Embera

Today was probably my favorite of the trip so far. We woke up early and met to drive over to the Embera Village and visit some of the indigineous people of Panama. When we arrived we were greeted by a few men wearing brightly colored beaded skirts. They took us down to some dug out canoes and we loaded up to ride down the Chagras River. It was so beautiful there. We first stopped and hiked across some rough terrain to a gorgeous waterfall where we were thankful to take a swim in the water because it was so hot. We enjoyed jumping off the rock cliffs and getting back massages from the water rushing down as we sat at the bottom. After we got toweled off we went back to the canoes and arrived at one of the four villages of the Embera people. They fed us some traditonal tribal food which consisted of fish (tilapia i think) and patacones (or flattened plantains that were salted and fried) in banana leaf bowls. It was so yummy. Next we moved over to another hut where the tribe had beautiful handmade gifts. Once everyone bought a few souvenirs we sat down for a performance. The men and women of the tribe played instruments and danced, even a few of us got up to join them! It was a great time and a beautiful place, I was sad to leave.

~Kaley <3