Life is Just Life March 18, 2009
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 1 comment so far
I know I should be writing most days. Always something that I find interesting. But that I am not has me thinking that I am starting to settle in. Things that would otherwise stand out in contrast to life in north america are becoming simply life here in Panama. Waking up to no electricity or water is just an extension of the first big yawn of the day. Annoying, yes - but to be expected.
The sensational is just not. We have experienced floods of proportion to nothing since the 70’s. Hurricane-force winds. Drought that is outside of the normal range of acceptance. Fields on fire continuously, and the smell of smoke forever in the air. Just last week we experienced 4 earthquakes, 3 of which had their epicenter less than 50 miles away and with a force ranging from 5.1 to 6.6 on the Richter. Anywhere I have lived until coming to Panama it would be all over the news, and as always occurs when 1/2 a centimeter of snow falls in South Carolina, people there line up at the stores until every loaf of bread and carton of milk has been sold. Life becomes a crisis, and life is in dire jeopardy.
Not here. Not anything close.
You drive here with hopes of missing every pothole, but never succeeding. You drive up saw-tooth mountain roads and keep a close eye for where half of the road has fallen away down a cliff, and you had better be on the right side (as opposed to the wrong side).
And, when the day ends, you talk about other things. The new lamb that was born overnight at Steve’s finca. The sky and the stars. The sounds of birds and creatures that you have never noticed. The wonder of family and friends that you were with that day, and those who you haven’t seen for months and miss so much. The dream you had last night. The seriousness of your finances and the uncertainty of the future. Forcing creativity and finding solace in some options yet to be developed. Wondering why life was so messed before and that you didn’t know to what extent nor did you ask the questions until now.
It comes down to the reality that life is just life. Take it as it comes. Not much can change it, nor is the descriptive all that important. Certainly not to the extent that potholes become someone’s lawsuit, and water-turned-crystal creates life in a bunker. OK - earthquakes are still significant enough that I would make a certain amount of noise, but even for that here, it seems like I am the the exception. Don’t misunderstand - stress isn’t absent. Some things still elevate themselves to crisis level, although it seems more in mind than most events themselves.
Panama is a great place to live. It is still an unfolding adventure for Lynda and me. I think it will always be, especially for the friends we have made and the values they exude within the life contributions they make. Dead Wheat continues to unfold, probably more for my understanding of its potential, and also for the new elements of functionality that appear out of nowhere. I talked in my last blog a little about our newest team member, Andrea, and what her role would be at Llano Nopo. Andrea ended up staying at our home for an extra week because of an unexpected delay, but she finally made it to her new location last Friday. She will be returning tomorrow to report on her initial experiences and observations, and we are excited about what she will share. I still intend to tell you more about Llano Nopo, and after meeting with her, will have current information.
On another note, Lynda and I made an impulsive decision on the weekend to go to Los Olas. This is a beach-side resort about an hour or so from here. It was like a warp-drive shift into another world. Pools, 27 kilometers of sandy beach, ocean-view rooms, showers with water pressure, incredible sunsets, food, wine and relaxation. It felt a bit like a 2-day “fix”, but it was really only an ethereal moment within the reality of life here in Panama. Then again, life is just life, including these self-absorbed moments.
Oh yeah - it was only $35 per person. Didn’t mean to spend that much, but then again, it’s high season here right now and rates are off the charts.
Panama is good….
Fishing and Capacity Building March 2, 2009
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , add a commentI have been away a lot and when home in Potrerillos, trying hard to keep up with Steve and Paul for their never ending ideas and energy. If I ever thought life would be lots of reading in a comfortable hammock, I have quickly discovered that those moments will be both magic and infrequent.
This past week I was with Paul and Steve on the Caribbean coast. Yes, it included some fishing, and yes, I was the one who lost the big one. I learned a new term called “horsing”. Apparently it is not a good idea to pull hard on the line when the fish is jumping 5 feet out of the water. For a horse, pulling hard on the rein works. For a fish, the line breaks. There were no words of kindness or compassion from my fellow fishermen on that note.
