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  San Blas, Panama
Monday, January 14, 2008

Kuna Yala (San Blas) stetches from the Gulf of Kuna Yala (find THAT on your map) eastward to the Columbian border. There are 360 islands but only about 40 are inhabited. Formerly of Columbia, the Kuna Indians have lived here for hundreds of years. The men paddle around in dugout canoes with makeshift sails. Fresh crab, lobster, octopus & fish, caught with net or spears is exported to Panama City. Coconuts can actually be used as coins here & are worth about 15 dents each. A soda costs 40 cents & can be purchased for 40 cents. My coconut tree climbing days are over so I had to use Am. currency. Women are at work making colorful molas, the traditional women's garment. They are made of 6-7 panels of cloth applique which are sewn on to the front & backs of blouses. A design is cut through the layers & the seams & edges are sewn with tiny stitches. I bought one with a turtle design for $10. I saw them in Kauai for $200. I also bought 5 dolls made from balsa wood, covered with handmade tiny stitched molas. $1. each. The children are very cute & this time I was armed with something new to give them. I bought about 8 dozen pencils at WalMart & the same number of pens. Each child (or adult) who let me take their photo was given a pen, pencil & hand full of candy. Writing supplies in many of these countries are very expensive so this brought big smiles to the Kuna Indians. One man invited me into his thatched hut to meet his family. The floor was smooth sand, they slept in hammocks, washed in buckets on the floor & cooked in primitive stoves. I gave them pens, pencils & candy, too. Near the dock was a man selling beautiful seashells. I bought a large conch shell for $5.00. That makes 3 conch shells to bring home. Good thing I'm planning on donating almost all my clothing! Tomorrow we will be cruising through the Panama Canal so look for us on the Princess website bridge cam. The Panama Canal also has a live cam, too.
Linda

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