USA OUTLET IN PANAMA...NOT QUITE

We are off on another shopping adventure to the store that has Ropa Americana, or American Apparel (according to our Spanish teacher and other expats).  Apparently out west in Penonomé (about an hour from here), there are furniture, clothing and houseware stores.  There are also outlets with clothing from the US, not China.  This morning en route to the gym, Ray had plans for tomorrow and Thursday lined up, and then he came up with today's adventure.  We are to pick Clyde and Terry up shortly, go to El Machetazo for lunch (the cafe inside) and then we will hit the road to check this town out.  Funny that we have driven by it several times, and the USA Outlet is on the main highway, but none of us have noticed it.  Maybe we were always paying attention to the McDonalds, because this is a popular "restroom break", or ice cream stop, when traveling to Pedasi and beyond.

But first, I had a big "to do" last week.  After our trek to the movie theater on Wednesday, we had our Spanish lesson on Thursday.  We had over a week to practice, and we really had practiced speaking a lot of Spanish.  Maybe not what the lesson was on paper, but we had practiced quite a bit of Spanish in the nearby stores, restaurants, and malls.  We had a lot of conversation with our teacher that morning.  And this week, we will have more conversation.  I have her jumping around a bit, because there are sentences that I would like to know now and be able to use today.  This week, we will learn more restaurant lingo.

After Spanish (which I wanted to go on forever because of the next errand on the list), I had the plan to see Dr. Levy to have my big toenail removed.  DISCLAIMER:  I will not go into detail about the procedure (just the visit) unless asked about it.  I will say that I asked Dr. Levy the prior week about my one toenail.  This nail has been treated for almost two years for a traumatic injury (dropped a large spice jar on it over the holidays one December) and also, yes, fungal issues.  I have treated the later issue for years with a podiatrist mind you, and this one nail was not cooperating.  So when Dr. Levy put the word "infection" with "you only have 25% remaining of the nail" with "why don't you just have it removed?", while aghast at his suggestion/recommendation, it just made sense.  This is why I went back to him a week later.  There he was in the reception area at the front desk when Ray and I walked into the office.  He asked how we were, and what he could do for us.  As soon as I said I was ready to have my toenail removed, he looked at me and remembered me by asking "so you gave it thought and you want to do this?"  Yes, let's just do it.  Within a minute of sitting down in the reception area (a few people had just left the office, and others came in after me, so it isn't like this office is empty of patients), the receptionist called me to the room.  Ray stayed with me until the anesthesia was given (and yes, I looked at the needle and asked questions about the anesthetic--Lidocaine--and spoke dentistry), and I then asked Dr. Levy how many of these procedures he had done in the past.  I didn't want to know until my toe was numb, because I didn't want to back out.  He removes at least one toenail a week.  He shrugged it off.  He explained that the workmen in Panama wear those big, heavy boots, and with the humidity and moisture here, they all have this fungal issue.  He shrugged it off as a no big deal thing. The toenail is gone, my toe is wrapped up, and I am told to unwrap it in two or three days.  I can swim once it is unwrapped, and I only need to see him if I sense a problem or concern.  And only to use warm soapy water on it.  This whole process again took less than 30 minutes from time I walked in until I paid my bill of $34 ($40 without discount).  He told me the cost at my last visit, and this was the cost.  He recommended any over the counter pain medicine that I would normally take, and I decided to take a few then and there just in case.  I wanted to be ahead of any pain or a heartbeat feeling in my toe.  Again, an excellent visit with Dr. Levy.

Being the great patient that I am, I suggested to Ray that we go to Coronado Cafe for breakfast.  It is only open Thursday-Sunday in rainy season, and I thought a good cup of coffee would settle my shakiness.  I didn't shake during the procedure, but for some reason I always get a little jittery after a procedure.  Okay, the only procedure I can relate this to is my Lasix surgery fifteen years ago.  We had a great breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, potatoes with bacon and onions (Ray, of course), coffee (for me which is like cappuccino here).  For being in the beach town of Coronado and to have a tasty meal, I thought the $8 for breakfast was fantastic!

Just what I needed!

We then hobbled (me) over to Novey.  I had an ace bandage type "hat" on my toe.  For the rest of Thursday and Friday, we basically had to run to the bank (we are making small deposits from our US account into the bank here, so we have money on hand, if necessary, and also to keep the account active), and then I laid around and watched talk tv and a few "Breaking Bad" episodes.  And I think we stopped by Cafe Viana (a bakery on the way to Coronado) for a slice of quiche and butter cream cookie to share--all in moderation!

Saturday I did the unveiling of my toe, and it wasn't a big deal.  It felt better without the "hat" on it.  Terry had told us about a DJ that would be at Picasso's (a restaurant in Coronado where many expats hang out) that night.  We decided to meet there even though I knew I wouldn't be dancing (maybe in my seat).  We thought the DJ would play rock, pop and salsa which is what the white board sign outside the restaurant had written on it.  But there was more unrecognizable salsa than any other music, so besides eating dinner there and the guys drinking some beer, we mostly just sat outside to meet and chat loudly with one another.

 Sunday we had made plans to join Clyde and Terry while visiting with friends of theirs in Punta Chame.  This couple first started renting a condominium at the resort where our gym is (which is how Clyde and Terry met them), and then they moved into a brand new house about thirty minutes down the road from the resort.  Ray and I had been to Punta Chame once before to see the beach.  This couple's house is on the main road behind a large white wall and gate.  It is a beautiful three bedroom house with a very large outdoor patio and pool.  We sat with them outside for four hours talking about everything and anything.  Time goes by here in Panama.  We then tried to eat a restaurant which is part of a hotel on the beach.  When we arrived there was one person in the pool, and the restaurant was empty.  We gave the hostess something to do by finding us a table to sit at outside.  We then ordered water while looking at the menu.  The dinner menu is pricey (location, location, location, and $18 and up for dinner entrees which wasn't what we really were looking for).  We found burgers and sandwiches, but these were part of the lunch menu.  We wondered aloud if what we wanted from this menu would be available.  We waited for our waitress to return with our water and to ask her our question.  She didn't return.  We decided not to wait any longer.  If this was the time to wait for water (yes, when in Panama, you wait) and not know if we could order something on the lighter side of the lunch menu, we chose to leave.  While walking back to the car, we saw the waitress talking to some friends.  She hadn't made it to the kitchen.  She saw us coming, and she went to get our water?  Maybe?  Oh well, we chose to go to El Pampero instead.  El Pampero is a restaurant Ray and I have been to in the past with Clyde and Terry.  It is along the main highway, and it always packed with Panamanians.  There is a huge local following.  What looked to be surfer guys covered in tattoos with dreadlocks along with their wives, babies and children and many other young families were coming into the restaurant on a late Sunday night.  Everyone was ordering the $1.50 Sausage sandwiches.  They were flying out of the kitchen.  At El Pampero, there is a refrigerated bakery style case that has many varieties of chorizo and homemade bread.  Also sold there is Picante sauce and Chimichurri sauce.  Clyde and Terry told Ray how great these little sandwiches were so he ordered three in the same flavor (Chorizo Español).  It had a little kick to it.  Along with it, papas fritas (what else haha).  Clyde ordered the same (one),  while Terry and I had chicken, pantacones and salad.  Our meal (mine) totaled a little over $10. We all agreed that the next time we go, Ray will order all different flavor sandwiches, and we will have a tasting of them.  The Español was delicious with the bread, so now we want to try the other chorizo.  I should note here that while we aren't always looking for cheap food (when I note prices), we just know that at a restaurant that is serving a piece of chicken and a salad for $15 along with poor to no service, we can find atmosphere and the same flavorful food for less.  Ray and I will visit the touristy restaurants, bakeries and cafes (although in rainy season there aren't too many of these open daily), but we also enjoy the local places.  A little bit of this and a little bit of that will keep our budget in check.  We have a number of restaurants to experience--one day and meal at a time.

