Penny In Paradise

Posted by: pennyinparadise | May 24, 2010

2010 Begins in Boquete

Let’s see….where did I leave off with my last post…oh yeah, I had just been to Argentina and was returning to my beautiful home in Boquete, after having lived in Ecuador for over a year. So…let’s begin there….around February 1, 2010.

Well, my tenant (a single woman from Iowa) and I reached an agreement to share my house since she has a lease until the end of June and I want to come back into my home. She immediately took off for a 3 week trip to Mexico to see the Monarch butterfly migration and other wonders. After coming back for a week, she took off again for 10 weeks in Colombia. She’s due back tomorrow and will be moving out on June 15. So…I’ve had my house virtually to myself since I got back. It was a great solution for both of us.

So, as usual I’m looking for something about my house to pound on!! I have 4 bathrooms in my house, but they all have showers. I do have the hot tub outside, but in rainy season I’m unable to use it much. So, I decided to install a bathtub in my guest shower (the only one big enough to accommodate a bathtub) while my roommate has been in Colombia. Unfortunately, the ONLY white plain bathtub in Panama with left hand controls was accidentally dropped in the warehouse and broke. The only other one they had was a right hand control, which required the plumber to chip out the floor and run drain and water lines to the other side of the shower stall. It was quite a process, but he was impeccable and got it done beautifully, with some creative concrete work to fill in the unused space around the tub.

I’ve had some really special time with various groups of women that I know and love here in Boquete, since I returned. One day, Babbe Earle asked us up to her little hacienda on Jaramillo Mountain with beautiful views down to the Pacific.

Babbe & John Earle's House

We had a potluck lunch

It was a perfect day for art projects (Marni, Carol & Marnie)

Gina & I watched Barbie at the easel

And….there was SHOPPING! Babbe’s daughter makes fabulous pearl necklaces and earrings….so we all got a strand of what we are calling Sorority Pearls that we wear with jeans and tee shirts. It’s very elegant

Picking out our favorite pearls....

Lazing the day away in the sun!

On another day, Carol and her husband Peter had a party at their place to celebrate Peter’s birthday, and to say farewell….they return to their beautiful home in Vermont for the summer…..they’ll return to us when it gets cold up there! Pretty fabulous life they have….and their house is on the mountain, just above Babbe’s….so the views are spectacular. This day we were mostly in the clouds, so couldn’t see down to the Pacific…but who cares, in a surrounding like this!!

Carol & Peter at his birthday

As you can see, their house is literally up in the trees….

Their bedroom is the highest tower...imagine waking up to the view from up there!

Inside the house

Bocci Fun

Another friend named Carol Putnam has moved back to the US and I will miss her terribly…..we shared a going-away dinner

Carol will definitely be missed

Now it’s time for some words and photos from the garden!

Did you know how Pineapples have babies???

Beautiful hibiscus on my terrace

This one is called Navidad (Christmas)....it has taken me 2 years to get the first bloom off my little cutting

Twins

Coral

Giant Pink & White

Here’s a video clip I shot in the garden this morning….

An American metal artist has arrived in Boquete, and I needed a new gate. He designed something beautiful, and on the opposite side I saw how very, very secure it was…..so I asked him to continue his work along the top of my rock wall. This was my only vulnerable spot and now it is totally secure. He curved short metal pieces and cut the ends sharp….so no one in their right mind would try to crawl over my rock wall now.

From my side, the appearance is very organic..you can barely see the bars

But from the other side....OUCH!

Back to adventures…..so one day a bunch of us women drove the brand new paved shortcut road over to Volcan on the other side of the volcano. We came around a curve, and some Panamanian workers were there…can you imagine…3 gringo cars screeched to a hault, all these women climbed out and started taking photos….and asking them to take photos for and with us. Then, we just as abruptly climbed back in our cards and sped off. I would love to hear the talk around those guys’ dinner tables that night!

Girlfriends On The Go!

Road Guys!

When we got there, we played Mexican Train and then went to dinner at Cerro Brujo, which is a wonderful little jewel of a restaurant in Volcan, whose female owner/chef created a wonderful party for us.

We spent the night at the resort/spa that is immediately next door to my very first property here, in Bambito. The next day, Denise had a fabulous brunch for us (lobster quiche, champagne, salmon rolls) under the trees. We felt so blessed to be living in this paradise!

When Denise bought this house it was covered with vines...and had no running water in the kitchen!

Denise, Debbie & Helen

Denise, Carol, me, Helen & Debbie and our Mimosas

The setting for our brunch was heavenly!

Our scrumptous brunch!

Does it seem like all we do is eat down here?

OK….you might be getting bored watching a bunch of women eat and drink all the time….so here’s an adventure when we included some guys.

Cam, Marni and me….at the beach?? Yeah, that’s right…in a friend’s condo down on the Pacific…but we had to bring those nasty computers

Barbie and me at the beach

This guy came riding up out of nowhere!!!!