It was strange to be away from civilization as we know it. No means of communication, no electricity. Travel in a cayuga that felt like it would tip over at any moment but never did. Treks in the dense tropical forest with no idea of where you were headed or where you were. All so comfortable to the indigenous people in whose village we stayed. But nonetheless, very isolated, and with no way to talk to Lynda, very lonely and insecure.
And – an episode in my life that most people I know will never experience for themselves.
This week, Andrea Martinsen will be commencing her assignment in Llano Nopo. I have mentioned her in prior blogs as a new member of Dead Wheat who will pursue a capacity building approach for the village of Llano Nopo. Dead Wheat is evolving in its purposes and approach to be that of empowering people in the Comarca through sustainable community development. One of the unfolding projects of Dead Wheat is its hydroponic farm, and the capability of constructing and operating similar farms in the Comarca. Andrea speaks Spanish and Gnobe, and has spent the past 3 years working to help the Peace Corp develop an effective strategy for working with the Ngabe-Bugle people. She understands the importance of capacity building alongside cultural pride.
A point on capacity building. Maria Ruiz is a family member of Ruiz Coffee, which produces some of the best coffee in the world. Marie lives nearby in Boquete, and is also highly educated on matters of social function. She is quoted in an earlier blog of Dead Wheat as saying, “we always look at the Indians and are quick to point out what they are doing wrong. But they have been in existence for over 400 documented years and probably over 1000 total, so why are we not recognizing what they are doing right?” We agree, and see the extreme value of studying the culture first, then building on it. Empowerment and ownership, not intrusion and dependency.
On Friday, we will be going with Andrea to Llano Nopo to get her settled. The first order of business will probably be to construct a home for her. After that, Andrea will begin the process of integration and assessment. And that will not be a 1-week statistical gathering effort. It will be at least one year of study. After that, we take the next step in capacity building.
It is very exciting!
Next blog I will try to give you a better insight into the Comarca, with more detail on the village of Llano Nopo. And over the next couple of weeks, I will also try to weave in some more of Lynda’s and my continuing experiences and personal adjustment to life in Panama.
Talk soon….
Expresso Coffee Maker Explodes in Michigan! February 6, 2009
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 2commentsActually, yesterday’s blog was a good launch for today’s article. Ties in with coffee
Lynda and I bought a couple of Christmas presents here in Panama before heading to the US and Canada for the holiday season. One of the items was an expresso coffee maker made by a company called Premier Electric (Japan) Corporation. It’s not an electric appliance, but when heated on a stove, steam is pushed up through the ground coffee and condenses into rich coffee in an upper canister. There are many of these expresso makers on the market, and I made the unfortunate mistake of buying one from Premier.
Quick background. Premier has a significant market presence in Latin America, Chile, and Hong Kong. They state their vision as being a company that makes quality products that contribute to peoples’ welfare and make life more enjoyable. First off, that’s about as bad an effort of a corporate mandate as any idiot could generate, but giving the benefit of a reasonable vision statement, the reality is the only thing it does about life is place it in jeopardy.
The unit we bought was a CM-1659S. Nice stainless steel design. Nice packaging. Impressive gift, having weaved its way from Latin America through the maze of homeland security and immigration to a place under a Christmas tree in Michigan.
The gift was put into service at our son’s home. One morning, with 4 of us (including a 10-month old baby) in the kitchen waiting for the expresso maker to perk, the unit exploded with a force that badly damaged the ceiling, sprayed everyone with scalding hot water, and coated much of the kitchen with coffee stain. It had literally become a missile, and we were fortunate that no one was hurt other than burn spots.
Here’s the point. Defects happen. Things break. But pressure valves should never fail, and simple appliances turn into weapons. (hey - perhaps homeland security should put a watch out for Premier expresso makers as weapons of mass destruction or something…. just a thought…)
I have tried regularly and unsuccessfully to derive any form of a response to my report to Premier. At first no threats, than gradually moving to where I would contemplate turning their headquarters into a giant Premier expresso maker. But absolutely no acknowledgment, apology, remedy, commitment to better quality control, ban on the CM-1659S (sounds like a prototype plane, doesn’t it…) or automated response. Nothing…
My point. Don’t buy anything from Premier Electric (Japan) Corporation. Find something destructive and derogatory and defamatory to say about their product and their integrity. Tell your lawyer friend that he or she should consider getting rich on assembling a class-action suit, because I am sure these things are exploding all over the world. Tell the story to your children before they go to sleep each night so that they grow up protected from this evil manufacturer. Coordinate protests that shut down major transportation corridors. Serve your guests freeze-dried instant coffee and tell them why you care enough to do that.
