The Arcturus Man

  Idel and Jared began to speak. They spoke in Kuna. Jenny watched Jared’s face for any emotion, any clue that might reveal what they were talking about, but it could just as well been about fishing. As Idel promised, it was very brief.

  “May I offer you some refreshment?” asked Idel.

  “Yes, please,” she said.

  Idel waived at a waiter who looked busy but who instantly came to the table. There was no one else in the restaurant. Idel said nothing but the waiter nodded and went in the back. A few minutes later he was back carrying a tray with juice, coffee, and some kind of pastries.

  “Jenny, these are called hojaldres. It is difficult to explain. They are fried dough. I think you will enjoy them,” said Idel.

  “They’re similar to hush puppies in how they’re made except that they aren’t made with corn meal,” said Jared.

  She bit into one.

  “They ARE really good,” she said. Idel smiled. “And the juice is wonderful. I’ve never had juice this good.”

  “I am pleased that you are enjoying it,” said Idel.

  “Jenny, do you mind living with the Kuna for a few days? I don’t think it will be longer than that,” said Jared.

  “No, not at all. I don’t want you to be the least bit concerned about me…while….you…you know…are taking care of that business,” she said.

  “I assure you Jenny, will be safe and comfortable,” said Idel.

  “Idel, I don’t know how to ask this without offending you,” she said.

  “Yes. Please. Any questions. Any questions,” said Idel.

  “Is there crime here? You know? Criminals?”

  Idel had to smile.

  “Yes, of course there is a little crime—if we want to call it such—but it is nothing really. We have a very large independence festival coming up in February and there is a minor celebration this week—we call it a coming-of-age festival. They will be drinking chicha. So you can expect some of the young people to be a little less respectful at times. We watch them of course. One young man is designated each day as “the sober one.” He wears a red shirt so he will be recognized and he walks the streets to make sure that the other young men behave themselves,” said Idel. He chuckled from time to time.

  “Chicha? What is chicha?” asked Jenny.

  “The chicha fuerte at the festival is a sugar cane and coffee mixture that is fermented. It’s quite good actually. Chicha is very popular in all of Panama among the common people and can be made in many ways, even in Kuna Yala. Sometimes it is fermented corn and other times it is made with nance or tamarind,” said Idel.

  “I am embarrassed that I know so little, Idel. What is nance?” she asked.

  “Think nothing of it. You are a visitor to this land. Nance is a small, sweet fruit,” said Idel. “That is the juice you appear to be enjoying.”

  “Thank you for meeting us Idel, but I have to leave now. Jenny, you are in good hands. I’ll be back in a few days,” said Jared.

  “So soon? You’re leaving right now,” she said.

  “Yes, there is a lot to do. I’m sorry Jenny,” said Jared.

  “We have a boat waiting for us, Jenny,” said Idel.

  They all stood. Jenny went to Jared and threw her arms around him, hugging him as tightly as she could. She was hesitant about kissing him in front of Idel but Jared drew her closer and kissed her. It was a long hard kiss. Idel smiled.

  “These are very good people. Trust them and they will take care of you until I get back,” whispered Jared into Jenny’s ear.

  “I will. Please be very careful. This isn’t a game Jared,” she said.

  “Everything will be fine. No worries,” said Jared.

  She held Jared’s hand as they all walked out of the restaurant. Jared gave her a short hug and then walked off, back to the StarWind. She and Idel watched for a while as he untied the boat, drifted away from the dock, and then powered up and headed toward the mainland. She wanted to cry but didn’t want to do it in front of Jared’s friend. She knew that she may never see Jared again. Despite everything that had happened, she knew that Jared still saw this all as a grand game. She choked back her tears. Idel sensed what she was feeling and put his arm around her.

  “This is a thing that he must do,” said Idel.

  “I know but I can’t help worrying,” she said.

  “Of course. I worry as well,” he said. “Jeronimo, Nele, and Lopez, and a few others, will be meeting him later. He is not alone.”

  “I didn’t know that. He didn’t mention that. I am so glad you told me that. He has friends helping him,” she said.

