A Day at the Beach

There is something about the beach that soothes the soul.

We picked up a friend and headed out to the beach...the good one 2 hours away. This beach is 20 miles long, very tame and safe with the warmest water.

We pulled into a Panamanian style beach set up. You rent a place the size of a single car garage covered with palm leaves for protection from the sun. It is right on the beach with sea breezes unimpaired and views to die for. $5 a day.

It was so pleasant. Cool in the shade and hot, hot, hot in the sun.

We hung around and talked for a while then I walked up the beach to a small resort with a restaurant to eat lunch.

I ate a Panamanian style lunch with grilled fish (Corvina (Sea Bass)) which included rice, beans and salad. It was delicious. The fish was perfectly done. With 2 cups of coffee and tip it was $8. Hard to beat that!

I walked back and got Yella for a swim. The water was perfect. Big enough waves to play in but no under current. I'm glad no one pointed out the jelly fish on the beach until after I got out. Jelly fish can really screw you up if they touch you.

We headed back about 3 pm.

Later that night, we watched a couple of TV shows, something new for us.

We both commented about how the day was perfect. Something we dreamed about when we were younger. Now, it is reality.

Tonight, we have a big party night.

Dinner with some new friends who we think will become best friends. Then am early party with adults and children. Finishing with a late night party (that means after 10 pm to me) to bring in the new year.

I hope I make it!

Tomorrow, Yella plays with the local jazz band in the afternoon. I look forward to kicking back and watching Yella work! Ha ha!

Ode to the TV

I didn't think I was a TV fan. I used to watch the news and football, and little else.

But times change...

We got US satellite TV on Monday. This is the east coast feed from New York.

We have been without "real" TV for the last year. What has been available is the Spanish feed which is mainly in, well, Spanish. And, it is weird because there was no advertising. The time allotted for commercials was filled with previews for their programing.

Sometimes, we watched the same preview for months and months. Very weird.

Plus, we have not had any TV for the last 3 months.

I have noticed a few things about TV...

If I am waiting to do something, I turn on the TV to fill the time.

If I am bored, I turn on the TV.

If I want company and no one is around, I turn on the TV.

HHMMMM?????

Oh, I also actually look for something to watch that I will enjoy. After the drought, this could be almost anything!

I can see that TV is the Great Mind Pacifier. I wonder, in the long run, what this does to us as the Human Race.

I know, many people don't have TV, but most do. Try traveling to someplace in the 3rd World, like Iran, and see who's watching.

I am very happy that we have "good" TV now. I do enjoy it.

But I am ambivalent about it's value to us.

An update...

Do you remember my hot water heater fix with epoxy? I was very proud of it.

It's leaking again!

The epoxy held for a couple of weeks. I am back to square one and I will have to replace it.

Damn! I thought I had it licked.

Grande fiesta!

We heard about the annual Christmas parade held on the day after Christmas. It was supposed to be a big deal.

I started asking around about it. I heard the usual stories about how the parade was always late and normally didn't start until 9 pm.

We shuffled into town at 6 pm for dinner with some friends. At about 7:30 pm we started walking up into town.

Wow! I have never seen this many people in the village. Most of the streets were blocked off. Full of people. Packed with people.

We got a perspective of how many people Boquete serves. The village is small...5 square blocks at the most. But, there are 15,000 people living in the area.

They were ALL out last night, plus some from David down the road 35 miles. I estimate that 20 to 30 thousand people were at the parade.

Most of the crowd were families with little drinking apparent. This is not the normal Saturday night...it gets very drunk out on Saturday night...but not at the parade.

It started about 8:30 pm. We walked up the parade to the start and saw all the "floats" in 30 minutes. If we had waited in place, I have no idea how long it would of taken but it would have been tedious. As in any small town, the floats were "charming" meaning pretty minimal but the spirit was there.

On our way home, we passed a community center about 1 mile from our house. There was a big party in full swing...this one was getting plenty drunk.

At our house, we could hear the music (remember, a mile away from the party) with the windows closed. It went till past 3 am.

In the morning, we drove past the party on the way to breakfast and there were still people partying.

You got to give it to them. They know how to party here.

An Unexpected Christmas Gift

I woke up Christmas morning feeling a little out of sorts. This would be our first one without family. We always have family for Christmas.

Last night, fireworks were going off until 4 am. Panama loves noise and celebrates Christmas Eve with much noise and fireworks. We had to close all the windows to get to sleep. And remember, we live WAY OUT in the country. I can only imagine how loud it was in town!

We decided to eat a late breakfast, then open presents. We only purchased a few. After all, we have a new house, furniture and other stuff, so it seems a little extravagant to buy even more stuff.

And, we have US TV being installed on Monday.

So I was looking out the window...magnificent...drinking my first cup of coffee...some of the best in the world...and feeling at a loss on how to celebrate this holiday.

I looked out our door toward the road and see our neighbors standing there. I thought for a minute they were pausing to rest because it is a very steep road.

I yell a greeting to them and they hesitantly approach the house. I realize they want to see us so I called Yella and go out to the road.

They have presents for us.

You could have knocked me down with a feather. They have two bars of processed sugar cane and a bowl of dried beans. They looked like white to light green pinto beans with brown flecks in them. I have never seen them before.

All this is from their farm.

In a moment of shear brilliance, I invited them in for coffee. For once, I made more than I needed so I had plenty.

We sat on our porch for an hour, trying to communicate. They speak no English and you know how much Spanish we speak.

But it all worked out. It is hard work but worth it.

They invited us to eat, we think...hard to say for sure...but we have a party today.

These are the nicest people. The people are the best part of Panama.

I went and grabbed my guitar and we played them a song...a spur of the moment gift to them for including us in their holiday. Their hospitality was touching. And appreciated.

I forgot about being out of sorts on this Christmas without family.

This was a magnificent way to celebrate our first Christmas in Panama! I was so grateful.

We then ate breakfast and opened gifts.

A wonderful Christmas morning! Our first in Panama!

Tis' The Season To Be Partying

Well, it's official, my computer is dead.

Damn! That's a $1000 mistake. Hard to live that one down.

I am borrowing Yella's computer for the blog. I have to sneak it in when she's not looking...actually, she graciously let me use it.

The big news is that we are getting US TV through an underground connection. It should all be hooked up next week.

Even though I don't "think" I watch much TV, I am excited. I have missed a few things. At least we will be able to tell what movies are on. On the local Sky TV, all the titles are in Spanish and the translations rarely make any sense. It is like trying to drive without headlights.

We finished the last major repair on the house. The septic seepage pit is now installed correctly. That was a $200 fix. Big money for here but it would have cost 10 times that in the US.

Don't worry! We still have mucho projects, like landscaping an acre of jungle, to keep us busy.

Our main focus now is "how to get through the holiday period with all these parties?"

We had one today...fun. We have one tomorrow and Christmas. Then we get a break for a while until New Years Eve. A party STARTS at 9 pm. I don't think so...but Yella wants to go.

