The Panama Adventure

Chayote Sauerkraut

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

Someone suggested this on a yahoo group GardeningInPanama I tried it and it turned out surprisingly good!

A chayote is a sort of squash from the same family as cucumbers and melons. It costs a lot in the US but around here it’s everywhere, and cheap (usually $0.20 each, or less by the bag full) Check the Wikipedia article if you want to learn more about this veggie. I love chayote! It’s a mild and gentle flavor, firm enough not to turn to mush when you cook it, and useful in probably any vegetable soup or other dish with veggies that you want to make. Chayote has become probably our most frequently eaten vegetable here. The closest thing that tastes like it that I can think of in the US is patty pan squash.

Chayote – photo from Wikipedia

For my saurkraut, I took two of them, peeled off any skin that looked too thick (optional), removed the seed in the middle, and grated them. I also grated a smallish carrot, and added some finely chopped ginger and garlic. According to the guy who posted the recipe, you can add whatever veggies and flavorings you like.

Then, I got out my plastic bowl (don’t do this in a metal bowl), put in a layer of veggies, sprinkled them with salt, another layer of veggies, more salt, etc. until I had used all the veggies. I didn’t know how much salt to use so there is probably a couple teaspoons altogether for about 4 layers.

Then, put a dish on top to weight everything down (or whatever you have on had that will do the job). The idea is that liquid comes from the veggies because of the salt, and the veggies needs to be weighted down enough to keep them under this liquid. Then, the suggestion was to wait about a week or until you like the way it tastes.

So, I waited about a week (though I thought it was starting to taste pretty good even the next day)

In this batch I had maybe a 3/4 inch cube worth of ginger, if that much. I don’t remember how much garlic I put in, maybe 3-4 cloves? It is definitely garlicky, much like a great garlicky kosher dill pickle so I like it a lot. Of course you can use less garlic or adjust the flavorings however you like.

I will definitely make this again! It wasn’t that hard to make, and other than having an extra bowl sitting around for a while and taking a moment every day to check it, it wasn’t any trouble. However, I would recommend covering the bowl with a plastic bag or something just to keep any insects or dust or whatever from falling in.

The picture at the top of the post is a chayote vine we saw growing in Boquete a couple weeks ago.

Posted in food, Panama | Tagged Central America, chayote, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, International Living, Panama, recipies, sauerkraut | 4 Comments

Mold, a new challenge

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

We discovered some mold on an unused bit of luggage in the corner, put it out in the sun and didn’t think much more about it until yesterday. Yesterday, we discovered mold spots on some of the clothes in the closet area.

It’s warm and humid here and we don’t have air conditioning. I have heard that mold can be a problem in climates like this. Apparently this is very true! So, after a bit of research, we have a plan. Mold likes moisture and darkness, so the battle fronts are moisture control, air circulation, and light.

We already squeegee the shower down after we use it, and take the wet towels to the outside laundry room to dry. We are comfortable with no AC but we don’t want to add extra humidity to the house. This is also part of the mold control plan now.

The closet area will be outfitted with a light below the clothes for extra light and heat/dryness. We are considering a fan also but will see how the light and heat works first. (Joel is off to the Do-It Center as we speak to make a final decision on equipment) Clothes will not be overcrowded in the closet, and anything the least bit damp or already worn will not be returned to the closet until it is washed and totally dry.

I am happy to see that the affected clothes came out clean with no spots, and they are now drying in the sun. Hopefully this will be the last of the mold problems so we can get back to tromping around the woods, taking pictures of bugs, and whatever else sounds fun.

Posted in Getting Things Done, Panama | Tagged Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, humidity, International Living, jungle, mold, Panama | 8 Comments

Panamanian Lawn Mowers

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

People tend to make use of what they have so if your yard needs a trim, what is the easiest way to accomplish this?

Seen in the southern part of the city, goats trimming alongside the road in a residential neighborhood.

A frequent sight in more rural areas, cows by the road.

What?! I’m doing my work, so why are you stopping to look at me?

Another common sight, horses by the side of the road. When you aren’t using them for transportation, let them trim the grass. These weren’t even tied.