Doing dishes was interrupted by the urge to DANCE!

Bonnie, John & Marni doing what they do best! Hanging out

Just so you don’t think that all I do is play……I’ve taken on 2 volunteer jobs doing publicity for our local community theater and for our annual charity auction. The first thing I did for the BCP (Boquete Community Players) theater was to….GUESS WHAT? Yes, to create a blog for them. Check it out: www.bcpboquete.com I am pretty pleased with it. The annual auction is www.bid4boquete.com and I got my bank to become the event sponsor for a $5,000 donation. So I’m pretty busy with these 2 volunteer jobs, but they are only temporary. It was just a great way to get back involved with Boquete, and do something good for the community.

And, finally….for those of you who wonder if you can find a good cup of coffee when you come to visit me in Boquete, check this out:

Boquete Coffee Wins Again

7 Comments

Posted in Boquete, Panama | Tags: Boquete, central america, chiriqui, expat, expatriat, expatriats, expats, latin america, Panama, residence, retirement

Posted by: pennyinparadise | October 12, 2009

The Decision Is Made

They say that, in life, change is the only constant. I guess I must agree. I have sold the condo in Cuenca and have decided that Boquete is the place for me to call home. When I bought in Ecuador, I said I would give it a year and then decide which place I would sell and which I would keep. I lived in Ecuador for 13 months have made the decision that Boquete, Panama is my place in the sun (and in the rain too). Knowing you would all then ask “WHY???”, I have answered that with the several reasons given below:

* My Mom….my dad died in February and my mom is now alone and lonely in the US. My residency visa in Ecuador gives me only 90 days each year, for 2 years, out of the country. My first year ends November of 2009 and way before that I ran out of days that would allow me to be with her. I decided it wouldn’t be good to stand over her grave and say “Well, I would have spent more time with mom in her older years, but I had to get that residency visa in Ecuador”. She is way too important to me, and she needs me with her more often now. So I will spend 3 months in Florida to be with her through the holidays, another month in the summer and will bring her back to Boquete for a long visit with me there beginning July 1st.

Mom chilling out

* The Weather…..I am a Florida girl and the lush tropical rain forest of Boquete suits me better than the chilly upper Andes climes of Cuenca. I found myself growing weary of the weather at 8,000 ft above sea level although my lungs really loved the dry air. Although there are sunny, warm days, the vast amount of cloudy grey sky days and very cold nights just aren’t for me. While it is more humid in Boquete, the close up verdant green mountains and beautiful flowers…and the ability to wear lighter clothes and most of all…sit out on my terrace at night with friends, was a biggie for me. Boots and jackets are fun, but not all the time.

* The Community…..Boquete is a very rare place…and the people there are also very special. There are dozens of things to get involved with to help the local community, and Boquete’s ExPats are always cooking up something fun to do together. Cuenca is a very special place, but the ExPat community is VERY different from that in Boquete. Maybe it is because Cuenca is a big city and people live mostly in condos and farther apart than in the small village of Boquete. Whatever the reason for the difference, I much prefer the ExPat community in Boquete.

* The Politics….Rafael Correa is an educated and exciting president with great ideas on how to improve life for the people of Ecuador. He is, however, in complete power and is very close to the political ideas of Chavez of Venezuela. His recent placing of a 43% tax on everything that comes in from any foreign country, combined with the 12% sales tax, means that none of the US brands we find easily in Panama can be found in Ecuador….the 55% tax just makes them unavailable. There is a tax of 1% (soon to be 2%) on any money that leaves the country….meaning the wire transfer of funds to Panama or the US are subject to VERY big fees. Recently, despite Correa’s claims of transparency and putting away corruption, his sister was recorded soliciting a bribe to make a law suit against Chevron Oil go away….Correa’s response was to set about to close down the private television station that aired the recordings. When a recent rumor circulated that he was going to abandon the US dollar in favor of a new SA currency, he announced that anyone found circulating this rumor would be jailed. These minor issues can grow to larger issues. Finally, the growing scorn of the government toward the US is cause to pause and consider what would happen should the 5 new bases in Colombia really become a thorn in his side. Chavez has recently invited both the Chinese and the Russians to become more involved in his politics, and the recent photo of him embracing Mohamar Khadafi was just scarey. Again, this is not Correa, but as they say…you can judge a man by the company he keeps. So far these are only shadows in the background, but they added to the decision against having a major investment in Ecuador at this time.

The Culture…..one reason I moved to Cuenca was to enjoy the vast cultural life and one of my main loves was the Symphony Orchestra. Also, there was a very good Cultural Calendar published each month, allowing me to know where things were going on (concerts, art exhibits, museums, etc.). The government declared that the economy required they cut funding for the Symphony and the Ensemble orchestras, and they stopped printing the Cultural Calendar….they even stopped publishing the online version. Many locals say that this is really because Correa does not attend to the needs of the rich…only the poor…and that the poor don’t go to the symphony, concerts, art exhibitions, etc. It is said they plan to reinstate this vital organ in the future, but for now it is defunct. Whatever the reason….one of my main reasons for wanting to be there was removed from my life.

