All American, but one more American than the others.
I just worked out that I visited sixteen states of the USA, (plus DC), in the 4 months I was there. I'm missing it a little, but not sure why yet. England is warm, yet wet, seems less vibrant, less like a land of opportunity.
The trip included ten countries in total. I visited each one from Canada down to Panama. It's often said that people all round the world are the same. I can report that that's nonsense. They're different as can be, and it's mainly down to education and/or belief systems.
USA: I didn't manage to understand the mindset of the American people. America is obsessed with race to an unhealthy and insane level. There's racism coming from all sides, and it's a politically troubling place, so much more divided than ever before. It's common to come across anti-white rhetoric on the internet these days, and I experienced it in New York. And there's a huge proportion of white america who hate Obama for no reason whatsoever. They would deny that it's because he's viewed as being black (he's neither black nor white but both!), but it's pretty obvious the republicans hate him a lot more than they would a white democratic president, because their arguments against him or so flimsy. They choose to believe ridiculous things, even when they are easily verifiable as false with a little research. In that regard they are similar to conspiracy theorists. Very few of these people have any real education.
It's often said that the UK is ten or twenty years behind the US in regard to many things. Perhaps this was more accurate before the technological revolution and the advancement of the internet. Let's just hope it's not going to follow the contemporary political route. It's plain that Bernie Saunders is the correct choice, but America can't see straight. Their view is largely obscured by a largely culture-less and inconsistent world obsessed with itself, eclipsing all others.
As of the morning of May the 10th, I'm back in the UK. So, it's the latest chapter. Always going to be a comedown after seeing so many amazing sights. As usual, nothing's changed, and people haven't moved on much. Especially those that really should have.
But there are still things I want to do here - and in Europe. Despite all the troubles, if I could move to the US, I would. Or maybe Canada. Not a single country in Central America inspired me to return, but never say never. The reason being: space. The outdoors. The language. And despite all the insanity, the majority of people I met were laid back, (not uptight like the British), welcoming and generous. I met more amiable people in four months in the US than I have done in years in the UK. There are so many walls, so many closed doors and minds here. I guess it's up to me to over-ride that now.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Lazy
Well I've been extremely lazy and not blogged about my recent trips through the Southern States, DC, Philly, NYC, Ontario and Montreal in Canada and now Boston.
Nobody has commented on anything I've written to date, so it didn't particular feel as though it's worth continuing with. But then the US isn't as interesting as Central America. Of course, there's plenty to complain about here, (mostly confined to politics and commercialism), but I've not done much that anyone would be excited to read about either.
I've birded a lot, and I enjoy that. I choose not to bore the world with it though. Even most birders would skip it. Birding is often a personal journey except when touching upon the more worthwhile scientific edge of bird ecology. I really hope to contribute to that in the near future both during and after my upcoming stint with the RSPB in Northern Ireland.
So for now, my American travels are almost at an end, with just one week left before I fly to England. This final week will be spent in Massachusetts, primarily on Cape Cod, and the coastal regions, birding. Spring migration is here, so it could be a productive and interesting time, especially for a relative newcomer to North America.
Anyway, I will be starting a new blog detailing my two to three weeks working on Rathlin Island for the RSPB. That should be more relevant to the wider world than this extended "holiday!"
It's been great to finally see the USA and Canada after many years meaning to come. Recently, I've been trying to do a great deal things that I've pined for but not found the time for until now. Perhaps I'll be able to settle down once I get the remaining curiosities out of my system.
As for Canada: that was a lot more mellow than it's southern neighbour as you can imagine. Colder at times, but a hell of a lot more relaxed. I could see myself living there.
And Boston seems a much more civilised city than the other "big ones" I've visited; New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami. The smaller US cities are a lot more attractive to my mind. Chatanooga is a nice size, and with a variety of things to do and places to visit.
Montreal and Toronto were both nicer than any of the large US cities. San Francisco is out on it's own if you can get into "the bubble" but the wider metropolitan region is still too over crowded for my liking.
