The Panama Canal

Saturday August, 16 

This was the perfect birthday weekend. It was just what I needed. After waking up around 9, my Argentinian Carlito made us some pancakes. In our hostel, they say it includes a "pancake breakfast," but they don't mention that you have to make it yourself. We were in the kitchen and I told him he looked like an expert and asked if he could make me one and our new friendship blossomed.

We sat down had breakfast together(delicious pancakes) and he introduced me to his friend Hugo and Mary. They were a fresh one month couple in love and there as the single Carlito. They all met a few months ago in Belize. They have been traveling ever since together with plans to move their stuff over to Brazil by boat. It all sounded quite complicated, but they were leaving in a few days. They stayed around enough time for me to meet them. They asked if I would like to see the Panama Canal with them and of course I said "Yes." 

        

Off we went taking one bus to another hopping on and making jokes. On the way to Panama Canal, there was the cutest boy making faces and Mary and I. We just kept playing jokes with him and he loved the attention.
When you enter the Panama Canal, you go through an average size line for tickets, which cost $18. While standing in line, we met some supercool beautiful girls from Dominican Republic. One of them worked for Pepsi events and the other was a massage therapy student.  

 

We decide to stick together since we get along so well. There is a museum, exhibits, a movie, and of course the ships coming in. They pretty much come every 15 minutes. Right when we came in, the staff told us a ship was coming. We ran upstairs and crowded behind everyone else with our eyes set on the red boat. It's pretty amazing to see the ship in front of you and to see the gates open up. It takes about 20 minutes to pass through-possibly a bit more.  When the ship passes by, I am doing my Miss. America waive.

Regardless, those on the ship are waiving at us. While I was thinking, I may not be interested in all this-totally false. Fascinating fun.

I ended up enjoying it with the museum being my favorite. It was full of history and interesting facts. There was also a live boat on some video program. You could steer the boat and act as a captain, which I did. With Carlito sitting next to me I was telling him how to turn and where we were headed. "It seems like these winds are strong so we should raise the harness." 'I was just making people laugh and it was successful.

With the group having me, we were bound to need more time in the museum and we ended up losing the Dominican girls. This was disappointing because I did not get there contact information. 

After a few hours there, we ended up leaving where we saw the little boy from the bus. I was chasing him around and he became aggressive and hit me. His mother made him apologize and he did, which was respectful and nice. I knew he was just playing, but his mom took control over the situation-good Mom. 

   
The best part of going to the Panama Canal was the face that it was the week of the 100th anniversary. It was just two days ago and they had a gigantic celebration. They had all the signs up and the blue and white balloons. It felt like it was a special anniversary and birthday time just for me. How did they know I was coming?
This was pretty exciting to come at that time. 

Wave Crisis

Boarding the boat from La Ceiba to Roatan, I was ready to go with my big backpack on the back and the smaller bag on my front and all my groceries for the island. Roatan Island is an expensive Caribbean island so I made sure to stock up on tuna, beans, veggies, peanut butter, nuts, oatmeal, and chocolate-the important necessities of Priscilla's diet.   

Mi amigo taxi driver helped me lug my stuff into the boat terminal after I insisted I was fine- special VIP service and discount on standard fare.

When you are good to people, they are also good in return.

Anyways, the boat was loading with its locals and gringos(term for white tourists given by locals). When choosing my seat, I avoided the gringos and sat next to a local Roatan kid(another young kid 19). He joined the army and he was going to visit his parents on the island.  He was a kind, young boy wondering about the world.  While he was teaching me about Roatan, I was teaching him about Chicago. Of course, he mentioned Chicago being a "violent city." This is a very common statement that comes from people.  I have to respond with "Each city has it's good and it's bad, but Chicago leans towards the good... and here's why." 

He agrees and we move to the front of the boat.  I look forward to the passengers i.e. tourists and they are reading their books and taking pictures. I have no idea how someone can read a book on a moving boat.

There the three of us stood in the front of the boat like staring off into the water just like Titantic.  It was a beautiful day with the wind blowing in my hair and I was having my spiritual moments. It was the 3pm ferry and the lady from my hostel in Roatan sent me an email the day before saying, "Whatever you do, don't take the afternoon ferry, the motion sickness is absolutely horrible."

Well, not being a morning person I did not listen to her advice and boy was I ready for a roller coaster ride...on a boat.  

All these moments were so nice and then the boat began to speed up and the waves grew in intensity.  It was becoming rocky and everyone was just sitting and looking fine.  Of course, I had to comment that I never had any motion sickness and I was fine with all the turbulence. 

 Let me rephrase, I expressed myself over confidently gloating that I have no problems on boats. I quote "I am strong like a bull."

Instead of standing up, things got so bad that I had to sit down.  Everyone was seated and couples were holding one another to get through it. Oh boy the times I wish I had a boyfriend on this trip #23.  However, I did have my little friend who was checking on me and making sure I was okay.

