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Photographer: Mark Where? We have fancy supermarkets with products from all over the world. They are a pleasure when you need something special. But the best markets, the ones that are the most fun and definitely the cheapest, are those you find in the towns of the “interior”. This one is in the town of El Valle in the mountains of central Panama.
Photographer: Sharon Where? How often do we see something very attractive in a place we don’t expect it, but fail to take a picture and regret it later? Thankfully, Sharon took a picture! This is a door found at the little beach resort of La Playita in Los Santos province on the Azuero peninsula (the big “hump” on the map of Panama along the Pacific). Some folks call La Playita the “bird hotel” due to the wide variety of avian life found in the area, undisturbed by this eco-resort. Another site can provide you with more details of La Playita.
Photographer: Karen Where? Back on December 10th, we showed a traffic sign from Cocle province that amused us. This one is a classic too. Taken on Avenida Balboa in Panama City, this expresses the fear every driver has in town without the use of a single word. Panama City traffic may drive us all crazy, but we haven’t lost our sense of humor! You can find these signs at several of the most crowded intersections in the city.
Photographer: Bob Where? Awhile back, we showed you a photo of a ficus tree, one that was substantially larger than you might have expected. Today, we’re showing you a mango tree. Yes, the tree that produces those under-ripe, over-priced fruits you see at your market in North America or Europe. In Panama, they are very cheap or, better yet, they can be free if you have one in your yard. The mango tree above just off Lake Bayano is not unusually large, but it dwarfs the man and boat. You’ll never go hungry during mango season with a tree like this!
Photographer: Monte Hart Where? The town of La Pintada in Coclé Province in central Panama is well-known for its straw hats, but especially for its hand-rolled cigars. Here, the cigar factory grounds keeper holds up a tray of “torpedoes”, still with their ends uncut. In the background are the rolling tables, strewn with tobacco leaves. The cost for a box of 25 torpedoes? US$20.
Photographer: Jeff Lane Where? Carnival is almost upon us, arriving during the first week of February this year. This is one of the many Reinas (Queens) from last year’s Carnival. It’s a great honor for a young lady to be chosen and this Reina in Pedasí was clearly an excellent choice! Carnival is fun with queens, floats, a lot of music. and plenty to eat and drink. We may not be Rio, but our fun is real.
Photographer: Futuro Forestal Where? This is a “caiman”, a smaller cousin of the crocodile. This particular fellow is a “Spectacled Caiman”, called that because he has a ridge between his eyes. Don’t worry! You won’t find him in your backyard in Panama! Indeed, you will be very, very fortunate if you ever see one as they don’t hang out with humans and live only in remote locations. Our friend here was found by workers for Futuro Forestal, a reforestation project in Panama, some of whose staff are Retirement Wave members, but we’re not sure which one took this photo!
Photographer: Luis Where? One of the nice things about traveling through the countryside is to come across something unexpected and beautiful around the corner. There are young guayacán trees in full bloom. They were on the edge of Lago (Lake) Bayano far from any homes, just sitting there, waiting for someone to appreciate them.
Photographer: Allan Hawkins Where? When it comes to sports, baseball is arguably the most passionate sport in Panama. It’s passionate, but it’s also friendly and good-natured. Foreign baseball fans who attend a game here, especially as we near the national championship, always come away saying this is what baseball “ought to be” or “used to be” in their home nations. As you can see from the caps above, we have different teams, and as you can see by the smiles, we have a good time.
Photographer: Bob Where? We were deep in the mountains of the continental divide. You have to walk or take a horse to get there, your 4×4 is useless. The pensive gentleman is a farmer looking down on some of his land. This is a tough place to make a living and he has sold his land to a gringo who will develop it. He’s getting a good price for his land. I asked him what he plans to do with his money. He answer was immediate. All his children will go to university. His teenage daughter is especially bright. She will be going to medical school. As for him, he will buy a better piece of land and continue farming, but his children come first.