I look forward to returning to visit Seattle, Portland and Vancouver on the West coast, although it's well known to rain as often as it does in the British Isles.
I'll post the link to my new blog here once it's been created. So long!
Nobody has commented on anything I've written to date, so it didn't particular feel as though it's worth continuing with. But then the US isn't as interesting as Central America. Of course, there's plenty to complain about here, (mostly confined to politics and commercialism), but I've not done much that anyone would be excited to read about either.
I've birded a lot, and I enjoy that. I choose not to bore the world with it though. Even most birders would skip it. Birding is often a personal journey except when touching upon the more worthwhile scientific edge of bird ecology. I really hope to contribute to that in the near future both during and after my upcoming stint with the RSPB in Northern Ireland.
So for now, my American travels are almost at an end, with just one week left before I fly to England. This final week will be spent in Massachusetts, primarily on Cape Cod, and the coastal regions, birding. Spring migration is here, so it could be a productive and interesting time, especially for a relative newcomer to North America.
Anyway, I will be starting a new blog detailing my two to three weeks working on Rathlin Island for the RSPB. That should be more relevant to the wider world than this extended "holiday!"
It's been great to finally see the USA and Canada after many years meaning to come. Recently, I've been trying to do a great deal things that I've pined for but not found the time for until now. Perhaps I'll be able to settle down once I get the remaining curiosities out of my system.
As for Canada: that was a lot more mellow than it's southern neighbour as you can imagine. Colder at times, but a hell of a lot more relaxed. I could see myself living there.
And Boston seems a much more civilised city than the other "big ones" I've visited; New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami. The smaller US cities are a lot more attractive to my mind. Chatanooga is a nice size, and with a variety of things to do and places to visit.
Montreal and Toronto were both nicer than any of the large US cities. San Francisco is out on it's own if you can get into "the bubble" but the wider metropolitan region is still too over crowded for my liking.
I look forward to returning to visit Seattle, Portland and Vancouver on the West coast, although it's well known to rain as often as it does in the British Isles.
I'll post the link to my new blog here once it's been created. So long!
Monday, April 4, 2016
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe... is one of my favourite lines from cinema, and perhaps across all culture and media. Reflected in my experience it includes many things no-one knows and some that no-one will know. Horrors and beauties. Darkness and great wonder.
I've 35 days left before I fly to the UK to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 weeks of which will involve working on an island off of Northern Ireland. I'm looking forward to it, at least the first few days of it.
Yes I've seen many things on this trip, a number of which I've long wanted to sample. A bucket list of sorts, though missing the most important of wonders.
I finally saw LA, and of course Hollywood, the Big Sur, Santa Monica Beach and a variety of national parks, including; Yosemite, Point Reyes, Joshua Tree, Sequoia, the Everglades and a bunch of State Parks, many of which were just as beautiful. I've seen Vegas, the Mojave Desert, the edge of Death Valley, swam in the caribbean at Playa Del Carmen, visiting several Cloud Forests and a variety of rain forests, where, in one, I swung on a vine. I saw a huge variety of bird life and met a plethora of America hosts. I saw every country in Central America, witnessed the harsh conditions, and walked in wild country, the likes of which are often only experienced in undeveloped countries.
I saw a volcano erupt and climbed another, sped across lake Atitlan, spend days imbibing the chilled out atmosphere that comes with water taxis and no roads. I visited mayan ruins, climbed pyramids, encountered several monkey species, watched alligators and numerous turtles and tortoises, seen manatees, wild horses and real wilderness.
I've eaten in real American diners, enjoyed coconuts straight off the tree. I walked on the Appalachian Trail, visited a number of American towns and cities, with New York, Boston and Canada still to come. Seen the national mall and the monuments of past government that the United States are so proud of: iconic. I've witnessed the american soul searching that's happening these days, and will continue forward.
