January 16

Expecting slightly better wind angle, unwrapped main in anticipation of using some of that really expensive sailing stuff with which boat was built. Not today. Wind backed and weather guy's dire sea-state forecast, unrealized yesterday, was a touch more applicable today. Concern mounted, for awhile, that Anthem would fling off uninsured dinghy and motor, clinging desperately to davits, but stern (one may disregard minor pun) reprimand and judicious trimming of appropriate straps quelled nascent disaster.

After exhaustive deliberation, strategy was formulated to visit island village of San Ignacio de Tupile (two-PEE-lay) this afternoon, then explore river manana. Ubiquitous Colombian trading boat was on small town dock making dinghy mooring a challange, but high skill and perseverance paid off yet again. Several citizens were eager to help and almost did. Arecio (erase-e-o), who speaks nearly as much English as I habla Espanol showed us around. As there is basically one street on this very narrow island, it didn't take so long. Again struck by ingenuous friendliness of Kuna. Purchase of very nice mola punctuated tour.

Molas, for the uninitiated, are intricate, hand-made appliques depicting, mostly, abstracted local flora and fauna. Prices rise as proximity to cruise ships around Porvenir increase. Today's unique purchase is map of Panama with previously discussed accoutrement.

For those wondering where one 'goes' in a densely packed town completely surrounded by water, outhouses stick out over the shoreline everywhere. Nobody swims near home.

And so, with this much anticipated (will not embarrass Bob or Cal by mentioning them... oops!) scatological comment behind us, adios for now.

Jack