Sand fighting

Day 211 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

No matter where you live boys will be boys. These two kids come to the beach with a soccer ball, kick it around for a half hour or so, then decide to roll around in the sand and cover each other with it.

Ahhhhhhhh to be young again. I hate having sand all up in my shorts now, yes I am aging.

Public Holidays in Panama

Day 210 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

We are in the midst of another 3 day weekend here in Panama. Since Tuesday is May 1st (or May Day) it is considered Labor Day here in Panama and is a National Holiday, but since it falls on a Tuesday the government moves it to Monday so everyone can enjoy a 3 day weekend - how nice. Banks and Government Offices will be closed Monday.

• January 1, New Year's Day
• January 9, Martyrs' Day (Panama)≠
• Carnival's Monday. The Monday before Ash Wednesday.
• Carnival's Tuesday. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
• Holy Friday - Good Friday - Death of Christ
• May 1, May Day - Labour Day
• November 3. Separation Day (from Colombia).
• November 4. Flag Day
• November 5. Colon Day
• November 10. "Primer Grito de Independencia de la Villa de los Santos" The uprising in the Villa de los Santos against Spain.
• November 28. Independence Day (from Spain).
• December 8. Mothers' Day.
• December 25. Christmas.

Happy Birthday to the Panama Woman

Day 209 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

My better half celebrated her birthday yesterday, her first in Panama.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER!!

As a celebration I had something very native for her for lunch. We always see this poor old guy walking around from work site to work site with breakfast and then lunch for all the workers in the area. I am not sure where this guy comes from or how far he walks, but it cannot be close. Our guess is Gorgona and he cuts through to Coronado.  Soooooo on Thursday I placed a lunch order for 2 with him (I think), for us to celebrate and eat a local meal on wheels at noon on Friday.

Well, we come around the corner and there is our guy, with 2 lunches on the side for us (Rice, Chicken, and Yuca) - total cost $8.00 and away we go. I was pleasantly surprised as my Spanish is not exactly great.

Besides the delicious lunch we had from our meal on wheel guy, we also had a nice homemade cappachino, courtesy of my wife with her new cappachino maker.

Mango Update

Day 208 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

The below was sent in from my blog of a few days ago. One of our followers was nice enough to pull this article from 2008 to share with all of you that may fall into my trap of Mango poisoning.

By the way, I am getting back to normal.

Written by Playacommunity.com

Wednesday, 04 June 2008 05:54

We are in the full of mango season! The trees are filled with tons of delicious, sweet mangos falling to the ground in the dozens. Did you know that mangos can cause a skin allergy if they are not properly washed? A number of people have already experienced this. The following is an article by Zenaida Serrano, that was published in the Honolulu Advertiser . It explains how this happens:  File these under things that may give you a severe rash: Poison ivy, poison oak and ... hold up ... mango? Blame it on a chemical called urushiol, which is found in the oil of mango sap. "That chemical is also found in poison oak and poison ivy, so people who have a history of reaction to poison oak and poison ivy would also react to this," said Dr. James Sweet of the Asthma, Allergy and Sinus Center of Hawai'i. "They should be cautious about handling mango." While there are different types of reactions to mango, the most common is an itchy skin condition called allergic contact dermatitis, caused by an allergic reaction to material in contact with the skin, Sweet said. But the good news about this type of allergy is that the fruit itself is still safe to eat. It's the oil in the sap found outside the fruit that causes allergic contact dermatitis among certain people, he said. When those who are allergic come in contact with the sap — whether by touching a mango tree's leaves, bark or stems, or the skin of the fruit — it may result in itching, redness, blisters and/or hives. However, reaction is not immediate, often happening 12 to 24 hours after contact, even up to 48 hours later. If left untreated, the condition can last one to three weeks before it resolves itself. The rash may be treated with an over-the-counter 1 percent cortisone cream, Sweet said. If the rash spreads or becomes intolerable, see a doctor who could prescribe a potent steriod cream or cortisone pills, such as prednisone. Sweet offers these tips to those who may be prone to mango allergies, specifically allergic contact dermatitis: Avoid contact with the sap of a mango tree. Don't climb the tree, pick its fruits or prune its branches. Parents may also want to    watch their children around mango trees and branches. To handle unpeeled mangoes, wear disposable plastic gloves. Better yet, have someone else clean and cut it for you. If you get sap on you, quickly wash it off using dish detergent. Anecdotally, Sweet said, Joy works best. While he isn't exactly sure why this works, he suspects dish detergent rids the allergy-causing oil in the sap better than regular soap and water. If you develop an allergic reaction to the sap, don't use benadryl cream, which can irritate the condition or make it worse. For an over-the-counter treatment, use cortisone cream.

