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Published: February 1st 2007
Hostel Heike
This is the sign for our Hostel...I hear a crackle and little yelps coming from the street outside of Hostel Heike, as I come out the front gates and into the sunlit street, I see crowds gathering across the street. I come upon a man in the street dressed completely in black and red, with a huge mask atop his head. The mask is adorned with bright red fabric and huge white tusks protruding from his face. He has feathers and bells attached to his feet and I can hear the bells as he stomps his feet through the street cracking his whip.
Out of nowhere come two others, ‘El Diablos’. Cracking their whips and taunting the people in the streets….
Kids screaming, running and playing with the Devils; apparently Panamanian tradition. If you are outside the white lines on the street they can not whip you, only intimidate and taunt you. But, if you step inside to challenge them and you are holding a stick they pull back and crack as hard as I can imagine is possible.
I ventured down the street to see things closer up and found myself hiding behind a rasta friend while a Diablo is breathing down my neck, whipping
Back in Panama
This is the beginning stages of Laura and I painting the hostel Heike the backs of my legs, ever so gently and enough to make my heart start to race. He starts to stare me down and I recognize his eyes, behind his disguise. It is an old friend, and he is waiting to get me.
I sat with my friend Jen, biting my nails and trying to calm my heartbeat.
All of this makes sense when we realize that Carnival is fast approaching.
This new excitement made me think that it was about time I started a blog so that those of you that are not into emailing can keep up with me and my adventures.
I am still living and working in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Loving every minute I spend here. Recently I have been more and more motivated and inspired to start painting, singing, and reading again. I have almost completely finished my first real painting since I have been here. Dan from Mondo has been inspiring me to sing again. We download songs both of us want to learn together and sing before we open the bar. It feels amazing to be in a place where I have the time to do these things on
First Night Back
This is Laura Dan and I at Modno Taitu, my first night back. a daily basis. Laura is in Colombia for 5 days, doing her visa run.(For those of you that don’t know, her and I run Heike together). One of my bestest friends from home just left two days ago after spending a month with us here, I miss her already!!! And my friend Ashley is coming next week, can’t hardly wait.
I am feeling grounded lately, happy with where I am and what I am doing. The past 3 months here in Bocas have been filled with so many amazing people, fantastic parties, special holidays; I am feeling lucky that I have the opportunity to be here. I did not imagine that I would gain so much being here, from the lifelong friendships, concrete memories, and being the most spiritually grounded I have been in a long time.
I miss and love all of you and I hope some of you are planning trips my way.
Kat
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Diego
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Thats lovely, funy, inspirating, magic, and my english stops me there... Looking good Kathy, hope you change just what you want. Besos y exitos DA