放浪記

Jun 13 2000 [ Panama City ] Panama
I had an accident last night. It happend when started the sever rainning. I couldnt go back to hotel in spite of I was getting 50m by the hotel. A man spoke to me for selling the grass.
I visited his place because I was interested in his story.
We told any seconds and then another guy joined us.He looked bad as a junky.He spoke something strange with opened clazy eyes,and he put out a rasty nife from his pocket.He tried get my watch hardly,but I escaped from him when he fall down his nife by mistake.But before I ran away, the other guy inserted his hand to my pocket and grabed $8 out.
Still,I like that histrical place but I couldnt stay there any longer.Thats why I checked out the hotel and got a taxi for moving to other hotel which placed more safely area, and I bought the air ticket for Colombia this morning.
Well, this is the last of my diary in the "Chapter 2 [Central America]".It is not good as the last story, but I am feeling I have taking so exciting experiences now.
So, I may be Colombia next noon. It means to starting
"Chapter 3 [ South America ] on my diary" !!

Jun 9 2000 [ Panama City ] Panama
I reached Panama City from David where is south of Panama at 8PM. When I was sarching a hotel for the night,a police officer asked me some questions.I told him that I wanted to do,include ATM for Citi Bank I needed the most at the time.Because my card was invalid in other ATM macines in David.The officer took me Citi Bank and helped to withdraw money for me,also send me the hotel, though they were placed opposit side eachother.
I was really lucky and happy at the night.
The place I am staying is called Casco Viejo where they say dangerous especially in the night.But I dont think so.The area is very interesting, because it has several important tidy buildings include the Palacio Presidencial,but there are many houses which is living several thousand peoples,looks poorly,include the hotel I am staying...and ruined buildings too.And Casco Viejo is also important on the histry of Panama and all of the Spanish conquest.I like this funny small histrical peninsula.

Jun 7 2000 [ David ] Panama
I reached Panama yesterday evening from Costa Rican border town Paso Canoas in the rain.At the border I was really disapointed that the Panamian immigrations officer required me the ticket for leave their country.I had to get the ticket for $12.5.And I needed to pay $5 for the tourist card.Well,I spend about $20 there.I dont like the immigration!!
The Panamian buses are small but clean and fast.Most Panamian peaple speak English well.I wish to learn it from them,though them English has special accent from Carib.Using internet is very cheap by other Central American coutries.It cost $1/hr.

Jun 5 2000 [ Golfito,Neily ] Costa Rica
There was nothing special for seeing in Golfito and Neily the small towns in South Costa Rica except the great nature.
I crimbed a mountain at Golfito.I saw a beautiful and cute bird Tucan at the jungle.It was the first time meet the one living in wild.They were singing by cute voice.

Jun 2 2000
I visited a church in Cartago today.
It is the most famous church of central valley in Costa Rica.
The reason is there is a virgin statue who was found placed the church by a woman who lived in near the church on 17th century.
It makes me not so happy,but the reconstructed chuch was so beautiful.I never seen a church which making of wood the interior till the time.
I checked out so many things in San Jose.So,so much..I will leave here tomorrow. Though,one of my friend A-kichi comming soon by his bike.We can meet some other day.

May 31 2000
I watched a dance performance named "El Amor Brujo" - "The Love Wizard" at the Teatro Nacional ,the Costa Rica National Theater.
The performance was a Flamenco of Spanish. I paid 8.000 colones worth about $27,it was a cheapest seat though.Thats so big money for me a traveler on a shoestring! But its OK,the performance was so nice! It was the first time watching the Flamenco dance. And the place was the most famouse theater in Costa Rica.

May 30 2000
I think San Jose is the most beautiful of all Central-American capitals.The city is not so big,I could walk around almost central of the town in a day.I found some ATM for the Cirrus,theaters, musiums,beautiful parks,nice food restaurant,zoo and internet places.The air pollution is not so bad, I dont know the reason is now is rainny season or not though.I cought a lot of dust boxes in the town.I never seen that in other Central American capitals. It made me as used to living in Tokyo,feel confortable for living there. I watched a movie at a late night and back to hotel but I didnt feel denger.But most of shops and restaurants close at 10. By the way,the movie "Mission to Mars" little bit likes the "Contact", was a sort of I like.I think the story is not so far from the real.So,I beleave. I visited Alajuela and Heredia.Either are small towns near Son Jose. Those placed from San Jose less than 35Km cost 40 minutes.
At the Museo de San Juan Maria in Alajuela,I was ask from two university students that "What do you think about and ." I really at a loss for the answer.Because I cant speak Spanish also English such well.I answered just "Those need ,,,," They were looking me! ",,,and,,,and ."
Give me a break!! Dont ask me that kind of question! I just need and right now!! Heredia has a small but nice old white stoned Church build in 1797.It has a nice flower garden for walking.I walked around several blocks in the towns,though it was rain.

