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Issue link: https://fairweathermagazine.epubxp.com/i/144159
All imAges ArtWOrks internAtiOnAl inc. PhOtO credits: ivAr WigAn, herbert hOlzer And clAus mittermAyer. inset, PreviOus sPreAd: rick dAy; stylist: mAriO WilsOn; hAir And mAkeuP: rOsemAry redlin At one point he directed our gaze to a couple of sloths. As we looked at these furry creatures and wondered why they barely moved, he explained that sloths eat a plant that has a similar efect to marijuana. Leaving the Tower and heading for more adventure in Panama, we had to ask: do birds fnd human-watching as fascinating? Our next stop ofered our own bird's eye view of the rainforest as, after a half-hour hike, we arrived at the wooden platform that would serve as the launch for our zip-line fight. After fastening our harnesses and helmets, we hooked ourselves up to the zip line, gazed fearlessly at the 100-foot drop, lifted our feet and of we zoomed. We zipped from platform to platform, stopping several times to marvel at our surroundings. We even took a break midway through the line to look at a beautiful waterfall. From here, our guide took us to the village Embera, which we reached in a wooden canoe. Dressed in traditional garb, he took us across the river until we arrived at the jungles of Chagres where the Embera Indians live. The natives welcomed us by dancing, playing music and ofering a delicious meal of grilled fsh and plantains. We asked a wide range of questions about their community. "Do you believe in monogamy? Do you have a concept of marriage? What does the new generation think about the village's ancient traditions?" It turns out they don't have matrimonial unions. As one of the villagers put it, "You are with someone until you don't want to be." And to the elders' disappointment, the new generation is not interested in their traditions, but is fxated on the possibilities of "Panhattan." Next, one of the men guided us through the rainforest pointing out medicinal plants, as well as several that he claimed would make a woman fall in love with a man. He showed us natural pigments that the village uses to dye clothing and baskets made of palm leaves. A few of the natives dye their bodies. On our last day of the trip, we took a helicopter to Las Perlas islands, which we reached by jumping of the chopper onto the beautiful, white beach. We felt like explorers, venturing onto unchartered lands that had never been touched by civilization. We were surrounded by undeveloped rainforest, populated by diverse wildlife, beautiful birds, and the unknown. To our backs was the Pacifc flled with whales and dolphins. Just 60 miles from Panama City, we were in a pristine oasis that seemed far from civilization, embracing that romantic fantasy. Or so we thought. With an archaeologist's guidance, we noticed fsh traps formed of rocks shaped in a semi-circle along the shore, garbage pits built into the ground containing fsh skeletons from pre-Columbian times, and the remains of a shelter from thousands of years ago. Civilization, both then and now, is as much a part of nature's fabric as the land itself. From top: Up close and personal with one of the abundant bird species in the rainforest. Dancing with Embera Indians in the Chagres jungle. An iguana basking in the Panama sun. The helicopter that took us to Las Perlas islands. Opposite: A rock formation and bird habitat of one of Las Perlas islands. Previous spread: Focused on the birds in Panama. FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2013 | 63