Travel Interruptus

As you go through life and the planning to enjoy it even more, you never know when unforeseen obstacles appear.

What would you do if you were ready to travel to your Eden, only to find out that the country was closed!

Now, this has not happened in Panama, but it has to millions of people traveling through Europe. There is a great lesson and parable in this story. If you were traveling and for whatever reason, were stranded, ask yourself these questions.

1) Are you happy and comfortable no matter where you are?

2) Do you care more about your safety than when you get back?

3) Did you take the extra time to explore and learn about where you were?

4) Did you kiss and hug your mate (if you have one) and smile?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are ready to live anywhere in the world! You are not tied to a place, you are tied to your life. The passion, fun and enjoyment just from being with the ones you love is the most treasured element of your life.

Millions of people were delayed in their travel plans this week. You will see a great difference in the response to the problem. Some will be so upset that schedules have been disrupted, meetings missed and potential opportunities lost. On the other hand, others will simply look at opportunities found, smile at the antics of the others, relax, enjoy and impishly revel in the fact that if they get to their destination in a day, week or month, they will still be happy.

Remember:  There is no such thing as a problem, just an opportunity to excel.  (to the best of my recollection, Mr. G 1979)

The next step

Ok, we just got back from Boquete on March 9th. That said, we have already booked our next trip down to our future home.


The next visit will find us spending the majority of our time up in Alto Boquete with just a day or two in Panama City. A visit with Maria at Frite-Arte will be enjoyed and a must.

It will be interesting to be in Panama over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Once, many years ago we spent that holiday in Caracas, Venezuela and learned more about the struggle in the US than any history class could have taught.

With this in mind, we are still amazed at the generosity and kindness that everyone has displayed to two gringos. Think about it, for almost 100 years, the US held a substantial part of Panama, Fourth of July Blvd, was for all intents a Berlin Wall, which separated the Panamanian people from the American people.

What a wonderful experience since 1999 when the canal was officially transferred to Panama.   Before that, the canal only gave a stipend to the people of Panama.  Finally the income from the Canal is going to country to help raise everyone to a new and higher standard of living..

Thank you to everyone who made this happen, special thanks to President Carter

The rules, they are always changing

The one thing everyone needs to understand about moving to Panama, is that things change.

Over the past few months visa requirements have changed and you need to be aware.

More to come as we get the inside info from our friends going through the process.

Watch this space!

Just another day on the beach

What do you see in this picture?

A beautiful waterscape?
A runway?
A bridge?
A launch pad?







To us, this picture encompasses everything.  You can envision the wave that will sweep you away, taking you to a place where new friends and new possibilities abound.

This picture is looking south over Long Island Sound.  The ships that were waiting in the fog earlier are gone, the fog horns have stopped for the day and the sailors are avidly awaiting entering their port of call.

Is this not what we all look for?

How we spent our Easter Weekend

Well, let me tell you there is a hidden and onerous piece of work that happens when you plan to leave the country. 

Projects that should have been done years ago become very important now.  Also, do you really know just how much stuff you have???

We have been working the last three days just cleaning up the garage!  I cannot imagine what the rest of the house will hold.  We have found tools, gadgets and just plain crap that have been stored for that perfect moment when it will be needed in the future.

Oh well, the future has come and it is now just another piece of trash or, if we are lucky, a sale for a few dollars.

It is a very refreshing feeling; do you really need all that stuff?  The great answer is no.  As I am typing Etta is telling me how much a minimalist she is.  She is right, I am the pack rat!   That said, you never know when  that 3/8" reverse drive, left handed wrench will come in handy!

We miss Boquete and the friends we have made

You really have to understand the culture that you live in

Just received an email from a good friend in Boquete.  Strange how things change when you relocate to a different country.  A small but important issue can arise during religious holidays in Panama!!!

A snippet of the email below, what would you do?

No liquor was sold from noon today (Thursday) until noon Saturday. The police were actually standing at the bar at Amigos and made the girls take our glasses at noon.

The moral of this story; Adapt, Adust and Overcome.  Or just plan ahead, a crisis could happen at any time.

PS: noon is late in Panama!!!!!!