As I write this I am aware that many of those who will be reading this are experiencing a snowstorm and winds making your lives unpleasant at best. Stay warm and safe. We certainly don’t miss those types of conditions, but know we are sending warm thoughts your way.
This past week we journeyed to Panama for a second time. No tours this time, we ventured out on our own instead. We wanted to pretend we were big kids! And it worked! We didn’t get lost, which is easy to do. We know firsthand. We went to two areas we had pinpointed for this trip as venues we thought would be fun and informative, and we were right. We had a great time.
As far as getting around, we used a private taxi that the hotel hires, and he was great. He would pick us up at the hotel or any venue we would be at, and he was always prompt and courteous. His name is Franz. He was born in Columbia, and his father is Columbian. One set of grandparents are from Germany, the other side of the family is from Spain. He is living in Panama for many years, and may move to Germany in June of this year. Truly a citizen of the world. He was very friendly and we enjoyed the conversations we had with him, which covered a myriad of topics. If traveling to a foreign country we suggest checking with your hotel for a referral to find a driver that will take you to different locales you are interested in. Keeping the same driver every time you go somewhere is invaluable. And being familiar with each other breeds a feeling of security, which in a foreign country, is very comforting. Thank you Franz, and we wish you the best.
One day we went to the Bio Museo. It was better than we thought it would be. Not only did it focus on the present problems facing both Panama and the entire world in terms of the environment, but it also went through the struggles of Panama in terms of their natural resources. It is so interesting to learn of how this tiny piece of land has been raided and robbed through the centuries by European pirates and corporations. One of the many pirates that plundered Panama City was Henry Morgan. Ever see a commercial or ad for Captain Morgan Rum, showing a pirate on the label? That was this scoundrel. Literally raided Panama City trying to steal every ounce of silver and gold he could find. Not a nice guy. Was Lt. Governor of Jamaica for a while! But learning how Panama is so aware of the environment and how it is taking steps to stop the destruction of the the land and oceans was wonderful.
We spent the better part of our second day returning to the Casco Viejo section of Panama City. Also known as Old Panama City, it is undergoing a huge transformation. It is well on the way to becoming the “hip” place to live and for entertainment. So, not being real “hip”, we spent about 4 hours there and got picked up by Franz at 3PM. He had dropped us off there about 11AM. We had enough time to visit a museum telling the complete story of how the Panama Canal was started by France, went bankrupt, then the US came in and revamped what the original plans were, and finished the job. I thought that most Panamanians would have been upset that it took so long for them to get ownership of the Canal. It was turned over to them on December 31, 1999. But they are very grateful because it was completed and is the major source of income for Panama. President Carter had a great deal to do with turning it over to them. And without President Theodore Roosevelt, the US would never have taken on this challenge. It was also Roosevelt that made the Panama Hat popular! Deb now has 3 and I have 1. She would probably have more, but a voice of reason talked her out of it (ME). She has already told me that next year when we visit there again, she will buy, well, you know. She loves hats and looks good in them. I surrender. By the way, authentic Panama hats are made in Ecuador! Always have been! Always will be!
Before we went to Panama, Deb’s cousin Sherry came to stay with us for 2 nights. She had been in San Jose on business for 5 days, and we visited for about 48 hours before she had to leave. Way too short. Next year we hope she can come for at least a week. Hear that Sherry? At least a week.
This coming Monday Deb’s sister Bobbi and a friend of hers, Carolyn, are coming for 7 days. Much planned, very little down time for us. We are excited about showing them this picturesque country. Bobbi is a wonderful gardener and we are sure she will be amazed at the flora that abounds everywhere. Chocolate farm tours and swimming underneath waterfalls are a couple of items on the schedule.
Then in the middle of March our daughter in law’s parents, Dawn and Jeff, are going to be here for around 12 days. That will be fun. We really like them and are looking forward to getting to know them outside of family gatherings. I know they are excited about their visit, and we are too. Without Erik or Alyssa around, stories about their youth just may be exchanged. This will be good!
And finally, here are some pictures from Panama. Enjoy.
The manager and a friend welcome us to Diablico’s restaurant. We ate here on our first trip, and couldn’t pass up the chance to return. It is located in Casco Viejo.
Two of the wall mountings at Diablico’s. Panamanian food. Seafood here is sooo good!
These pictures were from outside of Bio Museo. Both street lights are functional, but one as a bird’s nest. On the right side is a termite nest! It was probably about 2 feet long and easily a foot thick. This is not even close to being the biggest nest we have seen. Not close.
That is a rubber tree. The tendrils hanging down are from the branches and become part of the root structure of the tree. The canopy was at least 40 feet high and well over 100 feet across. Deb and I could not believe the enormity of this tree.
Two of the many rehabbed buildings in Casco Viejo. The main hotel is on the left, and a very trendy apartment building on the left. The buildings are being restored to mirror the original facade and trim work wherever possible.
A view from street level outside of our hotel is on the left. On the right is the Beirut Restaurant. Deb and I have eaten there 3 times now, I believe. Deb loves the Ceviche, a dish filled with seafood in a broth of primarily lime juice! For an appetizer we shared hummus and warm puff pita bread. Trust me when I say hummus and pita bread will never be the same to me.
A Pasteleria just down the street from our hotel. Pastelerias are bakeries, and are quite plentiful in Panama and Costa Rica. Bakery goods here are usually somewhat dry and certainly not as sweet as bakery goods back in the States. The Farmacia is a few doors down from the Pasteleria. A Farmacia is indeed a pharmacy. You won’t find magazines or soda or snacks or anything else that a Walgreen’s might have. They have medicine (Rx), medical products such as bandages, allergy meds, lactaid pills, and such. Most local stores in both countries are very close to the street, and do not have any type of elaborate or neon lit signs. We have both come to like this lack of glitz. It gives it more of a local “home town” flavor.
Ready for lunch in Casco Viejo. We are enjoying ourselves on this “adventure” to the max. We have been in Costa Rica for almost 5 months. Which means we still have 2 more months to go! We both miss our children and grandchildren, as well as all of our friends. But we wouldn’t trade in this time down here for anything. And come next November, we return for 6 more months!!! Make your plans now if you want to share this paradise with us for a week or two come next winter. Our kids of course will have first choice of days they can visit. We will have had a total of 9 people visit this year, and we are hoping for at least that many on our next escape from snow, ice, and wind chill advisories.
That is enough for today. I hope that all of you are happy and healthy. Stay warm. Love you all.
Pura Vida.
Deb & Tim.
Deb & Tim's Adventure 