Vagabond Rick Travels The World

I thought I would follow up the best of Bacu with the worst of Bacu, but that would be depressing.  Here is some random notes that I made while visiting…

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Below is the best that I have found in this challenged country. I´m sure there is more that I have not seen although just about everything in my guidebook has turned out to be major hyperbole. I now understand that if you write a truthful guidebook (truthful as in objective comparisons to other travel destinations) about a so’so place then no one will buy your book. For instance, Lonely Planet says La Fontana Restaurant is where ¨you will think you have died and gone to Spain¨ a mediocre restaurant which might be OK in Bacu, but I suspect Spain has a lot better everywhere.  And it calls the national art museum ¨world-class¨, but that seems like a far stretch because to me since it would be very second-rate in NYC, London or Paris. Here is my list…
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One of the best moments of my travels was arriving in Panama this evening.  I escaped the prison I call Bacu.  For those struggling what country is Bacu... too bad, you´ll have to think harder (and play with the name)!  ... [Continue reading this entry]

Right after my last post, I decided to get out.  Bought a bus ticket for El Capitolio.  Planned to catch a taxi immediately to the airport from the bus station and see if I could catch the same flight I am ... [Continue reading this entry]

Quickly...  Took a train to a UNESCO site today called Valle de los Ingenios.  Suppose to be an old sugar processing valley where dozens of sugar mills from the 1800s once operated.  I saw little sign of these mills.  I ... [Continue reading this entry]

I think I have discovered my first bankrupt society here in Bacu.  The place is driving me nuts.  I know a few of you absolutely love this place and if you have the time, please let me know what I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Now I am in El Capitolio.  Just got a quick private viewing of the presidentś office and walked through the hall of Congress.  Of course, like everywhere in the world, the politicians are all on extended vacation.  They have an ... [Continue reading this entry]

Shhhhh!  I am writing from the most paranoid place on Earth.  Or is this just the tip of the dictatorial iceberg?  Want to make every single Bacuno laugh?  Tell them you are from USA and then put your index finger ... [Continue reading this entry]

Well 2006 went out with a blas.  Yes, that´s right, "blas" as in San Blas Archipelago in Panama with the Kuna people and my new friends Nancy, Robin and Nancy.  No time to describe, but I will do so when ... [Continue reading this entry]