This calf lives down the road from us. When he’s not working on the soccer field, he’s working along side the road.

This is a very common sight, man with machete. When the grass gets very high, this is how it is cut down. There is a vacant lot two doors down from us, and this guy was trimming it this morning.

this is our yard man’s equipment. He works with a weed eater and a rake, and carries them and his helper with his motorcycle. Weed eaters seem to be the most common yard maintenance tool. I ‘ve only seen a USA style lawn mower once here. I certainly don’t miss the sound of the big lawn mowers and leaf blowers that were so common in Florida.

Posted in culture, Exploring the Area, Panama | Tagged Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, International Living, nature, Panama, photography | 6 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate

I have some photos of delicate things, but they also remind us of how delicate their existence is, and how important it is for us humans to be aware of our impact on them.

A little praying mantis on the wall

Praying mantis are useful insects for any gardener, so we were happy to see they live in this area.

Just a beautiful little butterfly in the plants.

a bit of a spider’s web with dew, taken in the early morning light with my macro lens.

A butterfly so delicate it has a torn wing

the underside of a very tiny spider, so small it’s hard to see the detail with the naked eye. This was taken with my macro lens.

A spider’s web covered with dew in the woods, caught in the first rays of the morning sunlight

I think this is the tiniest bee I’ve ever seen. It was on an equally tiny, delicate twig of grass. This was taken with my macro lens. I think the bee was less than 1/8 inch long.

Our relationship with insects is delicate. We often do not realize the damage we do when we use chemicals or alter their living environment. Bees are especially critical because without their pollination, we would be without the vast majority of our fruits and vegetables. Here on our house we have a hive of very tiny black bees. Some of my neighbors are afraid of them and don’t understand why I don’t get rid of them, but they are not aggressive and haven’t been a problem. I spotted some of them working on this squash blossom nearby.

Tiny black bees in a squash blossom. These bees are not much more than 1/4 inch long.

Posted in Flowers, insects, Panama, Photo Challenge, photography, wildlife | Tagged bees, Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, insects, International Living, jungle, nature, Panama, photography, postaday | 12 Comments

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge: Reds and Greens

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge: Reds and Greens

These two photos were actually taken by Joel, my husband. Our neighbor’s flowers next to our fence caught his eye in the afternoon sun.

A very pretty ginger

A red bougainvillea against the afternoon sun

The photos have not been edited in any way, but are just as he took them. Thanks Joel for some really nice photos!

Posted in Flowers, Panama, Photo Challenge, photography | Tagged Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, flowers, International Living, Panama, photography, sunset photos | 4 Comments

Another Lizard Encounter

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

We came home from the store about noon to find this lizard in the driveway. He walked off into the grass when he saw us but was nice enough to stick around so I could get a few photos.

He’s probably about a foot long, and able to run and jump easily. He was calm enough to stay in the grass for a while even though there were a couple humans near him. I think he might be a Central American Whiptail lizard. That is the closest match I could find by searching on Google, so if anyone knows more please let me know.

We seem to be going into the dry season, so I wonder if we are going to see other interesting critters that we haven’t been seeing before.

Posted in Panama, wildlife | Tagged Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, forest, International Living, jungle, lizards, nature, Panama, photography, reptiles | 6 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

The weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons

Changing Seasons? We are in Panama. There are no seasons. Well OK yes, in a way there are. We are going in to summer when there is less rain, and maybe more wind, so I am told. But, there is no guarantee of anything. Sometimes the dry season isn’t very dry. Sometimes it is. Either way though the length of days will remain the same, and the temperatures will fluctuate slightly more but still average out to just about the same as well.

How do we know there is a season? LIGHTS! Parties. Fireworks. Decorations. Shopping. It’s HOLIDAY SEASON! Mother’s Day was Saturday and this is a HUGE holiday here. Friday evening the streets were jammed with shoppers and there was no space in any parking lots. It seemed like the whole city was out buying gifts for mothers. Saturday was a national holiday. Even the corner fruit market was closed.