  “Of course. He has many friends. Trust in your man. He will return soon,” he said.

  “My man,” thought Jenny. “Yes, he is my man.”

  They walked to the dock. A small boat was bouncing in the waves. A man was in the boat. He waved at Idel and Jenny as they approached. He stood and the boat rocked as he pulled on an outboard motor. It roared and blue smoke poured out of the engine as it came alive. It had a small sail, but it was tied tight against the mast.

  “Is this our boat?” she asked.

  “Yes, it is called an ulu. It is carved from a trunk of a tree. It is quite safe and seaworthy,” said Idel. “Perhaps you should remove your sandals.”

  Idel bent over and rolled up his pant legs. He tucked the curious wooden stick he was carrying into his belt. Jenny’s sandals were leather. She wasn’t sure what salt water would do to leather, so she took them off and carried them in her hand. She was wearing cut-offs jeans and red cotton blouse. They wouldn’t be a problem if they got wet. Her sun glasses where riding on her hair. She pulled her glasses down. The sun was glaring up from the water. She kept thinking about Jared and what he was about to do but the beauty of her surroundings was beguiling. The man steadied the ulu as Idel and Jenny waded to the boat and climbed in. Children from the island ran down to the dock. They were laughing and delighted to see Jenny. The added weight made the boat settle into the sand bottom. Several of the boys helped push the ulu until it was afloat. The man lowered the motor into the water. The propeller spurted water into the boat as soon as it touched water. Jenny had to wipe her sun glasses.

  “This is Jose. We are going to his home on Isla La Maqina,” said Idel.

  “I am please to meet you Jose. Thank you for inviting me to your home,” she said. Jose was a short man. He was shorter than Jenny. He was wearing black swim trunks. His skin was bronze and glistened. Though short, he was heavily muscled. He was clean shaven and had long black hair. He was quite handsome. Jenny guessed that he was in his twenties.

  Jose stood in the boat and nodded politely. He tipped his straw hat, but said nothing.

  They motored for almost an hour, passing several small islands on their way. Idel narrated what they were seeing on their short journey. For the moment, Jenny forgot to think about Jared and that she was alone among strangers. They were approaching a beautiful island. She counted about thirty small houses on the island…huts really. They all had thatched palm frond roofs. The fronds were baked a light tan in the Caribbean sun. The houses were ringed by tall palm trees. She saw that many had coconuts on them. The sides of the huts looked like they were made of woven fronds and bamboo. The sand on the beach was like fine sugar. The waves were rolling gently on the shore line. Jose maneuvered the ulu to a very small dock near one of the houses. It was the only house that was built on stilts but it was also the closest to the water. It had no sides. She could see many hammocks slung from posts. There were at least ten hammocks. She didn’t see any beds and there were no rooms. The sides were open.

  Jose ran the boat up onto the beach next to the dock. A smaller boat was already tied off at the dock. Jenny noticed that it had no motor and looked different from the boat they were in.

  “As I said, our boat is called an ulu. That is a smaller boat called a cayuco,” said Idel. “Jose doesn’t speak English and I gather that you don’t speak any Spanish.”

  “No. I
’m sorry but I don’t,” said Jenny.

  “I hope that isn’t a problem for you. One of Jose’s sons speaks English quite well.”

  “I’m sure we’ll manage somehow,” she said. She was becoming concerned about what she was getting into. The island was beautiful but it was all so foreign to her.

  “Can I ask you an indelicate question Idel?”

  “Please.”

  She walked away from Jose and led Idel to a shaded area underneath a palm tree. Jose was tending to his boat.

  “Are there any rooms? Am I getting one of those hammocks?”

  “Yes, the hammocks are very comfortable. You will come to favor them. As to privacy, some of the other houses to have rooms where you can change clothes and so forth. The homes are very communal and they share everything. I understand that this may be overwhelming right now but I know that you will feel at home as soon as you become familiar with your surroundings,” said Idel. “But, that was not your indelicate question. The bathrooms are either there (he pointed to a very small hut built on a dock that ran out into the ocean) or there (he pointed to the ocean).”