Which brings us to yesterday!  Boy, for not doing anything this past week, it seems like we did something.  I successfully put on my gym shoes (wasn't sure if there would be any soreness involved), and we went to the gym.  I only used the weights.  No need to start jamming my toe too soon on the treadmill.  We checked out some stores along the main highway here that we hadn't been into yet, we drove down some unknown roads (I was looking for a school that we are going to volunteer at this Saturday called Finca La Maya---more on this after Saturday),  and I learned (while reading another blog on Friday night) that San Carlos Hospital also offers mammograms.  San Carlos Hospital is a public hospital nearby with an emergency room and lab, but no inpatient rooms.  It has ambulance services (good to know) and is open to public and private patients.   Not only did we want to locate this hospital in case of an emergency, but I wanted to ask if I needed an appointment for a mammogram.  Terry also received confirmation that she could have hers done here as well.  The doctor suggested this hospital to her, because while the San Fernando Clinic in Coronado now does mammograms, it would be much more expensive.  Inside the hospital we went where I found a nurse exiting the radiology department and asked her if I needed an appointment.  She said yes, so we found another desk and stood in line to ask where we made the appointment.  Rather than waiting in a line for whatever reason, we decided we would revisit the hospital with Terry to schedule both appointments.  (Today Terry and I decided we will go one morning to get a jump on the crowd to try and accomplish this task.)

Another thing to happen in those non-eventful days was that Ray made brownies and in just under ninety minutes, they were done baking!  I won't be baking too much in this oven.  The oven heats up the kitchen anyways, so we use the grill and crockpot mostly.  I have looked into baking in the crockpot also when we have a craving for chocolate.  And then there were more "Breaking Bad" and late bedtimes.

Onto our adventure today!  First stop was at the Cafe at El Machetazo for lunch.  (As usual, my cupboard and refrigerator are bare until we visit PriceMart this week!)  This is a cafeteria style lunch, and today, there was a huge spread of really good entrees to select from all costing about $4 total.   We sat next to a couple that Clyde and Terry know, and we had good conversation with them while eating.  We then drove to Penonome in search of the USA Outlet store.  We found the sign, we found the plaza, and we found the guard who told Clyde that the USA Outlet store is no more.  It is now a discoteca.  Even though I found the website online, and I found the location, it didn't mean the store was really there.  We browsed an "interesting" furniture store with the salesman following the four of us upstairs as well.  The furniture had an Asian flare and was thousands of dollars for many "original" pieces.  I am sure no one else would have anything like it.  And maybe there is someone that likes it, just not us.  We remembered being told that there was another USA clothing store in the next town "just down the road" in Aguadulce.  Ray, our driver, took us to that town, and we found the clothing store.  Importadora Americana housed Kohls, JC Penney, Crocs, Roxy, Bongo, Toms brand shoes and more at discounted prices.  The racks were unorganized with sizes mostly in the Junior numbers of 0, 5, and 7.  The prices weren't anything like Dorian's at Albrook Mall.  There was a good selection of pool floats, and nicely priced outdoor furniture along with picture frames, Target brand Tupperware and bathroom accessories.  We walked out empty handed.  The only thing left to do was take a "restroom break" in Penonome (anyone want ice cream?).  Once back to Chame, it was dinnertime, so we drove a little farther to Delizz where we sat outside having ceviche, salads, papas fritas (I won't name who), and chicken.  Ray and I had been here once before, and we weren't disappointed tonight.  A good end to a day that started out "with a plan".  But when in Panama, always have a Plan B.

Random picture as seen in the grocery store (free cereal bowl)

Two plus hours west of Panama City, there must be Hokies fans! ($9.99)

We found the outlet store in Aguadulce!

These are the brands found inside (if you look long and hard enough).

Clyde 

"GNO" WITH RAY GETTING SOME ALONE TIME

At the last happy hour Ray and I went to at Hotel Trypp, we bumped into a friendly and sociable woman, Kimberly, that we had met last month.  I walked over to say hello and re-introduce myself, but before I could get that far (no re-introduction necessary), she was telling me she had lost my contact information and needed it for an invite she wanted to send me.  She would be having a Girls Night Out soon, and I was on the invite list.  About a week ago, the invite came stating it would be a pool party.  No boys allowed, and no agendas.  These are the two rules.  Terry came along with me (she had an invite as well), and Ray was our driver.  The party was from 5-9, and it was BYOB along with potluck/appetizers.  Ray decided to have four hours last night as some "alone time".  We haven't been apart since I shopped with Terry last week, but then, Ray was with Clyde.  As far as Ray goes, he was going to study Spanish, but he slept for two hours instead.  Party boy that he is!

We arrived to the home in Coronado shortly after five, and Kimberly along with her good friend were there.  They had just come out of the pool.  The pool reminded me of the one we had in Stafford, VA. The same red coping with blue tiles running along the inside.  There were steps leading into the pool and seats in the pool.  This is where the likeness ends.  This pool had a waterfall, two swim up tables with benches along the side, and it also had lush gardens, bohios with more seating, an outdoor shower that looked like a rock climbing wall with the way it had been decorated (the colorful protrusions of rocks blocked the shower hardware), palm trees, stepping stones going in different directions and leading to multiple seating areas and an oversized hammock.  There was a large covered porch off of the house looking out onto the grounds and the pool.  So this wasn't exactly like my pool in Stafford, VA.  haha

The owner of the home was away on an extended vacation, but she graciously allowed Kimberly to use the home with its decorated walls painted with vibrant tropical colors and pool for our entertainment.  I haven't met the owner yet, but from what I know, she owns a company that offers relocation services, and she is a buyer's consultant.  http://panamaholidayhomes.com  Her home has a casita on the property that is also for rent.  There were about fifteen women that made it to the pool party.  Most are retirees, but there were a few that had just come to the party from work.  Some lived in houses, some lived in condos, some have been in Panama for three months, and others have been here for two, three and ten years.  There was a woman there that grew up in the Canal Zone.  She will have a wealth of information and history to share with us.  The hostess started this event in May, so there haven't been many that I have missed.  She led monthly GNO events in her home state of Michigan for nine years, and she hopes to find the same camaraderie, friendship and enjoyment among different women here who have decided to retire (for the most part) in Panama and are looking for the same thing.

