Tavelling on a budget means not always taking the most direct route from A to B. If I had chosen the easiest and expensive route from Miami to Boquete, Panama, I could have done it in 5 hours with one flight and a couple of taxis. However, in order to arrive in an economical fashion, my trip covered many different legs in a voyage lasting over 24 hours. Some may be thinking, “AYE - I’ll just spend the money”.
I would argue that my route left me not only richer in the pocket, but much richer in experience. If I had taken the easy route I would have missed out on some amazing memories and the people that went along with them. Not to preach, but it’s an important life lesson, slow down and take it all in!
I would argue that my route left me not only richer in the pocket, but much richer in experience. If I had taken the easy route I would have missed out on some amazing memories and the people that went along with them. Not to preach, but it’s an important life lesson, slow down and take it all in!
The first leg of my journey was the public bus from South Beach to the Miami Airport. I met a wonderful man who was from Mexico, but grew up in Los Angeles. We chatted about my recent trip to LA and our mutual, newly found love, for scuba diving. He was on his way to the Bahamas for a scuba vacation.
From Miami I flew to Atlanta, where I had an hour layover. My hour was spent in the company of Dwight, an Atlanta native who has been to Panama many times. He drew me a map and wrote down some must see places in Panama. In addition to the insider tips, it was so nice to have someone to walk and talk with when arriving in Central America and going through customs for the first time.
OK, next was a taxi from the Tocumen International airport to the bus station in Panama City, about a 40 min drive. Enrique was my favorite person that I encountered along my journey. Not only was he the first Panamanian I talked to, but the first thing he told me was that I needed to learn, “Quiero las pintas o cervezas”! Enrique is a 28 year old Panamanian who lives in Panama City; however he studied English and French in Montreal for 10 years, so we bonded over our Canadian ties. He was born in Boquete, so he told me all about the city and even knew the host family I was to stay with. I was early for my midnight bus so Enrique gave me a tour of Panama City, a very modern place in architecture and feel.
At midnight I boarded the night bus from Panama City to David, a 7 hour trip. I was the only tourist on the bus and there was absolutely no English, so I was a little unsure…but it all worked out, I just followed the local’s lead. I got a little sleep here and there, but it was tough being my first ride and not really knowing what was going on (multiple stops at which officials got on to check ID’s and panhandlers walked the aisles). Even at midnight outside it was HOT, on the bus…not so much, I was freezing! The woman beside me saw I was cold and shared her blanket with me. She didn’t speak any English, she just looked at me wrapped me under her blanket with her, bless her heart.
I arrived in David at around 7am. David is the second largest city in Panama, after Panama City. Boquete, my final destination, was another 30 kilometer away. The Spanish School arranged for someone to pick me up at the bus terminal in David upon my arrival. Sounds like the most legit part yet right, hahaha…well it was definitely the most entertaining.
My driver Felix informed me that he had been notified an hour before (mmhmm) while at the casino drinking rum that he needed to pick me up. He was happy I was Canadian because I could understand why he smelled! We drove along, sometimes crawling and sometimes flying, with him continually saying “OH NO, I get fired, I just jump out!” After which he would come to a stop on the side of the road and start laughing hysterically. He also wasn’t quite sure where he was supposed to take me, and thought maybe his casa would be best. He threw out the suggestion that we should just be married, along with a couple other borderline inappropriate ideas, but all in good spirit so I didn’t mind!
We finally arrived in Boquete and he talked to the school who told him I was to go to my host family’s house not his! With multiple cheek kisses, he bid me farewell to my Spanish family - Familia Miranda. Immediately I felt comfortable and knew I was going to love them.
When Mama Elva, daughter Patrice, and Grandma Yolanda welcomed me into their home with open arms I knew my journey was complete. And what a memorable journey it was…I wouldn’t change any of it, no matter how long and tiring, for a million bucks!
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