I've very little regrets from this trip. Visiting Cape Canaveral would have been good, but there's too much to see and no time for everything in this life.
I'll be in New York tomorrow, soaking up a baseball game, the WTC and Central Park, before visiting another new country, Canada, the 49th I've visited.
And I did it all just so I could say to everyone I meet, and everyone on facebook, "What did you do this winter?" Well, no.
I hope to finally retire my travellers itch at the end of this, and seek other things in life.
Don't sweat the little things.
I've 35 days left before I fly to the UK to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 weeks of which will involve working on an island off of Northern Ireland. I'm looking forward to it, at least the first few days of it.
Yes I've seen many things on this trip, a number of which I've long wanted to sample. A bucket list of sorts, though missing the most important of wonders.
I finally saw LA, and of course Hollywood, the Big Sur, Santa Monica Beach and a variety of national parks, including; Yosemite, Point Reyes, Joshua Tree, Sequoia, the Everglades and a bunch of State Parks, many of which were just as beautiful. I've seen Vegas, the Mojave Desert, the edge of Death Valley, swam in the caribbean at Playa Del Carmen, visiting several Cloud Forests and a variety of rain forests, where, in one, I swung on a vine. I saw a huge variety of bird life and met a plethora of America hosts. I saw every country in Central America, witnessed the harsh conditions, and walked in wild country, the likes of which are often only experienced in undeveloped countries.
I saw a volcano erupt and climbed another, sped across lake Atitlan, spend days imbibing the chilled out atmosphere that comes with water taxis and no roads. I visited mayan ruins, climbed pyramids, encountered several monkey species, watched alligators and numerous turtles and tortoises, seen manatees, wild horses and real wilderness.
I've eaten in real American diners, enjoyed coconuts straight off the tree. I walked on the Appalachian Trail, visited a number of American towns and cities, with New York, Boston and Canada still to come. Seen the national mall and the monuments of past government that the United States are so proud of: iconic. I've witnessed the american soul searching that's happening these days, and will continue forward.
I've very little regrets from this trip. Visiting Cape Canaveral would have been good, but there's too much to see and no time for everything in this life.
I'll be in New York tomorrow, soaking up a baseball game, the WTC and Central Park, before visiting another new country, Canada, the 49th I've visited.
And I did it all just so I could say to everyone I meet, and everyone on facebook, "What did you do this winter?" Well, no.
I hope to finally retire my travellers itch at the end of this, and seek other things in life.
Don't sweat the little things.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Travel fatigue
I can report that travel fatigue is a real thing.
I realised today that I've been moving around for four and a half months now. The last two and a half have been pretty much non-stop. I need a rest. And a job.
I don't think I'll ever travel for such a long period again. Travelling and holidays are two very different things. In the past, during these long journeys, I've stayed put in one spot for up to seven in order to recharge. I can't do that this time, but I can try to move relatively short distances for the next week.
Repeat to self, I'm definitely, never, ever going to travel like this for so long again. I've travelled liek this 7 times (13 months, 3 months, 3 months, 3 months, 2 months, 2 months and now 6 months) but this is the last! I swear. The last.
:-)
I realised today that I've been moving around for four and a half months now. The last two and a half have been pretty much non-stop. I need a rest. And a job.
I don't think I'll ever travel for such a long period again. Travelling and holidays are two very different things. In the past, during these long journeys, I've stayed put in one spot for up to seven in order to recharge. I can't do that this time, but I can try to move relatively short distances for the next week.
Repeat to self, I'm definitely, never, ever going to travel like this for so long again. I've travelled liek this 7 times (13 months, 3 months, 3 months, 3 months, 2 months, 2 months and now 6 months) but this is the last! I swear. The last.
:-)
Couchsurfing adventures in Florida and the East Coast
I haven't posted for a while. My laptop slowed to crawling pace one morning in Costa Rica and I couldn't get it repaired until Florida a few weeks later. So the fantastic country of Costa Rica and to some extent (lesser so), panama have not enjoyed a write up. And nor has Florida.
