On to Bocos

After crossing the lovely bridge into Panama, we found ourselves surrounded by men trying to convince us to take their taxis. It was a bit overwhelming. We stood crowded together on the other side of the bridge which was covered in dust that was repeatedly kicked in our faces by the many trucks rolling by (Yes. Trucks really DO drive over that incredibly wobbly bridge. Amazing.). There we were, six women standing on tiny very dirty ledge of a bridge breathing in exhaust and clouds of dust as one man (Tim) attempted to bargain for the best taxi price. Tim discussed and discussed and we breathed dust and began to slowly melt as the sweltering heat of the Carribean cost made our backpacks stick to our bodies and our faces gleam with sweat. We were collectively very sticky and smelly and dirty. As we would remain for the duration of our journey.
After finally negotiating a satisfactory price (3 dollars a person...the U.S. dollar is in fact the currency of Panama as well. It was quite strange to suddenly be using dollars again) we bored another hot van and headed to catch a boat. We arrived at the boat launch on to discover that, unfortunatly, all of the seats had already been reserved on all the boats going to Bocos until 5:30 (it was around 1:00 when we arrived).
We stood around for a moment, stunned.
Luckily a very nice man arrived at that point...I've forgotten his name but he works for the Red Cross in Panama and he was very helpful. Thank you, Red Cross Guy, wherever you are.
Red Cross guy told us that if we took a bus back into the main town we could take another bus to a different boat dock to get to Bocos. So, we found a bus to take us to a large town where we bored ANOTHER incredibly hot and crowded bus. This is vehicle number 4 at this point in the day, mind you. That bus ride was apparently supposed to be 20 minutes. It was instead about an hour and a half. We were all packed in like sardines and again, sweating like pigs. After about 30 minutes on that bus, we all stopped conversing and took only to glancing at each other periodically with sweat-glistened miserable faces.
Red Cross Guy traveled with us all the way to the next boat area. He guided us from the bus stop through what appeared to be a landfill of garbage (again, I was regretting my flip-flop shoe choice) to some boat launches where AGAIN..we were informed there was no more space.
Luckily after checking a few more boat places, we found one boat to take five of us. Two stayed behind and caught the next boat out.
We were extremely happy to get on that boat. Positively leaping with joy.
The picture I have included here is a view of the large island of Bocos Del Toro, approaching by boat.