Departing San Jose, I said goodbye to my father (who returned to the states), and continued climbing into Costa Rica’s mountains. I climbed a 10,000 foot pass and then, in the same day, returned to sea level and the Pacific Ocean. On one of the many climbs, I met two Costa Rican cyclists and convinced one of them to ride my heavy bike up a hill while I pedaled his bike. I told him it would be good training (video right).
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You may notice I have only three panniers now. I sent a number of items home with my father – the first comment lists some of the things I got rid of.
From the beach, I continued south along the coast, finding the heat and humidity at sea level almost unbearable. With every climb, my clothes became soaked with sweat. I was relieved to find that the fire station in Ciudad Neily, on my last night in Costa Rica, had not only extra beds, but also air conditioning, a kitchen, and a pool table.
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Departing Costa Rica, I met Geovanni, a cyclist who rode with me and provided a short oration about why we should use bikes as transportation. Click on the video above right.
Entering Panama, I noticed no major change in the standard of living – Panama and Costa Rica have strong economies compared to the rest of Central America. I biked quickly across Panama, which I found to be sparsely populated. I camped next to a fire station, camped on an empty beach, stayed in a cheap hotel, and then camped next to the house of a family who sells souvenirs on another beach (photo bottom right — note that my stove is at the bottom of that picture because I am trying to cook dinner).
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The rainy season has just begun here in Panama, meaning that it is humid all day and there is usually a heavy rainstorm at the end of the day. In such a storm, I crossed the bridge over the Panama Canal, and arrived in Panama City, where I will stay for a few days attempting to find a boat to take me through the canal and into Colombia.
Here are the items that I loaded into my father’s suitcase before he flew back to the states. I am much lighter now:
Spare Tire: There are tires my size in every town I have been in, and I know how to hitchhike. I may carry one when I get to the Amazon or Atacama Desert.
Battery powered speakers for my MP3 player: Great for climbs. I may ask for this to be sent back.
Underwater camera case: I am not biking this bulky item over another mountain pass.
Map of southern South America: I am not there yet, and it was actually heavy.
Large flag for soccer team in El Salvador: Nice keepsake, will be well kept at home.
Guide Book to Central America: I think I am mostly done with carrying guidebooks – they are heavy.
Bomberos de Honduras T-shirt: Nice shirt, but the orange is fading. Send home and keep. Already have ‘Bomberos de Costa Rica’ replacement shirt.
Bruce Gordon Pannier: Now everything fits in three panniers, so I sent this one home. Three panniers is awkward, but much faster than four.
SCUBA dive log book: right.
Pocket Spanish English Dictionary: I rarely use it anymore, and I have a dictionary in my palm pilot.
Harry Potter y la Camera Secreta: I have moved on to Harry Potter y el Prisonero de Azkaban.