What a gas

Day 207 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

We have been here now for 207 days and we finally ran out of gas in our tank. In the place we live, like most, we use a gas tank similar to what many folks use to attach a grill to.

Here's the kick. Our gas tank is 25 pounds and cost $4.85 to fill. If I remember correctly a 10-12 pound tank in the USA costs no less than $19.95.

I love this stuff. No wonder we can retire early, live in paradise, and not worry about our day to day expenses like we used to.

Come To Panama And Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Beware the poisonous Mango

Day 206 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

So we have been picking and eating Mangoes now for about 3 weeks. Mango trees are everywhere as it is their time to produce fruit. Well about 4 days ago I started to get a rash here and then there and then over here. It was not one big rash but one that would pop up on my hand, then my arm, etc.. etc..  Then 2 days ago I awoke and my eyes were swollen shut, low and behold I am allergic to the darn things.

The mucus fluid that spills out of them are in the poison sumac family and I have just discovered I am allergic so now I am battling this as I write - what fun. I guess that is what I get for trampling through the woods looking for food like a cave man :)))))

I will live of course and did go to the pharmacy to get some meds to kill the itch and reduce the swells, now it just needs to run its course and I need to stay away from Mangoes.

I can't wait for coconuts to grow again - good grief.

The Arco Seco effect

Day 205 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

Maybe, just maybe the Dry Arch (Arco Seco) we live in here in Coronado may start to see our daily rainfall as wet season has begun all around us.  We had a few days of rain over 2 weeks ago, but not much. then yesterday afternoon it came, and it came hard and loud. This morning we have not seen the sun yet as it approaches 9am.

Not complaining as we really need rain out this way and the sun has been pretty hot these past few weeks. The temp hasn't changed much but the sun has been searing.  The mountains and the city on the other hand have been getting their fair share of rain already, so maybe, just maybe, we will start to see greenery around here instead of dusty brown. Green is much prettier!!! Besides, we are tanned enough and could use some cloudy days on our walks.

Do you like movies?

Day 204 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

The first annual International Film Festival is coming to Panama's National Theatre. The festival runs from April 26th through May 2nd.

All films in English will have Spanish subtitles and likewise all Spanish films will have English subtitles.

As a festival goer you will be able to vote for your favorite flicks. You will also have the opportunity to walk the red carpet along side dignitaries, actors, and filmmakers.

What an exciting time for Panama. What are you waiting for Come To Panama And Turn Your Frown Upside Down.

Boyz and their Toyz

Day 203 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Up, up, and away. We were out and about today and decided to go to the hand control airplane show. OK not much of a show as it was basically this guy with this awesome plane. There were a few smaller planes and some helicopters, BUT this guy stole the show.

Word is the guy that owns this plane is in the top 100 world-wide of remote control plane guys.

Surf's Up, and lunch too.

Day 202 Saturday (Sabado) - El Palmar

A great little surfing village just a short ride west of Coronado called El Palmar also boasts a nice little hotel and restaurant. We spent our late afternoon at the Bay View Hotel/Restaurant with some friends enjoying a late Friday afternoon lunch.

If you've been to Bay View then you understand the location is just fantastic, if you have never been we recommend it here, to go at least once, enjoy the food, the views, the surfers.

If you are a surfer, this is one of the places to come in Panama, on the road in there is a surf school, and from my layman eyes saw that the surf seemed pretty good when we were there.

Check it out

 

Where am I?

Day 201 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

I always thought that this was one of, if not the best location views on the Pacific Beach area. I know I have posted it before but it never gets boring seeing what beauty God has created for us to enjoy. So I am sharing it now with you.

