IT’S ALL TRUE! IT IS HOT HERE! All the windows are open all the time, the breeze is pretty consistent- especially on the incredible front balcony- there are no bugs- yet, and your feet do get black if you walk around barefoot. The mornings start off hot and clear, clouds roll in late morning to offer some relief, but they keep moving, and the clear sky returns for the afternoon and evening. (Can’t wait to read the blogs when rainy season starts!)
Also, Eric APPEARS to be working all day,and I as his suegra, mother-in-law, am not taking this personally that he sits in front of his computer all day. He did, after all, take off one day for the Jungleland tour of Gatun Lake. (NOTE: The monkey that jumped on the boat and took a peanut out of his hand was MUCH more aggressive than that puny crocodile he so proudly displays in the photo, and…has he always been so competitive when kayaking?)
Monkeys jumped on the boat for peanut snacks from tourists.
Notes for future visitors:
IT’s HOT, but then, so is Columbia, SC. You get around.* Your ears will pop every time you go up or down in the elevator.* The best place to hang out is on the front balcony between 6:30-8:00 AM before the sun hits it or after sundown as you watch all the city lights come on. The views on both sides are incredible!*We usually managed 2 activities/excursions per day, but the afternoons have been dedicated to napping and reading. Find a breeze and stay put! Relax!
Police cars are often seen with lights flashing- no siren nor fast speed. I don’t know why. * Motorcyclists must have a death wish; they travel very fast, weaving through lanes of traffic.* To cross at an intersection: push button, wait for red light for cars, WAIT to make sure they actually stop, THEN step out briskly. There is JUST ENOUGH time to make it across all the lanes if you keep moving quickly. Very efficient timing.* Lots of traffic + open windows= LOUD. If you are light sleeper, bring ear plugs.
Eric and Julie did a great job getting us around- to the Canal, to Casco Viejo for shopping one day and back Good Friday evening to stroll through the streets and open churches, down the Amador Causeway to the last island for dinner last night, around the Cinta Costera, to Easter Church at the Multi-plex in the mall, and Ancon Hill this last night with Addie (out for her first big adventure). They have caught on to the style of driving here: like I envision Mr. Spock, were he to have driven: logically, assertively you poke your nose out and change lanes. Don’t slow down with turn signal on and wait for someone to let you in; you just have to go. (Glad THEY were driving!)
If you visit the fish market, like Eric and Gregg did, there’s a lot to see, but even more to smell! Be sure to plan time to come home, change clothes and shower; that “fragrance” definitely follows you home! (The fresh corvina and shrimp were delicious and very reasonably priced!)*
Lots of options at the Mercado del Marisco.
Be sure to walk out at night by Avenida Balboa for a Raspado (cup of shaved ice with fruit flavoring and condensed milk- small is 75 cents) or a cup of mango cerviche (spiral cut mango flavored with salt, pepper, vinegar and lemon juice for 1.00) and people watch: for fun, count fanny packs!
This week has been full of fun experiences as we witness for ourselves that Eric and Julie are doing well and Spanish lessons are progressing. Our main objective was to see them happy and healthy,and with Julie feeling much stronger, we can head home and wait for them to come back our way.
Want to see happy? Watch Julie smile as she completes an animated conversation with Marinella, a shop keeper, or an artist in a park. THEN watch Eric smile: “THAT’S why we’re here!”
Julie and Eric: Thanks for being such good hosts! Be safe…Take care of each other…BECOME FLUENT, and come back quickly to TarHeel Country!
