Península de Azuero - Panama - page 229

exhibits. It's two blocks behind the church and about six short blocks from the main road
(turn off at the gas station).
For interesting excursions, look no further than Guararé Folk Tours ( 6686-2632,
6772-2863; [e-mail]) , offering horseback riding (US$20 per hour), a
pollera tour (US$20 for three visitors), and mangrove and seasonal waterfall visits.
Developed in tandem with Peace Corps efforts, these tours employ local guides and
showcase local cultural and natural heritage.
A local training ground for young festival artists, Academy of Customs & Traditions
Gabriel Villarreal ( 994-4581, cell 6949-6885; [e-mail]; Edificio Melo;
3-7pm Mon-Fri, Sat am) offers classes in mejorana , dancing, accordion, violin, and cant-
aderas (folk songs). Visitors are always welcome to watch. Contact coordinator Pastor
Falconett. The Melo Building is white with a blue pollera design, located near Guararé
center.
Just off the Chitré-Las Tablas highway, Residencial La Mejorana ( 994-5794; d
US$33; ) is a fairly large, fairly clean and fairly nondescript hotel decent enough
to crash in for the night. If there's a festival in town, you could only be so lucky as to get
a room here. Prices vary according to the size of the room, though all are equipped with
air-con and private hot-water bathrooms, and have that certain air of sterility to them.
An excellent rural option, La Casa del Puerto ( 994-4982, cell 6772-2863;
www.panamacasadelpuerto.com ; 2-/3-/4-person apt US$45/60/100) is located 10km out on the
oceanfront. Run by a retired Peace Corps alumna, it feels more like staying at the home
of a faraway friend. Perks include hot water, attentive service and tips, and a beach out
the back door. Host Bonnie can arrange local excursions and pick up guests in Guararé or
Chitré, with advance notice.
Guararé is beside the Carretera Nacional, 20km south of Villa de Los Santos. You can
hop on any bus that travels the highway in the direction of Guararé; you'll be dropped off
at the town. Call ahead for a local taxi ( 994-5410) ; they can be hard to hail during the

festival.

JUNTA DE EMBARRE

The Spanish cultural heritage of Azuero lives on in various forms, including some
bizarre and antiquated traditions. One isjunta de embarre,which literally trans-
lates to 'meeting of mud covering.' Following a local wedding, villagers will gather to
build a crude mud hut for the newlywed couple. This practice symbolizes the join-
ing together of two households as well as the beginning of a new family. Although