This party is hosted by the "younger" crowd, 40 something. And, there are many interesting people on the guest list.

But oh my oh my...9 pm start time?

On New Years Day, Yella is sitting in with the local jazz band for a daytime gig. This is always a good time. The band is very good and with Yella, a whole new dimension is added. And the damn thing doesn't start at 9 pm!

Oh, Yella found a dog she likes and the arrangements are made. We will be getting the dog after the first of the year.

Why am I not excited? I know how much work a dog is...and how limiting one is...you have to be there every day.

But the added security is a plus. This is the land of theft. And there have been frequent thefts in Boquete for the last 2 weeks. One house got hit twice in the same week by the same people. apparently they weren't done the first time!

Oh, the joys of paradise!

My computer Gets a Bath

Hm...Gr..!!!

I poured a full cup of sweetened coffee over my computer. It is now dead. I am using Yella's computer for this blog.

I thought I would have to get the computer to Panama City where I knew there was an Apple store and repair facility. But, lo and behold, Willy in Boquete is now a certified Mac tech.

That was great news.

However, he told me it is most likely that my computer is dead and will need replacing. Apparently, you can't have the computer on or turn it on after the spill. The mother board is very sensitive.

He will look at it in a day or two and I will know for sure.

Gr!!!!!!! I am not happy with myself.

Computers are very important when living in a 3rd World Nation! Most communication goes through the computer...email, social sites, international telephone, TV, movies.

You can bet I won't drink ANYTHING next to my computer again. This could be a $1300 mistake.

On another subject, our septic seepage pit is being repaired today. Our neighbor's will be happy we are no longer dumping raw sewage down on them anymore.

The materials were supposed to be delivered Saturday and they were NOT. This morning the crew arrived and started the preparation. I had to run into town to get the computer fixed. When I left, I had no idea how things would go. No materials.

On my way down our road, who shows up but the material delivery guy.

Sometimes...but rarely...things work out. I paid him and he delivered.

They are about finished with the job. This is a great crew. I really like their work.

So one thing went well today.

People, People, People

I left the house this morning, early, with the best intentions to ride my bike to Olga's for a quick breakfast, onto the gym and back home by 10 am.

People kept showing up at Olga's.

First some new snow birds from Washington. They needed a little help, so that took a while and was fun.

Then, my old friends from Holland showed up. A few minutes later, another couple arrived.

I torn myself away, after a leisurely conversation of course, and headed to the gym.

More people I know at the gym.

Then, onto my bike for the ride home. Along the way, I saw a new friend who runs a tour company, so we talked for a while. As we were talking, our banker went by, the more people from Holland.

I got home at noon!

This is new to me, all these people you know, everywhere. Some of you from small towns are probably sayings, "Come on Tom, this has been normal in small towns for ever."

But not for me. I like it. You get a real sense of belonging. Good stuff!

After lunch, a couple came to visit and see our house. We have enjoyed these folks several times and did again.

While we were visiting, Anel came by to bid a repair job on our septic system. This required much coordination. You got to remember, Panamanians don't have cars or trucks to haul materials so I have to do it.

After the logistics were handled, we continued visiting.

I am ready for a night alone with Yella, vegging out in front to the TV, watching a movie.

I'm worn out! And it is not even dinner time yet.

I'm Not Making This Up

While we were gone, a friend of ours experienced heart problems. She has had this in the past and it was serious enough that she called the hospital and they sent an ambulance.

The ambulance was brand new. Which is a good thing if you've seen the old ones.

They loaded her into the ambulance but they couldn't get the doors closed because she was too long.

She is a tall lady but no more than 6 feet.

No problema!

This is the Land of Work-a-Rounds. Two attendants held the doors OPEN while they raced to David, about an hour away.

Can you picture this? Like a Keystone Cops 30's movie. Guys hanging out of the ambulance, swinging on the doors, with a fretting nurse wiping the brow of the patient.

Then, you guested it, it started to rain.

She arrived at the hospital with wet feet.

I know, there are all sorts of things that could have been done to avoid this situation...but none of them were used.

On a more serous note, a guy was severely beaten in his home last week.

As it turns out, he withheld a lot of money from his builder because the builder was many months late on the completion of his house.

The court system is a joke but the vengeance systems is up and working just fine.

This is not an isolated incident with builders and withheld money. Several more happened in the last year.

It makes me grateful that Yella and I decided to pay our builder his final payment even though he had no right to it. He screwed us out many thousands of dollars.

I would rather have an empty wallet than a broken head.

Ah, paradise.

$50 Bills

Last week I went to the bank to get some cash, as I do every week. This time I got some $50 bills, a first here. I normally get $20's but I have some larger bills due, like taxes and insurance, so the larger bills made sense.

Never again!

I had no idea the rigmarole they would put me through.

I was standing in line at PriceMart...think Sam's or Cosco. Nothing was moving at the checkout. The lines were backed up. I was now thinking in geologic time about getting out of the store.

They were changing the shift. I will avoid this in the future. I would rather push hot pins in my eyes than do this again.

The guy in front of me has a $50 bill. Everything stops. The teller runs off, returning with a fist full of paper. She starts filling out I don't know what. It takes forever.

Eventually he is gone and it's my turn.

At this point, I didn't know it was the 50's that triggered this process. I pull out a 50.

Oh no! It starts again.

I move on to the next store. My purchases come to $95, I perfect fit for 2 50's. I thought it was just a quirk at PriceMart.

But noooooooo!!!!!!

Once again this ridiculous process starts.

I have learned that outside the US, 5% of 50's and 100's are counterfit.

I didn't know that.

So, remember, only 20's outside the US.

Let the Good Times Roll

I'm a little embarrassed. I re-read the last 2 blogs. Too much talk about my hot water heater repair. Sorry.

But it was such a big victory, I couldn't resist.

Control my self, you say. Ok. Enough of that.

Last night we had our first dinner party, the staple of entertainment in Boquete. It was a little one with 2 other couples. We aren't ready for the big time yet with 50 people.

We owe so many people for their hospitality that we had to get off to a running start. We are having 3 parties this week. And those are ours, not to mention places that we have been invited.

Last night we entertained our landlord and some other tenants from the same place. That's one of the connections. We also play music with one of the couples.

These are interesting people! One, by his own self description, is a F@#$%! Econo Nazi. He is full of energy, ideas and new construction and agricultural techniques, and, he will talk about them for days, unless stopped. I call him the modern Thoreau, read The Mosquito Coast if you are confused.

One of the people was a Chiropractor in Hawaii for 35 years. Now, that makes an interesting guy. He plays piano and is the musical director for the Boquettes, a female quintette. Oh, and he is a Libertarian, States rights guy, to boot. There is a lot of extreme politics down here. He will also talk for days, if not stopped.

Don't worry, we got them stopped before they dominated the conversation.

Neither lady was as extreme as these guys...is this not normally the case? But they are also entertaining, interesting people. I must say that when I get tired of the militant rhetoric, it is a welcome reprieve to talk to the ladies.

