SANTA CATALINA, PANAMA
There’s not very much to do in Santa Catalina. Gringos come here to surf, but the locals mostly just eat junk food, watch TV and half-build something every once in a while. The local bar (below) sits unfinished and has at least three completely wasted Panamanians in it at all times. In the front is a grill where two ladies cook huge, greasy piles of chicken for men who have bought a little too much from the man in the back, who sells beer and unaged rum out of plastic crates. By 11pm, nobody in the building can stand up.

Thankfully, I didn’t come to Santa Catalina for the nightlife – I came to figure out how to surf. The good beach is about a thirty minute walk away, and at low tide it goes out at least half a mile (no pictures, unfortunately). More later.