Chiriquí Chatter

I mentioned yesterday that I made an unexpected trip to Costa Rica last Thursday. Today, I will explain the purpose of the trip. I am not sure how to best describe the time I spent since it was not a joyous occasion.

Panama is my home and one of the reasons I like it here is the people. A couple of years ago when I was in need of help I was basically taken under the wing by a family here in David. Since that time they have become my family. I have come to know and love each and every one of them. To an individual, I have found them all to be hard working, honest and extremely caring people.

On Wednesday Lilliam, my friend, confidant and sole-mate, received word that her brother and his son in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica had been shot and killed. The funeral was expected to be Thursday or Friday. Last year I had gone to this family’s family reunion in Rio Claro, Costa Rica. I met Lilliam’s brother, who was called Chino by his friends. I don’t think that son was there that day and was probably running the family business.

Having met Chino, his wife and others in the family, I also felt a connection and loss but certainly not to the level of the rest of the family. The journey to Puerto Jimenez was going to be a difficult journey and I was asked if I would mind driving. Of course I had no problem and I was very happy to be included.

We were able to leave Paso Canoas about 4:45 PM Thursday afternoon and arrived in Rio Claro about 5:15 PM. Since it would be between a 3 and 4 hour drive to Puerto Jimenez, we spent the night in Rio Claro and followed Lilliam’s niece and her husband the following morning.

To the point that we turned left off of the InterAmerican Highway, this was the best condition for the InterAmerican Highway in Costa Rica that I have seen. You could see that many spots had been repaired and there were few potholes.

As we began the drive on the road to Puerto Jimenez, the road was good. Here is a couple of photos showing how it was at the beginning.

Not long after there was a slight break in the trees and there was a view of the sea.

A little past the previous photo we came upon a better view. This is the entrance to a trail that says it is for vehicles with 4×4 only.

The view was breathtaking.

You can really tell it, but I shot this photo looking down at about a 60-degree angle. This was a shear drop-off.

Back on the road and the paved road ended.

I had to stop and take a photo of this old helicopter. Like me, it has seen better days.

Here it is appropriate to describe some of the driving conditions. I don’t have photos, because I couldn’t take my hands off the wheel. The road was a thick rock base and what I would describe as a wash board service. You couldn’t drive over 20km per hour. There were speed limit signs saying 40km per hour. I am certain they are not afraid you are going to speed. They are telling the speed at which your car will actually self-destruct.

We eventually made it to the turnoff going to one of the victim’s brother’s houses. This time was spent refreshing ourselves from the drive and understanding more about the senseless murders. As I understand it, the person that committed the crimes was envious of the tourist business that Chino had and wanted him and his family out of the business. He finally decided that if he couldn’t get him out any other way, he would just shoot him. He waited for Chino to return to the dock and shot him. The son tried to defend his father and was killed as well. There were witnesses to the crime and the police have the suspect in custody while the investigation takes place.

We now went to the house of Chino. As we approached the house there were many friends that had come to pay their respects and waited for the body to be brought from San Jose. This was something new for me. The body had received an autopsy in San Jose and preparation for burial and then brought to the house for the family to dress. I can’t imagine anything more stressful than being responsible for dressing a family member for burial except in this case when the person had been murdered. A similar situation was taking place at the son’s house. The body was prepared and the casket was placed for those who had come could pay their respect.

A little later we drove over to the son’s house and arrived as a service was being given at the home. There was a large gathering of people and following the service many were bused to the church in Puerto Jimenez. Here are a couple photos of the view of the harbor from the son’s house. It looked out on sea where their boats were moored.

From there we went to the church in Puerto Jimenez. The first service was for the son. Following the service a larger procession walked behind the casket as it was carried to the cemetery where another service was given prior to the body being taken to its final resting-place.

We then walked back to the Church and the time was about 9:00 PM. The body of Chino was now in the church for more people to pay their respect. These two banners were on the wall of the church for people to sign both of them stating that these two individuals would never be forgotten.

I was really in awe at what I was witnessed that evening. For the son’s burial the entire cemetery was full of people. I don’t think anyone in the town or surrounding area missed coming to pay respects to these two people.

The burial for the father was to be held Saturday morning. I watched as person after person approached the casket to say their farewell. This went on through out the night.

At 7:00 AM on Saturday morning the service was given for Chino and following that the procession followed the body to cemetery for the service there.

After that service the body was placed in its final resting-place to the left of the son.

Once again the cemetery was filled with people.

As I watched this entire event take place, it was more than evident that a person’s worth couldn’t be measured by the money he has or the things that he has acquired, but it is measured by the effect that one has on the lives of others. These two kind and gentle men had obviously touched many lives and there is no question that they would be missed.

We spent the night in another brother’s house and returned to David on Sunday. It is really sad to see one person inflict so much pain on so many people. I only hope that the man that did this is given the opportunity to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Tags: Costa Rica