Sometimes while on vacation you meet someone who is a delight to share time with. This happened to me recently here in Panama. I live here now, but she was on vacation ... and now she has returned home. I am already missing the times that we shared talking, dining out and most of all exploring the mountain trails, waterfalls, and nature that surrounds us here in the Volcan area.With my passion for exploring the area to take photographs, including steep trails up and down mountain sides, it takes someone who is in good physical condition to keep up with me and with our younger guides. Most of the (gringo) men and women that I meet here are not ready for steep mountain hikes or long walks through the rain forest. Lorna was more than able to keep up with the climbs and hikes.
My very limited Spanish makes it difficult for me to make friends with locals who do not speak some English. So, I was delighted to meet a Scottish lady on vacation from England who had an interest in the local people, nature and photography. She has been here many times, speaks Spanish (with a Scottish accent) and knew many of the locals and several of the "tourist" areas.
We hiked and took pictures in the "bamboo forest" on the lower reaches of Volcan Baru, visited the Pre-Columbian archaeological site at Barriles, and hiked down (and up) to the big water falls at Cordillera. We also shared dinner at local restaurants and visited with other gringos.
At my age, finding people with similar interests is not easy. And true friendship becomes much more important than "romance". The "funk" that I am in will pass, but I will remember the adventures and good times that we shared. I am much like a child that lost his playmate, sad, but I will recover soon. God speed...
