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Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
(that´s for finally moving past Bocas del Trauma)
So as you might sense, I´m doing MUCH better since my last wrist-slashing blog. Why? Firstly, I found Santa Catalina. No, not had some religious epiphany, although can´t dismiss having had some spiritual nurishment, but Santa Catalina the surfing haven of Central America. Not that I surfed, couldn´t risk it as an amateur because the sea there would give challenge to even experienced surfers. And for that reason, I just sat and stared at this force of nature for 2 days till my head finally unclenched and normal sensations returned.
I found a heavenly spot in S.C. on the Pacific coast, which BTW is my first ever live look at the Pacific - I always thought it was an ironic name for such a wild entity but my personal experience of it now, he he.... no other name could so aptly befit it. I had a goofy sort of excitement about touching the Pacific, it´s definitely another milestone checked. Dunno why. Without my camera, perhaps I should get more graphic in my blogs so let me describe Surfer´s Oasis Camp, my little rehab haven.
Imagine a huge huge private bay, almost a mile in diameter, cuddled by a pine & carob forest at the crescents. The forest extends around the entire bay with all buildings and camping areas set behind the tree line, so from the beach, you see nothing but nauture. The beach itself looks prehestoric, rugged... primitive; as if nothing has changed for millenia. Now imagine your mini-house on the beach opening up directly towards the sea, no more than 25ft from the water´s edge. Add the sound of layers and layers of breaking water, 24/7 and minus ALL man-made sounds. Other than your own breathing. Now add an almost 180 degree sky for a backdrop and picture a muted pastel oil painting of blue and peach clouds filling the horizon as far as you can see. By night, an unpolluted view at the stars.
The colours were not stunning in the tropical sense, the sea wasn´t blue and the sand was mud coloured but this added to its perfection for me. I was looking for a respite from everything including seeing, thinking, absorbing anything at all and this was Eden with the dimmer turned down. Just, well... pacific.
The second reason for my turnaround is Panama City. I didn´t expect to like it, but here I have found the most amiable travellers of the whole trip. Having regained myself, I´m now ready for fun, action, music, people. This is THE place for all of that. Plus I´ve found some people to go to San Blas Islands with and if I do the full trip, I´ll be taking a nose around Cartagena for a brief day. A welcome unexpected bonus to finish up on. Can´t be bad. San Blas is owned by the Kuna tribe so it´ll be tropical white sandy islettes with only natural style living to be seen, it will involve camping (what I've been yearning for this whole trip) and a chance to see very diverse marine life. And that will make up for missing the Blue Hole in Belize. So bright colours, sleeping under a huge sky, a chance to engage with century old tribes and a hop over to Columbia.
(Mum - don´t worry, I know wat you´re thinking. Columbia, according to those who have actually been, does not deserve it´s reputation, it´s safe and friendly. And I´'m only going for a day. More than I can say for many places I´ve survived so far).
So adios amigos, thanks for bothering to come back after my last blog! It´s all starting to be great again. Off to watch Holland v Urugauy now.
Pura vida,
D x
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