Costa Rica and Panama

Smoking Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica

Crossing the border into Costa Rica, I was suddenly confronted with something I hadn't encountered for a long time, something alarming and humbling, embarrassing and annoying all at the same time---the place is full of American tourists. You get groups of high schoolers on their big graduation trips, families with sneering teenagers and fighting kids, hiking geezers with their specially bought brandname rainforest gear...it is shocking, and they're everywhere. If it weren't for the stunning beauty of the rainforests and the numerous active volcanoes, I'd have crossed the border into Panama much earlier. But I can see why everyone wants to come, it's really safe, and pretty amazing. There are monkeys eveywhere, and parrots. You learn to ignore the geckos attracted to the heat of your screen while watching TV, or sometimes you watch the geckos instead. I was hoping to see a sloth, but no luck this time.

Monkeys playing in trees, Costa Rica

In San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, I had my own American relapse. I ate french fries at McDonalds. Then I had lunch at Subway. They have Taco Bell here, Wendy's, KFC, Papa John's---for someone who hates fast food, I was dancing with joy! I went to the mall. And I found myself a precious jar of JIF peanut butter (creamy, of course). Honestly, I'm embarrassed about the whole ordeal, but really there's nothing much else to do in San Jose.

I came to Panama on Monday, and took a 45 minute ferry to the Carribean islands right near the border. Travellers all rave about this place, so I had to see it. The town of Bocas del Toro is hot and boring, but when you get out into the islands, to the beaches, it's pretty beautiful. Yesterday I chartered a boat with a group from the hostel to the uninhabited island of Zapatilla. With blue water, white sand, palm trees, and no people, it was everything an island should be. I saw real live swimming squid while snorkelling, that was super cool, I'd never seen squid other than the vaccum packed salted ones at the 7-11 stores in Japan.

Today I head to Panama City and wait for my flight to Peru on Monday. Until then!

Bocas del Toro beach, Zapatilla island, Panama