It is Sunday, March 8, 2008 I am up at 6:00am to go on our last hike joining others in the 160 Year Chiriqui Anniversary Committee. The walks have been so much fun and it is a bittersweet to see them ending around 3:00pm today. Nonetheless, I have met many interesting people and will continue communicating with some.
Today’s trek was met with much enthusiasm with over 40 people hiking the trails or “El Sendero Los Negro”, into the community of El Cacao, along the David River, to the Dos Rios community, and ending in Dolega at La Finca of Maxi Barria. Walking along the trails, we chanted and sang a few Panamanian rhymes and songs.
The hike was a number five not to rough but rugged enough considering we trekked over many river rocks, up and down hills on narrow paths, wading across a rapidly flowing river, a flimsy bridge made from thin tree branches - two risk takers decided to walk across the flimsy bridge while I held my breath watching them - it must have helped because they made it across just fine, on the other hand, while walking across the small river under the bridgeI placed my shoe on a slippery rock and BOOM I slipped tumbling down landing on my side. It was a simple fall nothing very serious, though I did feel a bit lucky to say the least since it was my first fall since the walks began. Many walkers have taken a tumbling or two on the walks.
Some had a chance to swing from a thick hanging vine. Two young women did just fine although they did make it across because of not letting go of the vine. The third a man who was a bit too heavy tried swinging across but the vine gave causing him to fall onto the rocks below, fortunately, his injury was not a serious one although tomorrow he most definitely will have a sore back.
We waded across the David River without any serious injuries. Just one person slipped into the
water taking her down stream for a short distance. Our watch group held large branches out for her to take a grip of getting her back on land safely. I decided the smart thing for me to do would be to leave my shoes on knowing the rocks would be slippery and we would have to wade across. After crossing, the river and walking up stream on land most of us submerged into the waterhole. 
It was awesome we were like children splashing water onto to one another after our trek feeling hot and sweaty this was just the “icing on the cake” we needed. 
We then headed to Dos Rios some rested drinking soft drinks or “Chi Cha” while others including me danced to some good live music locals were playing on instruments. We let loose and grooved to the sound of Panamanian music. After our rest, we drove to the Finca and served bowls of Sancocho and Gallina Guisado with Beans and Rice all for three Balboa (the Panamanian dollar). It seems that each time I have tasted Panama’s wonderful “Sancocho” all have a different flavor all being equally delicious.
Some readers have mentioned I never have photos of myself on these postings. Well since I am the author and the busy photographer, and translator during the walks or just shooting at events, I never considered doing so. Well today surprise, I took your request seriously and had someone take my photo.
Even though today was the last walk for the District of Dolega, my Amiga Melva Miranda and I have already
planned a weekend trip to “Isla de Coiba” an island just off the Province of Veraguas. It has a beautiful National Park for hiking, wildlife watching, swimming and snorkeling, a great place to escape, discover, and explore. I hope that if all goes as planned the trip will take at the end of the month and we can reunite once again to explore a different area in Panama. 
Today’s trek was met with much enthusiasm with over 40 people hiking the trails or “El Sendero Los Negro”, into the community of El Cacao, along the David River, to the Dos Rios community, and ending in Dolega at La Finca of Maxi Barria. Walking along the trails, we chanted and sang a few Panamanian rhymes and songs.
The hike was a number five not to rough but rugged enough considering we trekked over many river rocks, up and down hills on narrow paths, wading across a rapidly flowing river, a flimsy bridge made from thin tree branches - two risk takers decided to walk across the flimsy bridge while I held my breath watching them - it must have helped because they made it across just fine, on the other hand, while walking across the small river under the bridgeI placed my shoe on a slippery rock and BOOM I slipped tumbling down landing on my side. It was a simple fall nothing very serious, though I did feel a bit lucky to say the least since it was my first fall since the walks began. Many walkers have taken a tumbling or two on the walks.
Some had a chance to swing from a thick hanging vine. Two young women did just fine although they did make it across because of not letting go of the vine. The third a man who was a bit too heavy tried swinging across but the vine gave causing him to fall onto the rocks below, fortunately, his injury was not a serious one although tomorrow he most definitely will have a sore back.We waded across the David River without any serious injuries. Just one person slipped into the
water taking her down stream for a short distance. Our watch group held large branches out for her to take a grip of getting her back on land safely. I decided the smart thing for me to do would be to leave my shoes on knowing the rocks would be slippery and we would have to wade across. After crossing, the river and walking up stream on land most of us submerged into the waterhole. 
It was awesome we were like children splashing water onto to one another after our trek feeling hot and sweaty this was just the “icing on the cake” we needed. 
We then headed to Dos Rios some rested drinking soft drinks or “Chi Cha” while others including me danced to some good live music locals were playing on instruments. We let loose and grooved to the sound of Panamanian music. After our rest, we drove to the Finca and served bowls of Sancocho and Gallina Guisado with Beans and Rice all for three Balboa (the Panamanian dollar). It seems that each time I have tasted Panama’s wonderful “Sancocho” all have a different flavor all being equally delicious.Some readers have mentioned I never have photos of myself on these postings. Well since I am the author and the busy photographer, and translator during the walks or just shooting at events, I never considered doing so. Well today surprise, I took your request seriously and had someone take my photo.
Even though today was the last walk for the District of Dolega, my Amiga Melva Miranda and I have already
planned a weekend trip to “Isla de Coiba” an island just off the Province of Veraguas. It has a beautiful National Park for hiking, wildlife watching, swimming and snorkeling, a great place to escape, discover, and explore. I hope that if all goes as planned the trip will take at the end of the month and we can reunite once again to explore a different area in Panama. 