Anyway, it was a great night. We served them wine, which they didn't expect because we don't drink, but we wanted them to feel comfortable. It is amazing how normal people will have a couple of glasses of wine and quit.

Hmmmm???? I never did understand that!

One of the benefits of having a party is the motivation to get things done around the house.

Yella took on cleaning the windows which had not been cleaned after construction. A big thanks to our builder...not.

We also got a lot of stuff hung on the walls. This is a big job because everything is hung on concrete anchors which have to be drilled into the wall. A tedious task. Concrete dust everywhere.

Did I mention that nothing is easy here?

Well, it looks great! A home is shaping up.

Thanks, Yella!

Mr. Handyman

I'm not very handy around the house.

I know how to do some stuff but I don't do much simply because I don't like it. And, I have made a mess or two in my day.

So I hung up my tool belt.

That won't work down here. As you know, things break. And the Panamanian workers may make a worse mess of the problem before anything gets fixed.

So it is best to fix it yourself, if possible.

Now on to the Great Leaking Water Heater Caper in Boquete.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, my water heater leaks. This is disappointing because it is only four months old and we have only used it for 2 months. Oh, the warranty is for 90 days so no luck there.

I need to get over my disappointment about anything breaking down here!

In the US, there is an expression, "shit happens." Well here it is, "shit breaks."

I was going to replace the water heater but I noticed that the installer had completely stripped the screw heads,making the screws very difficult to remove. Given my level of skill and my limited tool set, this was not going to work.

I didn't want to hire someone to remove it so I asked around.

A friend suggested that I braze the pinhole leak in the brass valve casing. That may work. But you have to have good access because of the necessary blow torch to heat up the valve. Taking it out is not an option. No good.

Then another friend suggested using AB Weld, an epoxy to seal the leak.

Ah ha! That sounds right up my alley...glue...I can handle glue.

Now, I need to find the epoxy. Not a simple chore.

Another friend gives me epoxy plumbers putty. It is old and hard to mix and doesn't work.

So on to another epoxy. I look around and end up buying 2 types of epoxy because no one selling it is sure if it will work.

Total spent...$8.

I select the epoxy scientifically. I pick the prettiest packaging. And apply it.

It works!!! I don't know for how long, but it works.

This might seem like a little thing to you. It is not for me. I just saved over $200 and all the hassle of hiring a local to fix it.

I can't believe it. Wow!

Now onto fixing the septic seepage pit.

I hired a local to dig it up by hand. No backhoe this time. Too expensive and, in the end, he would tear everything else up in the process.

We found the pit. That's a start. And we found the pipes from the house and the casita. That's good too.

This time, I will have to hire workers to mix and place the concrete cap on the pit.

But we are ready and I am hopeful.

Little by little. Poco a poco.

We are gaining on it.

How To Spend A Day In Paradise

Watching...

Watching what you ask?

I hired my neighbor to dig up our septic seepage pit. And, as you now know after reading many blog entries, you can't let a Panamanian alone to work because they will do the damnedest things unsupervised.

As a matter of fact, that is why I am now having the pit dug up.

We hire a backhoe operator to bury the construction brush. I showed him exactly where the septic pipe and pit where located and he, of course, went right to them and dug them up, destroying the sewer pipe.

This yahoo did everything but bury the brush. He tried to regrade the ENTIRE lot but we stopped him after he only got part of it done. (We left him for a couple of hours and that's what happened)

Why did he do this you ask? Were our instructions ambiguous? Was the request unreasonable? NOOOOOOO!!!! Because he wanted to. He thought it needs to be done. When we told him that his little regrading project destroyed the septic system, he said, "build a new on." Like that was obvious.

Only in Panama.

But all is not lost. He did reveal that the septic pit was not installed properly. The contractor screwed it up. He swore up and down that he did it right but I can now say that he didn't.

A seepage pit needs a cover over the rock. No cover and the dirt contaminates the rock so it won't work properly.

So, today I have a guy digging up the pit so we can repair it.

Isn't that the way it goes here.

On to another fix...

I was going to replace the leaking hot water heater but the installer stripped the screw heads mounting the unit, so I can't get them out. I don't have the right tools but I shouldn't have to have these tools! Grrrrr! I should pull out my trusty screwdriver and EASILY get the unit off the wall.

But nooooo!!!!!!

I tried to epoxy the leaking cast brass valve but it didn't work. I will try another epoxy in a day or two and see what happens.

If it doesn't work, I am going to make the installer get the unit off the wall.

I'm going to have fun watching this.

Down With The Establishment!

You might wonder what people do in paradise, or maybe not, but I'm going to tell you anyway.

One good friend is a music fiend. He has an enormous collection of concert videos and a head full of trivia about rock n' roll. He posts YouTube clips on FaceBook every day.

The last clip was "My Sweet Lord" played by Billy Preston at George Harrison's benefit concert. A moving video...with Eric Clapton, Paul, Ringo and too many other people to mention.

That got Yella browsing through YouTube clips about that time period.

First we looked at all the children of the Beatles. Now they are all at least 35 years old, with some well into their 40's.

Are you feeling old yet?

As we looked, beautiful, haunting Beatles melodies were playing behind the pictures. A wave of nostalgia hit me.

Do you remember some of this...

"You can't trust anyone over 30."

"Down with the establishment."

And maybe the best one..."Peace, Love, Rock n' Roll."

What would this world be now if our generation actually remembered and lived by "peace, love, rock n' roll?"

I know, I've had too much coffee this morning and this blog has just stepped off the path.

But it all fits together.

How does an old hippy end up in paradise?

I don't know but I sure am lucky!

This is the logical conclusion to my life if viewed holistically, not paying too much attention to the big part in the middle where I focused on owning businesses.

After graduating from college, the next 10 years were spent wandering around, PARTYING!!! We played music on the road for 3 years. That's a bohemian lifestyle for sure. I hesitate to mention how much debauchery we engaged in...

Then I left that path and became "respectable." Well, not really, but I pretended. This is the big hole where I chased the Money Train."

I got off that train last year. Rolled back the need for so much denaro.

And ended up in paradise.

Wow!!! Feels like coming home.

Sunday at Olga's Restaurant

Here is another up beat blog entry. I hope you can handle it!

We went to Olga's for breakfast... so many cars parked out front. We went in and it was packed with no place to sit.

Damn!

Not to worry. A friend shared his table with us. We did have to listen to his "The World's Coming To An End" rhetoric for a while, until we could crank the conversation around to more satisfying stuff...who did what while we were gone...gossip.

Ah, much better!

It was fun to see the place hopping. There have not been enough tourist and snow birds to fill it since last March. She really needs the business after a brutal off season!

The place was at a dull roar. Full of energy and camaraderie. A fun place to be. We visited with several friends and eventually Olga came up for a breath and came to our table.

A huge hug, a glorious smile and Spanish from Olga is just the best! A great way to start the morning.

