I had a great time today. I covered several miles on foot and on bicycle, just exploring the town of Boquete and the surruounding mountains. I´m happy to report that my fear of discovering the place to have been overrun with wealthy northern tourists and retirees were erroneous. Boquete feels just as Panamanian as anywhere else I´ve been in this country. I chatted with Rob today, and he believes part of the reason is that the expats mostly live in their little (often gated) enclaves outside of town, leaving the town with improved ammenities like high speed internet and great dining [View Full Entry]

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Bad news first: I´m a bit bummed out right now because I was liberated from my digital camera today. The camera is replaceable, but the many images I had stored in it definitely are not. Replacement of the camera is not exactly in my travel budget. Also, I obviously won´t be able to post more images on the blog until I can replace the camera. I will at least purchase some disposable cameras and scan the prints into an addendum blog when I get home. In a hurry to let a new passenger into the seat next to me on the [View Full Entry]

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Since I last published two mornings ago: I followed a Sunday morning procession to the Panama Cathedral and was enthralled by the enthusiasm of the people (see pictures). The music and singing were so joyful! I then went out to the huge former US Canal base community of Clayton to the hostel there. What a difference a ten minute cab ride can make in this area! Having been built by Americans, for Americans, in what appears to have been about the 1950's, Clayton basically looks and feels like an American suburb as envisioned and executed by mid-twentieth century American civil engineers. [View Full Entry]

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First, I' like to promote my current panamanian home. The website for the hostel I've been staying in is http://www.hospedajecascoviejo.com/ Currently it's occupied by an American ex-pat named Clyde who's lived here for several months, several Europeans, and myself. It's a really nice place for $11/night. Yesterday was even better than my first day! I steeled my nerves after leaving the hostel, and went down to the wharf and market area that the Lonely Planet Guide claims the Colombian boats bring their wares for sale. I turned back the day before because it looked a bit too rough a [View Full Entry]

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Well, well... I've wanted to travel to exotic places for a very long time, and here I am in Panama City. To my friends and family, I'm doing well, very well! I've ony been really concerned once, on my cab ride from the airport last night. I'm staying in a hostel in the old part of town called Casco Viejo which is well know for its colonial architecture, culture, beautiful views, and, unfortunately, poverty and crime. I negotiated a decent cab fare from what i could only describe as a taxi hustler last night, loaded up in a big old beat [View Full Entry]

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