So……here is the last report I will file as a permanent resident of Cuenca. I’ll return from time to time for a visit, but at last I am free of the restrictions of permanent residency. Below are photos taken just before I left…including some views of the capital city Quito, the visit by ex-husband David Ripple (to spend our would-be 30th wedding anniversary together), and some celebrations just prior to my departure.

: Independence Square in Quito

: More views of Independence Square in Quito

: Municipal Building in Quito

: Colonial shopping arcade in Quito

: David Ripple & me at the Piedra de Aguas Spa

: David & me at Inca ruins

So….my friends Mary Ann & Greg decided to tie the knot back in Vermont, and then returned to Cuenca to begin their residency. Mary Ann (you may recall) threw me a birthday bash this year and hosted a Christmas dinner for friends last year (see previous posts). So…it seemed a good idea to toss them a wedding reception as a farewell event in my condo. Even the guy who bought my condo came….here are some photos of the event.

: Newlyweds Mary Ann & Greg

: Girlfriends (L to R) Natalie, me, Christa, Cameron, Mary Ann & Marie Claire

: Guyfriends (L to R) Adrian, Alan, Greg, Dan, Peter & Mike

: My friend Peter and me…he will be missed

Turn about is fair play….Mary Ann decided to throw a SURPRISE going away party for me…..and was I surprised!!! I have never had a surprise party before…..

As I came into the room to see all the smiling faces shouting SURPRISE!

Shock at seeing someone I had just hung up with on the phone 2 minutes earlier....SHE was already at the party when we talked!!!

Gathering of surprise friends

So….I’ll be going to Argentina and Uruguay in January and then returning to beautiful Boquete. It will be good to be back home.

2 Comments

Posted in Cuenca, Ecuador | Tags: azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador, expat, expatriat, expatriats, expats, latin america, paradise, retirement, south america

Posted by: pennyinparadise | July 10, 2009

Back To Boquete – 2009

Ecuadorian visa rules require me to spend 9 months each year in country, for the first 2 years. I took 6 weeks of my 3 month out of country allotment to return to Boquete to take possession of my house, and prepare it for a new tenant. My friend Wanda from Miami came too…to pick up her permanent residency visa and spend a week. Then, the work began…the house needed major overhaul and maintenance, so the next 5 weeks were a lot of work, with a little time for socializing.

We're enthralled by the live entertainment.....

The night after I got back, Erin and Dave Ross threw a huge party for our friend Garn’s 90th birthday, complete with live entertainment by the Boquettes (the new Do-Op Girl’s Group singing the Oldies), and others.

Panamanian guitarists serenaded the birthday boy.....

And he got the Presidential treatment, with a Marilyn Monroe (at an older age) ballad of “Happy Birthday….”

Our own Marilyn singing...Happy Birthday to Garn...Roady on keyboards

I forgot how much fun it is to live in Boquete…..there’s something going on all the time. I really miss this group of ExPat’s when down in Ecuador. It’s great to have a life in these two very different places….

Live music at Guari, Guari in Palmira on a Sunday afternoon

The Boquettes singin' the Oldies at Guari, Guari in nearby Palmira

Here's the monthly Ladies Who Do Lunch club ...a group I started 3 years ago, and it's still going strong!

View from Rancho de Caldera, a small, beautiful resort near Boquete

Three of my girlfriends celebrated Gemini birthdays and they invited me along for their spend-the-night fun at Rancho de Caldera….

Linda, Mikey, me and (birthday hostess, owner of the resort, Gina was busy at work)

Linda, Mikey, me and Sharon....... (birthday hostess, owner of the resort, Gina was busy at work)

The next day, the rest of our women friends joined for lunch and a dip in the infinity pool

Wonderful women live in Boquete, and look for any reason to come together

Yes, some of us really did get in the pool....out of camera range!

The world famous Boquete Chicas (a group of 45 single women living in Boquete, who get together for fun and to support each other in times of need) got together for the monthly birthday celebration. This month we went to Volcan (on the other side of Volcan Baru) for lunch and a visit to the VERY interesting Petroglyphs.

Chicas nestled between the giant petroglyph stone, calculated to be almost 3,000 years old, and beautiful Lobster Claw heliconia flowers

Chica Louise Orr isn't really this tiny....it's just a giant plant!

The petroglyph place has more than just rocks with carvings….it has plants of all kinds!

And talk about giant plants.....this is a LEMON!

In 1949 National Geographics visited this site, and discovered things they date back 5,000 years! The stones below have magnetic energy in them that is registered with a compass…..and there’s a spring that creates a stream that flows AGAINST gravity….up the volcano (instead of down)

These stones are amazing...with carvings that date back 5,000 years

This blind dog's leg was broken, which makes it seem he is begging with palm up. He is one of many Dalmations living at the petroglyph place.