And, whatever you can do to take this corporation down, do it. They put my family in serious harm’s way, and they couldn’t care less.
Just had to say something….
Next article, back to all that’s truly good about life….
I Knew Coffee Was Good for You… February 5, 2009
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 2commentsJust finished reading an article in the Noticias Bajareque titled “Is Coffee Good for Me?”. Well, it seems studies favor my not having problems with most diseases for the rest of my life. And even more encouraging is that the reduction in risk bears relationship to the number of cups per day, 6 being a recommended number. The coffee in Panama has to be the best in the world, which makes taking my medicine all that much easier!
I have been off the blog radar for several weeks. When we went to the US and Canada to be with family over Christmas, extending into January, I let the writing slip. Probably not that bad a choice, as I would have tended to the negative. Being with family and friends was great, but coming back into contact with the NA culture didn’t do much for me. But , Lynda and I are back in Potrerillos Abajo, moving to another level of connection and settledness, and, of course, savoring the incredible weather of Panama’s dry season.
Although, we have been without electricity, internet, water, and phone for the past 15 hours or so. It is a strange mix of beautiful blue sky, warm dry air, and what feels like hurricane force winds. Lots of trees down, and, I guess with that, power lines. I am typing this on laptop battery power, and will post it when life’s luxuries return.
This morning Paul and I attended a meeting of Club Rotario de Boquet. Rotary has a very active presence in the area, and we were given the opportunity to present Dead Wheat. Paul’s presentation focused on the difference in the approach to need – dependency v.s. empowerment. Quick fix v.s. sustainable change. It was a stellar presentation, and Paul is one of the most gifted speakers you will find. I am very glad to be part of Dead Wheat, and there is so much to do that will have a lasting influence here in Panama.
If you are interested in reading Paul’s presentation, I am sure I can get him to post it. Let me know.
Hey – check out some of the pictures on the Dead Wheat site – click on ‘Media’ and see how the aquaponic farm is taking shape. And especially check out the injuries – mine in particular! Too bad we don’t have a picture of me falling backwards and upside down off a scaffold. (Steve saved me at the last minute….)
Anyway – not the best written blog to launch a new segment, But it has at least launched the discipline of writing something most days. I will try to keep up. For now, gotta go – Lynda was just moving a flower arrangement in the kitchen and a lizard of some variety lunged at her from out of the leaves. Not that it was any longer than a couple of centimeters, but I guess Lynda still has a way to go in adapting to life’s new experiences.
By the way – next blog is going to be about a product that we bought for Christmas that turned out to be so dangerous that everyone needs to know about it. I want to take this company down!
Retirement in Panama December 11, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 1 comment so farWhat a great morning. It is as expected, about 22 degrees C, a few clouds, sun starting to shine on the slopes of the Volcan Baru and the Calderra mountain range. The whole cacophony of so many birds that we still do not recognize. In a few minutes, the beauty of the morning will be shattered by the movement of squirrels making their way into the fruit trees in front of the house, and my time of silent awe will be replaced by unuttered curses and despise of these hairy rats. I will then spend the next 30 minutes thinking of ways to smuggle my pellet gun into the country disguised as tube of toothpaste. For now, all I can do is throw stones and yell obscenities and derive some small satisfaction of a near miss…
We love this place. We love to wake up in the morning. I remember not all that long ago waking up each day exhausted after a restless night’s sleep, thoughts of problems at work first on my mind. I remember going to bed the night before thinking I might better stay awake to make the hours pass by slower so as not to bring on the new day. I remember conversations with Lynda that had nothing to do with her emotions or interests. All while sucking down a coffee that I would question ever having within a few minutes. I certainly took no interest in the sounds and life and innocence of the new day, and for not doing that, denied God any voice in shaping the day ahead and quieting a troubled mind.
