Summertime and the Living is Easy

 Yes we are in the middle of the dry season here in Panama and it's hot, hot, hot. I'm sitting on the bohio where the breeze is beautiful and will stay here except for the time I have to be in the kitchen making dinner.
Though I refer to the dry season as summer in the title, it's quite different than in a temporate climate. The leaves have been falling off many trees for the last two months and the ground is littered with dead leaves. Many trees are also flowering and growing seed pods, while others like the cashew tree we just discovered on the property has set fruit. This tree is called a Maranon in Panama, according to Wikipedia. I 'm going to try to pick a few if we can reach them and taste the edible "false fruit", which looks somewhat like a pear. The cashew nut is attached to the bottom in a little green pod.
The tiny hibiscus bush in our yard has recently yielded three awesome blooms that Bob photographed. I'm going to see if I can root a cutting, as I would love one in my yard.

In the next week or so we'll be renting a car so will go check on the progress of the house and get the girls their haircuts. They're feeling the heat a lot today and are pretty hairy. I tried to trim Maggie but don't want to tackle Gracie. She has so much more hair than Maggie! Then Bob toyed with the idea of growing a beard too but it's gone now.

Bob has been "tearing his hair out", well you know what I mean. His email on phone was cut off and he couldn't figure it out but finally has things straightened out.  He made numerous trips to the "Movistar" outlet where he wasn't treated like one.  Sometimes you feel that someone is jerking you around but then maybe they really don't have a clue and don't want to say so. It's really hard when you are dealing with technical stuff and have a language barrier too.That seems to be the most frustrating thing about living here. I have found that Panamanians also like to butt in line, so I'm getting pretty assertive out there, and then I will get on the bus and a young man will offer his seat. You never know.

Yesterday, Bob met me at Xoko Restaurant when I came back from my Mahjong game in Coronado and we had a really good dinner. Next week we will sally forth to the expat monthly event, which is being held at a restaurant about half way to Coronado. I hope we will meet more Canadians to put on our list of acquaintances. The ladies I have met at Mahjong are very nice. There were two women visiting their sister from western Canada and one from Kansas, visiting her friend, Alice. One of the other members brought her mother in law from Panama City. Deanna, an avid player, picks me up and delivers me back to the main corner where I can catch the bus back to Santa Clara. She's so kind. They have all been so welcoming, which means a lot when you are far from home. The game of Mahjong is very complicated and is a real challenge to learn, which I like. It's not the same as those matching games on the internet that say they are Mahjong. The only thing that is the same are the pictures of the tiles. Well it's time to make dinner so I'm going to the kitchen. I'll take a picture of the cashew fruit if I can, to include with this edition of our blog.

                                          A couple of the leaves that have fallen. Kinda big, si?

The cashew fruit or maranon. Both parts are edible but the cashew is inside a hard shell.

"The Big Ditch" ......Sight Seeing at the canal

                            Catching the Bus for Panama

Sunday, Jan 30 was a special day for us . We planned to meet our son Jon and his wife, Joanne, as well as her parents, Maureen and Bob at the Mira Flores Locks. We were up bright and early, 6 a.m., to catch the bus for the city. I had no idea how cool it is at that time of day. It almost makes me want to get up every day at 6, ha ha!
We made excellent time as the bus made fewer stops early in the day and Sunday traffic was much less too. The trip took 1 hr. 20 min. compared to the previous Wednesday, when the journey took 1 hr 50 min.

Unfortunately, those we were meeting signed up for a tour they were told would bring them directly to the locks but instead drove them around Panama City for a while. Because of the delay in their arrival, we only got to visit for 1 hour over lunch, so we were sorely disappointed in the outcome of our plan. The restaurant is perfectly situated to observe the ships in transit,(the food was very good) but beware that there are no ships passing at noon. A book I read said the best time was early afternoon. Luckily, we arrived in time so that our party could to see the last one of the morning.

