It’s a little wet here. Panama, like most tropical locales, has two seasons, rainy season and dry season. Summer lives here all the time. Now is the summer rainy season. We knew that when we chose Panama, but I have to say, I’m a little bit surprised at just how wet wet can be. The air is purely wet and steamy. You think humidity in Arkansas or Georgia is bad, oh brother! That’s first impression before even leaving the airport.
Our apartment is smallish but functional and cute. It looks out over the Bay of Panama and a park. It is in the midst of many high rise apartment buildings – all to the east and all to the west. We are across the street from the Paitilla Mall and only two blocks from the supermercado. A smaller grocery sits on our own block.
Our old town Panama City neighborhood of San Francisco looks a little tired. Traffic is pretty crazy.
By the time we reached out apartment, we were pretty hungry. We walked to the mall in mist and found a less than lively food court. We needed to eat. Poke bowls! They were our first. No, we didn’t opt for the sashimi tuna bowls, instead we chose the grilled salmon variety. It came with yummy sticky rice, shredded carrots, cucumber, luscious avocado and edamame seasoned with sliced scallions and spicy aioli. It was delicious! I think I’ve become a poke bowl fan. We stopped by the 24-hour Super 99 supermercado to pick up a few essentials, i.e., wine, peanuts and breakfast items and headed home. As we sat on our balcony freighters, container ships and vessels could be seen waiting to cart their goods through the great Panama Canal. Lights from smaller boats made us guess they might be fishing for squid or some other delicacy from the sea. Soon our recent weeks of over-exertion began to creep in. To avoid falling from our deck chairs, we took a walk.
On Sunday morning after we figured out how to change the TV setting to English and set the air conditioners to a comfy temp for a good night’s sleep last night, we woke to guess what? Rain! But the sky was beautiful, gray here and there and then brilliant blue in big patches up and below. Rain drops pelted our tall windows. And people down below waked to church under umbrellas. Sweet!
No problem for us. We were still in the relaxing mode; so we did just that and besides, four pieces of luggage were looking at us begging to be unpacked. Done! This is now our home.
The sun came out with a vengeance. What a gift! Exploring our area, we walked a few blocks to our west and took a sidewalk along a fast-moving boulevard only to find that the walk led across a section of the bay to Mirador del Pacifico. This beautiful promenade borders the bay on the east and is lined with bike lanes, wide pedestrian lanes and then to the west, gorgeously landscaped green-scapes following the super-boulevard, Cinta Costeria. We walked and walked. We stopped for a delicious “snow cone in a cup” which was hand scrapped from a huge chunk of ice by a local senora! We are not sure what kind of juice (hugo) we had but it was topped by honey (miel) and sweetened milk (leche). It cost one dollar. We had no change. The lady could not give us change for a $20. Somehow we all figured out that she trusted us to go farther along the promenade and would pay her on our return trip. We did – double!
We kept walking until we reached the Mercado del Marisco, the fish market. The fish market was not open today but the restaurants there were hopping. See the video. All patrons there were in pure fiesta mode. I’m thinking Sabado may be the big day for parties and fun here. We had a cerveza and simply sat and observed. I think we will return over and over again to this place for some fresh pescado for the evening meal and ceviche for lunch!!
What a fantastic day! All in all we walked over 6 miles. We were awestruck by the beautiful tropical plants, the sight of the low whitest of white clouds in the sky to our east, taking photos, meeting people and venturing to use of our very, very limited Spanish.
Today’s impression of Panama? Pretty fine.
Two thumbs up!
Love this life with you, man!
Dearest Weeks. . . we are so, so glad to hear that you arrived safely in Panama, without incident (apparently)! Your apartment sounds perfect- small and cozy . . . less to clean! Enjoy the poké bowls – our fave (but, do try the tuna sashimi tomorrow . . . it’s the best)! We look forward to living in Panama, albeit vicariously through you two! Enjoy yourselves, be vigilant and pray unceasingly! With love, the Kinneys
The sweetest, Gail, the sweetest!
It makes me smile to hear how wonderful, although wet at first, Panama is. It sounds as though it fits you two perfectly! Living this life is what you guys worked so hard and long for. Stay safe, have fun, and keep writing when you get time! I love you guys!!
My sweet sister! Thank you! You can imagine the condition of my hair here!!! No hair dryer needed. Au natural!!
I love you so and I’ll keep writing if you’ll keep responding with your comments. I love them.
Aww! I feel like I walked the 6 miles with you! Keep writing Janie, your expressiveness of words as I read makes a beautiful picture in my mind! Grateful for your safe trip and your lovely apartment! Enjoy every day and tell us about it. Missing you both❤️
It makes my day to hear your comments, Betty!
I am so excited for you two and for me because I will be able to join your journey although be it vicariously. Stay safe and keep writing.
Judy, my most loyal reader!!! Hi! And thanks, I’m glad to know you are keeping up with us.
I’ve only been to Panama once in 2000 with a hairdresser friend and ger son. She was from there and we stayed with her aunts family. The hospitality I received was above and beyond. I loved it all. I remember the traffic was crazy, people beeping and just going merging in a way I had never seen. Tge warmth from the people will forever remain in my heart. Enjoy this amazing adventure. Xx
Barry, I’m thinking not a lot has changed since you were here. Although I’ve seen much worse, traffic is wild. There are very few traffic lights and crosswalks are an invitation to die! You can never assume oncoming traffic will stop. Yet, as you said, the people here are gracious and friendly. So far we have found that locals are quite willing to go out of their way to help or be of assistance. Great to hear from you!