Howard Airshow - Flying High in Crystal Clear Skies!

"Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible." ~ E. Rickenbacher

Today we adventures 3 miles down the Panama Pacifico Avenue to the Howard Airfield (which use to the old airstrip of the US Howard Air Force base 12 yrs ago but now used by the Panama Air Naval division.) What an amazing day... Crystal clear skies with scattered clouds with the beautiful Panamanian rain forest mountains in the background.

The planes were great - from helicopters and cargo transporters to private bi-wing planes that participated in the acrobatic airshow. We were able to walk up and walk inside the planes and sit in the cockpits.

Jordan has a great time and his friend Weston came with us. Our neighbors (my Panamanian sister and as Jordan says "Madre #2" come with us. We have such a great time out together. Afterwards, an impromptu BBQ happened at my place. Plenty of BBQ chicken, beers and homemade french fries. J had a blast showing them the new Xbox Kinect - He is learning more spanish with his Xbox as he can change the instructions to Spanish. A great way to learn!

The Panamanians were out in full force too. From marching Carnival bands and Carnival Royalty court to the cultural costumes and other fun. Ali had a blast riding in her push car and bouncing on the jumpy castles too. But the best of the day was the air show and all the stunts the crazy pilots did. At one point 3 pilots all flew side by side and did barrel rolls and loops side by side. It was thrilling.

All and All it was a great break from school and doctoral work... We are pink nosed and have teeva tanned feet... The 30 SPF wasn't strong enough to keep this white women from burning a little bit.

Lunch on the Causeway

“A friend is one who takes you to lunch even if you're not tax deductible” ~unknown

The month may be January, the mind wants to convince me that it should be cold outside, it is snowing in Auburn (where I use to live) and I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with two friends on the Causeway just outside of Panama City.

As we dined at Mi Ranchinto with the beautiful Pacific Ocean on both sides. The sun bright and the winds were a bit strong but cooling to the incredible 86+ temperature of day. Specializing in seafood, I enjoyed garlic shrimp with yuka fries. My friend dined on Pan Friend Corvina and Coconut Rice. Ticket price for my shrimp dish and lemonade was under $11. My friend had a Pina Colada along with her meal and was still under $16 for her meal. Leaving full and content, we both enjoyed a postcard perfect picture drive along the Causeway home. Had I not been driving, I would have snapped some amazing pictures of the Bridges of America on a clear day too!

Traveling Home in Style

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” ~M. Sangster

This amazing view of Mount Rainer from my business class seat on board American Airline just as we approach cruising altitude was as majestic as it was calming. Having been up for nearly the past 24 hours the comfy seat was even more enjoyable than expected. The price ticket difference had already far made up for itself with the FREE 3 - 70lb bag allowance, express lane at the check-in counter and even more special the express lane at security.

On board, American Airlines, their attendants were pleasant, the seats were big enough for a comfortable ride and actually reclined, and the side compartment under the arm rest fit a standard size laptop for easy access made for a pleasant trip to Dallas Ft. Worth international airport.

Once at Dallas Ft. Forthworth International Airport, the Admiral Club (compliments with an international business class ticket) was amazing as well. Larger than expected there was plenty of room for the collection of people using the lounge. Having not traveled by plane for a few years, I had forgot the plushness of business class and the benefits of the lounge. Being able to enjoy a hot shower mid-way home (in the lounge not on board) was refreshing and appreciated.

I was a little surprise though that there wasn't as much complementary food as I remember from my international travels to and from Hong Kong and throughout Asia. But then again that was over 10 years ago and the recession has hit everyone. Still there were lite snacks and coffee, water, and juice. There was also a cafe to order sandwiches, at reasonably airport pricing. Having packed a banana and 1/2 a turkey sandwich I was fine for my 3 hr layover. On board earlier we were treated to a delicious egg and cheese omelet with fruit and biscuits for breakfast. On my connection flight from Texas to Panama, dinner would be a 3 course meal plus ice cream sundaes. Kudos to American Airlines for having butterscotch sauce for those unable to eat chocolate (me).

American was also on-time and efficient with our flights, luggage and more. I use to be a Continental Gal... but now I am ALL American!

Home for the Holidays

"A wise traveler never despises his own country.” ~Goldoni

After nearly 6 months in Panama, Central America the 4 of us - The two pups, JB and me, heading "home" to Auburn to see the family. Leaving our warm 85 degree home in Panama for a chilly winter south of Seattle, we look forward to seeing friends and family for our 3 week visit.

Traveling with the pups was easy as always. With today's love for pets, traveling with the pups is rather easy. Bring them back to the US was ten times easier than bringing them to Panama in the first place. Price was better too. Still paying $120 for plane tickets (had we known we were taking them back in Dec, we could have gotten them round-trip tickets for $50 more each), they were mostly content with their totes and some medicine to relax.

Our flight experienced common winter travel delays and price for food at the airport has increased more than I liked. Two airports later, not being able to bring your own water, and a 2 hour delay of our connecting flight, we arrive in Seattle $100 lighter and at nearly 1:30 AM. By the time we got to my parents it was nearly 3 AM and we had been traveling for nearly 18 hours. One thing we learned is that despite having a reservation, car rental companies don't check for delayed flights AND they almost all close at midnight - EVEN during the holiday season. Not something I had ever thought about or had to deal with before. Thank goodness for shuttle express running 24 hr a day, we made it home before sunrise.

