The Nickname Culture

Most people have a nickname in Boquete. It's kind of like back in college or high school...remember?

Some of the names are mundane like "Backpacker Jim", which is self evident.

Or more colorful like "Dr. Pepper". Don't ask, I have no idea what it means.

Or functional ones like "Keith-the-Car-Guy" and this is self evident again.

Now for some of the interesting ones...

There is Rebar Dave and Pain-in-the-Ass Dave. Rebar Dave picked up a length of rebar (steel reinforcing bar for concrete) and beat Pain-in-the-Ass Dave to within an inch of his life over some dispute which is unknown to the rest of us.

Clearly, with a nickname like Pain-in-the-Ass he probably deserved it!

Oh, by the way, the US Marshall showed up in Boquete 2 months ago and arrested Rebar Dave for fleeing the US will out on bail pending a re-trial for the first trial that got him 45 years. I met the guy several times and you couldn't meet a nicer guy. Hmm???? Are most criminals nice guys?

Then there is Hillbilly Phil who is from Tennessee. He gave his mother a box of shot gun shells for Christmas last year. No explanation needed for this one. I don't want to know how their family get togethers play out.

This is such a small town!

I was going into the supermarket this morning and I saw Garn standing outside. This is the 92 year old man that I hiked with last week.

He asked if I would help get him a taxi. I offered him a ride home. I could see the relief on his face when he knew he didn't have to negotiate with a taxi driver.

Such a small thing to do for him and such big results. This country and town offers so many opportunities to help out. And the rewards for helping out are huge.

I returned home feeling pretty good. A great way to start the weekend.