Amigo por comida

A friend dropped by for some of Elizabeth's healthy and tasty salad today.

Photo Update of Renovations

Panama

We just returned from a four day trip to Panama City. Upon arrival (six hours later than scheduled due to problems with the plane), we took a "taxi" from the airport to the Hotel on the canal. The forty minute drive provided us with all the adventure we needed. Our driver knew the city well enough to take side routes through the poorer areas at breakneck speed, all the time advising us to avoid this barrio, do not go through here at night, only interrupting his steady patter to honk impatiently at any driver ahead who had the audacity to stop at a red light or stop sign. The speed at which he drove was, more or less, the equivalent to that which was coursing through his system.
We arrived late in the evening, checked in and went to our room which overlooked the canal, literally a stone's throw away from our balcony. The views and sights were wonderful.
On our second day, we took a tour, (3 tourists, one guide and a driver) to an Embera village that was located in a National Park about a ninety minute drive followed by a forty minute boat journey up the Chagres river. The day was remarkable, as we caught a glimpse into the life of the Embera Indians, The tribe is around 15,000, inhabiting the Darien rainforest of Panama. The culture of the tribe was, in the past, defined by their relationship with the river basin far up river in the deep forest.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the peoples is their contribution to the making of modern day pharmaceuticals. With incredible botanical knowledge from living in the rainforest, their expertise has been unrivaled. We had the good fortune to be guided by the healer of the community to his medicinal garden located deeper in the forest from the village. He explained the medicinal properties of the various plants and flowers which are used to treat everything from prostate cancers, STD's, skin disorders, stomach ulcers.
Considered master artisans, the members of the tribe make beautiful baskets and woodcarvings. The Embera people also use woodcarving for everyday life such as making canoes, weapons, paddles, furniture, and so on. However, they now also carve tagua, which is called “vegetable ivory”. From this material, the Indians have made some of the most imaginative art you will ever see, inspired by the animals and plants found within the rainforest.
Taking the tagua, they sand it down and then use various types of lacquer or varnish to create sheen. The tagua is ivory colored with dark brown or gray skin. In addition, the Embera Indians can use natural extracts taken from the earth and plants to create vibrant colors, which are then used to dye the baskets.
There are four communities on the Chagres, each headed by a chief and council. They meet regularly to discuss common issues and concerns and do not adjourn without reaching consensus. The village has a school that the children attend until grade seven, after which they have to travel to attend secondary school. When living outside the village, they are always accompanied by a parent or elder whose role is to guard against the unhealthy excesses of outside life. Undoubtedly, this collision of cultures will pose tremendous challenges for a people striving to maintain its autonomy and uniqueness. The reliance on tourism as an economic asset brings with it all the threats inherent in the transformation of a culture into a commodity, a people whose struggle to maintain its independence is scaffolded by dependence.
The next post will provide an overview of Panama City as we travelled through its original site, walked through the old city and were dwarfed by the skyscrapers which now dominate its landscape as part of its insatiable quest for economic growth.

Renovations Update

A few more pictures as the downstairs has been painted and is almost finished. Elizabeth and I are off to Panama City for four days tomorrow morning so should have some interesting stories and pictures to share. Today, we drove up to La Fortuna in search of plants alongside the highway. A successful trip!

More Photos

We have posted a few more photos to provide a peek into our place: the newly decorated second bedroom, the bathroom and new shower in the casita, the steps leading to the upstairs study/bedroom and a glimpse of the view from the upstairs lounge.

Update on Casita Reno's

As you know, the last five weeks have involved extensive development of the adjoining building behind the main house. Before work began, the casita was basically a concrete block, steel edifice with very rough concrete on the walls and most of the floors. It was not wired properly but did have plumbing and water. For the most part, it was a garbage and dust collector . The plan is to have, on the ground floor, a second bathroom and shower, move the laundry from the main house and construct a kitchen/bbq area adjoining the back patio. The upstairs will consist of a lounge room with view and another bedroom/study. Well. the work is almost complete and things look great. Over the next little while, I will post some pictures of the progress.

Zarcero and Beyond

Yesterday, we took a drive into the mountains to Zarcero, a small, picturesque town noted for its organic vegetables, fruit and specialty cheese- Queso Palmito. However, Zarcero’s most popular attraction is its surreal topiary gardens. We were confronted by artist-landscaper Evangelisto Blanco’s latest inventions inspired, he says, from Celestial visions. Here we had opportunity to step through the looking glass to come upon shrubs and trees manifest as dancing animals, stylized creatures and other unique abstractions. Quite the sight.
We then took a drive further up the hills along winding roads and passed through horse and cattle country, surrounded on all sides by the greenery that is characteristic of CR.

Elizabeth Settles In

It always takes a while to decompress once one arrives here. Inevitably, the slow pace and tranquil nature bring about a relative calmness, a welcome escape from the hurly-burly life of everyday work.

Elizabeth Arrives Home

Elizabeth arrived safe and sound at 8:00 pm on January 1. Many thanks to mi hermano David for picking her up at 4:00 am and waiting at the airport with her to ensure that her two 33 kilo bags were cleared for take off.
It is impossible to imagine the number of pillows, pictures, sheets, gifts and everything else under the sun she is able to bring with her to improve the ambiance of our home here in San Ramon. I will try to keep a running photo account of the changes she is making while here. Most of all, her presence enriches.