Once home it was great to crawl into my childhood bed and spend time with family. This year, our families tree had special meaning. With Clemson (our family's ale mater) winning the ACC Championship they were going to play in the Orange Bowl for the National Championship. So in their honor our 3 ft Hanukkahmas tree was ALL Purple and Orange with a special PAW Topper.

During our visit back in Washington, we also took time to drive East to Wenatchee to visit by brother and family for new years. The snow only feel New Year Eve but the passes had plenty to see. It was also fun baking cookies with my brother and our sons. We even made homemade peanut butter doggy biscuits for the "children".

A Playa Blanca Thanksgiving.

"Journeys bring power and love back into you." ~Rumi

Without much planning and thought - Actually on total spontaneity, we packed up 2 bags, got a neighbor to watch the pups and ran away for Thanksgiving break. It seemed frivolous and crazy, but it was so needed. After a few long months of work and an emergency trip stateside for a family emergency, I did not realize just how much I needed the escape. Breaking with tradition and not hosting Thanksgiving at our house, my teenage son and I took a vacation to the beautiful exotic Playa Blanca.

Only 90 minutes from our home (between 90min to 2 hrs west of Panama City) is a newly developed resort complex in the town of Santa Clara, Panama. An all inclusive resort, once you pay your "room bill" there are no additional charges. Food, drink, snacks, including a wide range of alcoholic beverages, everything is included in the day's charge. The all-inclusive package made for a relaxing non-worry vacation. Not having to sign a bill at dinner, think about the credit card clearing upon check out, and so forth was an added treat.

There was no shortage of food options either. The pool side bar & grill served snack like lunches all day long along with a full selection of drinks. The swim up bar was wonderfully relaxing and quite the social venue. For a deluxe breakfast and dinner was served daily in the main restaurant. The wide selection covered something for everyone. The menu even included a beautiful turkey on Thanksgiving night.

The pools were grand. Large and plenty of levels for all swimmers. I think Jordan spent most his time either playing water volleyball or water basketball. Visitors from all over joined in the semi-organized game times. There were also many impromptu beach volleyball and soccer on the beach games happening too.

The sunsets and sunrises were as if you were looking at a painting. It was so wonderful to be able to sit on the balcony each morning watching it rise.

Can't wait until we get to go back again.

An Exoctic Day at the Gamboa Rainforest

"Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit." ~F. Borman

Iguanas, Crocodiles, Monkeys OH MY! Snakes and Toucans too! With beautiful blue skies above and a cool breeze blowing, the rainforest exploration was amazing. To start the day, we ventured up 1.2 kilometers in Gondolas to find a 90 foot tower. All the way to the top we climbed to see an amazing site of the Panama Canal - A full 360 degree panoramic clear view made it possible to see for miles.

Upon descending the jungle trek, we boarded boats to travel 20 minutes up the Panama Canal along side tankers, freighters and even a cruise ship, to find Monkey Island. Luck was with us today as we got to see 6 yellow face monkeys and 3 screecher monkeys. At the start of our canal boating adventure a crocodile snapping its jaws along the banks of the canal caught our eye. Plus toucans flying by. During our hot dog picnic lunch, I discovered a turtle trapped behind the toilet in the girl’s bathroom. Being a good ecologist, we helped it safely return to the canal water.

Mother Nature even joined the fun with her dumping tropical rains we watched walk across the canal and soak us for a little afternoon shower. Once the rain went away we continued our explorations with a visit to the Butterfly Habitat and the Snake Cave. There we walked along the tropical path full of butterflies and jungle flowers. The winding curvy tunnels of the Snake Cave gave us a glimpse of snacks, giant green iguanas and blue frogs. Before heading home we got to see more turtles, more crocodiles and fish galore.

Money, Tickets, Passports... Will Travel

"Why am I doing this? I came to realize that there were many reasons... I believe that life is to be lived fully. When opportunity arises... go for it!" ~ Ana Dal Vera, Amundsen-Scott, South Pole Station.

Tickets are purchased. Notice at work has been given. My leave of absence has been approved. The garage sales has started. Movers come to pack up our "small collection" of good to ship to our new home in less than 20 days. The adventure before is nearing - rapidly. It is exciting at the same time is it a bit nerve racking.

A different kind of nerve racking... After all I have done and been through in the past 14 years, one would think moving to Panama for a new career adventure would be nothing. I haven't quite put my finger on what is making my nerves tense and pulse increase... Is it the money? or the country? Might it be the job? Or going off on my own w/o a partner. Maybe it is the fact, I have a 14 year old with me this time around.

But no matter what it is that has me not quite 100% relaxed, the destination.. the future... the opportunity... the just keeps calling my soul. Never one to stay anywhere for very long (for those who don't know me I typically moved every 4 years as a child and even in Hong Kong, my late husband and I moved 4 times over 8 years in that one country - each time to a new area or village), my 7 years back in America has been very "homey" and "grounded". For once as an adult (other than in Hong Kong), I felt settled and nested. As a dear friend once teased me when I hit my 5th year back in Washington, "hey look you put down roots"... we have just finished planting our veggie garden. It was funny and symbolic at the same time.

But the lure of the other Americas, my passion for cultures and change, keeps calling me... "Come see"... "Come taste".... "Come live".... And so we are.. Off to see what Central America is like... more specifically Panama. It's been 21 years since I studied aboard in Costa Rica. I have ever long to go back. As my wise aunt told me a year back.. "if it is in the cards, it will happen." Well G-d and destiny has dealt me a beautiful deck... Have tickets & passports... Will travel!