January 3 So, I’m starting this blog because a lot of people don’t like Facebook, I don’t know Instagram, and I’m tired of repeating myself.
My flight here was challenging. I was supposed to arrive in David, my final destination near Boquete where I stay, on 12/30 at 5:00 pm. Instead, I arrived on 12/31 at 9:00 am. I missed my connection in Chicago because my flight from Milwaukee was delayed due to airplane mechanical issues. We had to de-plane there, wait an hour and board a different flight to Chicago. Because of that, In Chicago, I missed my connection to Panama City. So, I was re-routed to JFK with an overnight flight to Panama City, and then on to David. I finally made it, but my suitcase did not. Thanks to technology and WhatsApp, I was able to stay in communication with my Boquete friends who were making the 45-minute drive from Boquete to David to pick me up. When they arrived at the airport, we filed a claim with Baggage Claim in David, and they said the bag would be delivered to my friends’ home.
Today Copa Airlines sent a follow-up text saying my bag was delivered to my friends’ house. It was not. We continued to communicate with them, and just a short time ago, I received another message from Copa saying they found my bag – in Milwaukee!! It should be here soon. I am so happy they found it.
So, my place here is very nice. It is a studio apartment. It is an attachment to the main house, which is owned by Gloria. The kitchen is tiny, but I’ll make it work. The rent is only $450 a month (as opposed to the $1100/mon. last year), so I’m going to make it work. I’ll try to attach a video or photos here. Not sure how to do that yet. Gloria and I are hitting it off quite well.
I’ve been able to connect with a few friends: my friend, Barb, and my knitting group. The knitting group had their movie day yesterday, so I went to that. We watched an old Bette Davis movie called Now, Voyager (1942). Although quite comical at some points due to the 40s drama, it was really quite good. Very risque for its time and insightful regarding mental illness and conditioning, although they didn’t call it that.
I walked into town today to buy a few groceries. It’s a three-mile walk, perfect for my daily routine. Barb has agreed to do a longer walk with me once a week. While in town, I stopped at my friend, Cathy’s house to say hello, and while standing outside, a truck pulled up with my friends, Carmen and Emilio. It was nice to see them, and we plan to get together soon. As soon as I have clothes.
It was nice being in the town center again, visiting my favorite grocery stores. I took the bus home, crammed into the Volcancito minibus with the locals. Not much concern about Omicron here yet, although I did not see a single person without a mask anywhere. The one change from last year is that there are no longer temperature monitors at the doors to shops.
So, I have all the food I need for a while. I’m getting my to-do list together, which includes the all-important pedicure on Tuesday. Shaving my legs was usually a first-day chore, but…no razor. So far, my chin is not out of control. Thank goodness I have light-colored hair; I might be mistaken for wildlife. I also have not put a comb through my hair in four days.
The weather, of course, is perfect. It is 72 degrees with sunny, blue skies and blooming bougainvillea everywhere. I saw my first Motmot today at Gloria’s feeder. That was a treat.
I have been asked to join two spiritual study groups here. They are both starting up after covid breaks, so I am hoping they may join forces and become one group. I shared with one group leader the program I have been doing through the UU church I belong to in Hartland. The program is called Soul Matters. I have had some great discussions with my group at home. Hope it works here.
I’m looking forward to my suitcase being delivered soon because it contains my calligraphy pen. I miss my morning routine of coffee and calligraphy.
So, that’s it for today. I’ll try to keep up and learn how to attach videos.
So wonderful to hear about your trip and finally arriving Dick and I made it to Gulf Shores and had our first really good shrimp of the year. Keep up the monologue I love it
Thank you for the update! Glad you’re safe and now know where your luggage is. I laughed heartily in a few places … mistaken for wildlife!! 😂 Don’t get eaten!
What a wild ride, your voyage to Panama! Glad to read that at least the largest pieces of the puzzle are in place and you are happily settling in. Temperatures in the single digits up here in southeastern Wisconsin– one refreshing aspect of this new year’s launch!
Hi Chris, I sent a text to you but it may not have gone through. So if you got it, this might be a bit repetitious. I was happy to see that you made it safely to Panama and finally received your luggage. Although the video was very small on my screen I was able to see that your lodging is very nice, especially the veranda or porch. May you enjoy the wonderful weather and your friends in Panama. Last night overnight we had 0° and it made me think fondly of what Panama must be like at this time. From mid December until January 1 I was very ill due to the fact that I had purchased lettuce at pick and save that I was eventually notified, was contaminated with various bacteria including listeria and E. coli. I became quite ill with an E. coli infection which caused one or more of the cysts in my right kidney to bleed. Finally the bleeding seems to have stopped on New Year’s Day and I am recovering slowly, though still weak. I’m still trying very hard to avoid going on dialysis. I am looking forward to hearing more about your adventures in Panama and pray that you remain well and return to us safely at the end of March 2022. Do bring back some of that sunshine with you when you return! Kathy Walter
Dear Chris,
Good to hear that you made it. We are doing fine in Tucson. The highs here are more in the 60’s. I think I told you that Dru Castro died last year and we are planning to have a memorial service for her on April 3. Carlos and I are planning to go to Mazatlan for a week the end of February. We’ll eat fresh sea food for a week. It costs about $10 for about 40 medium shrimp devained and in a sauce. Have ta good time.
Mucho cariño,
Ken, Carlos y Malley