Altos del Maria Visit

Moti talked us into going up to Altos on Friday, but when it came time to leave, his plumber arrived and he couldn't go. We went alone and made some calls as we drove up the hill to see who was home that we could visit.

One stop which didn't need an appointment was Moti's bunker which he built in the side of a hill. It is about 50 meters and he says it cost about $20000. We me the builder.

We have been thinking that we could build a very simple house on our lot in Altos. This would give us a cool place to go to on party weekends when many Panamanians crank up the music.

We stopped in to see our architect Cesar. This is his house in Altos. We love his use of colors, shapes, and textures.

Cesar suggest we consider a small 25 meter house that is a small version of our original design, instead of the bunker. Having the bunker double as a parking space would require a retaining wall which is costly. His plan would have an open air living area, a small 4m x 4m bedroom, and a pass through kitchen. If it has some storage, it could work.

We visited with Audrey and Jose who own the house next to our lot. We looked at our lot. The area around the bolders could be a swimming pool. The house wold go just to the left. Our original plan was for a much larger one bedroom house much lower on the lot for a better view, but with nothing selling in the states, we just can't part with the cash.

After visiting our lot, we visited our new friends Richard and Bella. They just moved into a lovely home, higher up in the valley than our lot. They are just getting moved in. We met them at Twisters and helped them find the fish coop. They are from Iowa and have just moved down to Altos after visiting Panama and othe Latin American countries several times. Both have an interest in photography. Bella was a commercial photographer and Richard taught creative photography at the high school level. They are great fun and make a good Black Russion. The view from their house at sunset is spectacular.

TV Installation

Today the connection of our TV to a dish network was completed.

Jayne and I had debated whether or not to get network access for some time. In the end she won, but I received some concessions. Among other things, we have agreed to not surf the web. We will only turn on pre-determined shows for a limited time.

The motivation included a desire to see the innaugural events and the Super Bowl when Stan and Camille are here.

We won't be tempted too greatly. The only news stations are CNN international, CNN Spanish, local and Fox (ugh!). Oh, and also BBC, which could be good.

Today's effort to conclude the installation took four workers about two hours. The installation effort had left off at 11:30 PM after a two our three hour effort.

Mason's Report, Jayne's Gardening, John's Swimming

This is our grandson Mason delivering his report on Panama. His Mother Sarah says he was quite the performer. Mason is pointing at a picture of himself and his brother Maverick with our caretaker Dimas, after Dimas had prepared a coconut for each grandchild to drink.

Other pictures in his presentation include, from bottom left, a fruit stand, Mason and Maverick with a large insect at the Altos waterfall, a beach shot, the coconut picture, Mason in a sombrero at Cholos, Mason with Ty's insect collection, and a picture of our casita.

Notice the use of the microphone and the rapt attention the report is given. This kid could be president someday!

Jayne has been buying and planting numerous plants around our casita. Below is a picture of the flowers surrounding our short front walkway. Durinjg the day there are beautiful, delicate, purple flowers. They all fall off in the evening, and reappear the next morning.



We have had a small palm in front of the front bedroom, but it will never grow tall enought to shade the window. So, we have planted a larger palm which has the potential to grow tall enough. The small palm in front of the taller one has been transplanted to a neighbor's yard. The remaining tall palm will be surrounded by flowers.



Sarah gave me a gift of an emergency life vest to use while I swim. I did not use it immediately, as I have no real fear of what could happen to me in the Ocean. To make her and others in my family feel better about what could happen to me on my hour plus swims each morning, I have begun wearing it. The yellow vest folds into a small camaflage colored packet, which is on a belt around my waist. It is inflated by activating a gas cartridge. Hopefully, I will never need it.

Wednesday Evening, January 14, 2009

The new $189 million road project involves filling in the bay from just off the existing road. There will be six lanes in each direction. Balboa avenue is always packed. The statue one the left was on a point extending into the bay. It will be moved.

The odd shaped pieces are made in a plant on the construction site (see below) and dumped on the water edge of the landfill, down to the earth, for stability. The odd shapes stick together.


This is the view of the plant that makes the pieces above. They also mix the concrete, using the large bags of material in front of the plant.

To see a video of the project go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7z6cK_q5b8

The video is less than three minutes long and gives some idea of the size of Panama City. We get a real kick out of how orderly and courteous the driving is. To survive driving in Panama or PC one has to be very aggressive.