 Bob and I visited the museum, which was very interesting and spread over three floors. We also saw several monster cargo ships pass through the locks, quite an amazing sight. Bob found it very similar to the Welland Canal and Locks he has visited in Canada. The real stories for me are the engineering feats and the incredible ingenuity and sacrifice that made these locks possible. Thousands fell ill and died of fever in the course of construction, which we can not imagine happening today. Panama's modern population mix is the result of the diverse cultures of those who came to work on the canal, survived, stayed and intermarried with the indigenous peoples and earlier immigrants. The people we have met are very friendly and kind and will go out of their way to help you. Well, there was one exception I can think of and she is a real piece of work...but I'm not bitter, ha ha.

We didn't get in to see the film presentation but I'm sure that we will go back with future visitors to Panama. This was the first time we used our "jubilado" visa card to get a discount on admission, which was only $1.50 ea.  rather than the normal $8.00, and I can live with that. We have to get into the habit of using it to save money.

Jon and Joanne had a goodie bag for us with Montreal steak spice and other Victorian epicure items I had ordered that can't be shipped directly here. Should make my cooking a little tastier. The same day, Sunday, J. and J. sailed off to Costa Rica and Grand Caymen with Joanne's parents to finish their cruise, then back to the swirling snow we hear is blowing all over North America. We don't miss the snow.......but do miss them.

Hasta luego,

Rooster Serenade

Well it's a new year and we are coasting along, waiting for the next development in our long term plan. Today we have something to celebrate. We just got an email from our builder/developer to say that the first phase of our home is complete. Farid,our sales rep, had already told us that the house shell was up but this notice makes it official. It also means we have to wire more money for the next phase of the house. Anyway, it actually seems real now as we have a picture of the exterior of our home. It doesn't look like much yet, but when finished it will be a plain, modern,white villa. I'm already dreaming of interior and exterior finishes to make it ours.

Tomorrow Bob and I are going to Albrook Mall to buy a real mattress. The "mattress" in our rented digs is always a challenge, when one must crawl each morning from the deep furrows created by our reclining bodies. I'm always amazed that I'm not crippled by the lack of support in the "mattress". I think it must be  one of the $50 ones you can fold and bring home in your car from "El Machetaza", a local discount store. Anyway, tomorrow we get ourselves a Sealy or Simmonds at "The Do It Centre". I can't wait!

Speaking of "El Machetaza",we rather like going there as it has a bit of everything, kind of like Zellers or Walmart. Presently the only close one (30km.) is in Penonome but I understand that there is one coming into one of the new malls in Coronado, which will be very handy, as we generally go there (Coronado) for banking, groceries, vet, doctor etc. El Machetaza means machete, an iconic object in Panama, and until fairly recently, it was the exclusive tool for cutting grass. Now that's doing it the hard way, especially in a tropical climate and definitely not for wimps! Today grass is mostly cut with whipper snippers, which is still  hard going but works well especially on highway medians and hillsides. I admire those guys, who are covered from head to toe... goggles, a heavy hood, gloves and a long apron wrapped around them. You would think they would melt or pass out from the heat.  Some are working in the middle of the highway, which isn't real safe either. The vacant lot next to us is at least two acres and took a guy 2 days to cut with a whipper snipper... just crazy. You don't see many lawnmowers like we are used to although  there are a few pushmowers being used on our street on bigger "fincas" i.e.estates but no riding mowers to be seen at all.

It's definitely summer here with clear blue skies and lovely breezes most of the time. It's very dry, though, quite a change from just a couple of months ago. Recently we had an acquaintance, Deb Pearce, visit from Canada. She and some family members were staying at the Decameron and we had the pleasure of showing Deb and Dari around a little of the neigbourhood including where our house is being built at Playa Blanca . I met Deb and Dari at spanish class in Orangeville several years ago and we reconnected at Christmas time when Bob and I stopped in at Mochaberry, in Orangeville, where Deb is part owner. For those of you who have loved that special coffee place, Deb and her partners are selling up, as they are ready to move on to new adventures. Hope it stays as good as it is now.