One of the great things in Boquete is the Tuesday Morning Information & Networking Meeting, started several years ago as a simple monthly pot luck in the home of Sylvan and Barbara Cohen. As the number of ExPats living in and visiting Boquete grew, so did this meeting. Every week, a speaker is asked to present information of interest to foreign resisdents. Depending on the topic, the meeting is attended by 40 to 80 people each week. I was asked to present information and field questions from the group during my stay there….about the differences between Panama and Ecuador, and Boquete and Cuenca, since I now live in both places. It was well attended. I got an assist from Cheryl and Richard Johnson, who live in Boquete and visited me in Cuenca last September….they know more about the area around Quito than I do. Just after this, they returned to Ecuador, and bought a condo in Cotacachi, north of Quito. They too will live bi-country….spending the rainy season in Boquete down in the drier climes of Ecuador.

Explaining Ecuador to the Tuesday Morning meeting in Boquete

There are a few sure things about Latin America….bars on your windows, dogs on the street and roosters that crow at first light. You get used to it…..actually, you begin to love it. But some roosters have a special job…that is cock fighting. I know, I know….me too, but it’s the culture and I prefer it to bullfighting. So below is one VERY valuable guy who was transported up to Boquete from somewhere in the country, via the trucking company that does so much for us by getting our stuff where we need it to be. He has his own, color coordinated, leather bag for traveling to the fights. I kept looking around the trucking office to see where the crowing was coming from….then I spied the bag with his cock’s comb sticking out the right side.

Look closely at the top right side of this red bag...just above the black plastic. A fighting cock is peeking out on his way to the matches.

One of the changes in Boquete since I left 9 months ago, is the new shop Tucan Tiles…..the woman owner is a fabulous artist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She designs the tiles, and hires local women to do the production work.

Local woman helps produce the tiles at Tucan Tiles

And here’s my very own tile…oh, it’s of roosters!!! No, not because of the cock fights here….because my maiden name “Hahn” means “Rooster” in German. I have wooden roosters topping my kitchen cabinets in Boquete, so it seemed appropriate to get a Rooster tile from Tucan tiles…I love it.

Beautiful Rooster Tile in my kitchen

So…I know you’re asking yourself….what about Zap the Dog? Well, yes…in addition to bringing her toys back from the US (she just LOVES fibre-fill), I visited with her several times at the home of her new parents, Donna and Ken O’Brien. I am so lucky to have found this loving home for her…..and she’s growing up to be a lazy old dog. She’s 3 1/2 years now but I still remember that day 3 years ago when I found her starving at the Zapadora open house…and took her home, just long enough to get her healthy, spaed and find her a new home….well, you know the rest. She was my constant companion until I moved to Ecuador, where my condo doesn’t allow dogs. Here she is….I know she looks like an ordinary dog…you’d never know she was so extraordinary just by looking at her.

I still love this dog!!!!

During my visit, I took her to the beach for a 2 day romp….unfortunately, she was attacked by another dog and while attempting to extricate her by pulling on her tail, I dislocated 3 ribs….ouch! (Yes, that is the attack dog in the shadow).

Lorraine and me from her patio overlooking the Pacific...and Zap, of course

I must say that one of the highlights of my visit back to Boquete was getting to play the amazing new course, Cielo Paraiso (Heavenly Paradise)….which is definitely is! LONG holes, up to 500 yards, offer amazing views of both the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful rainforest mountains. I cannot wait to return and play there again.

Finally!!!! A REAL golf course in Boquete. Here with my friend Michael Mullin who lives here with his beautiful wife Debbie. Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean in the background.

One last thing….remember last November, the 40 year flood that practically swept Boquete away? To refresh your memory, here’s a hotel that was just completed 6 months earlier. Below that is the repair job being done on it as I departed Boquete…..

The waves were crashing above the first floor windows and water was over the road

The road, rough as it is, is open now and reconstruction has begun!

Yes….those are the very tiny footers you see exposed at the bottom of the photo…..the entire building is sitting on a little dirt and rock in the center of the structure. They are now pouring HUGE footers inside the empty space.

So….that’s my report on my trip back to Boquete….GOD, I love that place. I returned to Cuenca on June 29th, and am glad to be back in my cozy condo….of course, I found lots of projects to increase the beauty of my condo (cabinets, tile work and lighting), and spent the first 2 weeks working on it….now it is finally finished! Stay tuned for my next report from Cuenca.

1 Comment

Posted in Boquete, Panama | Tags: Boquete, calderon, central america, chiriqui, Ecuador, expat, expatriat, expatriats, expats, latin america, Panama, paradise, retirement

Posted by: pennyinparadise | July 8, 2009

People, Places & Things in Panama

This category is for miscellaneous things…..

