Hostile Territory
UPDATE: little preface… i’ve been in bocas for a few days now and havent posted any pics. these photos are not of the gorgeous beauty of bocas. those photos will come later. imagine the most beautiful place on earth and that will do for now. ok, now enjoy the home and garden stylings…
What’s it like backpacking around foreign countries living in a hostel? It can be quiet or it can be boisterous, in some places they only speak spanish and some are owned by gringos and are practically “america away from america”, some are clean while some are gross, in general they have shared kitchens for cooking and a lounge for mingling, bathrooms can be private or shared as can rooms… in short, they are all unique and let you find the experience you want while you travel. The Waterfall Hostel outside David was pretty perfect for me in that “do whatever you want and have fun playing around” kind of vibe, and now Mondu Taitu in Bocas is continuing the fun-loving hostel trend with its great guests and perfect vibe.
My first day in bocas was spent biking around to a beach, and then I set out to wander through the small town. When I got back, my dorm-mate (is that a word??) from Isreal told me he was cooking all four of us dinner (SWEET) so I hopped in to peel potatoes before I knew it we were eating fabulous food, drinking Panama beers, and learning an israeli card game.
So that is great, but the vibe of Mondu Taitu is really in the collection of all of the people and the great layout they provide. There’s a tiki bar downstairs open to everyone, and a great patio for lounging all night. I’ve spent the past few nights dancing, drinking, and swimming around with kids from Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, London, Belgium, Canada, Israel, Panama itself, and the good ‘ol USA! (now that Obama is president, we’re allowed to say that we’re from america again.)
80’s Power Hour Night every tuesday…
Aqua Lounge swimming bar with two california girls…
So that’s a day in the life of hostel living. Next up — photos of Bocas del Toro itself. I swear it is paradise by day as well as fun by night, but you have to wait a bit to see for yourself. I finished my Open Water SCUBA certification class today (WAHOO) and after my instructor took my to his friends house on a private island across the way for a drink. There are not words to describe the perfect gorgeous tranquility of his patio looking out over deep blue Caribbean water through palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, and since I didnt have my camera with me you will have to come visit for yourself to find out.
Scuba Fun Fact: the new scuba diver should be less scared of sharks and more worried that you will explode your lungs if you dont remember to breath during ascent. noted.
