Boquete: cool green and best coffee in the world!

I arrived to this cute little mountain town lastnight. I am in love with this cute, charming town already. Bouquet is well known for two things, retirement and COFFEE. Boquete has been listed as one of the top ten places to retire. Although it is a top spot for ex-pats to retire, it is not quite awash with gringos, but the effect of their presence has definitely had an influence on real estate prices.

I'm staying at Mamallena's, a charming house in the centre of Boquete. The staff are all so welcoming and friendly. Lastnight Andrew (staff) made a delicious curry and was nice enough to include me in their staff dinner :).

Waiting for the bus to Boquete

Waiting for a bus usually means waiting in the middle of the road and hoping you don't have to wait too long!

A few of my surroundings

Treasurehunt in the Fortuna Forest Reserve

Sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing

A few days ago I was beginning to think that this statement could be true. I was very ill for the past few days, with a 105 fever, headache, muscle aches. My fever was up and down but after a few days of it not going away, I was really beginning to worry! I was thinking of the worst- could this be yellow fever? Malaria? Surly it's not common here in the Chiriqui province, but I would be that exception, that rare case, it would happen to ME! Feeling helpless while in another country is terrible. I was fortunate to have such lovely caring people looking after me. People who I had met a few days prior! It really opens my eyes a bit more when things like this happen to me. Acts of kindness- reminds me that there are still caring hearts out there. I can not thank you enough Lars and Maria!

After to giving it another day, It's safe to say that I feel human once again. I think my body was in shock- going from the big apple to the rainforest where the air is clean- everything so fresh and green.. Well I hope that was the end of my sick streak. Losing my voice in Panama City my first week, CHECK! Getting a fever in Chiriqui my second week, CHECK!

Remember: simple acts of kindness go a long way :).

Hitchiking my first lift!

Today I hitchhiked for the first time. Like I mentioned before the closest village for groceries, internet, phones, etc.. is a 20 minute hike and a 30 minute bus ride. I wouldn't say that the buses are very reliable, sooo my fellow travelers proposed we hitchhiked. This is not on my normal list of things to do while in another country, but I thought what the heck it will be an experience! We ended up getting a ride very quickly, by an american guy and his dad who was visiting from the states. They were both from Phoenix, AZ. While it had been raining the past few days, the roads were extra slippery. Garret lost control on a tricky turn and we got into a minor accident. Everyone was fine which is all that matters. I felt bad for the guy- i hope he had renters insurance! We then hitched another lift with a nice Panamanian man, it turned out to be a pretty neat experience! Lol