People have been asking how my party went, so now that the dust has settled I can say it went very well!
It was my birthday a couple months ago, that milestone 62 when you are eligible for social security. My money should start coming in 7 days, not that I’m counting! I have a lot of good friends. All this sounded like plenty of excuses to get friends together for some company, food, and music.
But, I have no experience putting on parties so I have been busy planning and preparing for the last week or two. Of course I couldn’t do something easy like order pizza. I wanted to make Panamanian food, and learn more about how to make it in the process. The menu was tamales, arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), and potato salad with beets. There were also party mix snack foods, veggies and dip, and a fruit bowl of local fruits. For dessert we bought cakes from PriceSmart.
The food was organized into different shopping or cooking chores for each day. Disposable plates and other party supplies were bought. Invitations were sent out. Chairs were borrowed. Joel was requested to provide the music and song lists were checked and approved. By Sunday, all was ready and in order!
Starting from the left, Jerry and Jennifer from Boquete, then Holly and Rona also from Boquete. Carlos from across the street is hiding behind Rona. Amarilli, former neighbor has her hand up. There there is Angela, my neighbor on the corner who was nice enough to come even though we barely know each other, then Cedo (my cooking mentor who you will see much more of soon), and Narda, my neighbor behind our house. Ed in black is a new neighbor, behind him is Arelio who lives in the neighborhood, and the startled one is Cindy from Boquete. (What did Jerry just say to her?!) oh, my other neighbor Haydee is also hiding behind Rona.
Everyone chatted and had a bit to eat, and then it was time for some music.
Joel gets the party going! The table behind is full because people brought food, gifts, wine, and even flowers and a pretty wall decoration for the house.
Where this is music, there is dancing!
In this picture you can also see Dennis on the left in red, husband of Rona, and David next to him, husband of Cindy. Amarilli and Holly had fun dancing along with Nikki, daughter of Jerry and Jennifer, and Scott is on the right, husband of Holly. Even the dogs thought they had to join the party. You can barely see Chucky behind Rona, but Bastard is in plain sight. (they live across the street and no, the family didn’t know what this word meant in English LOL)
It turned out to be a really fun evening, in spite of me totally forgetting the potato and beet salad in the fridge. Everyone talked and ate and laughed and enjoyed the music. I should have taken more photos but as more people arrived I was busier. My teacher and friend Yaira also came with some of her family which made me so happy I didn’t even think of any more photos. (She’s the one who’s baby just had the first birthday party)
We had so much fun and the time went fast so we didn’t even get to the fireworks. I know I will have plenty of other opportunities to enjoy them though since fireworks are a big part of every holiday in Panama.
So yes, it was a good party. PriceSmart sells things in quantity and I still have enough supplies that maybe I’ll have to do it again. Is that a good enough excuse for a party? have supplies that need to be used? Sure, why not!
There are a couple more related posts to come, so stay tuned
The Panama Adventure 
Wow! What a party. I always get so nervous having a party and I can’t even begin to imagine cooking Panamanian food. It looks like it was so much fun. Congratulations on your successful party and your BIG birthday! I have to hear more about Bastard. Don’t you have a hard time saying his name without laughing? Poor Bastard.
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I had a lot of help with the food! A post will be coming soon about that.
Yes Bastard LOL I giggle inside every time I hear them calling him.
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What fun! Great photos. 🙂
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Very fun, and glad you enjoyed the photos!
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You are an awesome hostess. Great friends, fab food, and music by the snake whisperer. I never even saw you taking pics. I need Cedo’s excellent empanada recipe. We had a wonderful time and look forward to the next one. 🙂
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Thanks, glad you had a good time. I prefer candid pics so I try not to be too obvious with the camera. Cedo and I will be making empanadas sometime soon, so I will post the recipe and directions. Everyone loved them and I need to learn how to make them!
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I must say…..fun was had by all! Thanks for all the fun kris!!
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Thank you for coming amiga, and for dancing, and being here for me in many ways 🙂
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Belated Happy 62 Kris. It took about two and a half months to get my first check. I’m sure that will help with more traveling in your future. Not a bad milestone.
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Thank you, and congrats on yours too!
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Payment by check is slow and costly. In the EU one cannot pay by check. Cash, ATM, or online banking. Wages, pensions, social security are all paid into your bank account. If a person lives retired overseas, the social security will wire it to your account abroad in Euros, or US$. I get my pensions wired from the Netherlands between the 15th and 20th of every month and it is in my account within 48 hours. Checks are for 3rd world countries.
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It should be deposited directly in my US bank account, so no worries
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Looks Like a Great Time had by All. Just in Case I didn’t previously, Happy Belated Birthday Wishes. Living on a Fixed Income is a new Experience for us as well. Even with Pensions and SS it’s a Dollar Limiting Experience
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Thank you 🙂 I suppose most all of us have limited dollars but if we have enough for our needs, that is a wonderful thing.
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Looks like a blast! Wish I was there! 🙂
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It would have been so fun to have you here! When you come back we’ll have to do it again.
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Congratulations on your official financial retirement!
The party looks awesome.
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Thanks! It was a lot of fun.
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