Time to revisit my roots

Last month we went to Panama with our eldest son, Milo and his wife, Jackie. B and I had never traveled together to Panama even though in the last few years we had been there independently a number of times. So we took advantage that our son was still thinking that we were cool enough to travel with, that we decided to go back to Panama to show them the sights. I was excited to take Milo to the place where I first gained consciousness of my surroundings having lived there from ages 5 to 10. Also for them to spend some time with my ‘brother’ Rafael, who had offered to be our host in Panama during our visit. However, the trip also put me in Panama for the first time after Fernando’s passing. My childhood friend Fernando and I had traveled to visit our other childhood friend, Rafael on a number of occasions in the last few years, and we always talked about one day bringing our respective families to make it a big family reunion. Fernando didn’t make it in person, but I’m sure he joined us in spirit because his presence was always imminent.

Something I was very curious about was to see how well I had predicted what part of Panama Belinda would like best. I thought for sure she was a big-city girl and would like the energy and glamour of living in the Panama city. However, I missed the mark 100%. She actually liked the countryside village of Volcan, located on the highlands in the province of Chiriqui on the skirts of the Baru Volcano. Go figure. After more than 30 years together and I still can’t figure women out. Somehow I don’t think it’s only that I’m stupid (although that may be part of it), but its just a testimony that women are complicated creatures. Anyhow, even though I was wrong, I was pleasantly surprised because with it’s cool weather and beautiful views, Volcan would be more my type of community and thus it was actually surprising that we liked the same type of surroundings. Just wait until she finds out that with the beautiful views, there are also beautiful hills and for her, bicycling and hills don’t mix, so one of them is going to have to go if we ever decide to spend some time in Volcan.

Rafael did a great job hosting our visit as we were treated to all the best that Panama could offer and at the end I hope my family was impressed with the country of where I spend some precious years.

Note: The Peacock Bass (Sargento) we caught in Gatun Lake in the waters that feed the Panama Canal.

For more pictures of our Panama trip copy and paste this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/oirsula/Panama09?feat=directlink