Here in Panama it is different. I am wrestling somewhat with the argument that these changes are only possible as point of retirement. Retirement has been one of those words that I ponder only in relation to my dad - how he had targeted age 65 as the official date of retirement, and that, until then, he would work hard and long every day (and often night) as his life’s highest priority. I don’t dispute that he loved what he did, even as a corporate executive working for pennies on fat company margins. But I somehow have to think that, for all that he found good in life, it fell short of the real meaning of the day.
Most days, within the context of these new experiences of pace and interests, I find myself asking if this is retirement. I despise the question, and that I am actually trying to rationalize who I am, who I am with, where I am, what I do, as a state of retirement. Simply, this is not. Correctly, this is an adjustment by choice. Choices that have not been easy along the way. Many choices that have felt like loss and forfeiture. Choices that would not seem rational, at least not in having defined terms of livelihood. Choices that have brought about changes for which I still do not have an understanding or a corresponding system.
So, I find myself in a state of adjustment. For what we don’t have anymore, we worry less. For the hard changes of language and culture, we are invigorated by the challenges. For the movement away from self-interest, we see people and need differently. Instead of return on investment, we act impulsively. Where we fought for those limited moments of crash and burn, we experience quiet and company by choice. We savor health and range of emotions that are influenced not by our pseudo-work identity, but within the priorities that we define independently, and as we apply non-religious faith to the unknowns of this season.
Retirement is sole confinement, darkness, isolation, denouement. This is not my setting or experience. I am not counting days (although I do lose track of dates), nor am I waiting for the next sliver of light or plate of food under the door. As we are settling into life in Panama, we are finally seeing clear for what should have been until now, and not for what isn’t left in life.
I wish I could find the way to tell you how incredible this really is!
Panama – One Month In… December 9, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , add a commentWhen you buy a car, you typically take it in for an inspection after putting on a few initial miles. If it is a new car, it’s more about warranty. If it is a previously owned car, you want to be sure everything is running as was described by the first owner, and that there are no surprises that might have been concealed or simply not considered.
Lynda and I have been in Panama for a month, and I am bringing in my first experiences for some diagnostics. This is probably a good time to do it, because we have put on enough “miles” for a reasonably valid assessment, and we are not “needing the car” for the next few weeks as we return to north america to spend Christmas with family.
My hands are starting to toughen up. There is a good assortment of fresh scrapes and bruises, and some longer term callouses beginning to form. I like what they represent, because there is nothing more gratifying than taking the land and converting it into something practical to existence. After 18 years of managing 4 hours sleep a night, I am enjoying a solid 8 hours, amidst strange night noises and early-rising roosters. I have reduced my coffee intake from 9 dishwater cups to 3 outstanding cups of coffee made from freshly roasted local beans.
We are experiencing friendships, not in relation to an institution and its expectations of community, but out of each new day’s activities and coincidences. People we are getting to know better are proving to be real and compassionate. There is no end to spontaneous acts of kindness, and it is so contagious that we find ourselves planning our days around how we can add value outwards.
We have learned how to shower using less than one minute of hot water. We are learning what insects to be concerned about and what is simply movement across the floor or under the furniture. We know that there is nothing better than a fresh-picked mandarine or grapefruit to start the day. We understand the concept of cardboard and eggs. We no longer think we are losing our memory because we have no idea what day it is, let alone date. (I think that is because for all of our lives our week was in relation to Sunday, and now with every day a Sunday, what does it really matter unless you have a train to catch).
Life is no longer assumed. Access to stuff is limited. Disposable income is non-existent. Frivolous expenditure, for that matter, is not an option. Sacrifical giving is an option, and there is a big difference. Both can lead to some form of consequence, but one feels a lot better doing, and does not prey on the conscience.
We have had to change up hard on what we thought we had financially as different than what we find ourselves with. Like so many others, our retirement savings were detonated with all that is happening in the world economy, and with what we had, the government made sure they took their share so as to be certain we would ultimately end up requiring social assistance of some form. Monthly financial support from another source that we had calculated into our first year coverage of our living costs never materialized. So, after one month, we realize that we have been way off on our projections of income, and there has been no option other than to better define our needs in the context of a new culture, and manage to that.