  “Oh,” said Jenny. At least she was relieved that the small hut had sides that hid the occupant.

  “There is no paper…no bathroom tissue…so eventually you will end up there,” said Idel, pointing to the water.

  “Oh, I see.”

  “You will think nothing of it,” said Idel.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I need to try the little hut,” said Jenny.

  She walked down the beach and out on the dock to the little hut. The door was hung on the hut with rope hinges. She opened the door and looked inside. There was nothing but a hole in the floor. There wasn’t even a seat. This was disgusting. Her need was urgent so she had to try it. The drop to the water was at least six feet, perhaps more. She was mortified. As Idel said, there was no paper. She was horrified again.

  She opened the door sheepishly and walked back to the beach to Idel. He opened his arms, palms up, the universal sign language for “I’m sorry about that.” The sun was hot. She walked back to the shady spot beneath the palm.

  “Are you staying here?” asked Jenny.

  Suddenly, Jose lunged for her and pushed her down onto the sand. A large coconut plopped into the exact spot that she had been standing. She sat up, brushing the sand from her clothes. Jose pointed to the coconuts and wagged his finger at her. It was a gentle scolding.

  “Many of the Kuna raise coconuts for income. San Blas coconuts have a reputation for being the largest and finest in the Caribbean. You will have to be careful. Tourists are injured every year by falling coconuts,” said Idel. “I wish I could stay but I have other duties to attend to and there are a few things I must get done for Jared.”

  “I understand. I’ll be fine,” she said.

  “Let me introduce you to Zobeida, Jose’s wife, before I leave,” he said.

  Idel led Jenny though the hut that had the hammocks and no sides and went into an adjoining house. It had a door and sides. He knocked on the door and walked inside.

  “Is this their house? I thought it was the one with the hammocks,” she said.

  “They both belong to Jose and Zobeida. The family often prefers to sleep outside when the nights are hot,” said Idel.

  “Oh, I didn’t understand,” she said.

  A young woman was working in a small kitchen. A small boy was by her side. She turned and smiled. Jenny thought she was breathtakingly beautiful. She had raven black hair. Her skin was lighter than Jose’s. She wore a red scarf that covered the back of her head and folded over her shoulders. She had a patterned purple blouse that was mostly covered by an ornate and colorful skirt that came up to her chest. The skirt was embroidered with strange shapes. She wore a gold necklace and a gold ring in her nose. Both arms were covered by multicolored bracelets. The little boy wore a baseball cap and a Flintstones T-shirt. He didn’t have pants and was barefoot.

  Idel and Zobeida talked for a few minutes. Jenny didn’t know what they were saying but Zobeida would look at Jenny and smile from time to time. Several other women came in while the two of them talked. The new arrivals were dressed similar to Zobeida. The only differences were in the color of their blouses. They were all young, except one woman who had white hair and was obviously very old.

  “The rest of Jose’s family is fishing. They be back soon for dinner,” said Idel. “I must leave now. Zobeida and the women will take care of you. You have nothing to be concerned about. They are happy to have a visitor.”

  Idel took Jenny’s hands in his and looked into her eyes.

  “You will be safe here and I know that you will learn to enjoy living with Jose and Zobeida. Jared will be returning soon. Have no fear about that Jenny.”

  The women were carrying a small clothes bundle. Idel picked up the garments.

  “They are going to dress you in Kuna clothing. Zobeida said that there is little that they can do to hide your blond hair, but at least from a distance you are going to look like a Kuna.” He picked up a scarf. “This is called a muswe. The skirt is saboured. The patterns sewn on are molas. The Kuna are quite famous for their molas and they are very proud of them. Tourists flock to the islands to buy molas. The bracelets (he picked up one) are made of colored beads and small pearls. They are called uinnis.”

  “I don’t get a nose ring, do I?” asked Jenny.

  “We will dispense with the nose ring,” laughed Idel. He removed his hat and bowed slightly. “I will be back tomorrow. Please have a pleasant evening.”