Costa Rica was amazing, the wildlife (and especially birds) stunning. If I had to go back to Central America it would most likely be Costa Rica.
In Panama, whilst hiking Bocas Del Toros, I happened upon a world traveller who has had some coverage in the press, which was fascinating. That story for another day, as will be the airbnb host in panama, (ex-mercenary), who did not have normal social barriers.
When I planned my arrival back in the US, I once again delved into the world of couchsurfing. As I was arriving at 6am, and would be exhausted from a night flight, I figured a flexible host would be a huge advantage. I'd mostly given up on couchsurfing after California and Central America, but it works a lot better down in Florida where it was relatively easy to find hosts. I jumped from one host to the other all the way up to Asheville. of course, my extensive hosting history helped a lot.
It can be addictive. There's something about beating the system and saving money on top of the challenge. It makes you want to find out how far you can go without paying for lodgings. How far outside, "the norm" you can live.
But after almost three weeks where I have only paid for three nights lodgings, I am back into the land of airbnb bookings. Sometimes with CS, you can feel trapped, and at the mercy of the host. Finding the appropriate balance is something tricky. Where does the appropriate level of gratefulness lie exactly in these circumstances? That's something must people lightly struggle with in these circumstances. You are staying with complete strangers (at the start). I can report that Americans are often just as generous and welcoming as they are reputed to be outside of built up and busy areas.
I sometimes feel guilty and undeserving of the good CS experiences. Most hosts are fantastic, others have strange personality quirks that make you uncomfortable, so it's back to airbnb for now, where the boundaries are clear. When you are paying, there's no confusion as to how grateful you ought to be. Overall, the hosts have been amazing, just one or two make it hard work. I am too sensitive.
I'm starting to crave my own space, my freedom and my dignity. Somehow, CS denies me this, although it's not meant to. I'll be back to try it agin on this trip but not for the next three nights at least.
It's chilly here in the Appalachians which is a relief after Florida, but the best place to be in March is somewhere in between, or at least at a lower altitude. America continues to delight. I long to travel to more remote places and stay in one place for longer. No more quick fire travel when this trip is over.
Costa Rica was amazing, the wildlife (and especially birds) stunning. If I had to go back to Central America it would most likely be Costa Rica.
In Panama, whilst hiking Bocas Del Toros, I happened upon a world traveller who has had some coverage in the press, which was fascinating. That story for another day, as will be the airbnb host in panama, (ex-mercenary), who did not have normal social barriers.
When I planned my arrival back in the US, I once again delved into the world of couchsurfing. As I was arriving at 6am, and would be exhausted from a night flight, I figured a flexible host would be a huge advantage. I'd mostly given up on couchsurfing after California and Central America, but it works a lot better down in Florida where it was relatively easy to find hosts. I jumped from one host to the other all the way up to Asheville. of course, my extensive hosting history helped a lot.
It can be addictive. There's something about beating the system and saving money on top of the challenge. It makes you want to find out how far you can go without paying for lodgings. How far outside, "the norm" you can live.
But after almost three weeks where I have only paid for three nights lodgings, I am back into the land of airbnb bookings. Sometimes with CS, you can feel trapped, and at the mercy of the host. Finding the appropriate balance is something tricky. Where does the appropriate level of gratefulness lie exactly in these circumstances? That's something must people lightly struggle with in these circumstances. You are staying with complete strangers (at the start). I can report that Americans are often just as generous and welcoming as they are reputed to be outside of built up and busy areas.
I sometimes feel guilty and undeserving of the good CS experiences. Most hosts are fantastic, others have strange personality quirks that make you uncomfortable, so it's back to airbnb for now, where the boundaries are clear. When you are paying, there's no confusion as to how grateful you ought to be. Overall, the hosts have been amazing, just one or two make it hard work. I am too sensitive.