While munching on many great dishes and appetizers (I had, for the first time, made turkey pinwheel sandwiches, with Ray being my sous chef), we presented ourselves to each other and shared who we were and where we came from--we kept it brief.  The beautiful pool was calling us!  The sun had set (6:15 pm), so there was a little chill to the water, but that didn't keep me out.  There were about ten of us at one time in the pool, on the benches and on the steps, drinking out of plastic ware sharing shopping stories, happy hour and restaurant stories, and mostly just getting to know each other a bit more.  Most of the ladies, along with Terry and I, left the party about thirty minutes early.  There were four women remaining in the pool with wine (in plastic glasses) when I said my goodbye to Kimberly.   I know the future GNO's will be just as entertaining.

Back of property (not really) standing by covered porch looking up to large covered porch and house

Notice the built in umbrellas and benches (waterfall is off)

Besides getting that "first invite", Ray and I have been low key here in Casa Cuarenta.  We took a drive to Westland Mall on Saturday.  No sooner had we left the house, but it did the usual and what it has been doing for about the past week.  It rained.  BUCKETS AND BUCKETS.  It was only really heavy as we approached the mall.  And there is covered parking.  But the Panamanians walk in it all.  They ride their bikes.  We saw a family of five casually walking up to the mall in the pouring rain with two umbrellas.  While in the mall, even I could hear the heavy rain and thunder.  I am getting used to these once unfamiliar noises.  Funny thing is to see the expansive roof of the mall have a little leak.  There isn't a caution cone where the puddle is, and there isn't someone addressing the puddle.  It just leaks water onto the floor, and here's hoping you don't slip.  In the woman's bathroom, as I approached a stall, there was a large puddle of water.  There, too, the drop ceiling tile had been removed and was leaking.  Again, no warning.  After we browsed the mall looking for nothing mostly, we stopped at several shops along the highway that interested us.  There is a large white building on the way home from the mall with the sign "El Palacio de la Decoracion".  Inside this building, we found outdoor furniture at reasonable prices, Asian planters and Asian furniture my dad would have loved (I for some reason don't have his same appreciation for this style), MOPEDS (of course) and along the back wall, there was underwear.  Packaged underwear.  Just in case you needed to buy some while buying an Asian piece of sculpture.  Once outside, we saw a tiny black and green frog hopping along in the rain.

He was happily hopping until Ray cornered him for this picture.  

Sunday we went for lunch to Paraiso's.

Ray after eating lunch (far left of table) with Clyde in the green chatting.

The LARGE bohio!

 This restuarant is on the way to El Valle in Las Uvas.  It is not even 2 miles off the main highway.  There was to be an expat singing for two hours.  He wanted to get a feel for the turnout for when he has a fundraiser in the weeks to come.  The breezes were a welcome, and while it was bright and sunny, the large bohio sheltered us from the sun, and the temperatures remained cool (for an afternoon in Panama).  We spent two hours chatting with Clyde and Terry (Ray was the driver for the day) and many other expats.  I learned about Spay the Strays, and I am hopeful to be volunteering with this organization (Ray, as well) monthly.

We spent our mornings this past week getting to know another man that showed at the gym.  We were exercising by eight am (ludicrous).   We won't see him too often, since he works away from Panama more than here.  His girlfriend lives across the street from the gym.  He gave us good information about other shipping companies (in case we want to add our remaining belongings  to a shipping container instead of loading on the plane), and we talked about Panama, in general.  After the gym, we stopped by the bank and then we made our way (it was tough!) to Cafe Viana.  This is a bakery on the road to Coronado.  Ray and I shared a butter cream cookie and a slice of quiche.  Delicious!  Good thing we had been to the gym, right?

And right now an employee from the company, Truly Nolan, is here spraying the inside and outside for pests.  The appointment time was at one pm, and he was right on Panamanian time arriving at 1:30.  Later, we are picking Clyde and Terry up and taking them to Westland Mall.  I asked Terry if she wanted to "Cash In" her birthday gift coupon which was valued at movie tickets, popcorn and drinks for two today.  We are seeing the movie "100 Foot Journey" with Helen Mirren.  It will have Spanish subtitles, but it will be in English.  Should be a good day with the movie and then great tv tonight ("Modern Family" starts)--this is life in retirement.

BUT WAIT...TIP afterall.  We picked up Clyde and Terry and drove about 45 minutes to Westland Mall.  We arrived to the theater to buy the tickets with the sign only showing a showtime of 9:45 pm. Where is the 4:10 listing?  I asked the girl if it was playing only at nine.  I tried to say that it was listed at four online (but I didn't know the word for computer---should have said machine, but I didn't think of it fast enough).  What to do?  Ray went back to the counter, and he did manage to get the girl to look up all of the nearby theaters to see if the movie was playing nearby at a decent time.  And it was.  Sort of.  We continued to the city to the Multiplaza Mall which is where Ray and I have stayed at the Marriott Courtyard umpteen times.  Since we had driven that far already to the first theater, we figured we might as well keep going--what else did we have to do?  We walked quickly to the theater knowing we would just catch the end of the previews, and to our surprise (happy this time that the information was wrong again online), the movie wasn't to start for another thirty minutes.  Plenty of time.  The four of us thought the movie was very good.  A "feel good" movie.  And we were such big spenders for Terry's birthday--$11 for four to see the movie in the VIP section (we didn't ask for it, the movie was just playing there), and $12 for popcorn and sodas.  But I did offer to buy them something else such as a wonderful hot dog!  We ended the night having dinner at Jimmy's in the San Francisco district (within minutes of the mall), and returning home from our "afternoon outing" at ten pm.  Now time to crack the books and crash study for Spanish a little more! Wonder what tomorrow night will bring?  (Computer in Spanish is equipo, silly me.)

BOTH ALBROOK MALL, AND DR. LEVY JUSTIFY ME!

