Back for more - Gamboa, we missed you!

 

It’s incredible how different your environment can be after only 6 hours on a plane. We left our friends and neighbors gearing up for a snow storm and a high temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowflakes were swirling as Linda Littleton dropped us off at DIA. (Thank you SO much, Linda!) Six hours later, we emerge from Toucumen Airport into another world. The change in temperature is one thing but 80% plus humidity and the thickness of the air is always a surprise.   And then there is green - so many shades of green. The spring of 2023 in Colorado was unusually rainy and we were treated to brilliant green pastures late into July. That is the same color of the grasses here with additional brilliant shades of green in various textures reaching up into the sky in the form of trees, bushes, ferns, etc. No wonder Kirby likes it here - John Deere green IS his color!

We are staying in the house next to the house we rented last year.  From day one last year, morning coffee on our deck included a wave to the friendly neighbor, Ivan (pronounced Ee-Vaughn). Short sidewalk visits led to beers shared in lawn chairs outside his workshop and eventually we were invited into his man cave - an eclectic, cozy, entertaining outdoor space under the house and in the backyard. We developed a relationship with Ivan that resembles that of Wilson and “Tim the Toolman” on Home Improvement.  No matter what question we had, Ivan knew the answer: from what time the local market closed, to the best route to take, to what animal makes THAT sound - Ivan shared his wisdom, just like Wilson. He even called us to make sure we were ok on our excursions around the country. So when we discovered that Ivan rents the house connected to his to vacationers, there was nothing left to consider - and so here we are. 

Before this was a vacation rental, Ivan’s parents spent their retirement years here. The floor plan is identical to the house we were in last year but has a totally different vibe. It is a bit of an eclectic museum with antique telephones, cameras and other electronics on display. While last year’s vibe was garage sale chic, this house is full of history. And Kirby and I seem to be enthralled with the history of Gamboa. 

The house is typical of all Gamboa houses. Ivan, wife Gladys and pup Napita live in the left side and he rents the right side to travelers exploring Panama - like us. 

Originally, the  lowest level was a garage and outdoor wash area which led to a hefty clothesline in the backyard.  Now the garage and lowest level have been converted to an apartment where Ivan Jr lives.   You can see the entrance to this apartment - the green door on ground level. The front door to our home for the month is up the stairs to the first floor.   This floor houses the living/dining area and kitchen. A small veranda opens off the kitchen and overlooks the backyard and another neighbor’s house. Hopefully we can get to know them as well. :-)

First Floor:

The second floor houses a sun room which has been converted to a bedroom, 2 other bedrooms and a bathroom.  

Second Floor:

Many of the houses in Gamboa follow some variation of this floor plan because the town was built by the American military during construction of the Panama Canal. We enjoy walking around town to see the similarities and differences in the houses and contemplate what life was like for those living here in the early 1900’s.

It has taken a few days to adjust but now we are on track and ready to live life Panama style! It sounds like things are thawing out at home. We hope everyone is enjoying these early December days.