I'm starting to crave my own space, my freedom and my dignity. Somehow, CS denies me this, although it's not meant to. I'll be back to try it agin on this trip but not for the next three nights at least.
It's chilly here in the Appalachians which is a relief after Florida, but the best place to be in March is somewhere in between, or at least at a lower altitude. America continues to delight. I long to travel to more remote places and stay in one place for longer. No more quick fire travel when this trip is over.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Stuck in a lift, (but not a train), in Panama
1st March 2016
I had just returned from a trip to the Miraflores viewing area of the Panama Canal, happy to be close to the wonders of air conditioning when it happened. I entered the lift, the doors shut. I pressed the button and... nothing happened. None of the buttons reacted. Shit! It would get damned hot in there within 5-10 minutes. Luckily I had just bought 2 litres of water.
But I'm not hanging around waiting to be saved by a Panamanian. The doors could be prized open and held, but not easily. I recalled the Chinese guy who dies when doing the same thing. He was climbing out of the lift when the lift suddenly dropped, crushing and killing him within a minute.
So with that in mind, I made sure to move promptly when jumping out. Not sure I would have climbed if it hadn't been stuck at a floor. That's why the guy was killed, it took some time to climb up into the gap. I moved through the gap at speed. Then the lift doors shut and off it scooted to the 8th floor while I climbed them, happy to not be inside.
What can I say about the Panama Canal that others haven't already? Of course it is impressive from an engineering perspective, as are the ships that pass through them. I've said it before, engineers are under appreciated.
I watched a container-ship called the Monrovia pass through with the help of the railed engines they have. There are photos (to come) and videos and there were some rather tasty empanadas for sale there. It cost $15 to enter the visitor centre with viewing platforms. It's way over priced, but once I had negotiated the subway and a bus to get there, I felt I had no choice.
The Panama subway is rather nice one, if generic in design. It's 21st Century technology. But the people aren't. When faced with a platform of locals, you are lucky to get off the train. As the doors open, they ignore those waiting to get off and surge forward, pushing you back into the train. I had to knock a few of the idiots to the side to get off. And I was getting off. Over their dead bodies if necessary. I'd love to see this behaviour in London. Those responsible wolf be ripped a part. The only other place I've seen this is Delhi in India. You can bring modern tech to a people, but they're still stuck in the past.
Anyway, I laughed with another more educated local, who was also thrown back. He pleased with the indigenous to let us off first but they charge forward anyway. And it was all women. As many of these women are ample of size, it was a nice challenge to disembark. I can see it being brought in to the Olympics.
Panama is a surprising city. The only city in Central America that resembles the west in any way. But it's all down to the Canal. Yesterday I went to Albrook Mall which is ONE MILE in length and extremely modern, with many up market brand names present, and many more new retail spaces waiting. I'm not sure they won't have to close before long though. The top brands, mostly clustered together in the Southern wing, are selling off all their gear. I'm sure it's only a small percentage of Panamanians that will pay the prices. Of course, there are a lot of ex-pats, gringos and foreign workers in the City but enough to sustain the costs of running upscale brand shops? Not sure. Time will tell. One or two were already closing down. Diesel for example. They had their last day yesterday according to the sign in the window.
Panama City is a fitting last stop before heading to Miami at 3am tomorrow night. That's going to be an interesting night due to the take off time if nothing else. I haven't worked out where I'll be able to grab some sleep yet, but tomorrow I'll mostly be relaxing in non sweaty environments (it's sticky hot here throughout the days and evenings). I may spend the whole day and evening in either the Casino or the Cinema with their air conditioned loveliness.
My room stay expires at 1pm tomorrow otherwise I'd wait here here with cable TV all day. It's not worth an extra $45 as far as I'm concerned, but needless to say, I'm regretting buying this "cheap" middle of the night place ticket.
