INFORMATION GATHERING IN PANAMA

Boquete Baru - Lunch and dinner favorite!

EATING AND NETWORKING 

Turns out that eating and networking in Panama are one in the same.  As we eat our way through all the local Boquete restaurants, bar and grills, buffets, bakeries and ice cream shops we find new acquaintances with a brains-trust of know-how on all things Panamanian.  One caveat - we have found that conversations prior to Happy Hour yield better advice!

Thanks to these mealtime meetings, we have:

Boquete Square just out front of Central Park.

Central Park - go there for breakfast.  Good coffee and hojaldres - fried dough!

• secured for ourselves a lovely rental condo and are working on a "pet-friendly" home for our return in January with our two pups, Sammy and Polly
• got the skinny on where to buy the best meats, fish and vegetables
• joined Price Smart (Panama Costco and worth it!)
• gotten some direction on things we can do to earn some money here - some interesting developments
• found out that there are MANY micro-climates here - so when looking for land/homes be sure to visit them several times.  Temperature, wind and rain can vary substantially within just a few miles.
• come to know where you can "potentially" receive your license plate from Panama City which you've been waiting for for quite a while, but still have not received!!! (see earlier blog on buying a car in Panama) - more on that later.....
• discovered that Boquete is just like any "small town".  Everyone knows everyone, so be careful what you say (or write on your blog)!! Make sure it's true and meant kindly.
• enjoyed laughing with locals while we try to communicate together.  Laughter can transcend geography, age and culture - who doesn't like to have fun!!!  You have to be willing to humble yourself and be silly sometimes.
• discovered that there are still many people who are generous of spirit, kindhearted and give of their time, talents and energy for nothing more than a sincere thank you.
• worshiped with the family of God in several Boquete congregations.  Thankfully, the family is here as well and we have received a warm welcome everywhere.

This is Finca "I can't remember the name!" LOL

$125/NIGHT IN HIGH SEASON!

WHAT WE DO BETWEEN MEALS!

We spend part of everyday driving a new road through the mountainside.  Searching for rental homes, investment opportunities, etc.  Yesterday, we found Boquete Plantation which was gorgeous and this sweet boutique hotel was just next door.  The owners of the property, which is still a working coffee finca (farm) are originally from Norway and the architecture reflects that.  Each lovely unit includes a small front porch with your own wood-burning fireplace.  Only about 10 minutes from downtown Boquete.  The final two pictures are reflective of what we see all around us here - farmland and livestock.  The condo we're living in right now is right on the main drag heading into Boquete, but still very rural.  I was up early this morning reading my bible - the sun was just starting to rise, but I had a hard time concentrating with all the racket!  The dogs were barking, the roosters were crowing and the cows were mooing!!!  Pretty funny.....

This area produces most of the vegetables for the whole country!

"Norman" - just off my deck!

ITS A KIDS LIFE IN PANAMA

BEING A KID IN PANAMA IS LIKE THE U.S. IN THE 1950'S

Most all the animals have the run of the place!

When we were raising our kids in the 1980's and 90's, the world became a scary place for kids AND their parents.  We spent hours training our kids not to speak to strangers.  Playing outside with friends was all but replaced with organized sports and arranged playdates.  You didn't walk home from school, or play in the woods unless you were within view.  The freedom that we enjoyed as kids in the 50's and 60's is alive and well in Panama.  A friend of mine sent me a longer list of things we COULD DO when we were kids.  Here's just an excerpt.

"We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps

And then ride them down the hill, only to find out

we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes

a few times, we learned to solve the problem."

You know, crashing into the pushes CAN be instructive. I would have to confess to possibly being a bit too protective of my kids.  Some lessons are best learned through experience and if we wrap them in cotton wool, well, it maybe is stealing some vital experiences they need to grow, learn and create!!

As kids we slurped out of water hoses, played with mercury, rode helmet-less on our bikes, etc.  Sure, there's lots to be said for some of the advancements over the years, but something - freedom- and some of the joy and wonder of childhood has been lost.

Here in Boquete, the kids have the freedom our kids lack these days.  They are playing ball in the streets, walking to the store with their little sister in tow to get bread for dinner, stopping to chat with older neighbors and playing, playing, playing OUTSIDE.  No video games in sight.

