (including one small moray eel.)
I did a bit of snorkeling, and spent time on the beach, sleeping in a tent (and in hammocks during the day, etc.) and just relaxed in general.
Rockin' J's was an interesting place. The whole place was covered with mosaics by previous travellers. I got lots of pictures of the artwork. Aside from that, the whole place was pretty much a giant courtyard. There were a couple of shelters where you could rent hammocks to sleep in ($5/night), but for anti-bug purposes I chose one of the tents (also lined up under a shelter) for a whopping $6/night.
Up until this point, I made every meal I ate except one. Basically, I prepared more meals for myself than I had in two years previously. Since then, I've managed to get back on track with eating out. It's more convenient, more authentic, and often less expensive than cooking for myself.
I experienced my first bus ride in Central America. The Costa Rican countryside was mountainous and extremely green and scenic. I saw huge fields of bananas that support Dole and Chiquita. All of the bananas were contained in blue plastic bags which they apparently fill with various gasses to keep the bugs away.
I spent around three days in Puerto Viejo. Rockin' J's hostel, my home for the next few days, was indeed rockin'. I ran across a few of the same people I had first met in San Jose (and many new ones.)
A hurricane a few years ago surfaced a reef near shore. It made for an interesting bit of shoreline. There were a bunch of tidal pools in the reef that held interesting creatures (including one small moray eel.)
I did a bit of snorkeling, and spent time on the beach, sleeping in a tent (and in hammocks during the day, etc.) and just relaxed in general.
Rockin' J's was an interesting place. The whole place was covered with mosaics by previous travellers. I got lots of pictures of the artwork. Aside from that, the whole place was pretty much a giant courtyard. There were a couple of shelters where you could rent hammocks to sleep in ($5/night), but for anti-bug purposes I chose one of the tents (also lined up under a shelter) for a whopping $6/night.
Up until this point, I made every meal I ate except one. Basically, I prepared more meals for myself than I had in two years previously. Since then, I've managed to get back on track with eating out. It's more convenient, more authentic, and often less expensive than cooking for myself.
San Jose, Costa Rica
After a 4-something AM wakeup and a final bag check, my cab arrived to take me to Logan Airport. The plan was 13 hours of travelling via Phoenix. What a great plan when San Jose, Costa Rica was only 5 hours away. Whoops.
I talked with the US Airways agents, and they managed to re-book me through Charlotte instead. I had to give up my first class seats, however. Poor me. With my frequent flier miles it ended up only costing me around $35 anyways, so I won't complain too much. Besides, the free food and drinks and extra space was nothing compared to six less hours of travelling.
It was a tight connection in Charlotte (due to delays out of Boston), so I just barely made the flight. My backpack wasn't so lucky. It got to spend an extra day in Charlotte while I sat in San Jose (smelly due to no change of clothes.) I met some very interesting people in Tranquilo Backpackers hostel in San Jose (highly recommended), so the time went by quickly. San Jose is very much a transition town. Everyone comes through there to go to other places in Costa Rica and Central America (and flights in and out of the area, like me.)
On the second night, I was sampling some of the local rum with some fellow travellers when one of the hostel workers came back to tell me my bag had arrived! I had another glass in celebration. I also may or may not have managed a victory lap/strut with my backpack. On with the show.
I talked with the US Airways agents, and they managed to re-book me through Charlotte instead. I had to give up my first class seats, however. Poor me. With my frequent flier miles it ended up only costing me around $35 anyways, so I won't complain too much. Besides, the free food and drinks and extra space was nothing compared to six less hours of travelling.
It was a tight connection in Charlotte (due to delays out of Boston), so I just barely made the flight. My backpack wasn't so lucky. It got to spend an extra day in Charlotte while I sat in San Jose (smelly due to no change of clothes.) I met some very interesting people in Tranquilo Backpackers hostel in San Jose (highly recommended), so the time went by quickly. San Jose is very much a transition town. Everyone comes through there to go to other places in Costa Rica and Central America (and flights in and out of the area, like me.)
On the second night, I was sampling some of the local rum with some fellow travellers when one of the hostel workers came back to tell me my bag had arrived! I had another glass in celebration. I also may or may not have managed a victory lap/strut with my backpack. On with the show.
Family Time
Before setting out for a couple of months in Latin America, I enjoyed a week on Cape Cod (Chatham) with the fam. It was a great week of just hanging out and enjoying the company. My niece and nephews are a delight. The get bigger each time I see them (which isn't nearly enough.)
I also spent some time with my sister-in-law (Mary)'s family. They were great hosts (as always.)
After about a week, it was time to go. I caught a bus to Boston where I was to catch a flight.
I also spent some time with my sister-in-law (Mary)'s family. They were great hosts (as always.)
After about a week, it was time to go. I caught a bus to Boston where I was to catch a flight.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
About this blog
I saw the Lincoln quote which gave this blog its name on a cheesy greeting card while I was waiting for my malaria pills at the pharmacy. The timing was right as I was looking for a profound statement to name my trip-tracking site after (so I could fit in with all of the cool kids on the travellers' playground.)
So, that's the mission of this blog. If I'm lucky, it will be enough to give someone that last push to get out of the rat race for awhile. Otherwise, it will just be a vehicle to bore you, dear reader, with the tales of my life (and specifically starting with my travels in Latin America.)
So, that's the mission of this blog. If I'm lucky, it will be enough to give someone that last push to get out of the rat race for awhile. Otherwise, it will just be a vehicle to bore you, dear reader, with the tales of my life (and specifically starting with my travels in Latin America.)
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