My son Paul was the first person to visit me in Boquete....here we are at the Bistro, with murals of coffee and orange pickers that were painted in the 50's

My Canadian friend Annette Preston bought a house at the beach near Las Tablas

Some of my very best friends at a luncheon (L to R..Georgiann, Olga, Helen, me and KitzieAn auction in the gardens of the Panamonte Inn for a local charity

My jewelry exhibit at the Art Expo

A bunch of us at the Bistro doing our thing!

Don & Nancy Huff (and me) in Bocas Del Toro

A breakfast with friends in Portobello

The airport runway on Contadora island

Life in the 3rd World sure is wonderful....on Contadora Island

Exile home of the Shah of Iran, on Contadora

One day I heard a noise in the road....looked out and here's what I saw

One day I heard a noise in the road outside my house....looked out and here is what I saw

Waterfront in Bocas del Toro

The woman on the right is a 500 ton ship's captain, with her husband. We're in Panama City having dinner with friends Teri & Don. Go to www.earthrace.com to see what Allison & Scott did last summer.

Allison & Scott (left) with me, Teri & Don Murray in PC at dinner. Go to www.earthrace.com to see what Allison & Scott did on their vacation....she's a 500 ton ship's captain...he's a Marine Engineer.

Women's party for Elizabeth's birthday, on her coffee plantation

Women gather for Elizabeth's birthday at her coffee plantation

Parade in Boquete

Friend Wanda Stoll visited me in Boquete...AND applied for her permanent residency. Wanda and I worked at Eastern Airlines in the 70's.

Of course, Wanda went tree trekking

This is what tree trekking looks like from afar

We have 40 Chicas (single women) in Boquete...we have a monthly birthday lunch or dinner

Dancing is one of our favorite passtimes....I am taking tango lessons

My parents came to visit in May of 2007

It was great showing them around Boquete

Cousin Joy brought her daughter Tracy down for a little vacation. I gave a party to introduce Tracy to the best of the best of Boquete

Joy, Penny & Tracy

Girlfriends enjoying a special overnight at the beautiful Rancho de Caldera, just over the mountain from Boquete

Linda, Mikey and Me, with Linda's friend in front

Zap and I went to the beach to visit Lee and Lorraine Handler at their new house right on the Pacific

Zap, Penny & Lorraine....Life is good!

Girl’s birthday luncheon at Rancho de Caldera….complete with infinity pool

Retired Life is SOOOO strenuous...and what DO we do all day??

We’ve got a new Do-Op girl’s group in Boquete…..they are called the Boquettes and WOW are they popular!

Boquettes sing the Oldies at Guari, Guari on a Sunday afternoon

Leave a Comment

Posted in Boquete, Panama | Tags: Boquete, Panama, retirement

Posted by: pennyinparadise | May 1, 2009

Hello 2009

How in the world can it be 2009? When someone talks about the 80′s I still think that was yesterday! It’s over 20 years since the 80′s…how can this be? Well, there’s no choice but to keep on keepin on as the years roll by….so here’s a few things I’ve been up to so far in 2009.

The saddest part of the new year is that, on February 13 at 3:45 pm my step-dad, the marvelous Leon Wilson, transitioned to the other side of the veil. He has been very ill for the last 3 years, and since November when I visited, he had gone further downhill. I took the first plane I could get out of Ecuador and arrived in The Villages, FL 24 hours later. Mother only had 9 years with Leon, but they were the best 9 years of her life. She loved him dearly and he worshipped her. Now she is alone once again. Leon’s daughter, son, niece and nephew flew down for the funeral. As he wished, he was cremated and there was a beautiful ceremony at the National Military Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Leon was a retired Naval Commander, having trained pilots in WW2, so both he and mother have the right to be buried there. The ceremony was followed by a 21 gun salute, and presentation of the American flag to my mother.

Leon's Urn with Military Guard

daughter Chris, mother, son Vernon, me, nephew Dan & his wife Paula, niece Toni

Here’s the last photo I took of Leon, on his birthday December 5, 2007. After that his health was so poor that he didn’t want any more photos taken of him. He will ALWAYS be in our deepest heart!

Leon's 83rd birthday, 15 months before his passing

Back in Cuenca, the Easter holidays brought much celebration. There have been concerts in all the cathedrals, art shows and dancing in the streets.

Art show in the park

Friend Natalie & me at crafts faire

Cuenca Ensemble and 25 voice chorus performed Mozart's Requiem in the city's oldest cathedral

People in the US and in Panama are always asking me about the food here…..so here are some of my favorite restaurants and their food!

Akelarre Bistro

Akelarre Courtyard

Villa Rosa

Villa Rosa Interior

Corvel in Paute

Mediterraneo

Patio at Vino y Olivo

El Rey del Mariscos

And food…..you wanna see the food in Cuenca? Well here is some.

Salad and Salmon

Trout with Seafood Sauce

Mexican Food

Filet Mignon with Mushroom and Wine Sauce

Chicken Dish (notice the popcorn....this is common here)

And still more seafood...

So, as you can see….we don’t starve here!

