Panama, week 2

I forgot to mention I got my first foreign haircut a few days ago in David. Whenever I’ve traveled before, I just let it all go, beard and all, but these are different circumstances. The barber shop experience was kind of weird. Everyone there looked at me funny. I noticed the barber charged everyone else $3, but mine cost $4. I’m sure it's because my hair is so thick  I’m not complaining though because they did a nice job.

So, I moved to Hostel Boquete with a private room right next to a river. The place was nearly empty as tourist season is coming to a close. I awoke to heavy machinery in the river in the morning. Good thing I had a fully functional toilet on the porch from which to observe.

Machines.


My chair while I watch.



I went to Mi Jardin es Su Jardin, a free garden in Boquete. On the way, I found an empty hostel with a pregnant lady. It is basically a converted house with a nice common area and two showers. The rooms are private, and it costs $16.50/night. That’s half what I’m paying now, so I think I’ll move. It’s also not on a (the) river which is fine with me! The garden was pretty cool.

View of the grounds.


Family of Panamanian Deer.


You mess with the bull, and you know what! (Catherine, MG, help me here...)


Hola chica, donde esta su novio? Oh, no tiene? Tan triste! Puedo hacer todas sus sonas ser verdad!



Last night, I went out for Mexican (yes, I know, be quiet) and met “Bob,” a Panamanian who teaches Spanish. He studied English in Canada, so we had some fun conversation. He actually asked me where I learned Spanish as if implying it was pretty good. There were a bunch of people from Sweden, California, and Canada at the hostel when I returned. The Swedes were playing poker, and I’m pretty sure all coked up, and they partied all freakin’ night. Again, saved by earplugs and melatonin.

This morning, I dropped off my climbing gear at the guide shop, caught a bus to David to Bocas Chica, and cabbed it to the end of a dirt road. Then I got on a boat taxi and arrived at Hotel Bocas Bravas on an island. Nice place, $15 shared room with one other. It is hot and humid here but the scenery is great. I hiked to a couple of beaches and saw a family of 15 howler monkeys who I watched until they started flinging stuff at me. I’m going snorkeling tomorrow with Paul and his daughter Isabel from Canada and then I’m headed back to Boquete tomorrow night.

Beach.


Beach.


Beach bar (closed).


Monkey.


Monkey.