Day 6

We took the ridge trail today that ended near the head waters of the Rio Java to get our very last site of research in. The hike to the site was a steep incline and took 2 hours to get there. We hiked with Arrmondo the Ngäbe medicine man and Norris a Ngäbe biologists. Arrmondo showed us multiple medicinal plants and Norris helped him identify some as well. The Ngäbe people despite age are very active and in shape. The older man did the hike without any water and refused any of our help because he says that’s how the culture is. We told him he could walk in front but he told us that the elders always walk in the back of the group and the youngest in the front. Because we are on his lands we respected him and his teachings.  The day ended with a refreshing swim in the river and I had a nap and then some dinner. Our research will continue on Monday morning.