My O My, US government at its finest

Day 200 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

As an American citizen it never ceases to amaze me how our government continues down the path of revoking liberties right before our very eyes, and the issue doesn't even raise an eyebrow to MOST Americans because they never leave the states.

A friend of mine shared the below link with me so it was time to share, if you travel outside the US and have a passport this is very disturbing news that I am about to share. Not the part that the government is trying to get tax cheats, thats good, but it is what they are going to do if they THINK, not prosecute, just THINK you are a tax cheat.

read the article and formulate your own opinion on whether this is a further erosion of freedom and liberty, from where I sit why not just build a huge fence around the North American continent and keep us all inside as slaves. Good grief man.

http://www.infowars.com/irs-travel-ban-revoking-citizenship-by-stealth/

Happy reading

A not so typical Wednesday.

Day 199 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

Private piano classes today. I certainly do not play but our friend certainly had a great way to express herself on the keyboard. She was expressing herself playing on a Galaleo digital and it was awesome. She played as we all sat, listened, drank wine, and watched the tide roll in. Our friend Silvard was the host - visit Silvard at www.silvard.com.

After we went to an open house and continued our Wednesday afternoon wine drinking with plenty of snacks. Hey life is tough here in Panama but we are willing to rough it.

It was a Happy Anniversary

Day 198 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

So yesterday was our 29th anniversary. Time certainly has flown as we have made this long journey together and it is funny but we both feel more exciting things are ahead of us.

I have spent more than half my life with the Panama Woman and we still get along just fine, O sure we have our moments, but it always works its way out of our systems and we move on together.

We spent our day in Panama City conducting business at 3 banks and an insurance company, then we had lunch with friends at AZURE, a Mediterranean restaurant, IT WAS REAL GOOD. As a matter of fact we used our OFERTA Simple coupons (see other posts about Oferta Simple).  I know, not your typical anniversary, but hey when you are together that long you mix it up - constantly LOL.

Just when you thought the anniversary was over, my lovely wife sent Gerry D an email (Gerry D is a daily English radio broadcast here in Panama) and gave him a message that he read on the air and dedicated a song to us - how sweet, now I know why everyone calls her my better half.

Onward we go.

Interesting statistics

Day 197 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

We started blogging when we arrived here in Panama to initially keep track of what we were doing here. Then we said, let's put on some information that we have learned from others and make it somewhat informative. To our surprise we have been seeing a nice increase in views to the blog, even when we have nothing to say. It is a great mechanism to get information out to interested folks, plus we can still keep track of our daily life down here. Check out the info below, this blows me away when I see folks reading this stuff from all over the globe. Hopefully I will not feel the pressure from all the eyes upon us (yes there are even  Irish eyes watching also :)))))

United States

3,911

Panama

781

Russia

336

United Kingdom

163

Germany

126

Canada

78

Latvia

41

France

30

Ireland

26

Brazil

18

Japan

14

Costa Rica

12

What is missing from this picture

Day 196 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado



YOU

Come to Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Getting shelled by the sea

Day 195 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Corona

I bet the title got you here to read today's blog! No I am not talking about drinking. I am talking about walking the beach and rocks at low tide to find many living creatures of the sea.

There was a bunch of us that went out with a Marine Biologist yesterday in Playa Corona to explore and learn about sea life. It was a 2 1/2 hour adventure and learning experience.  For those of you that read this blog a lot, we walk the beach everyday and we have a nice collection of shells already, but now we will be overturning rocks and checking out some unique things we never thought possible, or better put, scared to do. LOL.

Our adventure in pictures

The Radio Show - featuring Silvard

Day 194 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

We once again were broadcasting live from the Coronado Beach & Golf Resort in Coronado. We had a number of guests and our largest in studio audience to date, it was a great time for all involved. Check out the archived broadcast at http://overseasradio.com/the-man-in-panama/

I also want to broadcast Silvards website and his music as he is a concert level Pianist. Check out a tasting of his work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ-RCfdWp9w. And of course he was playing for all of us live on the radio show so listen in, will ya!!!!

Also check out www.silvard.com