Christmas Travels

This year we spent Christmas in the United States. We visited family in Oregon and Arizona. It was a quick 10 day trip, but it was one of the most memorable/special Christmases that we've had in a while.

Our trip to Oregon was cold. Luckily, it was only in the 30s and 40s and not in the teens like it had been the week prior to us visiting and the days following our visit. Robert and I had to find any warm clothes that we brought down during our move. You don't need jackets, hats, and scarves in 85 degree weather. We made it work though, and most of our plans involved staying inside anyway, which helped.

The first thing we did after landing in Oregon was going to Claim Jumper. It has always been one of my favorite places to eat. Good food, HUGE portions (even by US standards), reasonable prices, and over all a nice atmosphere. Is it just us, or are there places that you have to eat at when going back to where you grew up?

A tradition at PDX

The next day Robert and my dad attempted to go golfing, although that was short lived due to the frost on the course. Meanwhile, my mom and I got our hair done. I crossed off a bucket list item by chopping off over 8 inches of hair and donating it. My cause was for free wigs for women with cancer. 

Robert found out the hair salon was close to an Arby's. He requested it for lunch. He had a cheddar roast beef sandwich while I snacked on Jalapeño poppers with bronco sauce. Lunch was not healthy, but awesomely indulgent. 

The next day we were off to Roseburg. We saw one of my best friends and also got pie from Kruse Farms. If you are ever in the area, I recommend stopping by for pie. You won't regret it. 

We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve with my brother at my parents' house. Gifts from Oregon included suitcase/carry on friendly items including gift cards, books, and clothes. Our Christmas day was very uneventful, but still very nice and relaxing. 

Our second Christmas was spent in Arizona. We landed and requested In N Out for lunch. Robert got his cheese burger and fries while I tried out a grilled cheese and got my fries and shake I used to get prior to being a vegetarian. A grilled cheese has all the fixings of a cheese burger, minus the patty. It is nothing but pure happiness. Yum!

We got to Robert's parent's house, wrapped our presents that we shipped to their house and had our second Christmas. Robert's sister had a son a few days before we arrived. I have the special privilege of being asked to be his god mother! Robert is his older sister's god father. The trip to Arizona was quick and we left 2.5 days later. 

In addition to In N Out, our other big indulgence was going to get Mexican food in Chandler. Si Señor has the best New Mexican style food I've tried outside of New Mexico. It is also our favorite Mexican restaurant. Everything there is super tasty, but their chili relleños are the best. We get the spicy option which topped with spicy Hatch Chilies. Jealous yet? You should be.

A red-eye flight home and we are back just in time for New Years in Panama. We picked the dogs up from the dog kennel and took a much needed nap. It was fantastic to sleep on our own bed next to the dogs. They were missed. 

Our plans for tonight are pretty relaxed. We are going to the roof of our building to watch the fireworks. People go crazy with them, and some are rumored to spend $15-20 thousand just for tonight. It should be a great show with no traveling. 

Have a safe and happy New Year. May 2017 bring health, happiness, knowledge, and peace. 

New Outings

*I thought I posted this earlier in December (around 10 December). Ooops! Here is the version I was going to post. Enjoy! *


Things from Otto now seem like a distant, hazy memory. Winter (aka dry season) is slowly settling in and the rain is becoming a weekly occurrence rather than a daily occurrence. This week three things happened: We went to The City to see a play, we tried a new fruit, and I got a job.

Last week we saw a play in Panama City. The  play, "Stopping Christmas," is about a psychiatrist's attempt to stop Christmas. His goal is to write a book about how Christmas is so commercialized and the fact that it seems to come earlier each year, encouraging people to stop Christmas all together.

Carolers during intermission  

The first half of the play was decent, but neither Robert or I felt we would recommend the play. Despite this, we still enjoyed having an excuse to get out for the house. After dinner we went to a sushi restaurant and had a nice dinner.  

Have you ever heard of a tomate de arbol, (a tree tomato), or a tarmarillo?   Neither had I until my Spanish teacher talked about some of his favorite fruits. Tarmarillos are called tomate de arbol in Latin America s due to the fact that they grow on a shrub and resemble a roma tomato. In most English speaking regions they are called tarmarillos.

Photo taken by Leonardo E

Not being one to shy down from trying new foods, especially fruits, I was eager to try this one. I read online that the flavor is often compared to a tomato, a kiwi, a passion fruit, or a guava. How can something be compared to fruits that seem so different?

Not being a fan of tomatoes, I was really apprehensive to try it. In general, I do not eat tomatoes unless they are sun dried or in salsa; the texture and taste of a tomato are very unappealing. Trying the fruit did not help my perception that cutting one open some what resembles a tomato.

Robert and I tried the tomate de arbol. He immediately put it down and said the fruit was not for him. According to him, all he tasted was a more acidic version of a tomato.

I am still not sure what to think of this fruit. While I see how the texture can resemble a tomato based off the wateryness (is that a word?), I felt like the taste was a mix between a passion fruit and a kiwi. The fruit is sour and acidic like a passion fruit, or a sour lemon, and the sweetness of a kiwi. I didn't like it, but I didn't dislike it.

I also got a job working a few hours a week doing social media marketing for a local company here. I will be writing blogs and posting ongoing news about the company on various social media outlets. While it does not take up many hours of the week, it is exciting in the fact that I get to write more.

December may be a little slow for blog writing due to the holidays. As most people know, the holidays are a busy time of year. I will try to do at least one more post over the next two weeks before it gets too crazy.