An Exoctic Day at the Gamboa Rainforest

"Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit." ~F. Borman

Iguanas, Crocodiles, Monkeys OH MY! Snakes and Toucans too! With beautiful blue skies above and a cool breeze blowing, the rainforest exploration was amazing. To start the day, we ventured up 1.2 kilometers in Gondolas to find a 90 foot tower. All the way to the top we climbed to see an amazing site of the Panama Canal - A full 360 degree panoramic clear view made it possible to see for miles.

Upon descending the jungle trek, we boarded boats to travel 20 minutes up the Panama Canal along side tankers, freighters and even a cruise ship, to find Monkey Island. Luck was with us today as we got to see 6 yellow face monkeys and 3 screecher monkeys. At the start of our canal boating adventure a crocodile snapping its jaws along the banks of the canal caught our eye. Plus toucans flying by. During our hot dog picnic lunch, I discovered a turtle trapped behind the toilet in the girl’s bathroom. Being a good ecologist, we helped it safely return to the canal water.

Mother Nature even joined the fun with her dumping tropical rains we watched walk across the canal and soak us for a little afternoon shower. Once the rain went away we continued our explorations with a visit to the Butterfly Habitat and the Snake Cave. There we walked along the tropical path full of butterflies and jungle flowers. The winding curvy tunnels of the Snake Cave gave us a glimpse of snacks, giant green iguanas and blue frogs. Before heading home we got to see more turtles, more crocodiles and fish galore.

Money, Tickets, Passports... Will Travel

"Why am I doing this? I came to realize that there were many reasons... I believe that life is to be lived fully. When opportunity arises... go for it!" ~ Ana Dal Vera, Amundsen-Scott, South Pole Station.

Tickets are purchased. Notice at work has been given. My leave of absence has been approved. The garage sales has started. Movers come to pack up our "small collection" of good to ship to our new home in less than 20 days. The adventure before is nearing - rapidly. It is exciting at the same time is it a bit nerve racking.

A different kind of nerve racking... After all I have done and been through in the past 14 years, one would think moving to Panama for a new career adventure would be nothing. I haven't quite put my finger on what is making my nerves tense and pulse increase... Is it the money? or the country? Might it be the job? Or going off on my own w/o a partner. Maybe it is the fact, I have a 14 year old with me this time around.

But no matter what it is that has me not quite 100% relaxed, the destination.. the future... the opportunity... the just keeps calling my soul. Never one to stay anywhere for very long (for those who don't know me I typically moved every 4 years as a child and even in Hong Kong, my late husband and I moved 4 times over 8 years in that one country - each time to a new area or village), my 7 years back in America has been very "homey" and "grounded". For once as an adult (other than in Hong Kong), I felt settled and nested. As a dear friend once teased me when I hit my 5th year back in Washington, "hey look you put down roots"... we have just finished planting our veggie garden. It was funny and symbolic at the same time.

But the lure of the other Americas, my passion for cultures and change, keeps calling me... "Come see"... "Come taste".... "Come live".... And so we are.. Off to see what Central America is like... more specifically Panama. It's been 21 years since I studied aboard in Costa Rica. I have ever long to go back. As my wise aunt told me a year back.. "if it is in the cards, it will happen." Well G-d and destiny has dealt me a beautiful deck... Have tickets & passports... Will travel!