Panama 2014 -2015 Week 1

December 29, 2014 - the four of us arrived in Panama City, a little tired (Beth and Nigel working on only a few hours sleep) and we were relaxing at our condo on the 16th floor just in time to toast day's end, sun setting at 6:20. We've met  some wonderful people in the Coronado Country Club resort. One couple lived 2 blocks from our home in Oakville and are now living on Glen Abbey Golf Course. It's a small world after all!

New Years Eve fireworks started going off around the coast area just after sunset. At midnight the whole coastline was on fire with bursts of colour, floating Chinese lanterns and on the beach, burning numerous effigies dressed to replicate your favourite person, movie star or cartoon character.

The pools and beach area are crowded with families enjoying the holidays and we have been told that after January 12 things will be quieter. Children are on summer vacation until the end of February but most of the units rented or owned here will be occupied by adults.

Getting around...your choices to go to town of Coronado (4.5 km) are walking, taxi ($6 US), bus (35 cents), golf cart, rent-a-car or the kindness of a neighbour already heading to town and willing to let us come along for the ride.

Meals... We bought groceries on our first trip to town. Because we have been getting up later in the morning, breakfast is finished just minutes before lunch is served with snacks in the afternoon. After sunset is dinner time. The first night we enjoyed black beans and pasta. Second dinner was black beans, pasta and pesto. Our New Years Eve dinner....sparkling wine, rice with onions, zucchini, tomato sauce and a side bowl of black beans. Fourth dinner...rice, chopped tomatoes, carrots and you guessed it!..frijoles negros = black beans.

Coronado Beach seems to be perfect for long walks but knowing the tide schedule is imperative as high tide may leave you stranded between rock formations. The sand is mostly black which, as you can imagine, can be very hot in the afternoon. We are situated in a small bay so the water isn't rough and it's safe for wading into the Pacific. The gardens are full of magenta and fuschia coloured bougainvillea and the pool is huge, divided into private cubbies.

When we first arrived the weather was very hot and humid. By day 4, we are acclimated and we feeling more comfortable.

Saturday we took the $.35 bus into town. We had lunch at what can only be described as a Panamanian Legion or Coronado's  answer to Hooters. Beth was pleased to find out that no matter what your shape, there are no spandex inhibitions. Beer was cold at $.90 a bottle and we ate a bowl of rice and lentils. Safe and Savory. Bill asked waitress to have all food on one check by circling our table with his hand. Misinterpretation - she brought us another round of beer. Oh well!! Pura Vidal!! total of 13 frio cervesa 4 bowls of rice came to $19. May just be cheaper to eat out!

We are in a very good place, non-threatening enviroment, warm and well fed, and oh yes, we have plenty of wine and well priced local beer in the fridge.