I guess the analogy to the car on the point of finances is that we have found an important part of the car’s operation to be defective, but are going to have to defer the repair and drive less until the resources are in place to correct the problem. But, we still get to drive the car for absolute requirements, and while not in use, we can keep it clean and take care of all the other components. Ah yes - another analogy…. We know someone who knows things about cars, and will offer his time to do the work for us and expect nothing in return.
Continuing….
We miss our kids and grandchildren. I know I miss the business of every day, because that is what my life has been, right or wrong, before now. Idle time and a compulsion to some corporate obligation that is no longer present leaves me feeling short on meaningful contribution, even though it is meaningless. I miss greater options. I miss status and admiration that only came from what I did, and not who I was. I know we will always want to be with our family. But I also know that very quickly, given the terms of our lives here, and the better values and genuine affection of our new friends, the other stuff is going to dissipate.
Lynda and I are still discovering each other within all of this. There has never been any question for us in making the decision to live in Panama that we both want to do this. How we are processing it now that we are here is where there is some separation and ambiguity. But, with that, and with me working harder on my tolerance and appreciation of Lynda’s ideas and feelings, we are enjoying a new dimension of communication and respect and love for one another.
Great things are ahead. The “car” is in pretty good working order. The prior owner took pretty good care of things, but often neglected the really important things. The tires are down to the tread-wear indicators, but they can wait a little longer to be replaced. Meanwhile, we will watch more closely for potholes and sharp objects, and be on the lookout together.
Chicken and Hydroponics December 8, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 1 comment so farYesterday we did church at someone’s home in Boquete. There were about 30 of us, and with desserts and coffee starting off the occasion, we then sang a bit, watched a Brian McLaren video, discussed it, prayed for one another, then continued to enjoy one another’s company. Lynda and I met some new people, and enjoyed sharing stories of our journey to Panama.
Today I got to spend most of the day with Steve. Steve is behind the concept and development of a retreat center called Selah. It’s primary purpose is to provide a place of refuge and restoration for church leaders who find themselves in a state of burn-out or need for new inspiration. A few days ago Steve heard of a great deal on some wood that was surplus to a shipment to France. Beautiful, exotic red-colored wood that was in sufficient quantity to be crafted into doors using a local mill and craftsmen. He bought it, and it was dumped on his property in El Frances. I texted Steve this morning offering to help him carry the wood into his bodega so as not to be damaged by rain. I had no idea what lay in store.
This was not a pile of 2X4’s. It was rough-hewn lumber, in lengths that weighed in at about 300 pounds, I figure. It totalled about 1300 linear feet. Four and a half hours later, we had moved it the 50 feet or so into the bodega. Another 4 hours later, as I sit at the computer typing, I realize how badly out of shape I am. The good news is my heart is still beating, but the rest of my body would probably prefer to take a hiatus.
While with Steve out on his property, which is probably about 20-plus hectares in size, he showed me the work-in-progress of his hydroponic farm, which will be a major source of food supply for his family, neighbors, and Selah. Steve has figured out how to create this symbiotic connection amongst chickens, fish, algae, and vegetable plants. Personally, the only thing green I can actually say I like to eat is asparagus, but the simplicity of this farm, and its incredibly low cost of construction and operation, continued to solidify my shift in things that matter and their worth. Life does not have to be complicated, costly, or with an imbalance of surplus. Community and care easily connect in with life basics. Pleasure can be derived in dividends through simple solutions. The cycle of life gives itself readily to our needs.
I have started thinking more seriously than ever of what life would be like here in a more formalized manner. Finding a piece of property, building a house, living in community that stresses self-sufficiency and the additional capacity to add value to the lives of those in proximity. To participate in developing concepts and be part of exhilarating opportunities to engage the land and help people in ways other than a financial contribution to a missions appeal. Real life without sacrifice once you figure out that little in life has anything to do with sacrifice. Live as you need to live but while assuring the greatest capacity to care for others. Most of us live as we want to live, typically above our needs, and with nothing remaining for the greater need about us. I am not excluding myself from this observation.
Until now, I hope. It is a hard change. I think it is for the most part impossible while resident within the american norm. Too many options and too many better things to acquire. But if one could only place some distance between that and come to experience a different culture like Panama, I believe the chance to change increases. I like what I am experiencing, and how my values seem to be changing up. Moving wood and seeing a chicken coup being constructed for the purpose of impacting lives has moved me forwards towards a yet undefined destination.