May 28 2000 [ Puntarenas ] Costa Rica
The Peninsula Puntarenas has so funny form.It about 8Km long and less than 600m wide.And the peninsula running along main land parallelly.The bay made by the peninsula and main land likes pond or something.I got a ferry for Nicoya the biggest peninsula of Costa Rica and visited Montezuma made from some beautiful beachs.

May 26 2000 [ Liberia ] Costa Rica
When I got Liberia,I wanted to visit a National Park near the city.But I couldnt because of I had getting a cold while I have been there.It is OK,there are so many national parks in this beautiful coutry.I will check it out some other day.

By the way I was glad to find that the cost of use computers for internet is very cheep here.It worth about 2dollers per hour.

May 24 2000 [ Isla de Ometepe ] Nicaragua
The island named Isla de Ometepe is on the Lago de Nicaragua which is 10th largest lake in the world.The isla has two beautiful volcanos.It was getting dark when I got the island.I took a camioneta;pick up track for a hotel in the Altagracia where is a small village.We saw a great sun set over the jungle on the way.The lights was goes out when we get there though,it was coming back one hour later. The day next I visited the Santo Domingo a beach on foot.It is not so tidy not as my expecting.I was so tired at the time but I had to go back to the hotel fast.Because the bus for got there already finished,and the sun was getting down over the Conception Volcano,at the time.It past seven when I reached the village in the dark.I was really exthoust but,I could a lot of rare amimals,insects and plants. The day next I moved to the Moyogalpa other village in the island.There are many accommodations in the small place for not so many places worth seeing.The day time I drunk a bottle of beer,got some walking, watched the sun-set;of course held a beer bottle in my left hand as usual.At the night the electricity stoped again as usual.I think the Isala de Ometepe is so nice place for treking.I want to try that if I came back there again.

May 20 2000 [ Granada ] Nicaragua
There are many tourists in Granada.And almost all of them are "Gringo" mean white people present. The town of Granada is very tidy,small though,there are several bars hotels and internet places.As for people of developed countries.I like the air but I have to go to Costa Rica as soon as possible now.Because I dont enough money now.I was told that there is the A.T.M macine for CitiBank Card in San Jose,Costa Rica.I need it now.Before I come over,Id like to visit some other place in Nicaragua this nice country.

May 19 2000 [ Masaya ] Nicaragua
I wanted to go to Managua the capital of Nicaragua ASAP.
But,I couldnt move out here for two days becouse of the rain.
The roofs of the hospedaje,cheap hotel leaked badly when the rain getting harder and harder.
The room I stayed was two bed and without bathroom.
And one of the beds got wet for the leaking rain.
So,as like as my room without bath room had a shower tap!!

May 17 2000 [ Managua ] Nicaragua
The big capital,Managua had a little of the seeing point.
The day I got there I walked around in the city.
After seeing some sites near The Old Cathedral,I took the way for the hotel I was staying.Then I cought some fire works in the sky on a studium.I though there was something in the studium,and I got there.I asked a woman front of the studium that what was on,and she said foot ball.I wanted to watch Latin foot ball before,and I got the ticket from the scalper.But,in the small studium,played a baseball game! I should made sure of the ticket first.But,I didnt care at the time,enjoyed the Latin baseball game.In the fact,baseball is national sport of Nicaragua.
I watched that many Nicaraguan playing baseball game.

