Blogs from Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Central America Caribbean - page 15

This is one of the first travel days that had a relaxed wake up. Our bus left at 10:30am so we had time to get breakfast and stroll leisurely to the bus. It was sweltering hot and a long bus ride was not what we were looking forward to. Matt, Justin, and I had to stand most of the way while Morris managed to find a seat. The ride was about two hours to the border. We jumped off expecting the usual border hassle but to our surprise it started nicely. We checked out of costims in Costa Rica quickly and were off towards the Panama check in. This was where we got the usual rip-off. We couldn't get into the country unless we had proof we were leaving. No paper proof=no entry so they made ... read more

I was sad about leaving Colombia, in my heart I considered myself a 'paisa' (a paisa is someone from Medellin and the Antioquia part of Colombia) but somehow I was excited about exploring central America especially Nicaragua and Mexico..........I had the worst experience ever at the Colombian airport, my bags were searched - I mean taking out everything from the bag and even broke open one of my tampons, I do not know what they were looking for ......I was almost crying, anyways that is the past. Finally I was in Panama, I stayed in a hostel that is extremely hyped -Lunas Castle, for me it was just a big hostel with too many people and unclean. I met a girl from Texas on my very first day and together with other peeps from Israel , ... read more

We left Puerto Viejo a little behind schedule and made our way into Panama. First stop was in Bocas del Toro; a chain of islands on the Western Caribbean coast of Panama. The vibe here was really cool. To get to the hostel we were staying at, you had to take water taxis there and back. Everything has a relaxed feeling to it. We came with the dancers and an Ozy named Mike. We ended up finding a house that a guy rented out to us for a good price, and got hooked up with a local guy who wanted to go surfing. The second day we were there, a swell came through and we finally got to surf some Caribbean waves. The waves broke over a shallow reef and if you fell on a big ... read more

10/18 Wanchow and I went back to Almirante where I can use my credit card as money is flowing like water into my house. I bought a water tank, toilet, sink, inflatable mattress, mosquito net, plumbing, and some varnish. I bought Wanchow a fridge and washer/dryer in lieu of some cash. We had quite a load in our little boat. 10/20 Patty and Tim left. They're hopping a sailboat out of Pa City to San Blas, then Cartagena, Colombia. Believe it or not, Columbia is the nicest spot in Latin America these days. Tim and I got along great. They will be missed. Tomorrow windows will be put in at the shack. I decided I want them to open upward to the inside. Then when I shut them, I'll slide a plank across to lock them, ... read more

Day 7 of actual construction and I have a roof. It still needs to be painted. Unfortunately, I missed roofing day, as I was enjoying an interesting day traveling to another town getting more cash. I thought the bus ride over the mountains was thrilling. That was a warm-up for the bus to Changuinola and the bank. And, theres nothing more thrilling than walking through a foreign, marginal, shanty town to the bus station, with thousands in cash on your person. Being stared at, machetes gleaming in the hot sun. OK, Did I say walking? I was running. As I requested a steeper roof pitch than the original plans (so I could make a small loft area - you know, for when Mom and Dad visit), Wanchow had to tie a rope around his waist. I ... read more