We are anchored off a small island in the Las Perlas Islands, Panama. The only life around above the water line is us. Off to the unspoiled beach, we go for a trek and swim. While splashing around to cool down, a launcha (small wooden boat with an outboard engine) motors on by with three local young men. I give my usual overly happy-to-see-you wave but get nothing in return from the three young men. 

This is when the questions in my head start. They were far away, so maybe they didn’t see us? I saw them. Why would they not be friendly? Everyone in Panama has been pleasant. Where are they going in that little boat out here where the closest town in that direction….there isn’t one. Maybe they are going fishing? Will they stop to see if we want to buy fish on their way back? They must be from San Miguel as it is the closest town? That is far on that little boat? Fishing must be good for them to come all this way? I ignore a slight tug on my spidey senses and run to catch up with Izzy on the beach. Not another thought about it…

Till……………………

The sun has just fallen, Ford is getting a shower, and I’m cozy on the settee (couch on a boat). Izzy perks up, and out she goes to see what she hears. I don’t hear anything. Her bark is not the usual; Mom, I see birds, dolphins, or a dingy going by bark. I knew at that moment something terrible was coming. I got up to see what Izzy was barking at and, at that moment, heard a motor fast approaching. By the time I was at the door, a young man was standing on the boat with a gun pointed at me. Just that fast! 

The truth is, I should have asked my questions that afternoon out loud to spark some questioning from Ford also. We could have pulled up our anchor and moved to a place with fewer unanswered questions. 

So, then the question is, how do you protect yourself and your family while traveling? Some will say with weapons, some won’t go, and some will just take the risk. Weapons are a great thought, but they would not have helped us in this scenario for many reasons, such as I would have had to have it in hand at the very moment I got up, and that’s not possible as you have to declare weapons when checking into other countries. They take them while you are in their country. Some would simply not claim the weapons, so how do you explain using a weapon in a foreign country that you didn’t declare on one of their own? You could avoid the experiences? Some, like us, will take the risk for the experience.  

I believe in being vigilant with situational awareness and listening to that inner voice. Look around, and take in the scenery and vibe of your surroundings. Ask the questions out loud. Take action appropriate to the answers you get or don’t get. If I had listened to the tug and inner voice, we might have avoided a situation that has changed us. 

Stay safe in your journeys, and let me know what you do for safety?  

CSSN News – February 13, 2023 – Armed boarding in Las Perlas, Panama