More of First Two Weeks: early Thanksgiving

We dropped by our local bar/restaurant La Ruina. Frank had made an attempt at setting up a market across the street. It rained his first attempt, and he was somewhat discouraged. I have been trying to get him to get a board of advisors to help him find the keys to creating a consistent clientelle. Like most business owners he is looking for the single magic bullet.

Our caretaker Dimas was up in the Mango tree in our parking making a preemptive cut of the brances before the branches and leaves fall on the lot and the cars. No ropes. Just a machete.

Our friends Rob and Donna had purchased some tickets for us to attend the American Society Thanksgiving dinner in PC. Rob and Donna live above the newly completed major street in downtown PC. They are waiting for their condo to be completed so they can move in. It is a year late now!

At the dinner we met several new couples, including another Donna and her partner David, on the left. Jayne, Donna and Rob are on the right. The food was good Thanksgiving fair. We had a very nice evening.

Our Altos lot has some new flowers since last Spring.

First Two Weeks in Paradise

Two weeks ago yesterday we flew into Panama. For a place that lives on Manana time, we have had a very hectic and enjoyable two weeks.

Our mechanc, Alvara, had dropped us at the airport last May and kept our car in our absence. When he dropped us off, the fuel pump had failed just as we arrived a the airport. Before picking us up he repaired that and replaced the worn tie rods. He charged us $.50 per day for storage, which he had not told us about. The total bill was just under $500, which we were glad to pay. We dropped him off at one of our favorite restaurants, Nikkos. We had a quick meal and headed for Gorgona.

In our absence Panama has elected a new president: Maratinelli. He is quite rich and says "you may catch me with my foot in my mouth, but not with my hand in the till." We are looking for changes. We noticed better roads, with reflectes, more traffic cops, missing toll booths.

In our first few days we began our routine of a morning swim and late brunch, paid our manager, put money in the bank, paid our plant lady in Altos, visited our Altos lot....Our Costa Grande casita was rented severa times in our absence. We made some money before paying the mortgage. Our lot in Altos looked good. The plantings of Vetive and Mani kept the hillsides from eroding.

Our first lunch was at Don Chachos. We had the usual: pollo entero, vegetales, and two frosties. After jubilado discount and tip, about $17.

We always meet interesting people who rent the other casitas in our complex. Here are Mike and Angie from DC. We had some good talks, and took them to Don Chacho's!