WE'VE DONE SO MUCH

Oct 14th 2007

Written by Linda

Its Sunday, and we've already done so much here in Panama.

On Friday we had a casual morning with a visit of course to the local bagel and coffee shop. Syd, Emma and Jody and I went to go and buy some sandals for Syd. She picked out a fancy red pair for $1.60. We really shouldn't have brought any clothes because they are so cheap here, and no tax!

Later we then went to the Panama Canal. Its an amazing vision these people had for the Canal. The ships are huge. And it is incredible to think that the stuff I buy in Wal-Mart in Calgary passes through these canals.

The Canals were first thought of in the 1500's, but they didn’t have the machinery to dig out the canal. The French tried to construct the Canal in the 1800's, but they ran out of money and many of the workers died from tropical diseases. The Americans took over and dropped 40 million dollars into it. It was completed in 1913 or 1914 at a cost of about $400 million dollars! There are a series of 3 hydraulic locks that change the water levels drastically and quickly. The Canal allows for the Caribbean Sea to be connected with the Pacific Ocean. The largest fare paid to get thought was yesterday $360 000 USD. It gets paid 2 days in advance. The smallest amount ever paid was 36 cents by a man who swam through the canal in the early 1900's. It took him 2 days. Glad that he was not eaten by crocodiles!! They are going to build another canal that is scheduled to be completed by Oct 08. The Americans gave over control of the canal on Dec 31 1999. The Panamanians now run it. It appears that the Americans are not loved by all here.

We drove to the tallest peak in Panama and saw the homes where the US Generals use to live. The homes are all raised high up off the ground, apparently out of a fear of snakes. It is definitely jungle living . I've found it interesting that the vegetation looks very similar to Zambia and South Africa. There is a rumor that there is a bunker carved out of the mountain in this former US base. Who knows? Maybe we could rent it as our home while we are here!

A view of the Canal from the highest mountain in Panama City.

At the Panama Canal- Huge cargo ship passing throught the Canal behind us.

After visiting the Canal, we then traveled over the Causeway, a man-made road made from all the dirt that was removed while digging the Canal. The Causeway that takes you to an island with restaurants and other marine businesses. We had supper there, with yachts as the backdrop. The kids were playing soccer near the marina, and the inevitable happened. Josh lost his ball in the water, water overrun by jellyfish. Yes, the ones that sting! Jody was able to flag down a local marina worker and he rescued Josh’s ball. Thank goodness because that was the one Brody gave to him, his one and only tie to friends in Canada, and he was pretty upset before the great rescue!

Jody bravely trying to get Josh's ball. Note I'm holding onto her backside!

A brave local saves Josh's ball

After the great ball rescue, the waitress brought crackers for the kids to feed the fish. There were so many fish that 5 packages of crackers got devoured quickly.

Having 2 families, 9 people in one 3 bedroom apartment for the last few days has been loud and quite pleasant. Emma, Easton, Everett, Syd and Josh have really adjusted and shown lots of love and patience for each other, with an occasional yell and slap. Emma has given up her room for us, thanks Emma. It has been so incredible to be hosted like this in a country where most people only speak Spanish. Josh has been so funny running around saying “mucho gusto” then laughing and saying “I have no idea what I just said” (It means, "pleased to meet you"). Having Jody and Trent host our family has been such a gift to us.

The kids hanging together, guess who feels left out?

On Saturday we woke up at 6:30 and headed out of town with everyone but Emma, Everett and Jody for a day of fishing on a platoon boat on Gatun Lake. We probably caught about 140 Peacock Bass. At one point, Syd caught 18 in a row, standing in the same place. It was crazy. She just kept throwing her rod in and getting more. Easton had a riot picking out the eyeballs of the minnows we were using as bait. And Josh loved letting the minnows flop around on deck. I got very good at catching ensalada (i.e. seaweed). At the end of the day, Armando (our guide) gutted and filleted about 25 fish to take home. It got so hot around 12:00 noon, but we couldn’t jump in the lake because there are crocodiles present!! Didn’t see any, but I took the word of our local guide.

The Platoon Boat we used for fishing

Syd’s big catch of the day. Nice face baby!!

Easton and Josh work together.

I asked why we were the only ones fishing on a Saturday morning. I guess boats are really tough to get here in Panama without a steep cost. Such a shame. The fish are abundant and a great food source for the locals. On the way home we saw lots of pineapple groves. I never knew they grew on the ground. For some reason, I thought they grew in trees. I am learning so much!!

By the end of the day we were all exhausted. Josh had a nap in the hammock by the lake, Paul and Trent had a nap at home. What a life...already!

Josh enjoying a siesta

That night, Jody arranged for Patricia (their babysitter) to come and babysit the kids. The adults went out to Bennihana for an incredible meal, great entertainment (food preparation), a great time, and a tour of the city at night.

A little adult time. Michele and Jeff, where are you?

The kids played “Bread and Cheese” which I think it is “Red light Green light”. Not too sure yet.

Today, Sunday, we plan to go and buy a few more suitcases. We found out our flight to David only allows 25 lb suitcases. Oops. Paul has arranged for a hotel and car rental. We leave Panama City tomorrow and head out on our own. Its time to give the Schumu's some space and let them have their apartment back. It should be fun trying to get along with the little Spanlish we know! Hey, all part of this adventure! "Leaf on a river", right?

A few interesting facts:
Average weekly income @ $300 USD
A jar of peanut butter: @ $2.50

Costco is Price Smart
Summer vacation months are Jan, Feb and ½ of March
Tap water drinkable.
Official currency is the Balboa, but no one uses it. US currency used.
The Panamanian school are considering teaching Mandarin here, since the Chinese own 2 large portions of the Canal.