After lunch, we attended, for the first time, the annual fund raising auction. People have been talking about this all year. The Rotary and Lions club, in unprecedented cooperation, put on the big event.

There were numerous items and services in a silent action. A big live auction. And plenty of food from sandwiches to baked goods to sweets, plus of course wine and beer flowing copiously.

We met another bunch of friends, some of whom we hadn't seen for months. That was great!

As it turns out, friends sure do make life satisfying.

We returned home to continue putting up the Christmas tree...er...I watched Yella put up the tree.

The sun was starting to go down on a breezy, pleasantly cool afternoon...after a great day!

Are you tired of this happy horse shit yet?

I do prefer this life to one I was living last year!

But I could make some stuff up on the negative side, if you want.

A Schizophrenic Day

Ok, I'll admit it. Putting up the Christmas tree, sweating from the heat, in shorts and tee shirt with the ceiling fan spinning, all the windows wide open, is a little disconcerting.

It's hard to find a memory of the holidays like this!

I remember when we lived in LA in the 70's, Santa Claus was running around in shorts. Not right!

We were chasing another dream in an earlier time, becoming rich and famous as rock stars. That dream didn't pan out. I sure hope this one works better.

We did get to play music on the road for 3 years, a once in a life time opportunity. I would have hate to miss that.

On day two, back from the states, I am still in awe of this new life. The benefits of living here were obscured by calamity, turmoil, upset, topsy-turvy, disappointment, more disappointment, anger, rage and numerous other negative shit!

Hopefully having that behind us, our life is starting now. Many who came before us told us this is the way it goes. You have to pay some expensive dues, then you get paradise.

So, I am helping Yella put up the Christmas tree. Not something I did in the past but it seems right now.

Ok, she is doing most of the work. I help with the heavy stuff And, I am in charge of keeping the Christmas music playing. A burden for sure, but I'm not complaining.

We have Amy Grant's Christmas albums playing, a tradition for many, many years in the past. Very nostalgic.

Even in paradise.

Home!

Yella and I met a friend at Albook Airport in Panama City on the way to David. We learned that 2 people would be meeting us in David, one for him and one for us. All of us are friends. How did that happen?

It started to feel like home when we got in our car, the diesel beast, and started to drive through David. It sunk in a little deeper when we turned off the highway and onto the Wilson Bridge road to our house.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

The potholes were patched. This is the second time in a year. Way over the top for here.

We got home and everything looked good. We fixed lunch and did a little unpacking. Then I was off to Boquete to go to the bank, find friends and pay our house sitter.

That's when it hit me.

I love this place! It is so warm, and fresh, and sunny and green and beautiful. I wanted to do a happy dance just for being home...in paradise.

I got, well, suppressed back in Colorado. I didn't know the full impact of this before, but being inside, with the windows and doors closed, the heat on, the humidity in the single digits is claustrophobic to my nature. I find it stifling. It's just not natural, for me.

I learn a little more each year how much I love fresh air.

I drove down the highway, with all four windows open. Wonderful!

It was so good to go to the bank, where the guard and I exchange greetings like old friends, the teller banters with me in broken Spanish and I know most of the people in the place.

Then on to Amigos to meet a friend and end up seeing a lot of friends. Then on to our house sitters, who is also a good friend. We sat on his deck, visiting with another friend, listening to a couple of parrots. One was bi-lingual. Go figure!

Then back home. I cut up a pineapple and papaya for fresh fruit smoothies tomorrow morning.

It is so good to be home.

Not to take away from the trip back to Colorado. It was wonderful, for sure! So many friends and family.

I am not trying to rub it in to those in northern climates. Just expressing my enjoyment of paradise. I know many people who love the cold, fires in fireplaces, snuggling on the couch and simmering soup. To each their own.

I sure hope the fun lasts...

Bitter Cold!!!!

It is cold...brutally cold. Only 20 degrees today and down to zero tonight.

Am I glad we are leaving tomorrow or what!

This morning, I parked downtown and walked a block. I thought I wouldn't make it.

A little wind and cold, brutally cold, temperatures made the walk almost unbearable. I will admit that I was unprepared with no hat or gloves but give me a break, one block! I shouldn't have any problem...but it was bad.

I forgot how cold real cold can get. Wow!

Bracing for sure but not for me.

I ate lunch at China Village. We have been eating there for over 32 years! I was glad to see that they had a healthy business.

This is surprising because there are better Chinese restaurants in town but this has been a favorite for many over the years.

It was nostalgic. I have met many people for lunch there. Many great friendships. Many endearing lunches. I returned on the recommendation of a dear friend. And, it was good.

We are now in a hotel in Denver and we're leave early tomorrow morning for Panama. I am ready. I am visited out. I am ready for some solitary time to recuperate from the trip.

And the trip was magnificent!

We experienced hospitality at it's best. And renewed friendships. And had a great time.

Thanks to everyone in Colorado Springs! You made us feel welcome and cherished.

A Slow Morning

I managed to see everyone I planned to see and then some on this US trip. So I sit around our hosts house, waiting to see a friend for another visit.

The morning has been spent finding a contractor to repair the mailbox out front that we mowed over and ruined. Both contractors are Mexican. Interesting, they both speak good English.

I now have a deep appreciation for their fluency in English. After all, I am struggling to learn Spanish. How have these immigrants learned so quickly? I am impressed.

With the help of a friend who is a general contractor, we found, beat the price down, and accepted a contractor for the repair. They are starting in a few minutes.

Things are slow here with the recession (or should I say depression). There is no way a small repair job would be started this rapidly a few years ago. Hell, we probably couldn't even get a bid on a repair not long ago.

I am ready to go home. And, yes, I do call Panama home now. That is a result of this trip.

Even though our adjustment has been torturous, we do not have a home here in the US so, by default, home is Panama.

It helps to think of Panama as home. This I notice.

As a profound man once said, "it is better to ride the horse in the direction it is going." So off I ride to Panama!

Home.

We have experienced the deepest and most generous hospitality on this trip. The success of the trip rests squarely on the shoulders of this heart-warming hospitality.

Thank you Jim and Kelly, Katey and Matt!

Thank you also to our friends. Your friendship is cherished and treasured!

What a blessing. So many friends.

In spite of the past year, I feel fortune...so fortunate.

I have had misgivings about our relocation, moments went I was convinced that I made a huge mistake. My friend pointed out that even if we return, so few people ever get to have an adventure of this magnitude. Ultimately, leaping off the cliff into the unknown is the real value, the rest is gravy.

I hope the gravy is good!

Fast Food Oxymoron

I was moving fast from one get together to another with only 40 minutes to spare and needed some food. And tacos sounded so good!

I had a thought--a bad one as it turns out--to get some tacos at Taco Bell or as we used to call it, Toxic Hell. They would have good tacos and it would be fast.

As it turned out it wasn't good and certainly wasn't fast!

I rushed into the place, seeing only 4 people ahead of me in line. All right! This should move. I took another look and realized that they were part of the unwashed, obese, snaggled tooth hoard, normally found congregating at WalMart.