May 15 2000 [ Leon ] Nicaragua
When I reached Guasaule the border of Honduras and Nicaragua,two boys offered me use their bike which has three wheels and carrier for bagagge.I was not sure if how much they would charge me but,I asked it them.They followed me all of the way of my procedure for cross the border.After all,they required me 10box,thus 10 U.S dollers.I said NO!! But,they had many friends.They crowed around us and told about somethng in Spanish.A big guy one of them had spoken to me that he was strong or something,and made fighting pose .I was really scare,but I tryed to keep on discount the fare,and the last minutes,I paid 110 Coldobas worth about 9 U.S dollers.
After that,when I was on the bus from there to Leon,I felt dislike everything of Nicaragua.But,That was my falt,because I shoud asked them the 10 meant which currency was! I deserve it!
Now,I have coming like this country.The people of this country is very cheerfully,delightful and serious.I think they are trying to forget their dark past of the internal war.
I like their life style too.
In Leon,almost all of the people have some locking chairs in their houses.They spend a time their houses entrance on the chairs and talking with their family every evening.The kids play on the road front of their house,sometimes sprincle water for not rise dust.When I saw the scine,I remembered Japan when I was kid.

I met Marc a French guy here.We knew eachother before we talk,because we saw eachother at a internet shop in Tegucigalpa the capital of Honduras.We are the men of 30s and traveling so long time.And here are not so much forigner.We tald about vary things and drank.His plan that after leave Leon is simmilar to mine.I wish if we could travel together even if it will be short time.

May 8 2000 [ Tegcigalpa ] Honduras
I crossed the border Amatillo from El Salvador to Honduras.It was a funny experience beyond a river for cross a border on foot.I rememberd a scene in the Private Ryan a movie directed S.Spielberg.My heart beating fast and excitement when I cross a border.Because,always remember some war movies for example the Combat a movie for WW2 I watched those when I was young.There were a lot of sceanes what some solder or resistance across a border in Germany or somewhere behind of the Nazis.I should fan it so many times in future this travel.

When I got Tegucigalpa,it was getting dark.
I had to get a hotel good for me.There are many hotels in the town,but most of the costs I dont require as high.
The last minutes,I checked a hotel but,not so clean cost 70 Lenpira without bath.And I went out for had a dinner.I met a man ,we know eachother since we met in Antigua,Guatemala.
We talk about these days and he recomended me a hotel he staying.I moved to the hotel this morning.It is not clean my friend said there are many cockroaches I hate!! But the cost is cheap and the atomosphere I dont dislike.
If I had enough mony,I could stay longer here.But,I will had to go to Costa Rica fast.I beleave they have some ATM macines my Citi Banks card valid in the capital.

May 7 2000 [ San Miguel ] El Salvador
I wanted to go to Tegucigalpa,Honduras early,but I dont care if I had to keep to sitting on a seat for move on long way.Because,my back is sore hard.
That is why I decided to get a hotel San Miguel on the half of the way.
The hotel with fan,TV,bath and hummock is near the bus terminal.I checked 5 movies by the satelite TV sets,because I dont used to TV while I was in Antigua,Guatemala and other countries for those 6 month.
I had to wake up so early in the next morning because most hotels in which there fixed the check out time 8 to 9 am.Its amazing!


May 5 2000 [ San Salvador ] El Salvador
I was so surprised but,I met Rie my friend who had made me feel worry that some days on the bus which carried us to San Salvador.
She seemed to be OK in Todos Santos where was a riot there some days ago.
It had getting warmly and the humidity higher and higher while as the bus coming near San Salvador.
I found a hotel not clean,not good atomosphere,not running water,and not so cheap front of the buss terminal.
The day and the next I saw around San Salvador hardly.
Salvadorian full of energy had selling anything.
The streets of Salvador was little stinking but,I like the city.

May 4 2000 [ Antigua ] Guatemala
I got back Antigua yesterday.
Now,I am fed up with this rainy season in Central America.
I decided to go to South,but I dont know if I keep the plan.
I can go to New York,Japan or somewhere else,because I am free!


Apr 29 2000 [ Huehuetenango,Todos Santos ] Guatemala
We met Rie my friend at the bus terminal in Huehuetenango.
She said were going to Todos Santos same us.
At the time I was thinking that if we came back to Xela in the day or not.
My companion Kou gave up to get there,but I decided to go to Todos Santos.
I met two Japanese girls who belong to Japanese volunteer team and working in Huehue.
They also would go to Todos.Then we got a bus for Todos,but Rie was already gone at the time.
Suddenly,the bus stoped When it was climbing a mountain toward Todos.And then,someone got on the bus and told to all forigners that we shouldnt go to Todos Santos because,some forigners were killed today.The cause was not clearly but it seemed to a riot.
There were two Norwegian and three Japanese on the bus.
We all got off the bus and got a pickup truck,and went back to the downtown Huehuetenango.
I beleave three of my friends are also visiting there besides Rie now.I heard there are some Agian in the people killed this morning.
I am hoping if it happened nothing on my friends.

