After living a solid month in Bocas del Toro, I've come up with a list of things that I will do my best never to take for granted for again as long as I live. Some are everyday things, some are quite commical, and other's, well, others you may need to think a little outside the box to understand. Hopefully this will give an idea of my day to day living as it's not just all fun and games! Also, this list will be by no means complete so consider this Part 1.
#1 A Washer and Drier: Oh my god! Anyone who's traveled for an extended period of time will agree with this. Cause I'm cheap I've hand washed everything down here as I've needed it but everynow and then every article of clothing I own needs a wash. I now appreciate how hard women all over the world and in the past work to keep everyone looking their best.
#2 Flushing Tiolet Paper: Island septic systems aren't always the best at handling all that's thrown at them so most places here just have waste recepticals by the tiolets. I don't have a huge issue with this but it's a bit unnerving to do your first couple times in a public place. This is probably my North American standard of cleanliness coming out but sometimes this just seems gross.
#3 Mother Nature's Tiolet: You'll have to bear with me here, but while we're on the subject, this has something I've considered while on some of the other islands. Now while at the lake or camping I have no problem doing my business in Mother Nature, I almost prefer it as outhouses can be quite unpleasent. At some of the beaches, places have bathrooms but you must pay to use them, and you take one look at them and think "not a chance in hell". Usually I'd do what any camper would do but nature here is so foreign to me I'd rather not take the risk of distrubing a crab, toad, or worse, solider ants.
#4 Consistent Supermarkets: Shopping is always an adventure here. I never realized how great I had it at home where I could go into any Walmart and find almost exactly what I've been looking for. I kid you not, I have spent at least an hour walking around, checking out every supermarket in town trying to find specific items. A travel coffee mug was one of said items and fresh produce is always a little difficult to find down here.
#5 Hot Water: Boy do I miss hot water on demand. I am quite lucky as the apartment I'm in has 'hot water' on a good day, most places down here are cold water only. Most days a cold water shower is necessary (30 degree heat plus humidity, yea I like to cool down sometimes) but after 3 hours of scuba diving, I nice warm shower helps get rid of the chill. The days when I get hot water are a little bit like heaven.
This concludes part one. Welcome to everyday life in Bocas!
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