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!

Our First Christmas in Panama and the Last Post of the Year!

There is something magical about the holiday season. Whether it be the crisp, cool air; the overload of sweet and fattening foods (who doesn't love cookies and fudge?); or the sense of giving and receiving. This year was magical in it's own way too. Not only did we spend our first Christmas in Panama, but Robert's sister and her family came and we got to celebrate with them.

At the beginning of the week our town had a Christmas parade. The festival had food vendors and small trinket toys. We were told the parade was going to start at 6pm, but in Panama fashion, it started over an hour late. Once it started different themed floats drove through town. Santa must have had a few helpers since there were three Santas at the parade! Although we did not stay long after, we were told they gave out over 100 bicycles as part of a free raffle. It was a fun way to kick off the week.

Before the parade started

A few days later Robert's sister, her husband, and their 16 month old daughter came down. I cannot recall a day we did not go down to the beach or did some sort activity. Robert's sister and her husband had a lot of firsts, including going paddle boarding in an ocean, surfing, going to a Spanish mass, and buying a fish from one of the local fishermen (which resulted in some firsts for us too). It was a busy five days, but it was also fun.

One of the fun things also was that we went surfing on Christmas. I remember growing up and thinking about how much fun it would be to have a family have a tradition like that. Now that we have done it once, I hope the it sticks! Christmas was also filled with fireworks. I personally did not hear too many of them, but I know our bigger dog was not very happy about them.

Next up is New Years. Writing this made me realize this will be my last post of 2015! New Years is supposedly huge here with fireworks, parties, and the like. Our plans are not completely set in stone yet. We are both looking forward to celebrating and are trying to figure out how to keep our dogs happy too (tranquilizers do not work for either of them...).

In the spirit of New Years, here are a few facts about our year, which may or may not be surprising....

Biggest accomplishment of the year:
R- Operating our own business and building some successful relationships.
N- Living in another country and learning about a new language and culture.

Any New Years resolutions?
N- I rarely make resolutions, but if I had to make one it would be to push myself harder to continue learning Spanish.
R- I also want to push myself to learn more Spanish this new year.

What are you looking forward to most next year?
R- Ghostbusters...
N-Seeing what new twists and turns life brings us. The year 2015 was a pretty exciting year as it was!

May the new year bring you and your family health, happiness, and peace!

Photo link

An Unexpected Travel Plan

Robert and I made an unexpected trip to Arizona. We booked our tickets last Monday and were on a plane Wednesday. This was my first trip back to the US in over 10 months and Robert's trip to the US in five months. Few people in Panama knew we were leaving for Arizona and only a handful of people knew we were in Arizona. Sorry if we did not get to see you this trip!

Common questions I got from the people I did see were what we missed. Robert missed considerate drivers. I missed leafy salads (in Panama a salad is more like a slaw), brussels sprouts, and fresh blue berries. It was also great to be able to see some of my friends who I consider family. I missed them the most.

One thing that was hard to imagine was how any place could be cold enough to require a warm jacket. Was Arizona always this cold in December?

The car recently had a new battery put in, hence the year

While we were in Arizona we stayed busy spending time with family, having an early Christmas with the family. We also went bowling and played lots of pool. We also had a chance to go to the Gilbert Food Truck Court in downtown Gilbert before they move their location. It was our first time there. Although it was cold outside, it was a very fun experience. 

After a week in Arizona, we were ready to go home. Both of us missed our dogs and begin close to the ocean among other things we have grown to love about Panama. Our trip back to Arizona was nice but there is nothing better than coming back home.

A Year Ago this Week...

...marked a huge milestone for Robert and me. This time last year we were in Panama working on the process to make our move permanent. It is hard to believe that a year has gone by already. A country that once seemed foreign seems a little less that way each day.

Here are a few flashback pictures from our trip last year:

The first time we saw the house we are renting.
Now it feels just like home.

Going over the Canal used to be so exciting.
Now it is just a way to get to and from the City.

It's hard to believe that about six weeks later we sold most of our stuff including our vehicles and moved to Panama. People often ask whether we would ever move back. Never say never, but at this time in our lives, Panama is home.

Craft Fair for the Holidays

Holiday season is officially here, both in the stores and in my mind. Stores are decorated with Christmas decor, and Christmas tree vendors are plentiful. English class was cancelled so the non-profit could host a holiday arts and crafts fair, and Santa was going to make an appearance!

While Robert and I briefly saw Santa, one of the main reasons we went was to visit with some of our friends who were vendors at the fair. I personally did not expect to buy anything since most of our Christmas shopping is done (thank you Amazon). I admit, I was a bit delusional.

Like any craft fair, you are sure to find plenty of original and unique work. While this was not the biggest fair we've been to, this one had a variety of things to buy. It was great to see people's work and hear their pride in their hobby/idea they are trying to launch. While you can get that at any fair, this was a bit smaller and felt personalized; it also probably did not help with the fact that we know some of the vendors.

Although we did not try it, somebody said that you could buy chorizo (which is more of a sausage rather than the Mexican chorizo many North Americans may be familiar with) and potato salad for $2. Talk about a bargain! It was a fun way to spend the afternoon. It also helped with the reality that Christmas is just around the corner!

Thanksgiving in Panama

A November Thanksgiving in Panama does not really exist except to Americans (Canadians have their Thanksgiving in October). The last Thursday of the month is just another day around Panama for most people. Robert and I originally had no plans on celebrating but we accepted a last minute invitation.

By chance we came across frozen brussels sprouts, which were the first ones I have seen in over 10 months. I grabbed six boxes with the intention of keeping four for us. After we were told to anticipate over 25 people at the party, I knew I would have to give them up and hope more would be at the store later. In addition to the sprouts, Robert made delicious honey butter to accompany rolls. Our traditional comfort food was well on its way. 

In preparation for today, Robert and I tried not to eat a lot. We started the day off running errands and incidentally had the breakfast of champions. Don't judge!

The host told us that dinner would be served around 12:30 but to come as early as 11:30. Robert and I got to the condo around 12:15 and we were the first ones there. Eventually people started coming and by 2:30 the food was ready which is typical in Panama. Interestingly enough, this was the first Thanksgiving for the majority of the people who came as there were people from seven different countries at the party including Panama, Venezuela, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.

Ironically, the Australians are the ones that volunteered to cook the birds (which were chickens due to everything coming together last minute), but there was also a turkey. Their stories about cooking a bird for the holiday was hilarious, in part because the chicken still had its head and feet attached. I overheard another person saying that this is a very common way to get chickens from the butcher (frozen, packaged ones don't really exist here).

There was a lot of delicious food that omnivores and carnivores could enjoy. 

Can you guess whose plate is whose?

After we left the party we went back to the store to get more brussels sprouts. They were gone and frozen chopped spinach had taken their place. And this, ladies and gentlemen was why I was hoarding them, and I turn into this: 

I am thankful for a lot of things. I am grateful for Robert, my family/friends, living in Panama, our dogs, our health, being able to eat brussels sprouts, and being able to have our first Panamanian Thanksgiving. 

Interestingly enough, although Thanksgiving is not a tradition for most Panamanians, Black Friday has infiltrated stores here. From what I have been told by expats living here for 5+ years Black Friday and the commercialization of Christmas is a relatively recent tradition here. And for those of you wondering, I will not be participating in Black Friday festivities.  

Panamanians are catching on quicker than
the Americans

While I know not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, today was a fun day to see people come together. After all, this is what the holidays for us are about family, friends, and good memories. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!