I just saw an interesting thing when returning from dinner. The trash collectors were out on the streets again. There were some outdoor cabinets full of trash bags. As I passed I noticed one of the workers picking up a 6 pack from beside the trash. But it wasn't rubbish, it was some kind of tip. I watched as he added it to a previously collected gift in the cab. I wonder if it's daily or weekly.
This morning, I took the opportunity to walk the water's edge to the Old Town. It's tourist heaven. Many of the buildings remind of Mediterranean architecture. This was the capital in days gone by, now home to several nice hotels and many a gringo. Just round the back, some of the same structures lack windows and paint, the insides destroyed, many held up by scaffolding, but for how long?
I had just returned from a trip to the Miraflores viewing area of the Panama Canal, happy to be close to the wonders of air conditioning when it happened. I entered the lift, the doors shut. I pressed the button and... nothing happened. None of the buttons reacted. Shit! It would get damned hot in there within 5-10 minutes. Luckily I had just bought 2 litres of water.
But I'm not hanging around waiting to be saved by a Panamanian. The doors could be prized open and held, but not easily. I recalled the Chinese guy who dies when doing the same thing. He was climbing out of the lift when the lift suddenly dropped, crushing and killing him within a minute.
So with that in mind, I made sure to move promptly when jumping out. Not sure I would have climbed if it hadn't been stuck at a floor. That's why the guy was killed, it took some time to climb up into the gap. I moved through the gap at speed. Then the lift doors shut and off it scooted to the 8th floor while I climbed them, happy to not be inside.
What can I say about the Panama Canal that others haven't already? Of course it is impressive from an engineering perspective, as are the ships that pass through them. I've said it before, engineers are under appreciated.
I watched a container-ship called the Monrovia pass through with the help of the railed engines they have. There are photos (to come) and videos and there were some rather tasty empanadas for sale there. It cost $15 to enter the visitor centre with viewing platforms. It's way over priced, but once I had negotiated the subway and a bus to get there, I felt I had no choice.
The Panama subway is rather nice one, if generic in design. It's 21st Century technology. But the people aren't. When faced with a platform of locals, you are lucky to get off the train. As the doors open, they ignore those waiting to get off and surge forward, pushing you back into the train. I had to knock a few of the idiots to the side to get off. And I was getting off. Over their dead bodies if necessary. I'd love to see this behaviour in London. Those responsible wolf be ripped a part. The only other place I've seen this is Delhi in India. You can bring modern tech to a people, but they're still stuck in the past.
Anyway, I laughed with another more educated local, who was also thrown back. He pleased with the indigenous to let us off first but they charge forward anyway. And it was all women. As many of these women are ample of size, it was a nice challenge to disembark. I can see it being brought in to the Olympics.
Panama is a surprising city. The only city in Central America that resembles the west in any way. But it's all down to the Canal. Yesterday I went to Albrook Mall which is ONE MILE in length and extremely modern, with many up market brand names present, and many more new retail spaces waiting. I'm not sure they won't have to close before long though. The top brands, mostly clustered together in the Southern wing, are selling off all their gear. I'm sure it's only a small percentage of Panamanians that will pay the prices. Of course, there are a lot of ex-pats, gringos and foreign workers in the City but enough to sustain the costs of running upscale brand shops? Not sure. Time will tell. One or two were already closing down. Diesel for example. They had their last day yesterday according to the sign in the window.
Panama City is a fitting last stop before heading to Miami at 3am tomorrow night. That's going to be an interesting night due to the take off time if nothing else. I haven't worked out where I'll be able to grab some sleep yet, but tomorrow I'll mostly be relaxing in non sweaty environments (it's sticky hot here throughout the days and evenings). I may spend the whole day and evening in either the Casino or the Cinema with their air conditioned loveliness.
My room stay expires at 1pm tomorrow otherwise I'd wait here here with cable TV all day. It's not worth an extra $45 as far as I'm concerned, but needless to say, I'm regretting buying this "cheap" middle of the night place ticket.
