It seems like the recent immigration changes are the biggest topic of conversation lately. Nothing new has happened in the last couple days so I’m happy to turn my attention to just some mundane bits of life that have been my recent experience.
We had an interesting thing in the neighborhood a few days ago. They were filming a reenactment of a crime for a TV show. Apparently there was a home invasion in a nearby town a year or so ago. The neighbors heard the woman screaming, called the police, and they came in time to rescue the family and arrest the criminal.
I stopped by a vacant lot with some huge mango trees the other day, one of the places I go to look for fruit. If mangoes are on the ground and no one is picking them up, I figure they are fair game. I picked up so many last year that I still have some in the freezer.
I’m back to painting class. I’m feeling in a bit of a rut, but I discovered a collection of books at the school and brought one home. I need to learn about techniques, composition, etc. lots of things I haven’t covered yet. I know there is more to it than finding something I like and trying to paint that. But, I did finally finish my latest, a request from a good friend.
Last night we drove up to Boquete. Me3 (Joel’s band) had a gig at Mike’s Global and it was fantastic. With various travel plans they hadn’t played together for a while, and it was like they were on fire with energy. The place was standing room only and the dance floor was packed for every song. It was SO much fun! (If you missed it come back on March 1st. They will be back)
It’s always a beautiful drive into the mountains in the late afternoon. It’s hot and dry down here but in the mountains, even in summer, sometimes there is rain and often there is a wet mist. This can make for fantastic rainbows and last night we were treated to an especially beautiful and vivid one.
Of course if there is an interesting bug I will be reaching for my camera. Joel spotted this one on our potted plants.
It continues to be summer down here. It’s dry, the winds are blowing hard, dust clouds are blowing down the street and my neighbor is very frustrated that it’s impossible to keep her house clean. The cucarones are whistling up a storm, even at times in the daytime. The water was on long enough to water plants, do some laundry, and clean up the kitchen but now there isn’t a drop coming out of the faucet. We have water on hand so it isn’t a big deal, but it seems to be happening almost every day lately.
Today is the Calbalgata, the horse parade in town. Thousands of horses and riders from everywhere come to participate. I don’t think we are going since we have been before. The Feria is also going on, and we do plan to go with some friends tomorrow afternoon after the sun is lower in the sky, but before the night time crowds arrive. I don’t plan to buy anything because I don’t need anything (my neighbors think this is very strange). It’s always interesting to look at everything though.
Retirement, when you wonder how you ever had time to work.
Hi Kris,
I loved the photos of the mango trees. We have some beauties around here too and fully loaded with fruit. But alas I don’t think any will be ripe in time for me stuff myself with them.
I’m in my final week. I catch the bus back to Panama City next Sunday.
I will be reading your blog faithful until I can return here.
I’ve totally loved it here.
Nick
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Wow, it seems like your time here has gone fast. I’m so glad it’s been good for you.
I must come visit this week, and bring mangoes.
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The Calbalgata….an opportunity for people to ride their horses in a crowd while drinking beer.
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LOL yep, and I think rum can also be involved.
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Thanks to Seth, my blog reader who knows so much about bugs, this one has been identified as a giant scarlet assassin bug.
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Awesome!
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Your painting is gorgeous, Kris – bravo!
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Hi Kris,
I’ve been thinking about the water supply in Panama, not just David, but in other Panamian towns as well, as I read several blogs. In my travels thru the country over the few times I’ve been there. While not looking specifically for water towers, I don’t remember seeing any. Does each town have water towers? If not, as a tower provides water pressure when pumps aren’t running, as it stores a supply, then the water is only supplied when pumps are running & providing pressure. Thus they have to run constantly. Not a solution, but maybe a explanation as to the outages.
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I think they tend to build ground storage tanks up on hills. There is a fairly large one not far from us. There is also a fairly large treatment facility in the next town up. But, I think the primary source of water is the rivers either directly or through the city water systems, If the rivers are low we all run short of water. I’m not sure if the water goes out when the tanks run low, or if they do a sort of rolling blackout to conserve water, or both. Many people have water storage tanks for their homes to tide them through the dry times.
Other areas, especially up in the mountain towns get their water directly from a nearby stream. You often see PVC pipes just lying on the ground supplying water to the homes along their path.
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Oh, forgot to say, like the photos, & your painting!
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Thanks 🙂
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