My Neighbourhood Church December 6, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 1 comment so farI realized today that I have begun to redefine efficiency and the measure by which things are accomplished. I consider today’s achievements to have been most successful. Over the course of 6 hours, we moved mountains.
The first task of the day was to pick up our passports from the immigration office in David. We had left our passports with the department yesterday as a requirement for them to approve a new multi-entry visa, and had been told to come by at 10:00 a.m. today to get them. We arrived on time, only to find out that the passports were not ready. Somehow we managed to convey our disappointment, at which time an officer produced our passports and stamped a page with the multi-entry visa stamp. The same person yesterday could have simply stamped our passport while we stood at the wicket. Instead, we had to come back the day following for them to stamp our passport as we stood at the wicket. But, we got our visas and we did it all by ourselves!
Feeling luck was on our side, we set out to our bank to try (once again) to obtain a PIN. We have an account, a debit card with the same bank, but no PIN. We have been working on this issue for the last 13 days. Today was our day. Under tight security and in hushed tones, out of a massive file bearing our names, we were presented with a secret document containing our PIN. It felt like we had won the lottery!
With everything suggesting nothing could go wrong today, we located the closest ATM and with shaking hands, we inserted our debit card, and while looking nervously over our shoulder, entered our new PIN. It worked - we actually withdrew some cash. We were delirious with the second success of the day!
The point is this. If I were to have expectations of achievement based on my standards and the culture within which I have spent most of my life, I would be terribly disappointed with things as they are unfolding each day here in Panama. And so that same shift must occur for how I evaluate the church institution here and its form and objectives as so different from what I have embraced every Sunday of every year of my life. And, I must say, thank God for this new season of my life where I can shake loose of the 4-part do-church thingy week in and week out, and begin to experience care and fellowship in a simpler way. And not with standard indices of attendance and offerings and baptisms as yielding the competitive edge. Not that any measure is defective; and so I say these things not as critical. But care and community in true form, selflessly, and without any expectation greater than the fact that God uses us mostly within pure relationships, and not some process guise.
I think I drew closer to God today. Not for getting my multi-entry visa, and not for being able to out-think an ATM, but for another reason. As Lynda and I drove up to our house, we noticed that our fence had been repaired. I had mentioned in a previous article that a cow had taken down about 50 feet of our fence. My plan was to repair it, but I first had to learn how to do it. Fences are very different here, and are made from the land, not from materials purchased from Lowes or Home Hardware. But someone beat me to it. We don’t know who. It has to be a neighbor somewhere down the road. Most likely from one of the homes that has no electricity or running water. Not that those mean anything for repairing a fence. But what roars is that someone who has very little, had so much to give with no expectation of anything in return.
My little neighbourhood is a church…..
A Song of Joy December 5, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , add a commentAhhh… the beauty of a MacBook Pro - sitting outside in the darkness, the sounds of the night busy all around. And the only light comes from my screen and the incredible keyboard with the lit keys. The only thing Apple needs to figure out is how to stop the bugs from landing all over the screen. Very distracting to see parts of your screen coming to life….
Not so great a morning. We had to go to the Immigration office to obtain our multi-entry permit. This is something that is required when traveling in and out of the country while your visa is in process. Typically it costs $50, but in order to obtain it, we found out that we were being fined $100 each because our last one had expired while we were last out of the country. Another 2 hours at the office going through paperwork and payments (only cash, no checks or credit cards), and we are once again legal. We figure it is nothing more than a scheme to generate revenue. While our visa is in process, we are given temporary identification cards called tramites. As long as the visa has not been approved, we have to keep renewing our tramite and, if we have any intent of being out of Panama (like spending Christmas with our family), we have to also obtain a multi-entry permit. In other words, delaying the approval of our visas results in more revenue to the government.
On our third attempt today, we found a different unsecured wireless network in front of a cafe. We quickly read as many emails as we could and answered a few with some short responses. We long for the moment when we will have our own internet access where we can relax over the keyboard and ponder the words of our emails. And take the time to check for grammar and spelling errors. I can’t stand generating any correspondence that someone else can fault for a spelling mistake….