Update We went to Panama to shop and the new mattress arrives tomorrow. You wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork for one item, I can't imagine what it will be like when we have to buy multiple items before we move in. Antonio, the manager who helped us at The Do It Centre , was very charming and helpful and we will deal with him in the future.

 I named this piece in honor of the rooster, who serenaded us all the way to Panama City on the bus. I guess he was being taken to visit his city relatives. No dogs are allowed on the bus but fowl are OK.

The shell of our house is up!

Well that's it for now, blog ya later.

Chris

Back to the warmth

JR and Marty on Christmas Day

Jon cooked a delicious French classic, Boeff Bourguinon (Sp?)

Over Christmas we were happy to take a trip back to Canada where we were entertained with

warmth and love. There were so many people we

wanted to see, but two weeks just isn't enough time. Hopefully some of those friends may come our way.

It was really wonderful to visit everybody the last few weeks but it is good to be home! Our family and friends fed us royally and we returned home like two plump turkeys. Speaking of turkeys, family and friends cooked us beautiful meals, carefully and considerately avoiding turkey, which they feared we would have tired of. Unfortunately we hadn't had any, so we asked Chris's sister Marty if we could please, please, please have a turkey, which she graciously cooked for us... what a delicious treat that was too.

Homeward bound, we arrived at the Toronto airport early and procedures in the airports had changed again but were easier then when we went to Canada, (not three pat downs before getting on the plane). Chris was beeping a lot but finally cleared. The flight went well and we picked up our rental car and were in the hotel dining room by 9:30pm. Up at 7:30 am for a hot tub by the pool and breakfast, we waited for the rush hour traffic to pass. Getting through Panama City is not so stressful anymore as Chris doesn't need maps or directions to get us through. That's a big relief. The temperature swing we experienced on our return went from -11 to +29....a big difference and another big relief.

Chris and I arrived at Mail Boxes Etc. in Coronado by 10:30am for immigration pictures and paperwork to be scanned and faxed to the lawyer. Home by noon, the dogs were fine, though Maggie had her recurring broken nail. We got it fixed by the vet quickly....it had to be removed, as it was very painful. She has to be on anti-biotics and pain meds for 8 days. After that bit of drama we lunched at one of our favorite restaurants, Don Chacho and then back home to unpack, relax and visit with the neighbors. I caught the hockey game on TSN.ca...WOW.

Thursday found us in Coronado again to pick up mail, set up bank accounts, have lunch and do our grocery shopping. I think we are setting some kind of record as we have successfully opened our bank accounts in under a month. By Panamian standards, that is lightening speed, many people spend several months achieving that. I think it really helped to have our references already in hand, duly notarized and apostled by the Panamanian embassy in Canada. Our lawyer had advised us to do all this ahead, which others may have to do when they get here. Bless Mario.

Tomorrow, we have to visit friends and hit the beach! Thinking of you.

Bob and Chris

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Last blog before Navidad

Local Fishermen at Santa Clara

This is our last blog before we head back to Canada. Everybody ask Santa for good weather between Diciembre 20th and Enero 4th. Before we come back we will be celebrating Mother's Day, Diciembre 8th; it is a holiday here!

This week, the theme is "less hair" or "to the wood" A couple of days ago Bob decided to try the local barber at Coronado, where we do all our business-- such as collecting the mail, buying groceries, applying for medical at the clinic and paying bills etc. Sometimes we drop in on our friend, Alcides, who works for a local realty company and was the first person we met in Panama. He was our rental agent when we stayed at the Royal Decameron earlier this year and lived on the same street. He is fluent in English as he lived in Canada for 20 years and even had friends near Grand Valley....a nice guy and very helpful.

