The holidays have begun in earnest. We're in the midst of an onslaught of holidays, there having been four in November already and another tomorrow. Two of the five holidays in November celebrate independence from Spain and from Colombia; one of those is tomorrow, but I can't remember which. In any case, it's a biggie. The fairgrounds as well as property across the street from the fairgrounds have suddenly sprouted huge erector-set-looking structures to support lights and amps, and stages have been under construction throughout town all week. President Martinelli is scheduled to put in an appearance in Boquete tomorrow, I just read, so we can anticipate a full complement of militia to accompany him. Schools let out in early December, to accommodate the coffee-picking season, and then Christmas doings get in full swing. No serious business will be transacted until Carnivale is over in February.
Then we had our own holiday yesterday. I sent Edwin home for the day and set about roasting a turkey, making dressing, putting together a sweet potato casserole from sweet potatoes miraculously found being sold at market from a gringo farm in Santa Marta, and making a blueberry pie from scratch (except the blueberries, which were from a can since they aren't grown here for whatever reason). We shared the bounty with Doc, Charly, and Ramon. Charly brought some green beans cooked with ginger and garlic, and Ramon baked and delivered four loaves of bread. We hadn't seen much of them lately because Doc has been sick with a respiratory infection for eight weeks, so it was a great visit.
Spanish class is winding down, though we've had extra classes (and extra homework) to make up for the days lost to holidays. While I've been studying like crazy, Larry has been playing golf at Cielo Paraiso. Raideep, who loves playing with Larry because their handicaps are close, made him an unbelievable deal on a membership with the understanding that he would be available to play whenever Raideep wants to play which, thus far, has been five or six days a week. (This has to be one of the oddest friendships ever: the wealthy, worldly Canadian businessman of Indian descent who vacations in Hong Kong and the south of France, and good ole redneck Larry.) Between rounds of golf, he (Larry) has had six root canals and gum surgery in preparation for getting some new plates in his mouth. He goes straight from dental surgery to the golf course. This says a lot about the skill of Panamanian dentists and the power of golf. This fulltime golf has improved his temperament immeasurably, as it has mine. Not only does it get him out from underfoot all day; it also has served to silence the relentless sound of t.v. sports.
As I write, Juanita Bonita is tangled in computer cords and is within an inch of strangling herself to death. It's my understanding that some folks have aloof cats. Not my luck.
I read in the Democrat today about the opening of an Old Navy store and am proud to report that a major department store, Conways, whose main store is in Panama City, is within days of opening in David. I know because George and I went to David early this morning to deliver a sofa (which I unwisely had upholstered in white two years ago when we first moved into the house) to be reupholstered in a color more suitable for our lifestyle. After dropping off the sofa and chatting with Juan, the upholsterer, I was eager to get back to Boquete to prepare lunch for myself, Edwin, and Dalys prior to class. But George is not one for traveling as the crow flies or for quickly and efficiently accomplishing one thing when so many other things await his attention reasonably close to the original route. So we dropped by the shop of a t.v. repairman to see about a job for another of George's clients. When the repairman proved not to be there, it necessitated a trip out to Pricesmart, where the repairman also works. Alas, Pricesmart doesn't open until 10:00, but George spent several minutes unsuccessfully trying to gain entrance from a security guard. (Virtually all businesses have a totally unnecessary security guard who spends the day milling around and getting in the way of customers.) We then ventured on to the building department to obtain a plat or plans of some sort for another of George's patrons, encountering the usual bureaucracy and attendent loss of time. Thereafter, we were headed in the general direction of Boquete when I casually mentioned that my Spanish teacher had said Conways was to open today, which precipitated a detour to ascertain the truth or falsity of the assertion. We navigated a parking lot filled with cars and construction vehicles and parked right up front, whereupon George interrogated a number of people before being satisfied that the actual scheduled opening is for December 3rd. Ultimately, we began the trip back, but not without George taking a number of side trips to point out various things he thought would be of interest to me. Upon arriving home, we encountered Steve and Garreth installing a driftwood bench which had been languishing in the garage for months during which time Steve made infrequent trips to see if it was dry, to varnish it, to drill holes in it, to check on it, etc. It is now firmly cemented into the ground, although I was left with the job of painting the mounting apparatus. And that made two more mouths to feed at lunch. Another day in Panama.
The picture is of Larry, Edwin, and Dalys on the day of Edwin's birthday lunch.