I took a really great picture today. Until early afternoon we had lots of sun. We noticed that almost every house had its laundry hanging on lines, over chairs, porches, and just about anything off the ground. Everything has been so damp and wet until today. So Lynda jumped into the cultural mode, washed some clothes, and proceeded to hang everything on our outdoor clothes line. The picture I took is of Lynda with her basket of clothes pins, surrounded by flapping sheets and every kind of wearing apparel imaginable. And she looked so happy.
In fact, I know she is happy. Later in the day, as I was outside assembling a small grill, from within the house I heard Lynda singing. It was about the nicest sound I have heard. It was so happy and pure. It was from deep within her spirit. She was happy, and I don’t remember her singing in a way that made me smile just for hearing her voice….
Life isn’t all that easy here. We struggle hard for lack of so many things that we once took for granted. We are frustrated beyond words for our inability to communicate with neighbors and people we pick up along the road - mothers with children who would otherwise walk for miles to go to school or pick up food at the closest grocery store. We miss our children and our grandchildren. We miss water pressure and dry sheets. But life is also absolutely wonderful. Our closeness to one another is so new, even after 36 years of marriage. The daily adventures are worth every perplexing and annoying moment. The people in Chiriqui are so kind and unselfish. The opportunities we have to connect and to care give us fulfillment. Nothing significant…. Little things… cardboard.
Tomorrow will have its new difficulties. Tomorrow will have its new adventures. And tonight is just for sitting on the porch, typing in the darkness on my Mac. It just doesn’t get any better.
Cardboard and Eggs December 4, 2008
Posted by Ken Newton in : Life in Panama , 3commentsWhat a great day….
We decided today that we needed to buy a table and chairs - you know, the things you use to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. The house we are renting is quite nice, but it was missing a few outdoor items, like a table and chairs. So, we drove into David, and found something that stood out amongst the others (which isn’t all that difficult). As everyone knows, a car is a means of transporting not only people, but anything that might fit in or on it. So, on to the roof went the table, and with it tied through the windows and Lynda keeping an eye on things, we drove home with our exciting new possessions.
By the way, how’s that for de-toxing. If anyone knows me, they will know that I take great care in the appearance of my car, and to have something sitting on the roof making microscopic scratches or even more, took a considerable amount of effort on may part.
When we arrived home, the first thing we noticed was that the cows from across the road had decided the grass was greener on the other side of the road. Our fence was down, and, with all of the rain we have had, there was overwhelming evidence of the cows visit with a multitude of 6 inch holes in the yard. I have yet to see what foliage was their preference, but it seems they were not interested in the orange and grapefruit trees.
All that aside, we unloaded the table and chairs and proceeded to assemble the table. Surprisingly, everything was as described and in exact quantities as stated on the assembly instructions. But when all was accomplished, we had a great deal of cardboard packaging to dispose of. We had been told that cardboard is very important for use in stoves, so we bundled it up and headed down the road to a home whose chickens and roosters always assured us an early start to our day. We stood in front of the home with our cardboard and waited for someone to notice us. Almost instantly a lady came out and beckoned to us that she would like the cardboard. We had connected..
As we gave her the cardboard, she talked excitedly to us in Spanish, and we had to tell her that we could not understand. She then ran back into the house and reappeared with 3 eggs. She touched her heart, smiled at us, and gave us the eggs. How can I ever start to say what we felt….
Anyway - we “talked” for another 15 minutes or so. We learned some names of plants. We agreed that we would buy eggs from her instead of buying them from the grocery store. And we agreed that we would try to learn Spanish if she would try to learn a little English. It is amazing how one can communicate by looking into the eyes, and using a means other than vocabulary to “talk” to one another. And, her name is Catalina.
If only all of us could share and listen to one another with the effort and emotions and care as it takes to communicate without knowing the other’s dialect…. I am learning that I have not been a good listener before now.
And, as darkness settled in, Lynda and I had a wonderful candlelight dinner at our new table. Not so much the dinner, for indeed it contained green, yellow and red peppers, carrots, onions, pepper, chicken and a bed of pasta. Healthy yes - KFC, not even close….
But the wine and the candlelight and the company were magic. And, it didn’t rain….