Oh no!

They clogged up the line with their antics. An older couple with their son and girl friend. I ended up having to give them a break in my judgmental mind because he was in the Army and I have to appreciate anyone who puts himself in harms way for us. Which was a stretch for me because they stalled the process.

After I ordered, it took 25 minutes to get my food.

What???!!!??? Five meals???

I have been out of the country too long. I forgot about the dominance of the dreaded drive thru lane.

Most businesses now worship the automobile and the drive thru lane as the real source of revenue. I have no idea if this is actually true but that is the way they treat it.

Meal after meal after meal after meal...went out the drive thru window as we marinated in resentment waiting inside.

25 minutes, damn it!

Fast food my ass! And it tasted pretty bland too.

I talked to a friend of mine that reported a story about the same thing at McDonald's earlier this week. A customer, who had been waiting inside for too long, started to shout at the manager about feeding all the drive thru lane customers before any of the inside people were served. The manager was no dumbie. He fed this customer immediately, warding off a Uzi attach in the nick of time!

I have always had distain for the drive thru lane. It represents everything that is rotting the US from the inside out. And we wonder why there is so much obesity here. Between the drive thru lane and the TV remote, we have pounded nails into our coffin for sure.

Oh, what you forget when out of the country.

Thanksgiving in the US

I am amazed at the depth of my relationships. It kind of snuck up on me. They were built over the last 30 years, kind of like a slow, simmering stew.

I didn't know it takes a long time to develop truly deep relationships. It happens seamlessly over time, a little by little. Transparent.

Sure, I knew they were great friends, but the strength and vibrancy of these friendships are stunning. The great pleasure of this trip is reuniting with friends and family. I'm sure it will be a huge loss when we leave.

And you get a second chance. A couple of friendships have faded over the years, lost their luster. Even these are strong and interesting. A second chance sure is nice.

Maybe this leaving the country and returning thing is good.

We had a family day yesterday with a surprise visit from a niece. This was totally unexpected.

Today is another family day. My daughter and I will cook turkey dinner as has been our tradition for years. After the bird is in the oven, we go for a walk...kind of like our annual "get connected" time.

Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays. Probably because my part is the cooking while someone else cleans up. I think I got the good end of the stick with this one!

Then, Friday, back to more friends with family sprinkled in too.

A note on US driving.

I reported earlier that it is easy to drive here. I spoke too soon.

The highways are definitely easier but the city streets are tricky.

This traffic sprints, darts, accelerates and brakes very fast. When turning, if I look at the on coming traffic, I have to make sure their is A LOT of room or they will run over you.

Very fast, sharp driving.

It takes some getting used to.

I went to eat at my favorite Chinese restaurant and found it gone...closed with no new location. This took the breath out of me. I loved this place and eat their for over 25 years. I wonder what happened to this lovely family? How will I ever find hot and sour soup this good again?

This kind of change makes me sad. Kind of like loosing a good friend.

I suspect that more and more of this will happen as time goes on. I don't do well with it.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I hope you get to hang out in the warm embrace of friends and family

Ode To The Cell Phone

Remember when we didn't have cell phones?

Ya, I know, many of us complain about them, the leash tethering us to work or family.

But, I have been without one in Colorado. It throws me back to BCP (Before Cell Phone).

I used to make elaborate arrangements to meet people with back up plans in case the arrangements failed. And, from time to time, I would miss people entirely.

One Christmas, my daughter and I made plans to meet after some independent shopping in a major department store. Unknown to me, the store had an entire huge section that I missed. Consequently, I couldn't find her.

I ACP time, I would pick up the phone and find out where she was.

I waited in the parking lot until I was the last car in the lot. Finally, she walks out to my truck and we reunite.

That one sticks in my mind.

I worked for an engineering firm in the 70's that gave me a roll of dimes and demanded that I call them after each field project. It worked--if I graced them with a call.

The cell phone is one convenience that I don't want to do without. Our visit has been a patchwork of missed appointments, missed opportunities and general planning overload because we can't communicate.

And on to a new topic...

I went to the Social Security Office today to get an application for benefits and information on the required documents.

The place was packed with standing room only. They have a computerized number taking system...for God's sake...does anyone really need that?

I waited a hour and a half. Not a problem, I have been trained in Panama. This was not a wait but more of a short delay.

I call them a few weeks ago to get the same info. They told me I needed 3 years of W2's. I don't trust them to get it right so I visited the office and sure enough, they gave me different information and more information.

I think I will call a few more times to cover all the bases. I have to return to the US to file so I have to get it right or the trip will be waisted.

Believe me I am not complaining. I will jump through any hoops if someone is going to give me money!

The US Blog #2

Visiting with old friends has filled our days and nights.

I had lunch with one of my oldest friends in Colorado. We worked together for over 25 years in 3 different businesses. He is in his 70's, retired and having a ball traveling around the country in his mobile home. No grass is growing under his feet.

Today, I stopped in at a meeting with many, many old friends. I was so happy to be in this energetic, profane and joyous group...I fit in just right.

Some of us went for a late breakfast at a local hash house and whopped it up some more. I worried about driving away customers because we were laughing so hard. This is good stuff for the soul.

Yella and I went to watch the Broncos at some very good friends' house this afternoon. The football game was a disaster but the company was the best. I forgot how much fun it is to be with people committed to laughter and fun.

The theme for the day was laughter and gaiety.

We went to eat at a restaurant that was one of our favorites because it was good and moderately priced. Yella had a meal and I had a drink and side dish because I was stuffed from snacking during the football game.

Oh my God, sticker shock! They have raised their prices A LOT. We paid $35 for a meal and a half. This was so much more than we used to pay...not to mention how expensive compared to Panama.

I'm getting tired of $2.30 cups of coffee.

It is exhausting doing all this visiting. I love it but I am beat by 6 pm and ready for bed.

Musings From the Colorado

Driving out of the Denver airport, the Interstate Highway looked so big, smooth and perfect. I was stunned. The traffic flowed in a predictable, logical fashion. No wonder we drive unconscious in the US. It requires almost no thought because it is so orderly.

Where was a car driving without any lights when you need a little excitement?

I have been over joyed seeing my old friends. Absence does make the heart fonder. It is sooooo good to see old friends. Like putting on a well-worn pair of shoes---comfortable and supportive.

A couple of friends mentioned that I have been hard on Colorado in the blog. Hmmm??? It must be so since they mentioned it. I will have to take a look at that. I have not intended to be hard on my old state.

Today was a perfect Colorado day. Absolutely still. A calm I have only experienced in the Colorado mountains. Even though it was brisk, the sun warms you on one side while the other is chilled.

As I stood at the base of a mountain, looking east across the town, it looks brown, grey, tan...dry, dormant, bleak.

I turn and look up into the mountains and it is beautiful...verdant green with a huge, looming 14,000 foot Pikes Peak covered with snow against the bluest sky.