Rob and Donna sent us the video.



The photos above were taken from the balcony of our new Christmas day arrival friends Rob and Donna.

We had a very nice lunch at their apartment yesterday, followed by a shopping trip to Riba Smith's Supermercado, where one can find all the items one cannot find even at the better grocery stores. We were looking for molasses and some gluten free items and were successful.

We had gone into PC for a dental appointment for me. I had my teeth cleaned. Getting there was an adventure, as driving in PC often can be. A demonstration relating to Social Security benefits had caused our main street to be closed. We had forgotten our map, so we were guessing which one way street to take when.

While I was in the dental office, the senior dentist, Dr. Eisenmann volunteered some help regarding my search for a water polo team. What he found for me was the coach of the national Panama team. We drove out to the pool. I volunteered my help. I don't know what level the players are, so they may be far beyond my skills. They have won the South American Championship. We will see. I will do what I can as time permits. It is quite a drive from Gorgona to the pool which is near the airport. I would also hope to participate in some scrimmages.

Today we slept in late, 9:00, exhausted by the driving yesterday in PC. We had our swim, or course, and had a breakfast of Salmon, purchased yesterday at Riba Smiths'. We spent the day, and then went to dinner at Chollos, a Mexican restaurant near San Carlos, where we had some fine dinners with our family over the holidays.

Gorgona to Coronado and Malibu

Back road from Gorgona to Coronado




View of Coronado from Gorgona land


2000 meter lot at Malibu

Jayne examining Malibu lot. See the Ocean?

Today we took our 4 wheel drive Pathfinder on some lesser used roads.

After exploring in the Malibu area, including driving back to where the Chame river turns back toward Gorgona before entering the ocean, we headed to the off road from Gorgona. We discovered a road through a large tract of open land and some teak farms. There were some cattle grazing. The road had not been driven recently, and I would not want to drive it in the rainy season. It forked numerous times. Our choices took us to the back road at Coronado, near the beach club and the home of our friend Jeanette, who's party we attended at Christmas.

If anything we own in the states, or here, sells, I would love to buy some of that land.

PC Outing for Our New Car

Our new 2001 Nissan Pathfinder at Costa Grande.
Note the window sticker: Fla. Intl. University

Yesterday we went into PC to purchase a car. We boughNew t a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, with about 60K miles for $7200 from a private party. Alex spoke perfect English, as a result of his having been in the US for a good part of his life. He was in the army, went to Viet Nam, and later had a job as Children's PE instructor with the US department of defense.

The car has a Florida International University sticker on the back window. The seller's son attended there, as do many Panamanians. I am hoping that this sticker will decrease the number of stops by traffic police.

We spent the day standing in several lines to facilitate the transfer: a line for him to relinquish title, a line to make copies of my passport and his drivers license, a line at his bank to deposit the money, a line to create paperwork for me on the car, only to be told we had to first deposit $20 at a nearby bank, where we stood in line for an hour to deposit $20, and then stood in line to get to the person who would issue the title in my name. She was in a big hurry and had to redo my address and phone number on a second title.

We had planned on spending only a few hours with the help of an employee at a car dealership, but we would have had to return to PC on another day to pick up the paperwork. Both sides of the transaction wanted complete the deal yesterday. We wanted, among other things, to return our overpriced rental car.

By the time we finished up we were too tired to meet Rob and Donna for dinner. Instead we did a little shopping at Los Pueblos after taking in a movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still. It was worth the $3.50 we paid for the two of us. We splurged and got a large popcorn and two large sodas for $6.

My shopping find was some excellent thongs (flip flops!) for $1.99. They fit and did not rub the sides of my feet. I left them in my usual place this morning while I swam. When I returned they were gone! No repacement shoes, either, like the last thief who stole my shoes!

The car drove well on the way home. The potholes seem smaller. Our gas mileage will drop to about 15 mpg, but we can go more places off the main highway.

The Kids have gone home!!

Boogie Boarding at Gorgona!

Lilly listening to the Ocean.

Pre-New Year's Eve Brunch

Mavie, Mason and Ty playing a computer game.

Mason in Pike Position!

Mavie flipping with help by Paul.



The kids have gone back to Seattle now, and we are sad. We had a great time while they were here. The cousins really enjoyed each other's company. Mostly we spent time on the beach the pool and preparing and eating family meals. Computer games and movie are also a big item with the kids.

We talked to them on skype today, which makes things easier.