My very best friend in High Springs, FL is Judi Kearney…..she gave me the MOST fantastic 60th birthday 6 years ago and this April 26th was her 60th. I decided it was an event I just couldn’t miss, but since I had assured her I was unable to attend (since I had just been there in February/March). Our friend Joan Ashley kept the secret and I flew to Miami, rented a car and drove up for Judi’s party. She almost fell over when I walked up to the fire circle where our women friends were celebrating with her, especially since I emailed her from Joan’s house that morning telling Judi how sorry I was I couldn’t be with her. LIAR!!! she called out to me and then threw a big hug around me.

Judi was REALLY surprised!

My wonderful circle of friends celebrate Judi's 60th

My wonderful circle of women friends celebrate Judi's 60th

The next night we bbq'd at Judi's house...here she is with Joyce

Then, I drove down to my mom’s house and spent a night with her.

Mother and me....

And finally, I ended up in Miami to fly back to Ecuador….spent time with my ex-husband, David Ripple. It was great seeing him again!

David Ripple on his 65th birthday last year

I leave for Panama and will stay in beautiful home in Boquete for 6 weeks, turning the house over to a new tenant for another year. It will be great to see my home, my friends and yes….if I can work up the courage to see the world’s most fabulous dog….Ms. Zap, I will do so. I just don’t know if I can stand again having the broken heart I get when I leave her behind. But her new parents love her and she is well cared for.

My friend Wanda Stoll has finally received word that her Residency Visa in Panama is ready to be picked up….she got in just under the wire last June when she visited. We’ll meet in Panama City and fly together to David and then drive up to Boquete…she’ll spend a week with me and then return to the US….she still has a few years to work before retirement. She is a good friend, and drove up from Miami for Leon’s funeral….

Wanda and me at Leon's funeral

I hope you all enjoy this posting, and remember…..COME ON DOWN!!

Leave a Comment

Posted in Cuenca, Ecuador | Tags: azuay, cathedrals, colonial, Cuenca, Ecuador, expat, expatriat, expatriats, expats, festival, Food, latin america, retirement, south america

Posted by: pennyinparadise | January 18, 2009

Holidays 2008 in Cuenca

As with all Americans, my holiday season begins with Thanksgiving, moves on to Christmas and New Years. I tack one more major holiday onto these, to include my birthday in January. So below is my report of my first holiday season in Cuenca….hope you enjoy. Be sure to Comment…..I love hearing from you.

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American tradition, and in both Panama and Ecuador, the ExPat community welcomes this opportunity to share a meal together and be with friends. This year I was included in a big Pot Luck Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings. Here are a few friends and I at this event, held in a fruit orchard in a town called Paute, about 45 minutes outside of Cuenca.

L to R...Bill, Patricia, Christa (one of my favorite new friends), me and in back David and Alan

Me, Chela (a fabulous Ecuadorian friend) and Bill Bushnell (we call him Bush)

WOW…..what an outstanding holiday Christmas is here in the Andes…..Cuenca celebrates Christmas in a big way. The Christmas Eve Children’s Parade is televised throughout the entire country and I got to see it in person!! Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few thousand words in picture form.

Children are dressed in costume….angels, gauchos, wise men, spanish grandees, bullfighters, etc.

Tiny Chica

Tiniest Nino

nino2

Some of these have been in the family for generations

Notice all the umbrellas…..no, it’s not raining. In the rain these are called ParaJuvias and when used to protect from the Ecuadorian sun here on the Equator they are called ParaSols. The word “Para” means “for”, and the word “Juvia” means “rain” and “Sol” means “sun”….so they are “for the rain” or “for the sun”.

Some costumes have been in the family for years

These umbrellas are for the sun here on the Ecuator

They ride for hours in this parade

And these little ones are so patient!!

Balcony dwelers have the best view (can you pick out the gringos?)

Balcony dwellers have the best view (can you pick out the gringos?)

Floats of all kinds…..this would be the Egyptian contingent below….

float2

balcony2

The real “eye candy” comes in the form of giant blankets on the horses….candy, cookies, fruits, peppers and every imaginable type of food decorates the horses….this is a tribute to the abundance of Ecuador.

horseback21

Even the little bitty kids get their vehicles decorated

kiddykarts

horseback

You gotta love the one below….if you don’t have the money to buy all the stuff…you can just open up your kitchen cabinet, take out the jello, canned peaches, Coke, etc. and decorate a shopping cart.

cart

And, if you’re a dog….just hang a couple of your chew toys on your little coat, get your hat and boots and join the parade….

dog

Cuenca’s mounted police were in evidence during the holidays….to maneuver around the crowds.

horse-police I went to the parade with my Spanish teacher….a young Ecuadorian woman who lived in San Diego for 2 years. Her name is FABIOLA TOLEDO! Say it yourself and let it roll off your tongue…Fabiola Toledo!!!

Fabiola with one of her MANY admirers!

