Another rough day. Rolled out of bed around 8:30, went for another leisurely breakfast at the hotel, chatted it up with our pal Danny and then.... went to the beach. We were so enamored with the beach from yesterday that we had decided that we didn't even need to see another one as we were sure that no other beach could top it. I'm so glad that instead Danny suggested (and kindly took us to) another one for us to visit as it turns out that in fact there is more than one charming beach in Panama: Playa Veraneras.This one wasn't quiiiite as secluded (there may have actually be
en, gasp, 10 people on this one!) but it was equally beautiful. This one stretched farther and there was white sand and blue skies as far as the eye could see. There were cute little cabanas lining the beach as well as a little restaurant/bar where you could sit under a thatched roof and escape the rays (since we're only 7 degrees off the equator, it would take me approximately 2.5 seconds to burn to a crisp).
en, gasp, 10 people on this one!) but it was equally beautiful. This one stretched farther and there was white sand and blue skies as far as the eye could see. There were cute little cabanas lining the beach as well as a little restaurant/bar where you could sit under a thatched roof and escape the rays (since we're only 7 degrees off the equator, it would take me approximately 2.5 seconds to burn to a crisp). We swam, we drank pineapple juice, we shot the breeze, we swam some more, we marveled at the beauty of the scene, we took a long walk (okay, that was Jenn) and then, as we had to meet someone at 4, we tore ourselves away. Sad times.
A slightly gri
m sidenote: the picture with the small hill in the background with the cross on top was one of Manuel Noriega's "drop zones", where he would take his enemies in a helicopter to dangle them overboard to get information out of them and then, as the name implies, drop them.
m sidenote: the picture with the small hill in the background with the cross on top was one of Manuel Noriega's "drop zones", where he would take his enemies in a helicopter to dangle them overboard to get information out of them and then, as the name implies, drop them. Back to the hotel to shower, pack, say goodbye to our new friends and then.... off to meet Jenn's friend Billy in a town about an hour away. He and his wife Liz had very kindly invited us to spend our last night (is it really the last night?!?!) in Panama at their house in the mountains of Sora. We had told him that he could just give us his address as we had a GPS but he replied with something like "Trus
t me, this place isn't on your GPS". We had no idea how right he was. We met him in a parking lot of a restaurant along the main road and then we followed him way, way, waaaaaaay back through winding roads which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. We went through some absolutely stunning mountains and wildlife and, just when we thought we were never going to see civilization again, we passed through a gate that let us into the community and, after surviving some SERIOUS hills that I would have laid money on our car not making (we had to turn off the AC to conserve every ounce of power the little car had), we finally arrived at their house, nestled back in the mountains.
t me, this place isn't on your GPS". We had no idea how right he was. We met him in a parking lot of a restaurant along the main road and then we followed him way, way, waaaaaaay back through winding roads which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. We went through some absolutely stunning mountains and wildlife and, just when we thought we were never going to see civilization again, we passed through a gate that let us into the community and, after surviving some SERIOUS hills that I would have laid money on our car not making (we had to turn off the AC to conserve every ounce of power the little car had), we finally arrived at their house, nestled back in the mountains. We were greeted not only by Liz but also by 3 huge, slobbery dogs and 3 big cats. Quite the welcome! Billy and Liz lived in Lancaster for a number of years so for dinner Liz had made us what was basically Lancaster County on a plate: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and a scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert. I felt like I was already home! They're a very f
unny couple so we spent much of the evening laughing and learning a lot more about life in Panama. And other than the parts where I had to keep excusing myself for sneezing fits (did I mention that Jenn has passed her filthy germs on to me?), it was a very chill and enjoyable evening.
unny couple so we spent much of the evening laughing and learning a lot more about life in Panama. And other than the parts where I had to keep excusing myself for sneezing fits (did I mention that Jenn has passed her filthy germs on to me?), it was a very chill and enjoyable evening. Yet another sidenote: For all of you HGTV fans out there, Billy and Liz were on an episode of Househunters International: Panama. They told us the story first and then we watched their episode. Knowing all of the background of it made watching it absolutely hysterical. Sorry to burst the bubble of any true fans of the show, but the whole thing is a complete farce. Not that 
I had any delusions about reality TV before but let me just say now that it is probably the LEAST real thing on TV these days. But funny nonetheless.
I had any delusions about reality TV before but let me just say now that it is probably the LEAST real thing on TV these days. But funny nonetheless.I am a strange mix of feeling like I have been in Panama for waaaaay more than a week but also feeling as if it is completely impossible that we are going home tomorrow. It's almost surreal to me that I'm getting on a plane in less than 24 hours; I truly don't believe it yet. Doh!
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