Apr 28 2000 [ Quetzaltenango ] Guatemala
I visited the Los Vahos a sauna place with my friend Kou.
We got some wrong ways and climbed a mountain into the sky shined by thunder,we got there finally.
The sauna room was very small and dark because of there was not a light,but the smell of the room was nice by some leaves of eucalyptus.
Of coruse,the temperture was good.
We really relaxed and back to our hotel.



Apr 27 2000 [ Almolonga ] Guatemala
We visited a building which is used a strange religion in Almolonga.It is a kind of Chiristianity named San Simon.
A figure that is weared dark suits,hat and glass,and the figure like a child with cigarette in his mouth.
There were a lot of candles front of the god.
The people drank beer in the dark room and sometimes gave it to the god.
The out side of the small building,some people made fire something to charm.
It was really interesting for me.
The next,we visited the Fuente Gerginas a hotspring resort place by pickup truck.
The mountains were picturesque and little chilly.
We saw several number of plants on the mountainsides.
We paid 15 Quetzal cost about 2 Dollers to the pickup truck driver.
There was a beautiful hotspring at the entrance.
I heard from my friend that the hot spring resort made by the last president of Guatemala and used him privately.
But,I dont know the story is true or not.
Anyway,we spend so good time there.

Apr 24 2000 [ San Pedro La Laguna ] Guatemala
I was really respected the full moon party in the San Pedro at this 18th Apr.
But they didnt do that!!
My friends Kou and Shima,and I smoked some grasses by cigarette papers and made some hotcakes with the grasses.
We all got nice dream in each beds at the full moon night.



Apr 15 2000 [ San Pedro La Laguna ] Guatemala
When I got Panajachel at 15th Apr,I got a age more.
I checked in a cheep hotel and walked the main street.
I met a my friend Michiyo on the street.
She invited me a restaurant near the lake Atitlan and we had a dinner together for my birthday.
We talked about each our love and somethng at the night.



Apr 16 2000 [Panajachel]
I am getting here Panajachel,Guatemala now.
There is the lake Atitlan that is called "The most beautiful lake all of the world".
And there are 12villages which are living 12kind of indians around the lake.
I really coming like this interesting Latin America.
There are many indians who create beatiful textiles.
And There are huge of the nature that is not touched by human.
I got 32years old yesterday there.
It passed 10 month since I have been started this travel.
I met many people who are arounding the world for several month.
I think I am really slow in one of them.
But,I dont care if it cost more or not.
Because I am not same with them who are sight seening and will come back to their coutries.
So I am a migrator.
I am surching some places where makes me feel nice.

Now,I need a job for be well my spanish comversation.

Apr 10 2000 ［Antigua Guatemala]
The people who are living in Antigua,Guatemala are suppose to do "THE SEMANA SANTA" from 17TH April for one week.I am looking forword to it now.

I am dancing salsa every night.And I really couldnt do well,though. I met a man who from Osaka Japan are cooking Japanese dish every meal.We are happy because the meals are so nice taste.

I am looking for a job for my Spanish will be good. But I dont know it will make me good or not. If I couldnt do that,I will go to Ecuador some day.

Feb 5 2000
I got a mail from my friend living in Japan yesterday.
He said me call my mother asap.I called and asked her what was wrong.She said me a credit company chargin me 670000 yen worth less than 6700 US dollers for decembers payment! I have no idea that I didnt spend such a big money.Of course I am going to claim the company.But they have the bills.I should show them that I didnt do it by the signatures,otherwise I should pay the money.
I was in Oaxaca,Mexico at that time.And stayed the hostel which has dormitories.And there were some crazy guys as my room.They did some cocain.But I am not sure who stoll my card and got me back it behind me.I dont care who did do that.I dont just want to pay the money.


