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Published: December 8th 2008
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Bridge of the Americas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_the_Americas I woke early on Sunday, into the relative cool of the morning. I slept incredibly well, considering the noise of the city and the 10 or so other people in the dorm room. After making myself a pancake breakfast (which is included free in the $11 a night fee) which I topped with some Guava jam that I inherited from a girl heading home to New York, I made myself a cup of tea and settled down to read a bit. I was soon really tired, so I went back to bed for a few hours! I hate jet lag!
It worked out well though, as when I got up I ran into 3 other travellers, Mike from England, and Anders and Anette from Norway. They were heading to Casco Viejo, and I was eager to go back in the daytime. We shared a cab ffor $4 and wandered around for quite awhile. It was much different than the night before, with lots of tourists and locals. Kuna women had their handicrafts spread out for sale - everything from sewn goods and Panama hats to keychains and jewelry. It was very colourful!
I could see the Bridge of the
Americas off in the distance. It was built 50 years ago by the USA and its the only permanent (fixed, non-swinging) bridge that crosses the path of the Panama canal, making it the only permanent link between North and South America.
We had to check out a rumour that Mike had heard, that a rooster-topped obelisk at the water front had a secret brass panel that swung open to reveal a tunnel. He had a friend who was writing a book, Da Vinci Code-style, who insisted it was true, but we all thought it was unlikely. A local man in the area, who may have wanted to be a tour guide, got our attention though, when he pushed in a panel and told us (mostly in spanish) about the existance of the tunnel! He showed us hollow walls in nearby buildings, and explained how some people were tortured to death by the rising water of the tides.
There were many homes in the area, in very run down buildings. It was interesting to see the pride that people have though - as shown by a set of neatly pressed and hung shirts in the window of one of
the homes!
After a while we sat down at a cafe in the central square and ordered juices and coffees, relaxing under the umbrella in the midday sun. I tried the only juice I couldn't indentify on the menu, called "Lulo", which is reportedly a Columbian fruit. It tasted sort of like pineapple, but with a ginger aftertaste, and I liked it a lot. We had good timing visiting the cafe it seems, as shortly after our drinks arrive the downpour started like clockwork at 3pm! It only lasted 10 or 15 minutes, and then we headed out to catch a cab back to the hostel. Mike had to head to the airport, but after a brief rest, Anders and Anette and I caught another cab to the Albrook Bus Terminal. They wanted to confirm their tickets to San Jose, Costa Rica, and I wanted to purchase a ticket for Monday to David.
I tried two bus lines before I found one that sold tickets for the following day, but I think it was the language barrier (almost no one seemed to know much english - my spanish is improving!!) as even the third place just took my
Mike checks out the entrance to the tunnel
The tunnel was covered in, but reportedly once went quite far (it wasn't easy to follow the spanish, so I'm not sure!) money and gave me a reciept. I'm to come back Monday and stand in line and get a bus when I get there! Ah well, I did learn the word "manana" (pronounced "man-yawn-ah") which means "tomorrow"!!!
The three of us then wandered around the Albrook Mall, eating in the foodcourt (Anders and Inuete had never had Wendy's, and I tried out a local place). The mall was packed with people! We think it is because it was a Sunday, and Monday is mothers day (a national holiday) as well as being near to Christmas. We did see a mall Santa Claus, dressed in a bright green suit!
I also managed to find a new toothbrush, as my travel one had broken (already!!), before we caught a cab back to the hostel. I had a nice night, sitting around the hostel and chatting with Stuart, the owner of Mamallenas, and all of the other folks here at the hostel.
Monday, a few of us have plans to see the canal, at the Miraflores locks, early on, and then I plan to head right to the bus terminal and try to get to David. I'm sad to leave! This
place has been great, nice people and atmosphere, very laid back. But, onto more adventures! There has been talk of some washed out roads or flooding, but I think that is mostly over, so I hope that my trip to David and then Boquette goes smoothly!
Bye for now!
Eileen
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Marie-Claire Himschoot
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Those birds look intense!!! and that juice...sounds yummy!!! :P