I was brought back to 1977 when I first arrived in Colorado. I was awed by this beauty. I couldn't get enough. Hiking in the mountains became my passion.

I have not experienced that passion and love for a few years. Somewhere along the way, my intolerance for the cold took over.

Today, the awe came back. I thought, "I love this day, this beauty!" I used to think this almost every day.

It felt good to be able to appreciate the state I lived in for 32 years, where I started and operate numerous businesses, raised 2 children and much more.

I'm not pulled to move back...simply to appreciate it once again.

I may have gone a little native in Panama.

I missed a promised time to meet my daughter last night at 8 pm. I only miss an appointment once a decade or so. This is not like me. I don't know what happened. It caused quit a little bit of trouble so I had to eat some crow.

Today, I went to her school where she teaches music. Yella and Katey are singing in a talent show for her school tonight so we rehearsed.

My of my, do they sound good together.

I went back for the first show this afternoon. I got to watch Katey work with the kids for a while.

She was born to do this kind of work. She makes them toe the line but doesn't dominate them. A perfect balance.

She was trained in her first two years in an Inner City school in Denver. They had no money, no books, no curriculum, no instruction. She was on her own in an over filled classroom of unruly kids.

In desperation, she started singing and they all stopped acting out, looked up at her in wonder. Her voice does that to people, no matter what age.

Most of you know how well Yella sings so now you can imagine how good they sound together.

I look forward to returning tonight for the main show.

Getting Ready for the US

I have been busy for 2 days getting ready to travel to the US.

Colorado had a snow storm last night and today. It's cold!

I forgot how to pack for this cold weather. I started to fold Tee shirts then realized I wouldn't be wearing them. I had to get my jacket, gloves and hat out. Brrr!

I hate the winter. That was one of reasons I wanted to move to a warmer place. I used to say, "I won't die in the winter, only the summer...who wants to die in the cold."

I had a realization. A bad climate can make you miserable, but a good climate won't make you happy. Damn! I was counting on that. I suffer from the illusion that warm weather will make me happy and it just ain't so. It doesn't make me miserable but it doesn't make me happy either.

Yesterday I did 3 loads of laundry, folded and put away. Today, I cleaned the house including mopping the floors.

Mopping tile floors takes some skill. I watched the maid at our rental house. She taught me that you have to ring the mop out with your hands. The mop press on the bucket leaves the mop to wet and the floors never dry.

Well, that was probably more than you wanted to know about mops.

All in all, working around the house felt good.

I have been bored lately. I need something to do that is a contribution or makes a difference. All this self centered, pleasing myself stuff gets old. I hope I can find something when we get back in December.

It's been a busy 2 days with all the preparations. Plus, I got to watch the Broncos for the first time this season on a friends TV and there was a big party tonight for a couple celebrating 5 years in Boquete.

A lot of activity but there is still something missing down here. I need more than entertainment to be satisfied. I need to feel useful.

We'll see.

Last day in Boquete tomorrow, then off to Panama City early Tuesday morning. On to Colorado on Wednesday.

I am looking forward to seeing friends and family. It's been almost a year.

Crap, Crap & More Crap

As soon as I set foot here, people told me about the bad quality of everything.

There is no way for someone from a 1st World nation to comprehend this.

As time has progressed, I have been learning.

Yesterday, I started to install the parts for the dishwasher. I ordered a new drain hose and "Y" drain connector from the US. I got the drain line on the dishwasher just fine.

Then, I went to connect the "Y" under the sink. All the plastic pipes fell down in my hands.

What??!!

I couldn't believe it. I had all this fixed...supposedly.

The trap wouldn't connect to the pipe, the pipe wouldn't connect to the galvanized 2 inch pipe in the wall. What?

I ran to look at another sink in a bathroom. The pipes fell off with a small touch.

I ran to the other bathroom and the same thing happened.

GRRRRR@#$!@##!!!!

I was livid.

Rafael arrived this morning. He was supposed to have fixed all this. I showed him what was up.

He said he fixed the water pipes but didn't do anything with the drain. Well thanks a lot!

So, with a little investigation we discovered that the "J" traps were installed backwards and the pipes at the wall were never sealed with a washer.

It all got corrected but I learned a good lesson. You have to double check everything.

Now everything was all right...

Not!!!

Rafael calls me outside to look at the hot water heater which is leaking. Now what!

We pull it apart and find a pinhole leak in a cast brass valve. No way to fix it.

I am looking into the warranty but my hopes are low.

Many people are convinced that the goods shipped to Panama are rejects and seconds. I think they are right.

As fast as I correct something, another breaks.

This is never ending.

Thunderstruck!

By a 12 year old Panamanian girl who is rail thin and looks 10. And can she sing! She won the Panama Idol last year which tells you some of the story.

First a little discussion on great voices.

When Yella and I were on the road, she started to develop vocal nodes after about a year. We were playing and singing 5 hours a night, 6 nights a week. It was just too much for the human voice.

Yella found a vocal coach in KCMO who was an opera star in Europe but then living in KC. She took lessons for a few weeks and invited me to go to one of them. I didn't know she was learning how to sing in a whole new way.

Oh boy...just what I wanted to do...how much fun could that be?

After I arrived, sat in a small living room, crowded with a baby grand piano, the lesson began.

The coach told Yella to warm up singing scales.

Of boy...love those interesting scales...

She played the scale on the piano and Yella started to sing.

A voice I had never heard came out of Yella. It was huge, piercing into every nook and cranny of the room, penetrating into my soul, moving me to the quick.

I had never heard anything like this. It was a rare experience that I remember to this day.

So back to Ana Lisa, the little girl.

I went to the rehearsal for the Grand Opening of the Boquete Community Players new auditorium. I was invited by the music director who said I HAD to hear this girl even though we would be in Colorado for the show. So come to the rehearsal.

I waited for 3 hours and no girl. I was nodding off in the corner, about to leave, thoroughly discussed with my waist of time.

Then in walks this little girl with her dad.

She walks right up to the stage, stands in front of the microphone, hands at her sides, smiling, waiting for the band to get it together.

She already got my attention by her way of being.

Then she hit the first note...oh my God...what and hell was this!

Her voice filled the auditorium and beyond, resonating all the space, penetrating into every cell.

Everything stopped.

People that were working or milling around, stopped.

Jaws hit the floor.

To hear a voice this magnificent is moving. Now the problem is how to look good and not make a fool of your self by sobbing out loud with joy from the shear beauty of it.

Wow!!!

I cannot properly articulate the experience. It was so moving.

A voice at this level, LIVE...IN PERSON...chokes you up, makes your nose run, your eyes leak and tightens the chest while simultaneously calming and centering you with serenity.

This is an altered state for sure.

Am I glad I waited!

It took me back to that lesson in KC with Yella.

I Am a Social Animal

A few years ago, I would deny it. And, I have the personality tests to prove I am not social.

But I am.

If I stay home all day, not talking or meeting anyone, it leaves me feeling lonely and incomplete.

Yella called this morning and we finally got to talk for a while. It was good to connect.