I am going to be backwards in this post a bit, since I can't remember what really happened a few days ago.  I am pretty sure many readers of this blog "get this".  I do remember what my last post ended with, and it has been bothering me for days.  I will get to that first by saying today started with me going to a general physician to discuss with him my recent blood work results.  I just wanted someone that speaks very good English to explain ALL the numbers to me.  And while I understand why Ray was questioning why I was questioning the other doctor (or second guessing his treatment for me), after consulting with my uncle (retired surgeon) and talking this through with others, I just wanted to hear it from someone else.  Whether I liked the answer or not, I wanted two professionals to tell me the same thing.  And yes, I was really hoping they differed in opinions.  Which they did.  Dr. Levy is an excellent English speaking physician who comes with rave reviews from many expats.  He left the San Fernando Clinic Coronado to open his own practice in The Village at the end of last year.  He is very young looking (a few gray hairs here and there), but he is extremely intelligent and his explanations are clear.  I had with me my test results as well as the prescription I was given for medicine to start taking for my high cholesterol for three months.

Let's start with the appointment, or lack of appointment, that I had with Dr. Levy this morning.  Ray and I walked into the office at 9:30 (opens at 8:00), and I explained to the English speaking receptionist why I was there.  We took a seat, and within two minutes (long enough for Ray to still be questioning why I wanted to be there), we were in Dr. Levy's office.  He was the one to call us back to the consultation room.   The bottom line is that I was right.  haha  While he agreed that the numbers were high, he also took my blood pressure, asked me a few health history questions, listened to my heart, listened to my story (took just a short time, I promise, since I can talk fast) about by numbers in the past and made his recommendation of me "doing what I normally do" for the next two months and revisit this with another blood test.  He said the prescription I was given is great to lower triglycerides (a type of fat found in our bodies that we use for energy), but my problem is LDL's (the lipids that collect in walls of blood vessels causing blockages).  So while the prescription would have done some good on the cholesterol number, he didn't feel it would address the problem with the LDL's.  After twenty or so minutes, Ray also had an order to have his cholesterol numbers checked (only if he wants, but it was recommended by Dr. Levy).  In Panama, we don't need this order, but on the paper, it was spelled out for us.  I asked Dr. Levy about Vitamin D testing in Panama.  This is not done here too often, mostly because Panamanians get enough sunlight and do not lack Vitamin D.  They tend to be completely covered up though, as Terry has noted.  But also, it is an expensive test.  I told him before leaving the States, many friends were on Vitamin D to raise their levels.  Sunscreen and being indoors all day at work are too blame apparently.

So off we go, me with a big smile on my face, and Ray just happy that I am happy.  I am perfectly content with both appointments and both physicians.  I just understood Dr. Levy's explanation, and I didn't really give the other physician a chance to explain thoroughly (our phone conversation was too brief, in my opinion).  Without the Pensionado Visa that we have, the appointment would have been $15.  We paid $12.75 for this consult.  So enough about me!

Before this appointment, Ray and I stopped by Truly Nolan.  This is a pest control office.  With this rental, we have to make sure we call for the owners to schedule the quarterly spraying of pesticides (no judging here, it isn't my house, and we are just doing what is asked of us).  We knocked on the door (the gate was open, but it seemed to be closed).  Two women came to the door, and we started to explain in Spanish (we had practiced) why we were there.  One woman had Ray follow her to the computer where I could see that she had opened up Google Translate.  She had Ray type in what he needed, and she typed back an answer.  Then we spoke in broken down Spanish and scheduled an appointment.  We were a little discouraged that she didn't want to even try to listen to us in Spanish, and it wasn't that much faster with the computer.  But after about the same amount of time that we would spend with the doctor appointment that was ahead of us, we were done.  We checked that off the to do list.

Going backwards to Wednesday.  What I remember about this day was that when in Panama, I never really do know the weather forecast.  I know that it will rain during rainy season, but when or for how long I don't know.  I don't check it on my computer either.  I just figure it will sunny or cloudy when I wake up, and then it might be sunny all day or there could be a heavy rain (had a few of those this past week) or an intermittent shower.  I love when it rains early in the afternoon, because it cools the day and night down.  Tuesday (a little farther back, since my memory is coming back a bit) while at the gym, it was sunny with a few white puffy clouds in the sky.  Ray commented that we should have had our bathing suits with us, so we could just jump in the pool.  This is why we set it up to do this on Wednesday.  We packed a cooler but the two differences here though were that Ray didn't exercise with me, and it rained as soon as we arrived to the gym.  I worked out, and he chatted with someone that was trying to get a little sun.  They stood under the bohio and chatted the 45 minutes that it rained.  Then we floated, Clyde and Terry showed up to float, and life was good.  Clyde invited us over to try some of the tuna he had caught in Cambutal.  He was recreating the tuna and zucchini dish he had really enjoyed at Hotel PlayaCambutal last week.  Not knowing the time of day or having a care, we left the pool only to have a quick turn around of about an hour (if that).  All good, because we only needed a quick shower and change.  The tuna was grilled perfectly, the zucchini salad he made as a topping added just the right zest, and Terry's cole slaw was one of the best I have tasted (along with my Lake Anna roommates slaw, too).  It was all so good, and even Ray enjoyed the tuna.  We had an early start on Thursday, so we cut the night short.

Once Ray and I arrived home, we finally saw what all the hoopla had been about in Chame.  In the past week, green and yellow banners and have been put up on the municipal buildings along with green and yellow flags lining the street that takes us to our development.  It is Chame's Independence Day on September 18th.  Happy birthday, Chame.  The schools are closed for a week of of "spring break", but the children were in uniform Wednesday night carrying torches and marching in different bands from the PanAmerican highway to the center of town.  Once there, we were treated to a spectacular fireworks show right out our front door.  Gus had even warned us earlier in the day that there would be a lot of activity at our gate and on the main street into town on Thursday (because he knows "we come and go a lot").  Too slow and too lazy to grab my camera, I stood there in the street in my pajamas and bare feet watching the show and listening to how loud they really are around here (they seem to echo).

In the field by our development getting ready for the parade.

Buses line up along the highway, and people start crowding the field towards the platform where speeches will be heard as they close off our road. 

Just an added bonus of the day!  PriceSmart is coming in closer!  Awesome!  45 mins away vs going to the City

Yes--me, myself and I actually bought this $2.00 tank top.  

Bright and early Thursday morning, Ray and I were at Clyde and Terry's house ready to start the big day.  For Terry and I, it meant a day of shopping at Albrook Mall (and perhaps me finding a shirt or two).  For Clyde and Ray, it meant a day (they thought a few hours) trying to get Clyde's car tags for another year.  Ray would drive, so he could learn the roads a bit more.  First stop though was in La Chorrera at the SYMSA building to schedule appointments for our mammograms.  This can also be done in the city or Penonome (as I found out today).  Terry and I crossed the busy street risking our lives to get into the building (there wasn't any parking).  Once inside the small reception area, we encountered the non-English speaking receptionist.  This is okay though, I thought.  I had Terry with me.  With the loud television playing in the background, the noise of  the people waiting, the soft speaking receptionist, and the man behind us trying to help us but also hurry us along, we just couldn't hear a thing.  Long and short of the story is that we do not need appointments, for me it would cost $40, but for Terry, she will have to go into the city.   This office no longer performs mammograms on women that have implants (and yes, Terry knows I am writing this).  Good to know, since it has done so in the past.  I will follow her along into the city.