I just saw an interesting thing when returning from dinner. The trash collectors were out on the streets again. There were some outdoor cabinets full of trash bags. As I passed I noticed one of the workers picking up a 6 pack from beside the trash. But it wasn't rubbish, it was some kind of tip. I watched as he added it to a previously collected gift in the cab. I wonder if it's daily or weekly.
This morning, I took the opportunity to walk the water's edge to the Old Town. It's tourist heaven. Many of the buildings remind of Mediterranean architecture. This was the capital in days gone by, now home to several nice hotels and many a gringo. Just round the back, some of the same structures lack windows and paint, the insides destroyed, many held up by scaffolding, but for how long?
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Last bus
28th February 2016
I left the fantastic Panamanian hill region of Boquete by taxi, after spending the last hour prior to his arrival marvelling at the number of bird species visible from my window. Hummingbirds, tanagers and others entertained me from a few metres beneath my bedroom window. But more about that soon. My laptops hasn't been working properly and has prevented me updating the blog over the last week or so.
The taxi took me to the chicken bus stop in the centre of Boquete town. When I climbed the stairs and looked up into the interior, I was greeted by a full compliment of unsmiling native people. I took the only remaining seat right up the front by the door.
But a chicken bus is never full and people continued to pile on until there were three people per seat and the gangway full with standing passengers. The bus barrelled away down the road towards the town of David, happily picking up more and more people. When you think they can't possibly let anyone else on board, they'll stop for another family of four.
Soon, in order to let one solitary passenger off, everyone in the gangway has to disembark, wait for the one guy to get off, before piling back on. Finally, they stopped picking up new passengers. The only good thing about a properly full chicken bus, is that they no longer stop every few yards for new passengers. For the rest of the journey, we sailed past the countless people waiting by the side of the road. A blessed relief for a western traveller. They really will stop every ten metres if there's somewhere to cram the passenger in. The constant stopping becomes funnier as the trip progresses, as sheer frustration transposes into comedy.
Just fifty minutes after boarding we arrived in the busy David bus terminal. I rushed to find the ticket office to buy my last bus ticket in Central America. It cost $15.25 for the eight hour trip to Panama City. This bus was a modern air conditioned double decker. I was ending the bus journeys in relative style. These journeys are incredibly dull, and writing about them is even duller. Reading about them enough to send you off.
Sleep well, 😀
I left the fantastic Panamanian hill region of Boquete by taxi, after spending the last hour prior to his arrival marvelling at the number of bird species visible from my window. Hummingbirds, tanagers and others entertained me from a few metres beneath my bedroom window. But more about that soon. My laptops hasn't been working properly and has prevented me updating the blog over the last week or so.
The taxi took me to the chicken bus stop in the centre of Boquete town. When I climbed the stairs and looked up into the interior, I was greeted by a full compliment of unsmiling native people. I took the only remaining seat right up the front by the door.
But a chicken bus is never full and people continued to pile on until there were three people per seat and the gangway full with standing passengers. The bus barrelled away down the road towards the town of David, happily picking up more and more people. When you think they can't possibly let anyone else on board, they'll stop for another family of four.
Soon, in order to let one solitary passenger off, everyone in the gangway has to disembark, wait for the one guy to get off, before piling back on. Finally, they stopped picking up new passengers. The only good thing about a properly full chicken bus, is that they no longer stop every few yards for new passengers. For the rest of the journey, we sailed past the countless people waiting by the side of the road. A blessed relief for a western traveller. They really will stop every ten metres if there's somewhere to cram the passenger in. The constant stopping becomes funnier as the trip progresses, as sheer frustration transposes into comedy.
Just fifty minutes after boarding we arrived in the busy David bus terminal. I rushed to find the ticket office to buy my last bus ticket in Central America. It cost $15.25 for the eight hour trip to Panama City. This bus was a modern air conditioned double decker. I was ending the bus journeys in relative style. These journeys are incredibly dull, and writing about them is even duller. Reading about them enough to send you off.
Sleep well, 😀
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