Boat, Bus, Bus

Getting from Bocas to Boquete via public transporation involves a boat ride, a bus ride, a transfer, and another bus ride - totaling roughly 6.5 hours.  The final bus ride was also on a jam-packed, old American school bus.... 3 adults to a seat!  Not quite an actual chicken bus, but not far from it either.

I was super nervous about the trek, but I lucked out!  I met a man from Boquete on the boat ride out of Bocas.  He was heading to Boquete as well, so I asked to tag along.  He took great care of me.  He was so nice, it almost creeped me out....ah the jaded complexities of a city-girl's mind.  He even walked me from the final bus stop all the way to my hostel.  I actually saw him and his family the next day too.  They gave me a nice tour of the town and took me to dinner.

I arrived late Saturday, so Sunday morning, I got up and hit the town.  I went for a nice walk around the city (it's small, but spread out), grabbed some groceries, visited the park where they hold the 'Festival of Flowers' (although the festival is in March, many of the flowers are still in bloom), and also grabbed a bite at a restaurant/bakery near my hostel. (p.s. I had a very sweet, guava empanada, that was life changing..... muy deliciouso!).

Re: my new school - It often rains here in the afternoons, so that's when they hold classes.  It allows students to do activities in the morning, when the weather is a bit better.  I am the only person in my class (ahhhh!  Spotlight on Leslie!), but I think this setup may actually be good for me.  I also met some other students that I really like as well, so hopefully we gel into a nice crew over the next 2 weeks.

Below are pictures of the hostel, the town, and the grounds at the 'Festival of Flowers.'

The hostel, my room, and the view from my room (I can hear the river from my bed.  It's awesome!)

The town

The grounds at the 'festival of Flowers.'

I am looking forward to some fun outdoor activities, new friendships,  cooler weather, and quiet nights.   So far though, I am digging Boquete!

Bocas del Toro

Here's a super quick recap of my time in Bocas: I went to school every morning, and  then visited different beaches in the afternoons (one by water taxi, one by bus, one by bike).  I also took a tour of the Smithsonian Research Institute on the main island, ate some cheap local food (rice and beans, rice and beans), hung out a bit with some peeps from school, and went on a cocoa plantation tour (the most interesting part of my Bocas experience).

Here are some pictures form the different beaches:

The beaches were fan-flipping-tactic, but I am ready for a change of scenery AND weather!  Now, off to the mountains.....Boquete, Panama!