Then, off for breakfast and the weekly expat meeting.

I enjoyed breakfast with a couple, then onto the meeting. A friend was doing the presentation and I wanted to support him.

We normally make fun of the expat meeting--it is for those without a clue, those not knowing how to figure out Panama, those who should have stayed in the states, etc.

The meeting was surprisingly fun. I got to see a few people I haven't seen for a while. Yella and I have been out of the social loop for a couple of weeks because of house stuff and we aren't in any music production so we haven't seen this group of people for a while.

I visited with them for about a hour, all fun.

Then, on to Amigo's for a light lunch.

Now, I normally see "the usuals" at Amigo's and I did see them and the normal, mundane conversation was going on.

If I relax and let the conversation develop slow and easy, it is amazing what pops out.

The lady next to me, out of the blue, says she used to work for Werner Erhardt & Associates in the early 80's. She was a computer programer and she wrote their systems software.

I know there are a lots of opinions about Werner ranging from he's a saint to he's the anti-Christ. For me, he, his work and organizations were impactful.

The lady proceeds to talk about working with Werner. On Saturdays, frequently they were the only two there. He would walk across the office and sit down and talk to her. She said he would let her talk and he would listen.

She said, "Isn't that funny...this great man with so much to say and offer would sit and listen to me...just listen."

One Saturday, Bucky Fuller walked in to see Werner. Werner lead Bucky across the office and introduced him to her. She said that was common, Werner always included her with his guests.

I feel that Werner made a big impact on modern society and personal responsibility. And I thought that sitting down to talk to him would be an incredible event. Now I know it would be. Only truly great people listen.

I should pay attention to my own words.

I left Amigo's for home feeling full and complete after spending a few hours talking to friends.

Full Days

With Yella gone, I am into a pattern of roaming around and meeting people.

This is one of the great pleasures of being retired!

There are a lot of interesting people here...and I get to meet them if I take the time.

I had a conversation with the wife of a gringo builder who has a good reputation. Now that was interesting! We decided he needed to start a blog helping people with their construction projects. Talk about a needed service!

I bumped into a man who is into baking bread in wood-fired, stone ovens. Uhh?? He claims there are several people doing this here. What??? .

I met a civil engineer who has worked all over the world. He is traveling around Latin America for a while. He is fluent in Spanish and he has many stories. What an interesting life! It makes me feel that I missed out on so much when I was younger.

On Saturday, I drove to the beach just for the hell of it. Traffic was light being Saturday so it was a fast trip. When I got there it looked like sun for a half hour, then clouds. I decided to forgo the "Day Rate" at the resort and parked at the public access road and walked the beach for 30 minutes, then left.

It was a fun trip...and fast too.

Tonight, I am going to Amigo's to watch the Broncos play Pittsburg on Monday Night Football. The only problem is that we are on Eastern Standard Time now, with the switch back from Daylight Savings Time, so the game starts at 8:30. Way too late for me. We'll see if I make it to the second half.

I talked to Yella yesterday in Colorado. She reports that she had a shower with a flood of water ANY TEMPERATURE she wanted. Then she went to Walmart and broke out in a consumer frenzy wanting to buy 6 of everything. She had to smack herself around to stop it.

I do remember feeling that we couldn't get hardly anything we wanted when we first got here. Now I can't remember what we wanted.

That is a telling perspective on the States.

Maybe we should revisit studying the rise and fall of nations in history.

Ou La La

I went out to the Ou La La restaurant last night.

I was the only one there which was a little disconcerting. Christof, the chef, was willing and able to fix dinner.

The menu included a new Corvina (Sea Bass) dish with tomatoes, onions and jalapino peppers. He offer to cook the fish any way I wanted. He has fixed some remarkable fish meals for me.

But, I wanted to try the new dish.

A moment later, he came out of the kitchen with an empty 25 pound bottle of gas and said he was out and couldn't cook. So he runs across the street to a little store and returns with a full bottle of gas, and a bottle of pop which I also ordered. It is so slow he doesn't stock soft drinks...he runs across the street and buys them.

Panama!

The meal did get cooked and it was fantastic. I think Christof is the best chef in Boquete.

There are at least 4 gourmet chefs in town but he is the best one in my book. We are fortunate to have a lot of good food here. There are about 6 restaurants just below the gourmet ones that are also good eating. And, then there are about a dozen typical places which aren't bad for a quick lunch.

Hans and Terry came in while I was eating. We met them on our first trip to Boquete 6 years ago. They lead birding, hiking and coffee tours. Over the years we have done a few things with them. They are now our neighbors, in the loose sense...they live about a mile away which makes them the closest gringo neighbors. We met her on the road a few days ago riding her horse.

The mornings now are sunny and beautiful. The rain holds off until the afternoon.

Life is good.

Super Scare on Highway

I drove Yella to the David airport this evening. She is off to Colorado. She called when she got to PC, having arrived intact and at the right hotel. Ya!

Now for the drive back.

It was dark, rainy and really, really dangerous.

A little background...

Panamanians either have no lights or the lights are not aimed properly, meaning that the lights are in your eyes. Add in people walking on the side of the roads dressed in dark colors. Now mix in a little slow bus traffic, erratic side road entry and general stopping on the road for no reason.

Get the picture?

I was traveling through a little town when an on-coming bus pulled half off the road to let people exit. This is a typical move where the on-coming traffic swerves out into my lane to get around the bus.

Normally, this is accepted and easy to deal with.

But it's raining with lights in my eyes and I can't see shit. So I swerve over to the edge of the road or at least where I think the edge is.

Suddenly, I see a women walking on the edge of the road, dressed in grey, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

Faster than I can think, I jerk the wheel over toward the center of the road, somehow missing her and the on-coming traffic. It seemed like it was physically impossible to miss everyone but I did.

Then I was left with the dump of adrenaline in my system. It took 30 minutes to calm down.

If you hit a pedestrian in Panama, you own them and their extended family for life. Not to mention hurting the person. This is the most trouble you can get into in Panama. You don't want to hit a walking person. Bad news!

Of course, people walk all over the roads. And, they pass out lying in the middle of the road. They stop to talk in the road and, generally do what ever they want in the road.

Shit! This is scary stuff.

I feel sooooo fortunate in avoiding this incident. Whew!!!!!!!!

Super Mercado Lily's

As I've mentioned before, Lily's is my favorite store. It is a grocery store with household goods and construction materials...all in one store and it's not that big.

You can get almost anything at Lily's.

You have to ask for most of the stuff and they go get it. Today I needed some more paint thinner. So I ask and he says, "un momento, por favor."

I wait and wait and wait for about 5 minutes. I can't imagine what's going on.

Out he comes with a litter plastic pop bottle filled with paint thinner! I guess they have a 55 gallon drum of it in the back and they fill containers to whatever quantity you want.

It's been a long time since I've seen this way of dispensing goods.

It has been cloudy, rainy and foggy for 5 days now. I'm still not tired of it. But...

