Wayfarer
Panamanian Paradise R
By Tania Moffat
etired Air Canada employee, Gennarino Conte, or Gen as his friends call him, is an accomplished traveller. He's
visited over 25 countries and is used to travelling in style. On his last trip, he decided to change things up. Looking to visit somewhere new, he
researched Panama. When he saw a deal for a small beach house in the sea- side town of Las Tablas, he jumped at it. He rented it for a month and set out on his solo adventure. Arriving in Panama late in the eve-
ning, he picked up his rental car and began the 3 1/2-hour drive to Las Tab- las. Most people would be intimidated driving in a new country alone at night, but Gen travels with gusto and didn't think twice about it. After a little difficulty in Las Tablas,
The Panama Canal is a 77.1-kilometre ship canal connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
he found his dwelling, which was ap- proximately 500 square feet, consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and a kitchen/ sitting room. Te patio offered a cov- ered sitting area, hammock, one plastic patio chair and a rustic outdoor grill - not exactly five star accommodations. But what the location lacked in ameni- ties it made up for in hospitality and natural beauty. Outside, mango, papaya and three types of banana trees were all heavily laden with fruit fresh for the eating. Las Tablas is a small town filled with expats and locals, not a tourist desti- nation by any means. Te majority of people spoke Spanish, and even though Gen looks like a native Panamanian, he doesn't speak the language. "Everyone was so friendly. Tey may not understand you but they try to help. Once I got lost driving. I asked this woman on the side of the road for di- rections. She tried to explain, but when I looked confused she just jumped in my car and gestured where I needed to go. Once there she just got out, waved and continued on her way," Gen laughs. Without the little luxuries of the In-
Gen at the Panama Canal. 68 • Summer 2015
ternet, TV or even a cell phone, Gen had a lot of time for exploring, reading,
The Hub
All Photos by Gen Conte.
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