Woke up early and off to Tits by myself. On the access road, I ran into 2 Panamanian surfers we had met at Tits yesterday. Their names were Juan and Gustav, they are lawyer and architect. They said Tits was only OK but if I wanted to follow them, they would show me a new surf spot they knew about. So, I followed them to San Carlos, past the hospital, and down to the beachside fish camp. I have been this way before, at the hospital with Tommy 3 years prior, and the fish camp with Bill Fahy many years prior, when buying corvina. Another name simply meaning, sea bass. So, I dropped off the rental mini van at the fish camp, and hopped in their 4X4 to go down the beach to their spot. The rock point was called Jeffrey's, and it was a small wave which was peeling right, however it was pretty small. Although, I only surfed for about an hour, it was WAY cool hanging with the Panamanian surf dudes, and embracing Panama culturally.
Drove back to DeCameron with a smile!!
After I got back to the resort, we immediately loaded up the mini-van, to FINALLY make our trip to El Valle. Patrick followed with Brandon, Chelsea, and Shannon. El Valle is about 1 hour from the resort. It is 28 km off the beach road, up a steep curvy and peligroso road. Max attention from the driver is paramount. There are some spectacular vistas enroute, both of cloud-topped mountains, as well as beautiful scenes towards the Pacific whence we came. It is half ascent, followed by half descent in to El Valle.
We searched for the Canopy Adventure including the zip line and waterfall hike. We happened upon another short hike at the Piedra Pintada. It was a rock with heirogliphics, but we could not tell if they were authentic or false.
Once at the rock, the heavens opened up in a rainy season deluge, wall of water. Driving into the rain, we finally found the canopy zip-line, but it was closed, and in our thoroughly drenched state, we opted to return to DeCameron. It was a treacherous road home with sheets of rain falling from above. Luckily, as we reached the top, and began descending on the Pacific side, the skies cleared, providing for much safer passage.
Late afternoon marked the primary reason for our visit--the Catholic union of Matthew and Teresa. It was a beach wedding of the most beautiful sort. All the men and boys were clothed in black pants with white Guyaberas, and the girls of the wedding party were clothed in tipico Panamanian dresses made by Guaymi indians, white linen decorated in bold indian prints.
Father Dave gave the matrimonial formalities as the warm Panama breezes blew while the sun began to set in a colorful array of Pacific flurry. It was a full mass complete with readings and prayers from the Grimison brothers, and the Wedding Song, performed by all the siblings. This special performance was one marking the last bethrothal of a Grimison 8. Appropriately nicknamed, Tio Ocho!
A poolside reception followed with Panamanian dishes, and music which lended itself to a most festive evening of dancing and fellowship.
Richard got up on stage and accompanied Alex Reyes in some Shorty and Slim songs as he rapped to a Yellowman tune, singing something about a husband and wife cooking chicken and rice together while the wife is falling down in a rum induced stupor. It was somehow related to this sacred event of marriage. This was followed by a Zonian tradition of a full chorus singing Bob Marley's Redemption Song.
As the poolside reception wound down, the true partiers migrated to the sports bar where the festivities continued to the wee hours.
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