We had floods in Boquete yesterday. This is that time of year.

The weather starts to come in from the north, dumping rain on the continental divide above Boquete. The water comes rushing down the mountain and plays havoc in town.

The north and west side of town got hit the worst. Olga's restaurant was full of water and mud last night. 6 of them cleaned it out all evening and she was open for business this morning.

That couldn't have been a pleasant evening.

We had the normal inch or so of rain yesterday at our house. Just 2 miles to the north, they had floods. Fickle weather.

The Independence Day parades have all gone on...they are in the morning and, for the most part, don't get too much rain.

Everyone in town, or so it seems, has a drum and is beating on it. No other instruments, just drums.

They love to make noise here!

This rainy, foggy weather is supposed to last until Friday. A big low pressure is just off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is expected to become a Tropical Depression and maybe worst, going North into Honduras and the Yucatan.

Big storm time of year. I hope Yella's plain gets out from David Thursday night.

I Love the Rain

It has rained for over 36 hours and I'm not tired of it yet.

I have always loved the rain. Ever since I was a little kid.

One of the things that was hard about living in Colorado was the lack of rain...and green, lush growth and birds and life.

I saw a picture from Colorado on FaceBook today. It was so brown and dusty with snow on the mountains...cold....brrrr! It looked awful. Bleak, barren. lifeless.

Down here life is everywhere. It gets in the house and into your clothes and in the car...everywhere.

It is so green. No dust. Out of control growth. Weeds, trees, flowers, birds, more weeds and plants like you grow in pots in your house...wild.

I love the rain. It represents life. Warmth, abundance, life.

We had about 35 inches of rain in October (Colorado gets maybe 17 inches in a year!)and expect about half that in November. The total for the year will end up about 125 inches.

Listening to the rain on the roof gives me permission to read and nap and be lazy. Ahhhh...

First Guests in the House

The house is now in good enough condition so that we are willing to have people see it.

Yella has the curtains made and up...looks great! Most of the boxes are off the floor with the empties hauled off to the trash. And, the TV is in place and working.

We invited a couple over for lunch today. We haven't seen them for a while and we were worried we'd pissed them off or something. Hard to imagine knowing Yella and I, isn't it?

It was a good time. We always enjoy this couple.

She told us about the Halloween parties in Boquete last night. This was a big gringo night, not Panamanian. My friend Johnnie Max played at Amigos and, as is his MO, everyone was outside because he plays so loud no one is willing to endure it too close. She said it sounded good from the street. When will this guy learn? I am not hopeful.

Apparently there were 2 big parties with a huge gringo turnout. She made it until 10 pm then called it a night. The parties raged on to the wee hours.

Panama is gearing up for the first big slug of holidays next week...3 days in a row celebrating an All Souls thing and Independence Day from the Columbians. Later in the month, they celebrate the big Independence Day from Spain.

Much bunting, band stands and closing off of roads is in the works. The parades etc. start on Tuesday.

We rushed out yesterday to go to the bank because everything will be closed (except restaurants and grocery stores) most of next week.

For all practical purposes, the months of November and December are shut down in Panama.

I am looking forward to seeing this holiday period.

Got TV!

We slid out of town to David to shop for a flat screen TV. Armed with a little Internet research on the subject, we visited 3 stores, fully expecting PriceMart to be the winner.

We found a good, highly rated TV at Rodelag. I don't know the story of this store but they won't accept credit cards and they had a good selection of TV's with good prices.

We stopped by The Do It Center (Every time I say this stupid name I want to puke!) and purchased a TV table also.

On to the house and the inevitable "put shit together" time.

I took it on and, as if by magic, all the parts where packed and all went together perfect!

Now for the litmus test, turning on the TV and playing a DVD (We don't have any TV service like satellite).

Didn't work...uh oh...

Not to worry. With a little fiddling the DVD appeared!

Now for the trying stuff.

Our new Internet service isn't going to cut it. The Internet phone quality is poor. And we can't get US TV on the Internet. I mentioned this in a previous blog.

We will have to get our old service, Baranco, that we used in the rental unit.

But, nothing is simple in Panama. We found out today that the main guy is leaving Baranco and their status is up in the air.

GRRRR!!!!

Just when you think you have it figured out, you don't.

Man, am I tired of being frustrated.

Life is still going up and down with Yella and I. Yesterday was a bad day. I will have to wait until today is over to report on today. It is that tenuous.

I didn't sign on for this roller coaster ride, I'll tell you that. I don't think we can take much more of it.

How to Shut a Town Down

As I'm sitting in Olga's eating breakfast, I notice a steady stream of traffic flowing by. Olga's is on a side street so this makes no sense.

After breakfast, I head up to the town square, negotiating a detour which caused the traffic by Olga's, only to get stopped by a worker because a children's event is taking place off the square.

They will shut down anything, for any reason, here. They love it. I think free flowing, ease of getting around, pisses them off so they arbitrarily shut something down just for the hell of it.

I go several slow, backed up blocks around the village and get to Romero's, the grocery store. I go to the produce department and pick up 9 bananas. Normally, a clerk weighs them at the produce area but I am waive to the checkout counter where they will be weighed.

Uh oh....this isn't good. Change...never a good idea in the Land of You Don't Get What You Want.

Needless to say, the checkout lines are backed up.

First, I wait on a lady who is filling out a check.

I should've had someone shoot me.

She wanders to the end of counter. Fiddles around. Wonders back. Asks for a pen. Rummages around in her purse eventually pulling out a check book. She m-e-t-i-c-u-l-o-u-s-l-y fills out a check. Wanders around for a while. Finally, hands the check to the cashier.

Now the actual delay starts. A manager has to be found. He is busy because the checkers don't know how to weigh the produce and he is helping them. Eventually he gets to the check.

Back to the checker. Now what? The lady is questioning the receipt. And on and on it goes.

Literally a full 5 minutes have passed dealing with this woman's check.

Grrr!

Now I hand my 9 bananas to the clerk.

Uh oh...she doesn't know how to weight them.

After about 5 minutes of trying, she enters one banana at a time at $.03 each. Nine entries of $.03 for each of the 9 bananas.

Boy, was it a bad idea to go to town today.

I then head over to HSBC bank. This bank is so bad there is an exodus of customers leaving the bank over the last 3 months.

I needed to get a copy of account activity for 2008 and 2009. This will demonstrate why HSBC is hated.

They bought Banistmo, the bank we originally used before it was converted to HSBC on May 1, 2009.

She got the statement for 2008 and 2009 up until April 30, 2009 when it was Banistmo. No problem! A few strokes at the computer and it was done. Lickity split. Pronto. Boom!

But not for HSBC.

She has to request the statement from Panama City. If the request is honored, I will have the statement in a couple of days...translate...a few weeks.

And that is the way it is with HSBC. They are absolutely terrible. Any other bank can get the most recent information with ease but not HSBC. They can't get ANY information with ease.

I was happy to get what I got...in the Land of You Don't Get What You Want.