Saturday was a big family get together day. The neighbors across the street had their parents, the kids, the grandkids and extended family for a BBQ and much laughing and fun well into the evening. The people on the corner are Colombian, and they celebrated a Colombian holiday – Day of Candles with an evening of fireworks, lights, candles and fun both Friday and Saturday night. They are the ones who surprised us with treats which prompted my recent post The Kindness of Strangers.

Then, of course, it’s almost Christmas. There are every bit as many decorations, lights, and festivity as I remember in the US. Since this is supposed to be a picture post, I suppose I should post some pictures!

Our Colombian neighbors with lights, candles, fireworks, and many friends and family celebrating their Day of Candles.

A store has Rudolf hanging out on the roof!

We may not have snow here, but that hasn’t stopped the Nissan dealership from having a big holiday snowman out front. (Yes, we have McDonalds here, and KFC, Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays, Domino’s Pizza, and more. One day I will have to post about how the US is taking over Panama with fast food)

Our neighborhood has many houses decorated with cheerful Christmas lights, and others can bee seen all over town.

Feliz Navidad! Here in Panama, it is the season to have fun and celebrate.

Posted in culture, Panama, Photo Challenge, photography | Tagged Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, Christmas, David, holidays, International Living, mother's day, Panama, photography, postaday, seasons | 2 Comments

A Word a Week Photo Challenge – Blue

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

I can do this one! Here in Panama, we also have lots of blue. So, since this PHOTO CHALLENGE landed in my mailbox, I figured why not.

I was going to post these photos anyway, so this is a perfect opportunity to share a couple of my favorites. We went to Las Lajas a couple days ago, my favorite beach. It is so beautiful there!

All that beach, all that beauty untouched, hardly even another soul around. It truly is a paradise.

Posted in Exploring Panama, Exploring the Area, Panama, Photo Challenge, photography | Tagged beach, Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, International Living, Las Lajas, nature, Panama, photography | 9 Comments

The Kindness of Strangers

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

It surprises me how kind and giving the people are here. It happens every day. Strangers on the street help me find things, sometimes taking a fair amount of time to personally walk me to the location and speak to someone else on my behalf. Our neighbor took a morning to help us fix our car and refused anything in return. When I told my teacher about it, she asked – “don’t people do this in your country?” No, they do not. Of course people are helpful when asked, and someone who has been a friend and neighbor for years will stop his work and help you with your car but in general, it’s different. People here help you like they have been friends and neighbors for years, even when they have known you for only moments.

We made friends with a man in the tennis group. He took us to the best store to buy a bicycle, and yesterday he enlisted another friend of his to come with us to Pedregal to find the best fish seller. Then he took us to his house to meet his family.

Our friend at the fruit and vegetable market picks out the best pineapples for us, and tosses in a few free bananas every time we visit.

A stranger at the bus terminal walked me to the bus I needed and handed me off to the bus assistant to be sure I got where I needed to go.

I can site example after example, but last night was one of the most touching. It was Friday night, the night before Mother’s Day, a very big and important day in Panama. The neighbors had friends over and they were celebrating with fireworks in the street. We don’t know these people, but we have said hello a few times as we pass by their house. Last night after the fireworks they come over with a plate of sweets for us, and to wish us happy mother’s day.

So, today I am thinking about the people here. Anytime you pass someone, there is always a smile and greeting. Anytime I talk to someone, there is always patience for my limited Spanish and help offered if needed, help given with a smile and no apparent thought to the time it may take. There is a different sense of community here, a much more open attitude and I like it a lot. I know we are very much in the honeymoon phase of this journey so I wonder how I will feel in a year. From here though, I can’t imagine feeling much differently about smiling, friendly people.

Posted in culture, Panama | Tagged Central America, Chiriqui, Chiriqui Province, David, expat, expatriate, International Living, Panama, photography | 15 Comments

We’re Off to See the Sunset

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

There were fabulous clouds all afternoon so we thought it might be an interesting sunset.

First, we noticed this towards the south.

Quick! Grab the cameras and lets go up the hill where we can see more of the sky! The neighbors dogs like to tag along if we go walking.

We actually ended up driving to a field nearby where we could see the whole sky with minimal utility wires in the way. There may be more spectacular sunsets but we were happy with this one. Any pretty sky is a great ending to a good day.