Back in the car, we arrived to Albrook Mall at the penguin entrance (remember this mall, depending on what you read, has 400-600 shops) at ten am.  And off Ray and Clyde went into the city.  They were first stopping by our insurance agent's office to pick up our newly done, and correctly so, insurance cards.  Clyde also had papers to pick up.  The rest of their story has to do with things being done very quickly in one office, and then the brakes were put on when they arrived to the same office (Centro de Placas or a Panamanian DMV) we had been to with Monica trying to get the title to our car.  Ray put extra money in the meter for a two hour stay, and it took three hours with Clyde being told "come back in thirty days".  And he doesn't know why.  They also had a fine and filling lunch at Pomodoro's.  Perhaps they will blog about it.  hahaha

Back to my day with Terry.  I have not really shopped with a girlfriend or even my sister in a very long time.  I usually shop with my daughter, or I go at it alone.  I browse the aisles, spend a lot of time in the dressing room, and with any luck, I have emptied our bank account a bit.  With Terry, it was an easy day of browsing the stores, sharing stories, people watching, and I will say we made it to more than five stores, I think. Along with lunch and stopping for a beverage, we shopped till we dropped for six hours.  Disclaimer here:  many visits to Panama ago, Clyde and Terry were showing Ray and I around town.  We browsed produce markets, ate in off the beaten path Italian restaurants, had a flat tire fixed, and we browsed clothing stores.  I told Terry then, and I told her six weeks ago, "I will not be wearing that to any stores ever."  I was pointing to a "looks like it's for the-beach type" sundress (with tube top) at the time.  I also never wear tank tops.  Now here I am in El Costo having no clue what size it is (one size fits all perhaps) trying on a pretty purple and pink (favorite colors here) above mentioned sundress.  For $2.99.  And then I was trying on tank tops.  $1.99/top.  It gets warm in Panama. And I was super appreciative of that $1.99 tank top (from the Gap but really bought in the store called Dorians) today when writing this post and eating lunch.  After El Costo, we found some tops in Titan.  What happened was that Terry saw a cute shirt (a little dressier than I was looking for), held it up and put it back on the rack.  It was also $1.99.  I told her if I found something else to try on, I was also going to try on that shirt.  I came out of the dressing room liking the top.  And for that price (hey, it came with a belt), Terry tried it on, also.  And did I say before for that price we decided to buy the tops in the two colors they came in promising not to wear them to the same events.  A little over $7 in cash no less, I have now spent on three items.  We wandered and browsed the mall some more and made our way to the smaller food court for some lunch.  We found something that reminded me of Chipotle in the States.  It was a very good meal for $5 with our discount.  Ray then messaged that he was stuck at that building with Clyde, and I knew they must be hungry! While eating, I noticed a woman carrying a large bag with the store name Dorian on it.  I knew I had to go back to the Dragon entrance of the mall that we had just passed and check out the store.  Terry had never been in it before.  It would be a new store for the two of us.  I loved it.  Alright, same stuff, different store perhaps.  But not really.  There were Old Navy Shirts, Croft and Barrow shirts (Kohls that I am very familiar with), Gap shirts, and shirts that weren't polyester.  They were the familiar cotton, but they were lightweight, too.  This is wear I broke the bank and for seven tops, I spent $28.  Two tops were tank tops again, and yes, one does say "I Heart Me" on it, but again, I need some cool sleeveless tops for "around the house".  And the Old Navy polo shirt was marked down to $3.99 from $5.99.  It was a very good day.  I was left with thinking I should be looking for a new purse.  But then Ray messaged me.  They had arrived back to the Penguin entrance.  Six hours later, and breaking the bank at under $32, I left the mall happy, tired and a little hungry.

Clyde and Terry knew of a pizza place in La Chorrera that was "off the beaten path".  When Ray pulled up, his comment was "this isn't the place right"?  Yep.  Under the hut we sat (there is a large restaurant inside as well), and they even cut out some of the straw so when you duck under the hut, you know where to put your head.  The restaurant offers more than pizza, but we split a small one which was plenty.  Panama has some good pizza.  Yes, I know all about the cheese and the clogging of the arteries deal.  I think I have written this before that I have eaten more pizza here in six weeks (three times so far, I think) than all of last year!  We took some pizza to go, stopped at the El Costo in La Chorrera to look for a purse (no luck), and then we made it home.  What a day!  A really good, successful day.  I actually fit into clothes!  I didn't fit into size small shirts like I do when in the States (like the shirt I was wearing), but I found Medium and Large one's that worked, and if they only last a few months, I can spend another $30 then to replenish!

Terry is where the cut out for the head is, and Ray is thinking "what the heck".

The path to the restaurant reminded me of Fred Flintstone's feet.

In case I didn't remember the name (restaurant on right, huts on left)

My loot for $30 (purple sundress on left).

Interesting thing to see and note is that yesterday in one of the stores there was a boy mopping the floor.  And as he mopped he would take a large piece of cardboard and wave it at the floor to dry it.  No cones up or caution signs saying "wet floor", but just a teenage boy waving the floor to dry it as he mopped.  Basically, if you slip on a wet floor, or trip over uneven ground or fall into a pothole or large crack in the sidewalk, you just weren't paying attention.  No need for caution signs.  You can't sue anyone in Panama.  Another thing is that if you are in the restrooms upstairs at Albrook Mall (or usually by any food court in a mall here), you will not have to pay a quarter.  But if you are downstairs, and even though there is a food court here, you have to pay a quarter.  But when we paid the quarter yesterday, we didn't put it in a slot on the door with the door then opening up for us.  We had to give it to the woman at the turnstile (like entering or leaving a stadium, there are turnstiles to count the people).  She was the bathroom monitor.  Once the bathroom line was short enough inside where the stalls are, she would then have you drop your quarter into the slot.  Then you could "pass go" and enter the bathroom.  Ray told me what he finds odd about the men's bathroom is that in the States, a MALE employee is usually cleaning the bathroom (although usually they will close the bathroom to do the cleaning).  Here, twice now, he has had a FEMALE employee walk in and clean the place.  Odd to him, but now accepted and even expected.  The mall bathrooms tend to be very clean.

