Memoris: Backpacking Adventures

Chapter II

Boquete- A lively mountain town



After our reality check in David, we decided to head out into the Panama valleys. Our newly made friends from the Herrera Botanical Gardens, Chivi and Matt, had recommended this little piece of heaven and out we went to also meet our fellow gardening friend Ed. It is amazing how the landscape and climate of the earth changes within just a few hours. We were not able to escape traffic on our way to Boquete, since the elections of Panama’s new president were taking place that same weekend during our travels. There were huge cars Caravan demonstrations showing support for their preferred candidate, horns were going off, flags caressing the wind and cheerful human screams showing support for the first woman running for president! Our bus had no choice but to join the celebration for presidential support…for a moment, we even felt Panamanian! After enjoying some of the most challenging heat of the Osa Peninsula, the chilling breeze of Boquete, coldly rejuvenated us out of our sweat induced trance. For a moment in Boquete, we deeply missed our friends of the Gardens. There was no Gata , Stef or Nate to bring out the young spark out in us. The spark was now lit, and new friends to come would create new spaces for that energy to flourish!

Panama’s Wilderness

We found a nice family run posada, a place where our friend Ed was staying. It was nice to see a familiar face in a new country and a guide to show us around the village. Ed had been volunteering at an animal rescue shelter called Paradise Gardens, and it truly was a paradise for both, humans visiting and for the animals living there. The Gardens were designed like a Zen Garden and the animals had a great space for them to recuperate with caring caretakers. At the Gardens Keith was able to fulfill one of his biggest dreams: befriending monkeys…Yes, indeed! Keith and Ed were able to hang out with lovely monkeys that, apparently where gay, because none of them approached me! he,he,he… In fact, they were rubbing all over the boys Ed was even a little worried that they might get to “aroused” and spew on him! The little creatures that are so human-like were climbing all over their bodies, hugging them, smelling them and playing around, and I was simply the photographer spectator. I was quite jealous at first, because I wanted to be friends with them too, but I guess they didn’t feel the same way  Around the Boquete area we visited one of Panama’s National Park. We hiked around the cloud forrest, hoping to find a Quetzal bird in the Quetzal Trail, according to the park ranger , they like to be out early morning and during the sunset. However, we were convinced that since it was mating season, they would be out more than usual!! The park was filled with a variety of pleasant chants. The echo of the birds song penetrated the stillness of the forest. Rivers and cal lilies