Christmas Day, a small group shared a cozy dinner….our hostess, Mary Ann isn’t in the photo

L to R...Patricia (Seattle), Mark and dog Happy (Montreal), Greg (Vermont), Marie Claire (France), me and David (Tallahassee)

Topping off our holiday celebration was New Year’s Eve at my house…..a tradition here in Latin America is to create an effijy to burn at midnight.

Last year, in Panama, I showed you my neighbor’s effijy of Osama Bin Laden sitting on the hood of his car and explained the Latin custom of burning in effijy a life-sized doll representing a person you’d like to get rid of.

new-years

This year, the group here decided to burn, well…..at the risk of offending my NeoCon friends….guess who we chose?????

Here he is in my place before midnight.....can you guess now who it is?

We watch on…..hoping for a better New Year.

burningbush11

The finale to the holiday season was my birthday….January 20th….they threw a BIG party on my birthday in Washington, D. C…….but I was here in Cuenca, where my friends Mary Ann and Marie Claire threw me a little birthday party…..Feliz Cumplianos means Happy Birthday (the banner above our heads).

Do I look 66????? I sure don't feel it!!

Love and Blessings, and hope you enjoy this post!

Penny

1 Comment

Posted in Cuenca, Ecuador | Tags: azuay, Christmas, Cuenca, Ecuador, expat, expatriat, expatriats, expats, festival, folklorio, latin america, Parade, paradise, retirement, south america

Posted by: pennyinparadise | December 2, 2008

Back to the USA in 2008

I arrived back in the USA on November 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm……election day! It was immediately obvious that the country was in a festive spirit which was capped later that night with a huge party in a park in downtown Chicago. Barack Obama and John McCain showed exactly where their hearts lie by the election night parties they planned well in advance of the election results. John McCain’s party was held at the exclusive Biltmore in Phoenix, with a guest list of the country’s most influencial Repubs. Barack Obama’s party was held outside, downtown in the middle of Chicago with everyday folks in attendance as he made himself available to the people of the US…ordinary citizens like me. That said it all for me!!!

I returned to the US to visit my family; my dad back in the hospital, my mom taking care of him and my son and his family where we watched the first night launch of the Space Shuttle since the tragic Challenger which exploded shortly after takeoff. My son works at Cape Canaveral and lives nearby, and we viewed the launch from just across a lake on the edge of the Cape. Here are photos of the Shuttle lift off and first few minutes

Space Shuttle just after liftoff, 11/07/08

Up, up and away!!!

From this point on, the Shuttle became a rapidly diminishing light in the sky…..amazing to see so close up.

The shuttle is going straight up, but the earth is rotating, so it looks as if the shuttle is curving

Of course, I also went back to my home town of High Springs, north of Gainesville, in North Central Florida (GO GATORS!!). My friend Judi Kearney gave a big Obama Victory Party at her horsefarm, where I got to see all my old buddies…..here we are dancing to the music of John and Raven Smith’s band, Quartermoon!

L to R: Me, Sharon, Linda and Joan (Judi was taking the photo)

Quartermoon Band (John on left, Raven in the middle, Mike on the right)

Judi’s husband Mike (collector of antique cars) wasn’t at the party because he was driving this roadster in the drag races that night.

Mike Kearney on the way to the drag race in his roadster!

The next morning, Judi fixed breakfast for the girls, and we watched the video I created of my new condo and new city, Cuenca, Ecuador…..these smiling faces make me miss High Springs from time to time….

L to R: Valerie, Pat, Sharon & Joan. Judi in the background with one of her dogs

Mike & Judi live on the beautiful Santa Fe River…..here’s an afternoon shot of the river from their backyard. Just as the sun was going down, and the water was as smooth as glass…the reflection on the water looks real.

Crystal clear reflection in the waters of the Santa Fe River

I left the US with sadness in my heart at leaving my friends and family…..but eager to return to beautiful Cuenca and my life there. The exciting news was…..my new residency visa had been approved and was waiting for me upon my return. I now begin the 9 months each year for 2 years, required residency within Ecuador.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Cuenca, Ecuador | Tags: Cape Canaveral, Cuenca, Ecuador, Florida, High Springs, retirement, Santa Fe River, Space Shuttle, The Villages

Posted by: pennyinparadise | November 28, 2008

Natural Disasters of 2008

WOW…..seems like I turned my back to go to Ecuador and Boquete exploded in Natural Disasters. First there was the the 6.2 earthquake just off the coast of the border of Panama and Costa Rica. Read the Reuters News Report on this. Here’s where it hit (map courtesy of USGS).

The black line just left of the epicenter is the border between Costa Rica and Panama

David is Panama’s third largest city and is just 23 kilometers from this border. Boquete is 20 miles up in the mountains above David….so this was REALLY close. That blanket of clouds you see over Panama brought the next natural disaster just a few days later….

