Eight days in Panama

Just returned after a week with my brother Jim in Panama. We enjoyed the local sights, the canal, the old Panama, the causeway and the city waterfront. We took off west to find a beachfront town and drove for hours without success. It seems there are condos, or an occasional restaurant on the beach but not much. So we headed back to Panama City the next day. We did a drive a couple days later to Colon on the north end of the canal and to Gamboa in the middle. We arranged a morning of fishing in the canal at

At low tide . . . is this right?

Amazing.

Nothing more to add here.

Jim was proud to help protect and serve with his cardboard buddy.

Blue boat was ours, here at the boat landing.

Seeing the boat they come and jump on the roof looking for peanuts, taking them from our hands.

Peacock bass and a sea bass

A lot like the Mississippi.

Gamboa for the next day. I used my tablets alarm and it went off at 5 instead of 6 for the fishing trip because of the time change(I had it set for eastern time). After we were still in the dark a half hour later, we figured it out. Then after wasting time till 7 the owner told us the captain had earlier booked someone else, so we waited another day to fish. Worth the hassle, the fishing was great we caught Peacock and Sea bass, saw and fed monkeys peanuts, and saw a crocodile.
In the city we walked everyday, a lot! Enjoyed great food from Italian, Lebenese, Japan, Mexican, maybe even Panama. It was hot, mid 90's or more. Very interesting town, and as Jim said "more cars than streets". Enjoyed viewing the different car models you don't see in the states and we figure the busiest guy in town is the Suzuki 125 repair guy, as they are everywhere. Lots of ideas and stories shared. Next year he is hoping to visit Colombia as long as I can find him a bike to rent or borrow.

Two wheel fun!

I have had the new motorcycle for just over a week now. An AKT that is made here in Colombia. It comes complete with helmet, poncho, and baseball cap. It really has been awhile. I have had a few during the working years but never much time to ride. The last ride I remember was to the hospital in Stevens Point when Carly was born on the Honda 500 Silverwing, that was over 11 years ago. Most of my riding was as a teen, first on a Honda 90 then later the Suzuki 350.
Pereira is a challenge for car or bike. Lots of hills, some like Houghton Michigan if you know what I mean, very steep if you don't. There are plenty that 1st gear is all you can do, hoping that is enough. It is only a 125 so it's not over blessed with power, but it is average for here. Loads of mopeds and a big bike is a 250.
I spent a couple days just buzzing around town trying to figure out the streets. The motorcycles here tend to use any space allowed on the road, at a stop light they weave between cars to get to the front. In return, the cars don't offer much respect to bikes. So I just stay back in line at the lights and drive slowly around town, watching my mirrors alot. They do enforce safety here though. From 6pm to 6am you have to wear reflective vests with plate numbers on front and back, and reflective plate numbers on the back of the helmets.
Our first road trip was following a road along the Rio Otún. At first, smooth asphalt and winding, the kind you dream about. Then the asphalt ends, rocks and ruts begin for the last 10-12 miles. The road ended at a National Park with a waterfall a short walk away.
Yesterday we headed south to Armenia to visit the gold artifacts in a museum. A little chilly up in the higher altitudes but the scenery was amazing. Even the main road offered lots of curves so it was fun. On the way back we diverted to a small town Solento with an awesome overlook over the town and some neat local shops and restaurants. Then we went another 10 miles or so to an area with very tall palms, some that are only grown here. The roads to these towns were incredible, even better on the bike. Up and down the mountains with twisty roads all the way and hardly any cars. It was truly a blast.
So after 8 days and 350 kilometers were off to great start and looking for other adventures and a gas station for the first fill up.

A step backwards

Two things here have made me think of a step backwards. 

1) When shopping for something in any one of the local stores you can browse on your own if you prefer. But the normal here is for an attendant to assist you with your selection. They guide you to their selection and help to find what you want, and if they don't have it they will tell you who might. This applies to clothing, vegetables, whatever. I can remember when downtown shops in Wausau would have the staff to do this, or maybe I just remember from the movies, but it is a visible sign of the everyday courtesy offered here.

2) It was time to find a dentist for a normal cleaning, so it was arranged with a nice, very modern office downtown. Right before my appointment I noticed a problem with the new implant. It seemed to be loose and wiggle. After a few appointments and even a high tech 3D xray, it was determined that the new implant would have to be replaced. For a time, we thought the problem was only in the crown, but not to be so. So yesterday afternoon was the extraction, now I wait till Sept for the new implant, then another six months for the new crown. The first one was rushed too much and I won't make that mistake again. 

Sometimes a step backwards can be neat thing, sometimes.

New place for a while

On Monday, while some were watching groundhogs nibble on people we started a hunt for a apartment here in Pereira. The house was fine and in a great neighborhood but I guess I was just looking for a little more privacy. We were sharing her place with her son and family. Has been a great three weeks and now we will try something new.
We found a furnished unit on the 11th floor in a building called Alquitrabe in the area known as Pinares. After viewing we talked with the owner and negotiated a rate including all utilities, including internet and cable tv for a period of three months for about $400/month. The balcony was set up with brackets for a hammock, so I was happy. The microwave has a toaster built into the right side, first
I ever have seen that. There is lots of natural light as we have two outside walls.

Guest bath

Balcony view left

Balcony view center

Balcony view right

Gloria's younger son Mauricio with Estefany and Miguel Angelo

Local wood I thought was bamboo, but is bigger and called Guadua

Love the colors on this guy

Beautiful bridge made of guadua

There is an indoor garage space if I feel the urge to get a car, or motorcycle. It is on a dead end street on the edge of town so it is very quiet. We are only 3 blocks from the Arboleda Mall that has a theatre, grocery store and mall stuff. Lots of restaurants and shops nearby too.
Seeing how my only source of funds is my one tyme card, I thought it would be a good idea to open a debit account with a local bank. No big deal, pretty much the same stuff as USA except for the fingerprints.
Last Sunday we went to a park with her son's family called Comfamiliar. Very large with zoo, aviary, historical trails, sugar cane process, swimming pools, restaurants and trails all over. Very cool, we had a great time. Been in a pattern of afternoon showers leaving the evenings cool, but I am not complaining after hearing what Wisconsin has gone through in the last week. Stay warm my friends!

First impressions of Colombia

Arrived late on Jan 14 in Pereira to the welcoming open arms of Gloria. Weather is great here, averaging 75 to 80 in days and mid to low 60s at night. The town is about 750,000, so quite a lot to offer. Got settled quick with new phone SIM card (320-623-0421) and am very impressed by the friendliness and politeness of all here. You have the small local stores you expect but also large retail and many malls. Everything is very reasonable. Taxis are 2 to 3 dollars. We went out for breakfast a couple days ago and the total for both was about 4 dollars. I was due for a physical, doctor $26 (includes his cell #, please call anytime), lab $50, electrocardiogram $18. Very happy with results, after losing 40+ pounds this last year my numbers are better than ever. I just asked about cable, just to be curious, it is $30/month including phone and internet and a lot of tv channels, including USA normals. House taxes about $100/year.
Went up into the mountains last weekend to a national park area. Walked the trails in the jungle (they say forest here) and looked for monkeys, only heard them. Lots of birds and beautiful scenery. The ride from town was in a Chiva, a bus with bench seats all across and open on the right side for access. Ours was not too full, but we met some with people in and on top, crammed full.
Pereira is in a valley surrounded by the mountains, not near any beaches, which explains the near perfect climate. Also being very close to the equator, there is almost 12 hours of daylight all year long!
Having computer issues again so no photos at this time, hopefully soon!
Computer works!