November 28, 2010

There is an empty lot in our neighborhood and people are building a house. Available lots are VERY difficult to come by, because so much of the land is “protected jungle” as a watershed for the canal. So needless to say, it is beautiful to see all the jungle, but the price of even a tiny piece of land is out of sight. Anyway, the pictures attached show what I guess is their answer to not renting a porta potty for the time the house is being built. One day, we saw a toilet installed where the sewer pipes were, the next day the pieces of wood surrounding it. Now really, I do hope they put wall up before anyone uses it. So far, haven’t seen a workman “visit” what is there.
Went to dinner last night with some friends. They have previously lived in Taiwan, Africa, Ecuador and now Panama. So we, as typical of our conversations, are marveling about how the people drive like crazy people here! Our friends, on the other hand, tell us how “sane” the drivers are compared to other parts of the world! All about perspective, I guess. But even Wayne has started looking at the 8 sided signs that say “ALTO” (STOP) and just slowing down. There is fear that if he actually did stop, he would be rear-ended for doing something so unexpected. I have yet to see anyone actually STOP at one of them unless absolutely necessary (like a big bus coming into the intersection). Thankfully, they do stop at the red lights. Or at least they do after several taxis have moved on through.
Have been warned to stay away from the malls for the next month and a half due to the crowds. The mall by our house is bigger than any mall in Cincinnati and they are adding another 100 more stores and a casino to it. Lots of casinos here. Haven’t been to one (don’t really care to go to one), but they are certainly around if one wishes to gamble. Lots and lots of toy stores. Someone told me that the “helicopter” parenting practice actually began in Latin America. Malls in Panama have many more toy stores than most malls I have been in. Many people are dragging suitcases on wheels around with them while shopping. My first thought was there must have been a big sale on luggage, until lately I have discovered, they buy so much during their shopping trips that they need a suitcase. Maybe, some of them come from the interior and only shop occasionally. Guess you have to make do, if you have no car and must take the bus or taxi everyplace. Wonder what people do with all their “stuff”. Homes are “tiny” and haven’t see those storage units that are everyplace in the US, yet.
Speaking of storage units. There are motels here that are called “push buttons”. I thought they might be a storage unit when we passed one, but they aren’t. You drive up, look for an open “garage door”, pull your car in, close the door, and then pay through an automatic machine for a hotel room for a certain number of hours. You go into your hotel room directly from the garage. Later, you will get a call when your time is up, so you either pay more or get out. You can have food or drinks delivered via a “dummy waiter”, so you won’t be seen if you wish. Guess you can figure out what these rooms might be for, but one of the gals that I met that grew up here said it also was a place for high school kids to go drink.
Flowers are blooming here every day. Guess the end of the rainy season brings out more of God’s beauty. The ones in the pictures just came out right by our apartment. I look at them at the end of November with amazement.