Well, if all of this wasn't enough excitement and busyness for the week, tonight we had a Sangria mixer to attend at Louise's bohio.  Louise is the President of CASA, and she owns a beautiful home in Coronado with gorgeous gardens and a beautiful swimming pool (oh, a rainforest, too).  We were to her house one other time for a St. Patrick's Day party eighteen months ago.  This is when we joined the association.  We arrived to the party one hour early, since Ray was helping Clyde return the tables and chairs he had borrowed for his birthday party two weeks ago.  We had a chance to catch up with Louise and her husband, and we also met the other board members.  We drank Sangria, chatted with the "old friends" we have made these past six weeks, and we were able to meet new friends as well.  After the party, Ray and I were going out for dinner, and Clyde and Terry came along.  We stopped at Nueva Gorgona for Chinese food.  I could get my fill of fresh steamed vegetables.  And Ray could have his usual fried rice.  He mixed it up a bit by getting it with pork tonight (he has lost ten pounds since our arrival to Panama).  Although I am confused about what day it is, I am not too confused to realize there is yet another event just around the corner on Sunday.  Sometimes I am asked what my hobbies and interests are, and I realize I haven't had time to figure this out.  Actually, I can say I want to make going to the gym a priority (when in town!), and we have a few things up our sleeves that are coming soon.  What I can write for now and what I know is that we are finding the days slip by, and whether it is being lazy at the pool, working out at the gym or running those errands, we are still enjoying our 24/7 retirement in Panama.

CRAVING FOR, WON'T BUY, AND DON'T DO---WHAT?

Yesterday Ray and I drove almost to the city to the Discovery Center store.  We wanted to check out the grills there one more time, plus there was a water pump that we wanted to buy as well.  Rather than buy a $200 water cooler we picked up a simple pump to put into the big water jugs.  This way we don't have to keep refilling small bottles that take up valuable refrigerator space.  The extra large water bottles here (shown below) cost $6 maybe.  No luck with the grills though.  There were only floor models, and those grills seemed to be missing a few screws (wobbly).

This is the $5 pump.

We did not buy the $200 cooler.  First, a grill!

Clyde had told us there was an El Machetazo in La Chorrera.  We thought we would stop there on the way back to Chame.  But first, Ray had a craving.  "Yo Quiero Taco Bell"  What?  We have been to Taco Bell in the States MAYBE five times (okay, this is the number for me at least).  He wanted a burrito.  I right away questioned the meat, since Panama isn't known for the beef here (unless it is cooked for a very long time or imported).  The fast food restaurant opened at 11:00.  It was 11:10.  Two cashiers were behind the counter.  One was loading her pan with dollars and cents, and the other one was watching her.  There was a man ahead of us in line.  The electronic signs with the menu were not turned on yet.  A few minutes pass, and the one girl watching the other girl realizes the signs need to be turned on so we can decide what to order.  She turns the signs on.  At 11:20 we are now allowed to place our order.  In our perfect Spanish.  We figure out everything except the word "nor-mal" (pronounced nor-MAL as in the mal in mallowmars, and the emphasis is on MAL--only thing I can think of now).  Silly us.  And the word "regular" is the same only with a rolled "r" at the start.  We make things so difficult on ourselves.  The burrito came with fritos on it as well as a side of, yes, french fries.  Ray got his fix, and only 20 minutes after our arrival to the "fast food" restaurant. 

At the El Machetazo in La Chorerra, the only grill to be found was a George Foreman grill.  We did find that Pringles potato chips were on sale "buy one, get one free".  How they do this here is they tape both cans together.  Or if it is cookies, they tape both bags together.  This way you only have to pick up one item, and one item gets scanned (unlike in the States where you pick up one can, and then the other, and you just know that one is "free").  The cost was $3.50 for both (nor-MAL is $2.30 or so for one can).  The other draw was the unusual flavor of Chili Jalapeno.  Again, in the States I never reached for chips unless baked, wheat or loaded with flaxseed.  Maybe psychologically, I think it is comforting to have these foods in my cabinet.  Maybe I just like knowing these things are available.  

We then went back to our local El Machetazo to look at the grills again.  This time we told the boy the reason we did not want the floor model.  It wouldn't fit in the car.  It was too tall.  His "jefe" (boss) named Aida came over and asked what the trouble was with the grill.  We explained to her we needed it to be in a box, so it would fit in the car.  I was pulling pieces out of her Spanish slowly.  Slowly.  She asked where we lived.  Once we all understood everything, we had a grill being delivered to our house!  We told the driver where we lived, three men (along with the guard at the store) loaded the grill into the pickup truck, and the employee followed us to the house.  No tools necessary, and today Clyde came over to help Ray switch out the connectors and hose to the gas, so it would fit Tropigas brand of propane instead of another kind that is more expensive.  To refill the tank, it will cost less than $6 to fill it.  

Loading the grill into the pick up truck.

New grill and Tropigas tank next to Propane tank.

Today was a super busy day of our Spanish lesson at EIGHT am (!), we took our Amazon Fire back to have it figured out (it isn't working correctly even with the internet speed we have, and this was verified in the store today), picked up my blood test results, dropped off the results at the doctor's office, bumped into the doctor and told him I wasn't pleased (gave him time to look over results), back to Novey for a chain for the grill and gas tank, and then to the realtor to discuss housing options.  And finally, we made it back to the gym where the electricity was out.  We used the machines and called it a day.  There wasn't anymore we could do there.

So once again I opened up Pandora's box by having blood work done upon my arrival to Panama.  I wanted this done because 1) it was time, 2) things had run high two years ago (and I didn't return to have rechecked) and 3) it was inexpensive to do and would give me baseline. Thank you to my mom, my uncle (her brother) and my Poppop (her dad) for those remarkable genes.  Looks like I will be on cholesterol meds for the next three months.  "Too high for you" is what the doctor told me on the phone.  How did it happen that I talked to him on the phone?  Well, earlier today I picked up the results from my exam that I had done two weeks ago and dropped off blood work results.  The receptionist told me all was "nor-MAL" with my lab results from that doctor's visit.  She told me the doctor would call me once he reviewed these new results.  Instead, she called me.  She insists on calling and speaking her language.  Imagine that.  But from what I understood, I was to pick up a prescription today for my cholesterol.  We agreed on a time I would return for the prescription, but I still wanted to chat with the doctor.  I didn't know how long to take the meds, did I really have to take the meds, etc.  When I went in to get the prescription, she then called the doctor.  This is when he said "Allison, cholesterol."  Pause.  "Too high for you!"  He said "you take one pill a day for three months, and then appointment with me to recheck".  Yes sir.  Then he said an odd and horrifying thing.  "No wine.  No coke."  Okay, I thought wine was helpful with heart disease.  Right?  Well, after a little research (like I always do) I read that while wine might protect the artery walls, alcohol (any) can increase the triglycerides.  I don't know about Coke or soda though.  The caffeine?  No.  Now that I think about it, I am thinking he said to drink wine and have cocoa. Dark chocolate.  Maybe he didn't really say "coke"?  Maybe he said "more wine and cocoa"?  Again, these hearing aids aren't doing the trick in translating for me.  He does speak English, but there is definitely a gap there in my understanding his English.  I think the next time I see his truck parked in the parking lot, I am going to run in and ask.  I just want to do the right thing.  haha  And yes, I will follow the rules.  El Machetazo discounts prescriptions 17% on Fridays.  (The Jubilado Discount is 10%).  