Without getting too heavy here, it has just struck me that this is still a community.  Folks looks out for each other, know each other, watch each others kids, cows and chickens and stop what they're doing to chat.  It's a breath of fresh air......

MAP VIEW OF 6 ISLAS OF BOCAS DEL TORO

Buenos!

I don't see Almirante, the port where you pick up the water taxi out to the islands, on this map, but I think it's on the finger of the mainland that sticks out toward Boca Torito.  Almirante is on the mainland and is a major shipping port for Chicquita.

CORAL CAY: ISLA BASTIMENTOS

On our next trip to Bocas del Toro, want to visit Red Frog Beach (again) and also the Restaurant at Coral Cay on the other end of this island.  Apparently the restaurant is a series of thatched huts with great, simple seafood-based Panamanian food.  The huts hover over beautiful coral reefs and sea life is visible from your table.  Don't arrive hungry as it apparently takes several hours for your order to arrive and this island is CASH ONLY.

WE STAYED IN BOCAS TOWN ON ISLA COLON.

Also, read on Frommers that the beaches on Zapatillas Cays are breath taking.  Long, white sand and clear, aquamarine colored water.  Nothing really there, so bring your own drinks, snacks, etc.

Back in Boquete today and will start looking for a rental home in earnest.  Found a fabulous hostel, as nice as a hotel really, for $33/night.  Still deciding whether I'm going to give out the name -  maybe better to keep it my little secret.  BEAUTIFUL grounds right on the river, full kitchen, lovely bathroom and deck right near the gurgling river.  Sweet.

VERSE FOR THE DAY!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

PROVERBS 3:5-6

BOCAS TOWN:  WHERE TO STAY?

Hotel Olas is on Isla Colon in Bocas Town in the Province of Bocas del Toro. This is one of six islands which make up the  archipelago of Bocas.  Bocas Town is probably the most developed, but still has a slow-paced caribbean feel and lovely traditional architecture.  According to a local historian we had the pleasure of meeting today, Bocas del Torro was the first province established in Panama.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive through the mountains from Boquete - road was very windy, but mostly new and interesting scenery the entire way.  Suggest starting early in the day, stop midway for late breakfast or lunch.    Almirante is where you will park your car and pick up the water taxi to Isla Colon.  You will NOT want to stay in Almirante!!  Enjoyed this little hotel.  Think there are other choices for about the same rate.  This was recommended to us, so tried it this trip.  Although they claim to include breakfast, it is really coffee, juice and a very small muffin.  If your appetite is larger, you'll want to eat breakfast out.  AC and kinda hot water in the shower.                                                             

Deck right on the water, nice! 

FOOD AND MUSIC

Last night we had dinner at Raw Sushi, which more than lived up to its rating on Trip Advisor.  It was a splurge on the budget (almost $40 for lots of sushi, wine and cerveza) but well worth it.  Had a table on the pier, which was very romantic, BUT made it difficult to see your food!! Bocas Bambu was a great choice for pasta and tasty, inexpensive fish.  Happy hour crowd there was very HAPPY  - kinda loud, but fun!  This is where the younger crowd comes to play and accordingly, you can find almost any adventure you can think of here.  Have not found anything worth writing about for breakfast.  

Having morning coffee which is great here in Panama.

Ocean / Mountains / Ocean

Beach Time:  October is the start of the two rainiest months of rainy season here.  Here in Boquete, the clouds descend very close to the ground, dump their load and then retreat again.  Very dramatic looking.  One of the many benefits of locating in Boquete (about 4,000 feet) would be that we could live in Springtime-like climate and travel to the beach when we want some hot weather and beach time.  The beach to the Pacific side is about 1 hour 15 minutes.  We traveled to a lovely beach there yesterday, Las Olas.  Great waves - toured a lovely resort there.  For $10 per person/day, you can use all their facilities and their lovely beach.  Restaurants, pool, gym, changing room and groomed beach - lovely. 

