 |
 |
|
|
|
|
August 03,
2003
i crossed the border into panama yesterday at sixoala.
a little spot in the jungle where the banana train crosses the river
sixoala. until 5 years ago, this part of panama was completely cut
off from the rest. it could
the border is a wierd thing... a railroad bridge that crosses the river which serves double duty as a car and truck bridge, a pedestrian footpath, an official border crossing and who knows what else. its a good place to cross from costa rica into panama, and i'm sure vice versa. i had what certainly the shortest border crossing so far, an exemplary showing of bureaucratic efficiency. the costa rican customs guy was busy changing the date on his hand-stamps and took my form and waved me through... immigration stamped my passport and i was off to the panamanian border in less than 15 minutes. there things were a little slower, but not by much. after paying a $1 preliminary fee, then bribing the immigration folks w/ $15 for not having a return plane ticket to show, i went over to customs, where an official that looked to be using a typewriter for the first time, filled the requisite form in triplicate.
staying at a different place this time... a little more cosmopolitan, nice airy 2nd story dining area right on the main road and just a short stumble home from the bambu bar, the happenin' dancehall place on friday nites.... also home to what has to be my favorite all-time pet. just about anything that is willing to hang out and doesn't leave puncture wounds in small visiting children qualifies as a pet around here. this little gal is named PC... short for pizote, which is what you call this animal en espanol. in english i gather it is a cuati(?) it has a beautifully long, tapered and ringed tail and absolutely the pointiest little snout i think i've ever seen on a varmit... pointy but soft and wet and kind of squishy... which it is happy to demonstrate by sniffing and rubbing its way all around you. it's quite an endearing little creature, but quite mischievous as well. i gather it generally doesn't last long of the little room they keep it in most times, before it gets into this or that... then it's back in the clink she goes. she also has the most amazing ability to scamper up and down poles and rafters almost like a monkey... nimble climber this one. here is the movie for ya...
today, to panama! |
only
be accessed either by road or train from costa rica to the north, or by
boat. but just recently, they have completed a new road through the
jungle, partly because of increased tourism to the bocas del toro region.