A 48 hour downpour of monumental proportions came down right in the area of Boquete where I live. It is said to be the worst flood in 40 years in this area. I haven’t seen my house, but neighbors report it looks okay. My tenant is not in town, so I’m hoping for the best when she returns. I may need to fly back to Boquete to check on it soon. Here are some photos courtesy of www.boqueteweather.com and other sources that are posted on the internet.

River behind the place across the street from my house

Normally, at this time of year (dry season) this river above is hardly a trickle. Below is an aerial view showing how the river split into two parts.

Aerial view of the river

Many roads washed out, like this one

This hotel is brand new and is now ruined....water above first floor

Those who have visited in the last 2 years will recall this new hotel (above) took 2 years to build and was just opened in May of 2008. There was a front lawn, then the road, and then a big parcel of undeveloped land before the banks of the river. The waves crested over the bottom floor….the entire building has been ruined. (see last photo below of clean up of this road).

This road into town completely washed away

Our brand new bridge was totally covered destroyed

Some of you have visited and remember the old bridge…..some visited while the bridge was closed for new construction….some have enjoyed the brand new bridge that opened in early 2008. Well, here it is (or not) completely being destroyed by the force of the flood (above). Below is the bridge after the water went down.

Once the water receeded it left the bridge collapsed

Tragedy upon tragedy…..then, when they immediately began to clear things with big yellow machines, one of them working on the bridge above had it’s own problems (see 2 photos below)

Machine clearing bridge rubble tipped over

Luckily it had a friend nearby who helped bring it back standing

Palo Alto Restaurant down the road from my house

View of nearby land that became river

The trout farm in nearby Bambito was totally ruined. All the trout were killed. An annoucement was made that they were giving away free fish and both people and animals came from all around to take their fill. Now the trout farm will have to begin anew.

People taking trout from the farm

Trout didn't survive the floods

You may recall that I owned one last piece of property on the other side of the Volcano, in Bambito. It was on the river!!! The good news is that I sold this to the neighbor on September 1, ask I left Panama to come to Ecuador. I don’t know the status of that property, but below is the road leading to it.

Road leading to the property I just sold that was on the river

Unfortunately, many animals were left homeless like this little dog below…..but some horses, dogs and pigs who were tied up did not escape and were drowned in the floods. As true Boquetenos, the ExPats have pitched in with food, clothing, furnishings, etc. in relief for humans. And Fundacion de los Animales de Boquete has begun a fundraising to collect money for food for those unfortunate animals who are now homeless. That’s the best thing about Boquete…..the immediate response of the ExPat community to help their new country.

Our animal friends are also affected by the flood

The US Military was called in to assist in disaster relief…….they came with helicopters and medical personnel from a ship in the east Pacific. It’s this kind of military action that makes us proud to be Americans.

US military help with bringing dehydrated baby to the hospital

Although most things in Latin America move slowly, the post flood cleanup and repairs began immediately and are progressing quickly. This is the same road (below) to my house as shown above as repairs began.

The post flood road repair work started immediately

Leave a Comment

Posted in Panama | Tags: Boquete, chiriqui, disaster, Flood, floodwaters, Panama, rains

Posted by: pennyinparadise | November 13, 2008

Penny’s Jewelry Work

In 2006 I began to take courses in beading jewelry, and am having a wonderful time doing it. I’ve developed a unique process for my jewelry customers. When a couple has been together for many years, men often have a challenge finding something to buy for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc. So….a man can come to me and give me a budget (or not) and contract with me to create an original piece for his woman. Then, the woman comes to my studio and goes through the many, many focal beads and other elements. She will tell me the colors, length, etc. that she likes and then she goes away….I then create and make the piece which usually is a necklace and earrings. The man then comes to pick it up and pays for it, and when he presents his woman with her gift, she is sure to love it because she was part of the process, but it is still a surprise because she didn’t know how it would be put together.

I have donated many pieces to chartiy auctions in Boquete, and am pleased to see how excited people are in bidding for my one of a kind pieces. Below are some of my creations….

My exhibit at the Boquete Art Expo

My booth was busy all the time, and I worked on pieces right in front of the visitors

The beautiful Lola bead in the center is hand blown glass

Torquoise features a Reprosa of a real orchid in silver lost wax process

PreColumbian frog bell and tubes with fuschia crystals and art glass

String of Hearts...sterling silver and fused glass

Hopi overlay silver eagle with red and blue torquoise

Eyeglass holder of sterling silver and multi colored crystals

Handblown glass face with multi colored stones and silver dangles

Black freshwater pearls with sterling silver points

Hand carved Tagua nut frog with pearls and fused glass

Carved bone strung with chocolate tiger eyes

PreColumbian figure and tubes with black lava rock

Sterling silver cat strung on oval and round torquoise

Black fused glass with silver and glass beads

Fresh water pearls set in sterling silver with glass beads and pearls

Leave a Comment

Posted in Ecuador, Panama | Tags: beads, jewelry, Panama, retirement

Posted by: pennyinparadise | November 13, 2008