HiHo, HiHo - It’s Off To Work They Go. — Even on Weekends!

 HiHo, HiHo - It’s Off To Work They Go!

These little ants are EVERYWHERE and Always Working!! No matter where we walk, we must watch for them so our big size 8 and 10’s don’t extinguish 100 as they toil away! In fact, on one of the narrower trails we hiked, I took a nose-dive trying to avoid stepping on a line of ants in the middle of a long day’s work. They wear down paths through the jungle floor. In the following video, you can see two ant highways toward the top of the video and they merge into one ant freeway heading into their hole.

We see them carrying chewed off sections of leaves, like the ones in the last video, chunks of flower petals, and in the next video we think they are hauling dirt out from the tunnels in their hill. Let us know if you have a different explanation or if these videos take too long to load.

As hard as the ants work, Panamanians seem to play equally hard! Unfortunately, I don’t have a ton of pictures to share with the rest of this blog. It was a very “people-ly” weekend and I am less comfortable taking pics of people just living their lives. So I’ll try to describe things as best as I can. 

Friday night’s flippy walk led us down by the marina where we watched old friends share a beer Gamboa style. The 2 fishermen in a small boat noticed a buddy enjoying a few brews on shore and after a few words were exchanged, we could tell a plan was in motion. The boat with its 2 occupants and the old friend on shore both headed in the same direction - one on land and 2 by sea. (This has nothing to do with Paul Revere.) At the designated spot, the friend on shore made 2 tosses even Paton Maning would be impressed with, landing 2 cans  of beer safely in his buddy’s hands. Cheers went up, waves were made and the parties happily headed off in opposite directions  

Our flippy walk continued into town where adults were playing football (our version of soccer) in the small park, 2 cases of empties graced the plastic picnic tables outside the mini market where friends were catching up with each other and around the corner by the big park - where a baseball game was being played - a red Chevy Chevette was pounding out tunes through gigantic speakers that could be heard all over town. A group of about 20 men were congregated around in this area enjoying the coolish evening and each other. We purchased a couple Panama Lights and sat on picnic table observing the party for a bit - just a group guys doing guy things. Here is an audio of their music in case you are interested.  I didn't take a video in case it would be disrespectful. 

Saturday we discovered activity down by the bike park. This isn’t bike like Harley bikes - which is what one would expect with us - but bikes as in mountain bikes. We watched the set up process and then the action began. Ten bikes at a time were loaded in a mini cabover half-ton with bald tires (KP’s description) and hauled up to a rainforest trail. Here, participants were timed on their ability to race down the trail, across the road and down an impressive hill to ramp over some obstacles and chug a Heineken beer before crossing the finish line. If you could have heard Kirby giggle as the cyclists tried to chug the beer around their cumbersome helmets and get across the finish line to make the clock stop. 😊

We have gained a bit of wisdom during the weeks here and knowing how hot this adventure would be, we packed our suits and popped into the pool at the resort to cool off. We were treated to not only the cool waters in the pool but a DJ pumping out fun tunes. Soon, what we presume to be a wedding party, took over the pool area. We enjoyed watching their family antics and crazy pool games as their fun atmosphere was contagious. 

Saturday evening we enjoyed grilled hamberguesas and our neighbors 80’s rock as he and is wife celebrated 33 years of marriage with their son, daughter and friends. KP lost at Polock poker by the way. 😜

Five years ago when we were here, we encountered a minister by the name of Wilber Williams. He wrote a book about his ministry to the prisoners in the prison where Noriego was held for years. This prison is a few miles from Gamboa. After hearing that he and his wife Anna are still here, I decided to visit their church for services. Kirby was more interested in the FIFA finals so for the first time, we took different paths. I felt like a kid heading off on that first day of school - KP making sure I had money for the collection plate and offering to walk me there. 😊 The truth is, we feel completely safe here. I think we have just grown accustomed to being together. I headed off to church in a sundress and with a little makeup on for the first time since we arrived. I learned quickly not to bother because the heat makes makeup run right off your face before you know it. As I rounded the corner to the church, I wondered if I had the wrong time - only one car was parked near the church. However, there was an Indian family outside and the doors were open so I headed in amongst many curios looks. I don’t think my bum had even hit the pew when Wilber and Ann were greeting me. “We saw you walking down the street and thought she’s in a dress, could she be coming to church?” I explained that we met about 5 years prior and that I wanted to see them again. They were SO friendly, gracious and welcoming. They introduced me to people as they came in. No one made me feel the outsider I most certainly was. In fact, a little Indian lady that I had previously bought a beautiful carved sloth from sat in the pew with me. I had read that it was expected for us to barter for purchases and this is the first time I had ever done this - now I end up in a pew with the person I bartered with! Just my luck!  I plan to go back next week and purchase something else to make up for it. She allowed me to take a photo and it is below. I’ve decided she just isn’t much of a smiler as she seemed serious in church until the music started and then she clapped and danced with the rest of us - never saw a smile though.  You see, some of the natives came to the service this day and Pastor Wilber invited them to play music for us. It was beautiful- simple, heartfelt and beautiful. We have been invited to Christmas Eve service and as of now have plans to go. 

Sunday afternoon was spent watching Argentina beat France in the World Cup. The neighbors down the street hooped and hollered their approval. The evening walk about found an Indian (from India, not native) cricket match in the large park and a large family birthday celebration up the street. I read someplace, sometime, that Panamanians were among the top 10 happiest people on the planet. We believe this could be true.