It felt like Titantic where the boat was slanted and people started falling from one side to the other.  People were holding on tightly trying to get to the bathroom and people had the paper bags.    I just sat there repeating in my head, "Please make it stop, please make it stop." It did not stop and my stomach was officially upside down.  My new statement was, " Please don't be sick." "Please don't be sick." 

Just staring out at the sea and staring, I could not be strong anymore and I had to be sick.  I couldn't even make it to the bathroom as I banged right into the pole and on the way out I fell on a guy's lap-unconscious acting out.  I made it to my seat and then just ten short minutes later, I had to get up again.  This time my little friend helped me walk to the bathroom. People were staring and I was thoroughly embarrassed. Am I really the person who gets sick on the boat? How did this happen? Strong bull-yeah right.

The seconds to minutes could not go by any slower.

My little friend asked, "Are you okay?" 

"I'm horrible. Are we there yet?"

Nope another hour or so.  "Ahhhhh." 

While we were suppose to arrive at 4:30, it ended up being an extra hour with all the under the sea action. But their was sunshine at the of the storm.  The sun was beautifully setting with bright orange and we were moving closer to the island.

The boat was still rocky, but it was slowly getting better.

The most thankful I have ever been to get off a boat. 

Moral to this story: When a local gives you advice, don't be strong and invisible-take it and run with it!

                           My Little Army Friend

                         

                    Happiness before Boat Crisis

                         

          

              

                 

                 

                      

        

           

Bye Bye Belize

 Time to depart Belize taking one boat from Punta Gorda to the Honduras border.  It was a rainy day, again, and I woke up early to take a walk through the market. I bought some banana bread, which was super fresh.  The market consists of fruits and vegetables, special spices, and Belize specialty items. 


It starts on the water and then ends closer to the city. I ended up buying a coconut for an older gentlemen, 65 years old and selling coconuts since childhood.  Of course , I had my line of questions to learn about his background and why he enjoy his job.  He reported enjoying the social interaction with people and also it's been passed down in time. 

These are the people that just make my heart melt.  The ones passionate about simple jobs, the ones who love their home country, and their base for social learning comes from customer interaction. Thanks Ronald!

The center city of Punta Gorda is interesting as you have these, "cultural kitchens" all over with people turning their small houses into restaurants.  When buying my ticket for the boat, I asked where I can buy a water.  I walked upstairs and there was a kitchen and on the porch women were all sewing scarfs. When I asked what was happening there, he informed me that his wife and himself rented out that space for local mothers to work.  They assist them in selling what they make in the market-wonderful, just wonderful.


In Punta Gorda, you see real culture and real Belize. It is not sugar coated with tourist friendly spots rather it is just Belize. You can meet authentic locals who can share with you about their culture and how the live. You can also meet people who aren't so interested in sharing, but that's okay too because that is the reality of some places.

                                   

             

Don't cry for me Argentina

It was time for the game and I was ready to sit in a nice outdoor place order a cold club soda and some food. I found the cutest place full of bright colors with guy a good size TV. I didn't really have a choice to go find something on the beach because the weather was its usual rainy self. 

I got the perfect solo seat in front next to some nice girls from Israel and a local guy who owns a travel agency. He was full of personality, sharp and up to date with current events and the world. His company was fantastic and we were both rooting for Argentina- of course.

 Who wants a European team to win the World Cup? 

At least Colombia and Costa Rica were close, but really everyone was rooting for Costa Rica in Central America. I kept complaining, throwing my hands up in the air, and he was amused with attitude. 

The most interesting part about this game was making the bet. Bets always make games just a bit more interesting. 

My bet was my future fate-if Argentina wins, I move to Argentina. With Argentina and Chile on my mind, this was a good bet to make and better yet a serious one. When I was living in LA, I flipped a coin to move to New York or San Francisco. It landed 2 out of 3 on New York and then after that I received all the confirmations to go-so I did. This made me a lot more upset when Germany would score because I do want to live in Argentina. 

During half time I walked over to see the beach- it looked beautiful and clear water. I passed in and out of bars and restaurants checking on the game and asking which team was going to win. I never cease to amaze myself with the entertainment factor.

Nevertheless, what was more interesting were the unique shops and creative food places serving Amazing creole food all over. Expats, foreigners, and Americans open up their own restaurants and stores Ex. Candy store, cafe, clothing boutique, jewelry store etc. 

Overall, It seemed kind of dead and everything was closed, therefore I thought the best decision would be to take the boat right after the game. 

Everyone knows the story. Argentina lost and Germany one and Priscilla didn't move to Argentina. Que triste! 

People were very sad about Argentina not winning it and South America was even more bummed I'm sure. 

My friend,Sam, had to go back to work and advised me to take the last boat or I would have to wait til tomorrow morning uhhh no gracias!