I digress. Bob took $20 in cash for his haircut knowing it would be a bit less than at home. He went into the barber shop while I forged ahead to El Rey's to do grocery shopping. When Bob was finished, he found me in the store and I could see immediately that he had got his money's worth. His haircut looked good and was "to the wood". The effect was achieved for the grand sum of $3.00, toilet paper around the neck and beer bottles at every chair. The barber shop was very plain with 3 old chairs and two couches. The cut was what the barber called "normal" and the shop definitely catered to the locals. That's the way to live "en plan barato" ... on the cheap.

I understand from Jeaninne, who is the amiable French Canadian co-owner of the Mail Boxes Etc. outlet, that there are no places for women to get a haircut nearby, so I'll have to drop in on Tracy when I am in Canada soon. The alternative is to grow it long and wear it up, like every Panamanian woman I have seen.

I am proud to say I successfully made an appointment for Gracie and Maggie for haircuts on Tuesday and did it in Spanish. The vet's assistant speaks no English at all. I asked for a "classico" cut, so stayed tuned. It may also be "to the wood ". The girls won't mind as they are currently very hot in their fur coats. Theirs will cost a whopping $24 for both, compared to the Canadian price of $90 for both.

The camera is broken so as soon as the new one comes, I'll post pics of all the new haircuts.
Well, we are getting ready to come back to Canada. You're having great weather for our return.
First thing we have to do is find our socks and winter cloth. We have physicial scheduled tomorrow for our health plan. I will ask if we are healthy enough to return to cold weather.
See you next week!
Feliz Navidad

Buses,cabs, and a chicken in a bag!

The month of November is coming to an end with the last of a series of holidays and long weekends. Lunes is Independance Day, the day Panama got it's independance from Spain. Yesterday, Viernes, we ventured into Panama City. We took an early bus to the national bus terminal, which is across the street from the Albrook Mall. The mall is filled with Christmas decorations, mostly sponsored by cell phone companies. The sound of Christmas carols in Spanish fill the stores. Chris did some shopping and thinks her Nikes were a good deal.

Panama City is like New York or Miami, waves of yellow cabs flowing down the road with the change of lights. Unlike New York, these cabs are small Toyotas, Hondas and some of very uncertain pedigree. Call a cab, take your chances! Last Saturday we called a cab (they all have their own cell phones no depatcher) from Woody's Bar and a new Mercedes arrived.Other times they are so beat up, one isn't sure they will make it to the destination. All vehicles though smell very good, with buses having multiple poine tree shaped deodarizers of various scents.

In Panama gambling and prostitution are legal and both l'm told take place in Panama City. Every hotel has a casino and that is where the hookers are. There are many "anything goes" massage parlors too. It would be interesting to see if you can spot a hooker because all the young girls wear 4" high heels, very tight jeans and push up bras but Chris couldn't have bare shoulders for her visa picture. Hmmmm....

After shopping and lunch, we took a cab to the customs brokers to settle our bill and arrange delivery for the next day. It was already 1:30 on Friday of a long weekend but I called our lawyer anyway to get our pictures taken for the one year visa. The lawyer's assistant picked us up at the Do It Center and took us to the immigration office(The Do It Center is like Home Depot, Sears and Future Shop all in one.... Simmons mattresses, major appliances, outdoor furniture and hardware. I think we will buy most of the basics for our house there) . At nthe immigration office, one of her colleagues had already got in line for us for our pictures. The camera looked like something you would use with Skype. The pictures were pretty bad, like they were taken thru a keyhole but we left with visas for one year already lamenated and our permanent visa coming along in a month or so. The lawyers peeps then drove us to the bus terminal and even offered to show us where to buy tickets. Taking the bus back from the terminal you're guaranteed a good seat and a one way, 1.5 hr. journey is $3.25. People picked up on the way sometimes have to stand for a bit. One fellow got on with a live chicken in a bag. Brachhhhh. Ted, if you're reading this, he didn't know how to put it to sleep!

Today our cargo arrived from Panama City at 7am (they left at 5am). Chris is putting things away and we now have more stuff than we have room for... NO storage to begin with.

Well off to the beach... getting up early has it's advantages.

Feliz Navidad!