  With that he was gone. As soon as he left the women gathered around Jenny and began to help her undress. They took all of her clothes. One of the younger women left with her clothes. Jenny was standing naked in the middle of the room. The little boy made her uncomfortable but he didn’t seem to pay any attention to her. He was busy with what looked like a comic book. The women were, however, very interested in the fact that Jenny had no pubic hair. They didn’t giggle or laugh. Rather, they seemed to see this as some kind of personal medical problem. It just wasn’t right. Their expressions were very serious, but still friendly.

  Jenny was embarrassed.

  They slowly dressed her from the bundle. Jose walked in the front door but the women quickly shooed him away.

  “Lo siento,” said Jose. He disappeared again.

  Nudity was unlikely to be a big deal for the Kuna so Jenny was pleased that this was a clear sign that they were trying hard to be respectful of her sensitivities and unfamiliarity with their culture.

  One of the women took the glass top off of an oil lamp and scooped some lamp black from the glass with her finger. Jenny was taller than all of the women. They sat her down in a chair. The woman rubbed the lamp black into the blond hair above her forehead. Jenny couldn’t see a mirror anywhere in the room but it was obvious that the women weren’t very happy about the result. Jenny tried to peer up, but just couldn’t see what her hair color was now. Another woman walked over to Jenny and handed her a sanitary pad. It was American. The box had words Jenny could read. Jenny nodded and thanked the woman. She put it aside, hand gesturing that she would use it later.

  The young girl who took Jenny’s clothes returned with a mirror. It wasn’t large, but as the girl back off a few steps, Jenny could see her own reflection quite well. She looked like a princess. The Kuna dress was resplendent. Jenny smiled broadly. The women were obviously pleased and chattered and walked around Jenny, admiring their work.

  The young girl took Jenny’s hand and led her out of the house. All of the women followed in a single file. They walked down to the beach and then down the shoreline to a small cove. She let go of Jenny’s hand and began to undress. All of the women were undressing, including the old woman. They gestured for Jenny to undress, so she did, very slowly. There were men working on their boats up the beach. They weren’t that close and they didn’t seem to be paying any attention to what the women were doing. One by one, the women walked into
the water and began to bathe. Jenny was still a little self-conscious, but once she entered the water, she regained a little modesty and began to enjoy it. The water was warm and the waves were soft and gentle. She thought she might like it here after all. The young girl began to splash water at Jenny. Jenny screeched and the game began. Soon, all of the women were laughing and splashing.

  The sun was setting in the western horizon. She thought about Jared and that he was looking at the same setting sun. It made her feel better that they were sharing the sun. Was it still December or had the New Year already started? She wasn’t sure. She had no idea what day it was. What did it matter!

  Chapter Twenty-Two – The Storm

  Panama, Kuna Yala January 2014 – Late Afternoon

  Jared followed the cayucos into a river estuary. It had no name on the map. It frequently changed its course so the government didn’t bother to name it. Sometimes, especially during the rainy season, it was difficult to distinguish between river and swamp. Only the Kuna knew what it was called or where the true river meandered.

  Several older men accompanied Jared. These men were expert trackers and hunters. They spoke Kuna among themselves and with Jared. They did not speak Spanish.

  He followed the river until it was just too shallow to go much farther. He worked the StarWind gently up to a river bank. Nele and Lopez came over to help him take his gear off the boat. Sebastián was good with boats. He would take the StarWind back to Perla Island. Jared looked at the impression the boat left on the bank. There was a deep scar in the mud. That was good. It was important that Rubio not miss it. Of course, it shouldn’t be too obvious.

  A slant-nosed gar slowly surfaced next to the boat.

  “Ctenolucius hujeta,” thought Jared. It was a beautiful fish. It was just curious. A few caymen slid back into the river not far upstream.

  “Caiman crocodiles,” said Jared out load.

  Why was the Latin necessary, but the Latin was like anointing them. It brought them to life. You have to speak their true names. Panama also had alligators and crocodiles, but they were fairly rare. Only the crocodiles were a concern, but only a slight concern.