Clouds hanging over Boquete

Bocas Del Torros:
Plan to head to Bocas Del Torro tomorrow which is the opposite coast on the Caribbean side.  From conversations with locals, it will take us about 2.5 hours.  Have heard it's not as developed over there, but beautiful.  If the beaches and water are anything like we've seen in Belize, Cancun, etc. that should be pretty nice.  Sounds like the younger set particularly likes it there.  Lots of activities, so we'll check it out.
More Information from Locals:
Found a great little cafe near the park downtown frequented by locals and lots of expats, so we've gone the past two mornings to gather info on the area.  Talked to a man from Houston yesterday who told us about a huge Sunday morning, English-speaking service, Southern Baptist style, so we'll have to check it out when we come back.  Very impressed that the gringos have organized all kinds of community-service projects to benefit the needy in the area, especially some of the Indian population, many of whom are not well educated and are subsistence farmers - living from hand to mouth and no more. Everyone and I mean everyone we've met has just raved about the place and said they would never leave.

Restaurants:  many to choose from with lots of Comida Tipico (rice and beans mainly) but if you're in the mood for pizza, fish tacos, fine dining, it's all here too.  Much, much less expensive.
Real Estate and Rental Homes:
We went back to Valle Escondido, one of the nicer housing developments, but not for us, I don't think.  Don't mean to be unkind, but really did not get a very good feeling,  Even our guide mentioned that there were a lot of malcontents there.  Not celebrating this new and interesting culture, but trying to make a little America here and feeling frustrated.  Not for us.

Clubhouse at Valle Escondido

As a wise friend mentioned recently, " no place is perfect, trust me!"  Well, Valle Escondido looks perfect, but I did not get a good "vibe" as they say.  Felt dark and not very cheerful.  The folks who love it here are adventurous, appreciate the differences and love life!!

If we decided to take a short term (3-month) rental here, we'll look around some more.  I don't think we want to be surrounded by just gringos.

Back to Business:  Fortunately, doing business from Panama is easy with Skype, Magic Jack, E-mail and Bank bill Pay.  Today, we're spending some time taking care of business and I will be doing some research on the different Visa Options here - want to have the option to start a business and/or work for someone already established if we want to as well.  With all the great internet options, you can deal with someone in the states just as if you were next door!

Watched the whole debate last night, will catch the Thursday night NFL game tonight and with my trusty Kindle, the world is my oyster, stacked with an endless library.  Currently reading a great book by Marilyn Meberg, who was one of the speakers at this year's Women of Faith Weekend, entitled Choosing The Amusing - highly recommend for insight and a lot of laughs.  Have a great day!

I like BIG BOWS and I cannot lie!

I like BIG BOWS too.  I just need a larger head!

Playing with Drop Box so thought I'd share some photos we took recently in Grand Lake.  Two BEAUTIFUL baby girls and our grown children.  Such a fun weekend.
Photo at top is Stephen, Tahnee and baby Samantha - 8 months old.  To the left is Sarah and Hannah (2 weeks old).  Had a great photo which included Dad, Chris, but currently it is lost in cyberspace somewhere.

 

Been in Colorado too long?

Mi Familia

I like BIG BOWS and I cannot lie!

I like BIG BOWS too.  I just need a larger head!

Playing with Drop Box so thought I'd share a photo we took recently in Grand Lake.  Two BEAUTIFUL baby girls and our grown children.  Such a fun weekend.
Photo at top is Stephen, Tahnee and baby Samantha - 8 months old.  To the left is Sarah and Hannah (2 weeks old).  Had a great photo which included Dad, Chris, but currently it is lost in cyberspace somewhere!

 

Been in Colorado too long?

Church Service in Boquette

Quick note that you are never alone when you are part of God's family.  Went to English-speaking church service last night at a small mission church here.  Maybe about 10 gringos in attendance along with as many local indian folks - I'll have to look up the spelling of the name of the tribe, but prounced Noblee.  The folks who were doing the music had lived in Littleton, CO and their kids had attended - you guessed it - Foothills Bible Church.  They love Paster Bill.  I know this is old, but it is such a small world.

Although our service was about 20 in total, the morning service (in Spanish) must have been packed.  This mission has 3 or 4 school buses that go out on Sunday morning and collect the young people (and their families) I guess for morning worship service.  Saw them in town and they were packed!  According to the pastor, they had 300 folks at the morning service.  Praise God!!  Love it!