Author: Darrin DuFord

ISBN: 1-59113-997-X

This book is the "result of three separate visits between March 2004 and March 2005" -- It's not about motel conditions, best restaurants, or shows to see. Instead, it's about "experiences and discoveries in company of the people that are Panama."

The "dug-out canoe" delivers DuFord to the shores of Bonjik, littered with fallen trees from the worst storm in 30-years that had taken place only six weeks earlier. He "followed the squishing rubber boots of Raul," his "boatman," directing Darrin to "his family's house, it's concrete floor offering respite from the mud and sand smear" they had just left.

Raul's father, Plutarco, walked DuFord through "what remained of his medicinal plant garden."  An unusual-looking tree caught Darrin's eye. The man explained the "tree, vina de bu, could be prescribed to combat back pain and colic." It didn't seem to be a well-kept secret as "Western countries such as America and England have offered him fifty-dollars for a small, prepared piece." There were more rarely heard of finds -- the bark of another "specimen, carano ediondo, utilized for everything from ridding headaches to exorcising spirits;" the noni bush, sexual power; the pixbae tree (the fruit called pifa), cacao pod -- chocolate. 

Curses are not uncommon stories. Take gold from Mother earth and you could end up like one Latino -- "he died the next day." "If it's not the thief himself, it's a family member of his. A sickness suddenly and fatally hits. It's a curse. Two or three days later after he takes the gold, something bad 'always' happens." Holy spirits are also part of the culture.

Kings are another commonality in Panama. And if they used "Breezes in the Middle of the Night" (outhouses), they may have found an iguana perched on the "seatless seat." But it didn't sound as though there were rustic anything when it involved the Naso king - zinc roofing and cinder blocks. After DuFord's  interview with the king, "a gesture of a little 'incentive' would be appreciated." He "left a few greenbacks on his desk with a careful smile, which was returned by a slow, warm nod of his crown and feathers."

Nest, to El Valle. Wares on tables, siestas, and salsa music are part of the ambiance. "For fifty-cents, a refreshing coconut could be 'machete-d open and a straw stuffed inside." And chickens carried like "footballs" -- "there are thirty chickens for each of El Valle's 6,200 residents." Kids make a game of collecting bottles, an adult bicycle carries two and sometimes three and an "American school bus" is now public transportation.

"When would the light turn green? 'Sometimes fifteen minutes, sometimes hours." DuFord's driver, Dumas, snacked on "fruit salad to pass the time. Other drivers in line left their vehicles, leaning on quarter panels and nodding into cell phones." 

 "Once the light turned green -- which happened with no warning -- half-eaten apples were tossed, curses flew, and doors failed to close properly as the queue gunned onto the tiny bridge, freshly moved into place a few giddy feet above the Atlantic tide."  This is what it's like to cross over the Panama Canal -- at "the Atlantic-side swing bridge."

DuFord hikes his way across Panama, bribing, bartering and drinking in the real culture not normally found by tourists. He mingles with the locals -- from every walk of Panama life. And he samples homebrew, stew, party-crashing bulls, and "slow-barbequed jungle rodent."

This is a true, up close and personal picture of another world -- one full of vivacious human spirit, mouth-watering odors and vibrant color. I almost feel like I should go unpack a backpack and have a dozen rolls of film developed.

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here