Feb 4 2000

Jan 26 2000
When I got here,a man ask me if I looked for a hotel and/or a spanish school and then,he invited me there.I heard from a man that be careful such kind of person like the man who call himself [Informacion] before I came here in Ciudad Antigua.
Though,I didnt care him but,he looked like not so bad.I asked him tell me a nice hotel and a school.He pleased to heard that,and showed me those.The hotel where had a very cute birds include a TUCAN was nice on me,also he invited me a good school.I entered the school soon.
So,I have being a student now.I need a spanish conversation for travel in the South America.
Antigua mean old,thus it meaned old Guatemala.The town got the great earthquakes,and,it was broken and remade several times.
There are three volcanos around the town include active one that making smoke every day.The town which surrounded mountens is very beautiful!I have coming like here.Now,I planning I stay and study spanish there for a couple of month or more.
There are many spanish schools,fourty or more I cant make it sure.Ofcause there are many students who from all of the world.And I speak Japanese,English and Spanish everyday.I am really confusing,but I am happy everyday now!


Jan 22 2000 [ Ciudad Guatemala ] Guatemala

Guatemala city has so dirty air because of the many cars running in the town as Mexico City.I dont like the place had air polution.But,I like the hotel I am staying now which named [Hotel Miza].I saw the total lunar ecripse at the nice yard of the hotel last night.It was so beautiful.I am lucky for be here!


Jan 19 2000 [Puerto Barrios] Guatemala
I was fed up with the rain while I was staying Puert Barrios.
It was almost rainnig among the three days I stayed there.
Few of the roads of the town were getting flooded the water.
All my item had getting wet at the time because of I got a ferry caming there.Thats why I had to dry those items,but I could not.Because the humidity was high for the rain.
At the third days noon I could not stand anymore,so I decided to go to the bus station which has the bus to Ciudad Guatemala,but it had raining outside as usual.
Thats why I am in Guatemala City now!

Jan 16 2000 [Plasencia] Belize
I leave there by a bus which to the north.So I change my mind.I dicided to go to Punta Golda north side of Belize for got the ferry to Guatemala.Befor I went Punta Golda,I stayed in Placencia a tidy resort place.Placencia was so cute place and the people living there were kindly.But,it was rain and windy on and off while I was there.
I got a small boat to Indepencia which town has small number of buses to Punta Golda.Also it had raining hardly while I was on the boat.I reached a small pier and I should walk a little by the bus terminal.
Anyway,I got Punta Golda and bought the ticket for the ferry to Puerto Barrios.I was comming worry when the people on the small boat weared life jacket.But,I could not give it up.
Oh,I dont want to remember that at the time!It was so terrble trip for me,I gess it was also for everybody.The boat was keeping jump and hit on whole the way.I got many bruises on my body!!

Jan 14 2000 [Belize City] Belize
In fact,I wanted to go to Tikalu,Guatemala. Before,I came over Tikal,I thought visit the Belize Zoo and Belmopan first.And I was plannig to stay Belmopan.
The bus I got on was past the zoo because of I didnt mension my destination the attendant.I should walk about one mile.
the Belize Zoo had the several number of amimals and birds which are gurded by the country.I saw a Tapir and Tucan.These cute creatures are also printed the bill of Belize.
The next I went to Belmopan the capital.When I got the tarminal of Belmopan,I didnt belive that I was be the capital of a country. Because there was nothing special besides the goverment buildings.I walked around for one hour and leaved there.
I had to return to Belize City,Because I had not enough money for go to Guatemala.I had only Mexican pesos.So I could not exchange those money.Thats why I returned Belize City and exchanged the money.So I ought to stay there. Belize City had nothing only special for me also Belmopan.But I stayed there for two days.I dont care that my staying getting extend or not.Because I am a wonderer!

Jan 7 2000 [Caye Caulker] Belize
When I saw the changing of color,I didnt beleave it while several minuts.It was extreamly beautiful for me who use to see Caribian sea.But,it had rain for 2days after we got there. My friend seemed to fed up with the rain and leave me. But,after that the sky was getting well. I stayed Caye Caulker for a week. And I did diving and snowkeling. I saw a number of moray,sharks,and great number of fish! In the island,there are several thousand people. They are very kindly.I felt really safe and confortable. I stayed Tinas Backpackers Hostel. It was not so clean,but it was nice on me.