The best part is as we were leaving the doctor's office (I made Ray go in with me this time to see if he could pull out some words she was saying to me and maybe understand a few more words), the receptionist hands me my results to file away (they kept a copy of the lab results, but the blood work results is given right back to me) and she says "high cholesterol" IN PERFECT English with a big smile.  I looked at her, laughed with her and said "yes I know, and thank you very much" in my PERFECT Spanish (this I do know how to say).  It reminded me of Mama Jita on Isla Caña the other day speaking VERY slowly for us and kidding with us--the Panamanians are super kind and friendly, and they want to practice English--even it if means practicing by joking and teasing this very confused gringa.  Ray is learning he has more than what he bargained for when it comes to being responsible for me here in Panama, and we are both learning "practica, practica, practica"  again muddling our way through this thing called retirement.  

RAY'S VERSION OF 50 SHADES--BUT HIS COLOR WAS GREEN

After making arrangements with the hotel owner to have an earlier breakfast (since our meeting time was at 7:55 am on Wednesday), Ray and I quickly ate watermelon, yogurt and toast.  We drove our car to where the fishing boats are docked along the main road minutes away.  TC and Emmet had secured a boat for us to go deep sea fishing for tuna.  You would have thought Santa was coming to visit Clyde a little early this year.  He has been wanting to go deep sea fishing in Panama for three years.  Emmet and TC had told us they were on three other trips in the same boat, but always a different Captain.  Deep sea fishing trips and tours can get costly here.  This trip would cost us $50 for the six of us, plus $25 for the gas Emmet provided the Captain.

The process of deep sea fishing in Cambutal or for our group that morning looked like this:

Random boats, but not for us

First, we have to get our boat, so he swam out there for it.

Pulling up the anchor.

Bringing it in (notice the sky)

All aboard!

Few horseback riders seen that morning.

 Ray, Terry and I were originally going to stay behind lounging poolside while the fishermen (and woman) caught tuna.  But whales were out there in the deep blue water, we had seen the blowholes from TC and Emmet's porch, and we hoped to see them closer.  Plus we wanted to be a part of this adventure with Clyde, TC and Emmet.

Hindsight being 20/20......

A few things to note:

--the hard candy Ray had packed for the road trip he tossed over to me to pack in our beach bag.  I didn't want to add the entire bag of candy to the bag, and I (he says curtly) told him to just take a few pieces.  I didn't think we needed candy for a two hour boat ride.  Fortunately, Ray packed the candy.  It wasn't going to be for the group.  It would be medicinal.

--the Captain and his assistant wore life vests.  We did not, and we were not offered a vest.  Emmet now knows this to mean "rough water".

--Emmet and TC  HAD TO HAVE flares, two oars, a Panamanian flag, life vests and whistles on their boat to register it in Panama.  This boat had none of these emergency staples.

--I sat in between Ray and Terry.  They could hold onto the side of the boat (good to grip later).

We set out on our three hour tour riding the big waves.  For me, it was like riding the best of roller coasters out there!  I held my arms up in the air and took each wave better than the first!  But with each wave, Ray and Terry's stomachs were tumbling a bit more.  When Clyde caught the first fish, he asked Terry to film him pulling the fish in from the water (I was recording it, also).  Her stomach became angrier when she turned herself around towards the back of the boat.  She passed the camera to Ray and from that point, she stared at the horizon.  She asked Ray to film the catch.  And once the first fish was caught, they both were then staring at the horizon.  Terry had taken half a seasickness pill that morning, since this had happened to her many years ago.  Ray ate candy.  I couldn't understand why it just didn't hold the little ziploc bag, so the candy would be right there available to him.  He explained later that he had neither his sense nor his wits about him the entire boat ride.  He had also lost a lot of color.

Meanwhile, the fish Emmet and Clyde first caught was a "bonita" fish.  Good for nothing but bait, so over the side of the boat it went back into the ocean.  A little while later, and a few more great waves, Clyde caught the first and second tuna of the morning!

Pretty awesome!

Fish two!

Clyde was happier than a pig in mud, but he had no idea why Ray and Terry weren't sharing in his enthusiasm.  Ray and Terry said with the boat moving their stomachs were better, but anytime they slowed the boat down to catch fish, their stomachs tumbled more.

After two and a half hours, the boat was headed towards the shore.  Until the birds showed up.  Ray doesn't love birds, and he didn't love these even more!  The birds are where the fish are, and this is where the Captain would redirect the boat.  Emmet came to the back of the boat to try his luck here.  I had someone to chat with--yay!  He caught nothing.  And then we saw whales far away.  I saw the waterspout in the distance and the shiny black back, but we were too far to capture a good picture or video.

While sitting in the back with me, Emmet realized my group wasn't faring too well (especially when Terry asked "how much longer"?), and he ordered the Captain to get the boat back to shore quickly.  Little did we know that they had been adding gas to the tank in hopes of catching more fish and continuing the tour a little while longer.  Clyde realized what was going on when he asked for a piece of candy.  I had to tell him he could have one, but Ray was using them medicinally for his stomach.

So if we had stayed poolside (since we didn't really see those whales), the tour could have gone on a little longer, but Clyde was happy to walk away with two tuna that equaled twelve tuna steaks.  Once back at the house (Ray and I cleaned up in our hotel room), Clyde and Emmet cleaned the fish, fileted them, packed them on ice, and they did whatever else you do to freshly caught fish.  We met again to take the waterfall tour at Villa del Mar.  Ray and Terry felt much better on land.  Ray and Clyde hopped in the back of the pick up truck, so we could all just be in one car.  We had plans to take the hike to the waterfall, and then to eat dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Playa Venao.  The weather turned stormy, thunder and lightening showed up, and it started pouring rain.  Clyde, Terry, Ray and I sat nestled in the the back seat of the truck getting to know each other a little more.  I thought it was nice that the six of us could then be in the truck together passing time.  We bypassed the waterfall tour due to the weather, and the Mexican restaurant was closed.  Always having a back up plan, we then sat our tired bodies (from all the work we had done so far!) down at an oceanside restaurant nearby ordering margaritas and beer.  Terry was being crazy with ordering Coke Light (we had many large drinks the night before), and she came over to sip some of my passionfruit frozen margarita.  We ate lunch, took pictures, enjoyed the view and each other, and plans were made for the rest of the day.  We were done touring and decided to do nothing for the rest of the day once back at the house.  We wanted to sit on the porch and stare at the ocean.  First though, Clyde, Ray, Emmet and TC secured the cable to a really tall pole at the house up the hill.  Hopefully, they will get internet soon.  (Although I think they need connectors brought back from the States, since the one's they have aren't quite the right size).

