In keeping with the element of surprise for the House Hunters International show, like with the other properties, I won't go into too many details about the property we toured today. What I will say is that going into this HHI experience, we did tell the casting director many months ago what we were both looking for in our retirement home in Panama. The property we say today covered many of the things that Ray and I were both looking for in a home. And this time it was a bit comical to me to pull up to the home and see the owners having to leave for a few hours!
We met the crew at the El Rey grocery store in Coronado at eight am, and we followed them to the property. Stephanie was sent on a coffee run, and the crew set the car up with a Go Pro camera so we could then drive up to the house again. First, the camera is on Ray and I, and then it is turned to film the road and neighborhood. Just like yesterday, and the day before--drive to the property, talk about the neighborhood, repeat...we don't see the inside of the house or the rooms until we are ready to tour them, so there is a real reaction to what we think as we walk in. In a good way, and in a bad way, we react differently at different times. Our reactions will then be sliced and diced and edited for good television. We do the same for the outside area.
Next, Roberto greets us at the door, and we spend the next five hours touring the home. However, about ninety minutes of this time is getting B roll for the show. This means that Mike and Chris are staying pretty busy with the camera getting shots of the interior and exterior while Elizabeth is taking pictures of us for the HGTV website. During this time, we read, listen to music and, today, we watched Roberto take a nap. Hey, get one in while you can! Today, Elizabeth also read to us an article about Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer last night (his transgender story). We had current events discussion to catch up with what has happened in the world these past three days (mostly about the earthquake in Nepal). We reviewed the day's schedule and then we made a few more changes to lighten up the load for tomorrow just a little bit more.
After filming the outside of the property, we drove to lunch to a restaurant Ray and I have been to several times for a quick meal. Stephanie placed the crews order ahead of time, and then it was up to Ray and I to order our meal on camera. Oh, but first we have to walk into the restaurant a few different ways. The restaurant was quite crowded, but for the most part everyone kept to themselves. There was one woman sitting nearby that made sure she greeted us--she seemed to be enjoying "the show". We all filled up on Panamanian food, hydrated ourselves with water and passionfruit juice, and then dashed off to Coronado Beach Club! This is where we would film the big reveal! What house will Ray and I decide to buy in Panama!
Although it was more overcast then sunny by now, the humidity was high. The fortunate thing was that we were walking on the beach, and there was a breeze. The unfortunate thing was then we went to sit down for more discussion, as in what to do, what to do, there were no breezes. Boy, where was my assistant now when I needed someone? I must not have looked too raggedy, because they kept filming the scenes. Or I did, since this is reality television, I am supposed to look "real". I am sure I will look like a "hot mess" when this show airs, but I am trying to make light of this whole experience. Even with a possible surfing lesson put into tomorrow's schedule or whatever the Producer throws our way, Ray and I have thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie among the crew and with our realtor, Roberto. Sure, it's time consuming and an invasion of our privacy (!). We knew this when deciding to be a part of the show many months ago. But with this experience of being on the television show, House Hunters International, we like that we are able to show Panama and this area (the interior of Panama) along with the communities surrounding our new home. We will be introducing our realtor and his company along with the development of the other properties we have toured in the past three days. There is a lot of satisfaction in realizing as well as accomplishing the goals Ray and I set for ourselves many months ago and then attaining them in this thing called retirement. The show just makes it all that much more real, if that can even be said about a "reality" television show!
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| We try to stay out of the way and awake during B roll. |
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| Hanging out waiting for all the rooms to be filmed in many different angles. |
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| Elizabeth reads to us the current events. |
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| Scouting out the beach club for our decision reveal! |
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