Darien

 



Golfo de San Maguel
where Balboa claimed all of the Pacific
and the lands bounding it for the King of Spain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  



                          

The arrival of four ocean going boats off La Chunga caused
a lot of excitement in the village.  We were asked when we would be
visiting the village.  When we arrived at the landing we were greeting by
village children who were to help us navigate the hazardous walkway through
the marsh.

This log had already passed through the anchored
boats once when the tide was rising and again when
the tide was ebbing.

We pushed it ashore and tied it to some trees.  It was not
the right type of wood for madding canoes, so the
villagers had no interest in it.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving at the outskirts of the village, we were greeted with music.

 

 

 

 



 

 

We were formally welcomed in the "town hall".  Attending was
Charles who provided translation.

 

 

Charles "The Horse"
A Peace Corps volunteer living in La Chunga is
helping introduce low elevation coffee
growing.  The man next to him was from tribal headquarters in
the next village up the river.  He wanted to charge us $15 per day
for use of the anchorage.  We refused and eventually we reached
an agreeable figure, $15 per week. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the dance we had an opportunity to purchase
some of the crafts made in La Chunga.  Everything was
incredibly beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our son Kris who went for the henna "tats" in a big way.
They washed off within a week.

 

 

 

 

The Chief
La Chunga Village
Rio Sambu