Playa Venao restaurant

The beach

TC and Emmet

Clyde and Terry

Happily retired!

Okay...you can have some but use the TINY straw!

Did I already mention "happily retired couple"

Getting windy

At the neighbors house securing the cable.

Terry and I watch the activity from the neighbor's porch

Odd vines

TC turns the pole just so....

Drinks on the porch waiting for the sun to set.

OH!  And shout out to TC--it was her 21st birthday on this fishing day!  She had a great day!
Back in Cambutal and after sitting on the porch watching the sun go down for the day, we got back into the truck in search of dinner at another local restaurant.  TC walked up to the gate (remember the day before the restaurant owner opened it for us), but she was told this restaurant would not open that night because "I am painting".  Makes sense.  Can't stop to cook if you are painting.  Since we enjoyed Hotel Playa Cambutal from two nights before, this is where we ate dinner.  This time I tried red snapper (pargo), while Terry and Clyde raved about the chicken I had had previously.  We weren't disappointed.  Another great meal with great friends.

All good things come to an end, and what a great vacation!  Thursday morning Ray and I managed to make breakfast again (!), check our emails and hang out in the lobby watching people checking out the surfboards, and the newcomers swimming early in the morning.  I bought a t-shirt as a souvenir, and when Ray decided to buy one, the owner said "it's on the house".  We then said our goodbyes to our wonderful new friends all the while making plans for future trips and visits.  We also realized again that the four of us make pretty good traveling companions!  More road trips to come!

On the drive to back to Chame, we drove along the coast stopping at Playa El Toro for picture taking and sight seeing.  Then we proceeded to the popular surfer town of Pedasi which the four of us had been to in the past.  We quickly made our way to other beach stops, and then through Las Tables to lunch in Chitre.  Most of the food on the menu was Chinese.  Clyde and Terry enjoyed a large bowl of wonton soup, Ray ordered chicken fried rice but NO french fries this time, and my grilled chicken came with a Thanksgiving-like gravy and french fries (either this or rice).  This time Ray tried my fries and unfortunately, they were disappointing.

Looking for?  Mussels?  

Selfie!

These milk cans are along the road.  Some are picked up and others just get hose put in to pull the cow's milk up and out.  And yes, a man was standing by one urinating.  Men do that a lot along the road here.

Rice field

Running of the cows!

Lunch.

Bus stop outside as well.

Wires everywhere.  And the Church.

Ray's rice.

Many artisan shops are in our area of Chame, but they tend to be more expensive, because we are close to the beach town of Coronado.  They have hammocks, planters, statues, decor to hang on the outside walls of the house, dishes, and more.  Clyde and Terry knew of one closer to the town of Chitre just before we were to hop back onto the PanAmerican Highway (or take the bend in the road).  Ray and I bought a few items, but we have our eyes on a man and woman statue wearing sombreros taking siestas.  We will return.  Clyde and Terry "need nothing", but they found a few garden sculptures and wall hangings.  They were discounted $4, and I was given a souvenir.  The woman was very kind, so I want to return for my little man.

Pottery

Wall hangings

Bananas!

Penonome is where the McDonalds is, but to me, it is where the restroom break comes in hand.  And what is McD's without an ice cream with double the caramel sauce?  There were about 50 plus children there celebrating birthdays, lining up for face painting, and even Ronald was there with an attitude.  Not a crying child to be heard--they are all so happy.  Even if they are walking in the rain (umbrellas are mostly carried when the sun is blazing hot).

We drove through some heavy downpours arriving to Chame and unloading Clyde and Terry at their house where their two super happy dogs were waiting for them!  Our vacation ended, and chores began such as laundry.  Yesterday, while Ray was changing his online banking password at the bank (it was the right word, but it didn't work), I had my blood taken for those eight tests.  $80, and I can pick up the results "mañana".  I was fourth in line, but I was out the door within fifteen minutes!  And I made sure to bring a purple band-aid with me, since Ray wasn't given one, but this time the man was ready to give me one of his.  I wore my bright purple one instead.  (Today I went to pick up the results, but from what I understood after the man's long explanation is that they will be ready Monday.)

Ray and I muffled our way through our Spanish lesson (she took it easy on us, but we had practiced a bit in Cambutal) and last night we attended our whopping third happy hour in the six weeks we have lived here.  I mention this because many expats attend many happy hours weekly.  We were meeting a couple that found my blog, and they had just arrived four days ago.  Clyde and Terry came along a little while later, the six of us chatted and then once we moved away from the band,  others joined our group to catch up. Stomachs growling though, Clyde, Terry, Ray and I decided to grab dinner at Leonardo's.  After three attempts of ordering chicken and salad, I threw in the towel and ordered delicious pizza.  It wasn't meant to be to have any grilled chicken this past week.

And finally today!  I know, will this post never end!  A lazy morning with loud thunder and heavy rain.  Ray and I caught up with our daughter who is staying very busy spending LONG days at her new teaching job (new school and new grade), and busy nights and weekends hanging out with friends attending weddings, concerts, trivia nights, wine festivals--it runs the gamut!  Then we took a drive to the RioHato Fish and Produce Market.  Most things were closed.

This new restaurant has, supposedly, a five star chef (but it is in such a non-descript area).

The nursery was still open.

Inside the building is the fish and produce market.  And the artisan stands had closed for the day.

 We bought our produce and fruit at the reliable San Carlos Market instead, unloaded it into the house and finally headed to the car wash.  There are many roadside car washes, but Clyde shared one with Ray that seems most popular, because it has a bar and outdoor restaurant nearby.

This young girl is making the food for the men under the bohio.  And then she made my batido.

Pineapple batido.

The man takes the car into the bay VERY slowly.

This is the restaurant/bar side of the lot.

Our car is in the middle (the car next to it had about a two hour washing job!)

There are Alison Car Washes and Alison discos in Panama!  (New bays being built to the left)

Ray checks mail and drinks beer.  For the most part, he just watched and took it all in.

There were two crates under the table with empty beer bottles.  There was  a tv above our head showing "House" in Spanish.

So clean!  

We arrived to this car wash at 1:45 (we will go much earlier and perhaps not on a weekend the next time).  Ray had a beer (.75 bottle), and I had a yummy good (!) pineapple batido (smoothie for $1.50).  We sat under the LARGE bohio.  Men that were there ahead of us were on their fourth round of beers.  Our car was taken into the bay at 2:15....or so.  TIP (This is Panama).  $5 later for the car wash and two beers for Ray, we had a SQUEAKY clean car at 3:30.  Oy vey.  What a day at the car wash!  Inside and out though, the car looks amazing!  So believe it or not, this is all I got!  Until next time (like tomorrow!), stay tuned for whatever else it is Ray and I come up with for our days in this thing we call retirement in Panama!