This
will constitute the final report on the best weekend we’ve had since arriving
in Panama a few weeks ago. Predictably that excellence was directly tied to the
presence of my wife’s fantastic family. The laughter started immediately upon
their arrival and didn’t stop all weekend. I had company for my early morning
beach workout and spent all day Sunday enjoying the company. Just after posting
here on Sunday, I wandered out onto the balcony to find all the ladies undergoing
facial treatments on the glorious morning under the direction of my Favorite Panamanian.
I was immediately tasked with pouring some mimosas to complete the experience.
I took my job very seriously. We were almost out of orange juice so there was a
lot more champagne than strictly called for in each mimosa. I was roundly complimented
on my concoctions.
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| Wife and I, Sunday Night Beach Walk |
Inevitably
all these type weekends have to end as some people still have jobs to report to
on Monday. My sister’s younger sister, the infamous Tia Loca, as well as her
son stayed over Sunday night so the fun wasn’t completely eradicated. We were
blessed with a fantastic sunset which required a walk down the beach to fully
enjoy the tapestry. The Big Guy was certainly on his game Sunday evening, hence
the excessive number of photos taken.
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| Balcony Spa |
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| Serious Business |
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| Wife Putting on Soothing Music |
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| The Cabana Boy with Mimosas |
Monday,
as it has an unfortunate habit of doing, arrived as scheduled. That meant our
remaining house guests were leaving. We were forming a two car convoy for the drive
back to David. Before leaving we noted the scheduled repair crew was on the
beach tearing down the beachside bohios’ grass roofs. These have to be replaced
every few years. This was a hard-working crew and when they found a bird’s nest,
they moved it into a nearby palm tree.
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| Sunset Beach Walk, Wife, her Mom and Tia Loca |
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| My Favorite Panamanian |
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| That Sunset |
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| Mom in LAw Back on Balcony |
We
set out for David together but my sister in law’s car has a much lower profile
than mine so she had to take it easy on the challenging, dirt access road. By
the time I hit the Inter-American Highway they’d fallen a few minutes behind
us. Those minutes turned out to be critical though. After we passed, the
highway was shut down by protesters. Apparently, the town of Las Lajas hasn’t
had water for seven days and the residents were fed up. They were held up there
for nearly two hours.
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| Tearing Down Bohio Roofs |
David
was hot and sticky compared to the beach and I was itching to get back. This
ran into direct contrast with my Favorite Panamanian’s wishes who
understandably wanted to spend as much time as possible with her family. I’m
not very good at the whole patience thing and my wife begrudgingly agreed to
return to the condo after a couple needed errands. I paid for my impatience by
having to drive through another ferocious thunderstorm with a silent spouse at
my side. Those who know her realize what I’m saying. There was another thunderstorm
waiting for us at the condo and impressively marched across the bay towards us.
Mondays.
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| Storm Coming Across Bay Towards Us |
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| Beach This Morning |
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Granddaughters!
Screenshots from Facetime Calls |
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RECURRING CHARACTERS
BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first
granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best
Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman
– my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2
– friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend
– friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as
radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten
Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high
school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Maine
and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters,
my wife is the 3rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of
my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin
Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we
have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood
Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of
course); First Friday – celebrations
to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside
Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in
Brooklyn
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