Just a Day

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Kris Cunningham

I was going to say it was just an ordinary day, but days never seem ordinary here. There is always something new and interesting. This morning we went to the supermarket and saw a police truck in the parking lot, and two policemen with dogs getting out. Except for the drug sniffing dogs at the airport I don’t think I have ever seen a policeman with a dog. Many Panamanians are extremely afraid of dogs so I don’t know if that is a factor. These policeman were just strolling around though, and no one seemed to be paying them any mind.

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It was surprisingly quiet at the shopping mall. Since it’s only three days before Christmas we were expecting it to be nuts. There was parking available and as you can see in the photo above, not a lot of people out and about. The supermarket was quiet for even an ordinary day.

I don’t think we are supposed to take photos in the store but I couldn’t resist a few things.

Whipped cream from Arabia?! Why? There are two big dairies just up the road. Avena is oatmeal, so the product on the right is milk with oatmeal. They make things into drinks that we don’t usually use in that way. I remember someone being astonished that we just eat the watermelon. They make a drink out of that too.
Tamales are a very traditional part of Christmas dinner. I’d never seen them for sale in the supermarket though. These were 6 for $6.59. Home made ones are usually $1.25 each so this is a fair price if they are good. They are a lot of work to make so if I see someone selling them, I’m always happy to buy a few.
We were waiting our turn at the checkout counter and had some fun with the ad. Look honey, there are air vents in the back of the case! Is he wearing any pants? t always strikes me as odd to see very gringo looking people in Panamanian advertising, but it happens a lot.

As we headed home I saw one of the many fireworks stands that have popped up all over town. Christmas Eve is the big celebration with social gatherings and fireworks building up to a big, noisy climax at midnight. Then, everyone goes indoors to have Christmas dinner, call absent family and friends, and open gifts. Christmas day is generally quieter and a social day for family and friends. New Years Eve has even more fireworks building up to midnight, so I’m sure a lot of fireworks are sold for these holidays. We sort of miss the large extended Colombian family that went totally nuts with the fireworks on our corner, but there will be a lot of beautiful ones all over the neighborhood.

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About Kris Cunningham

We live in David, Chiriqui Provence, Republic of Panama! This blog is about some of our experiences in our new country.
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11 Responses to Just a Day

  1. Nicholas Grimshawe says:
    December 22, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    Hi Kris

    I am beginning to understand that nothing is every really ordinary here, and that makes for a lot of fun. Today my sandals gave out just as I was walking around down town followed by my frantic looking for a decent pair of sandals. I finally found some after quite a bit of back and forth on size.

    I had lunch at a restaurant and thought I’d really missed a Spanish lesson when the waiter told me the price. “No he couldn’t really mean 3 dollars, I’m hearing him wrong.” Three dollars for an excellent lunch. Why am I bothering to cook?

    By the way the chair is awesome.

    Nick

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    • Kris Cunningham says:
      December 23, 2016 at 9:45 am

      Yes indeed. I think it is fun too, to always have something new and interesting. Glad you found some more sandals! Good deal on lunch too. I think most working people eat at the local eateries and can’t be paying a whole lot. The food may not have a lot of variety but it’s always tasty.
      Glad the chair is working out 🙂

      Like

  2. Robert says:
    December 22, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    I love your posts, photos, videos and keeping my daughter and I updated on all aspects of Panamanian life & culture before we return next June or July. We lived & traveled there from 2012-2014. I found life there awesome 🙆 and pet and child friendly, healthcare is good and I scuba and love the climate and Darien and others like it in all of panama.

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  3. Ken Kimsey says:
    December 23, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Kris,
    I love the way you capture moments in time of daily life in Panama. I admire your “go with the flow” attitude,” too. Your photos give me a real sense of the places you go and they add to your word pictures.

    I follow the blogs of several U.S. ex-pats in Panama. Each one is interesting and unique, and introduces me to each blogger’s personality. I’ll resist the temptation to rank or rate them, I’ll just say I always click on emails telling me you’re just added a new posting . . . and I’m never disappointed.

    Are there any other blogs about life in Panama that you would recommend? I may already be following them, but I’d still be interested in any you might mention.

    Best Wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season,
    Ken in Atlanta…for the moment

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Anonymous says:
    December 23, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Ditto to what Ken said. I too have learned much from your blog and enjoy your style! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and Joel!
    Carey

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  5. jim and nena says:
    December 24, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    Hola Kris,
    Here’s another blog primarily Boquete related. Good firsthand experience.
    http://panamaprattle.blogspot.com

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