A Break from the Blog

Do you ever get to a point where you just need a break from a particular thing? I love technology and I enjoy writing and like staying in touch with family and friends on Facebook. Sometimes though, it can all be a bit much. It was time for a break and so this is a recap since the last post.

We had our first Panamanian bon fire on the beach. We visited some friends and enjoyed playing games, roasting hot dogs and releasing sky lanterns. It was my first and last time trying vegetarian hot dogs (the taste and texture reminded me too much of how I remember the real ones tasting). It was our friends' first time releasing lanterns. It was a great night.

I've recently been on a kick where I make food from scratch. This includes making brownies, green enchilada sauce, and tortillas-all for the first time.

We have also began to paddle board more often. A restaurant we frequent had a "paddle and brunch" event that we decided to do. We paddled for what I am guessing is just over 1/2 mile (0.8km) each way to the restaurant and ate breakfast and paddled back. 

Last but not least, we have began to take Spanish classes. This will be our third week of Spanish class and we have recently started trying to regularly read books in Spanish. Learning is not easy and I often share the same frustrations our English learning students share. In spite of all of it, we are lucky to have the ability to learn and to live in Panama. 

Life in Panama is busy and will continue to get busier in the upcoming weeks. Carnival is just around the corner which means a week of people visiting the area. Our one year anniversary in Panama will be next week, and it is a great reminder of all the changes that have occurred within the last year.

This Year's First Post

This year I did something I haven't done in years: stay awake until midnight on new years. Honestly, come 10:00 on New Years Eve I am usually tired of fighting with myself and figure I will wake up from the fireworks and then go back to my peaceful slumber. Not this year!

We have heard that the celebration in Panama is unlike anything else. We were debating on where to celebrate the new year: either on the roof of a 30+ story condo building or at our beach. We opted to walk to our beach as midnight approached. One of our neighbors explained that a person in a nearby area spends approximately $10,000 each year on fireworks. This was one show we did not want to miss!

When we went to the beach there were only two other people on the beach and by midnight a total of nine people were present to watch the fireworks. It was nothing less than spectacular.  Fireworks could be seen for miles along the coastline.

The sky was also filled with plenty of lanterns. Traditionally, when people light them they send a wish with them also. We saw many of these flying up into the sky. This group appeared to have several they were lighting.

The new year was spectacular and beautiful. The dogs were not fond of the fireworks but they seemed to manage okay, thank goodness! A It's hard to believe that it is already the year 2016. No doubt this year will be a good one, just as 2015 was. Happy 2016. May it be a safe and prosperous year for you!