Its a beautifull morning .....

After cutting and re-cutting, logs are brought to side roads where loading is done by hand, which is certainly no easy task, to a small truck that will then unload to containers that will head to port. The weight of teak is specially heavy because of their water content.

I have been told by my lady that I am not being informative in my notes. Now I love my wife and will do everything she requests. After 28 years, how can I say no !! It will not be fair. OK. This is the main entrance to Escuela Normal Juan Demostenes Arosemena, school for underprivileged young girls in Santiago. It has a beautiful entrance and that style that will always be in style. This school was established almost 70 years ago with the purpose of preparing young women in high school age to be teachers, it provides room and board for over 150 young ladies. This structure has been refurbished many times with an special effort to retain its original personality. I hope that this receives that seal of approval from my partner and I would not be accused of being ¨ chabacano ¨, and looking for ¨cats with 5 legs¨ when there are none. I feel better now. Oh ... did I show the picture at the back of this building. I have not seen this quality wire since 68 at the stockade near Saigon. I do

This is what dictates the value of teak, the heart of it. Of course the greater the size and the older the plantation, the more quality and value that you will have. This is a small tree with a circumference around 65cm and a core of about 16 years. Once a tree has come down it is trimmed of side branches and it is ¨picada¨ in sections of 2.20 meters of length. This is whats convenient for loading, shipping and for use by the buyer.

Around town you will always find interesting comparisons to every day life in the US. Here is a notice at a building in Santiago where some of the Courtrooms are located. It notifies all and all: No firearms allowed, it makes sense. They will not allow mini skirts or t-shirts with a low cut. I know, how small the mini ?, and about those shirts is it the shirt or those big ¨ tatas ¨. Also, no caps, no hats, short pants and sandals. This last item handles ¨ campesinos ¨and Americans alike. Judges are just a true symbol of conservatism, ethics and true morals. ¨ andaaaaa !!!¨ Here it is, what do you mean what ? Its a Chevy man. A true model of things to come in the US ? I would say that this vehicle is built in Korea around a Suzuki model that has been around for a while. It looked to me that this work / delivery unit for a local cable company can handle its mission. Now can it handle that big " bubba " that is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 235 lbs ? It better, its coming.

As we evaluate the areas to start thinning the available teak, we run into a Mango tree that has grown aggressively by the back road of the property. At this time of the year in Panama these trees will deliver their fruit in generous numbers, it is not unusual that one full grown unit will provide over 250 delicious mangoes. Many will never be ready for export because of shape or color that the American market demands, but they are nevertheless great tasting.

I remember when I was about 7 or 8 years old that El Comercio daily in Lima, announced that starting Monday they would carry a new comic strip in their entertainment section: The Cisco Kid. Yes, I know. I am that old and you are not. Anyway, I had the brilliant idea to cut and paste them and I would have my very own comic. Well, that lasted about 2 weeks .... after all looking back there is something fishy about Cisco. He was always clean and neat. I don't care if he was on his way from Waco to Amarillo or Sonora to El Paso, his outfit was ready for a parade. To add to suspicion you have this .... hefty compadre Pancho. Come on, this guy did not miss many meals. Being on the trail in the west had to be tough and to be fat was really tough. The story starts when Pancho tells Cisco that he had this unusual dream, but he could not tell him about it, because he had not had breakfast, you see he believed that mentioning anything would eliminate any possibility of this dream coming true

If a great deal of success of any business is location, location, this dealer has taken the high ground. Its a dramatic site about 10 meters above road level, you cannot miss this one.

The nice lady at this bread store was not short of words for the sign company that added an " e " to Panaderia. A very common description for this business. No rocket science and no scholar needed, there must be about 35 bread stores within central Santiago. But this is special ..... Will she get it replace ? Stay tuned...LOL Just for you buyers out there, here is one that advertises good deals for used clothing. Its just that missing " p " that has me thinking about these goods from the good old USA. It will probably be a shopping experience considering that she had everything for a Dollar, at those prices if it sells, she would be killing the bear.

I did not want to get too close to this restaurant, after all how many eateries have bars as strong as the ones at the ¨Joyita¨ (Jail near Panama City), But this place still can provide a steak and white rice dish for $ 1.50 That is correct you saw it first here. As local food joints provide what is called Comidas Criollas or Corrientes at fairly low prices, this one located just one block from the bus terminal, has them beat. ¨ Ajo compa .... Pan con huevo con sorpresa .... Cual es la sorpresa?, Que el pan no tiene huevo.....!! Don't tell me I am not trying to save you money !!! Now this place also has bars at the door .... Why would you break into a barber shop ?? After all it is called ¨Great Family¨, friendly enough. A haircut at this fine establishment is only $ 1.50, which is low even for this town. The outside decor is flashy enough and I am sure it goes with the music that I heard blasting from the inside. No, not me. No way. What?.... cant hear you !!. Estas seguro que

For a country of 3.5 million people, Panama has produced a great deal of world champions in boxing: 24 to be exact. Boxing is always a great draw for bars and restaurants, and unlike the US where you have Pay per View on most important events, here they are all on open broadcast. This local chicken BBQ joint started with the improvement to their facility by building a ¨ Ranchito ¨. One the workers posed for the camera after the frame had taken shape. Palms were delivered and rapidly took their place. These guys were really moving, you could see that this was not their first job. They estimate that a unit like this one should last with no problems for 4 to 5 years, with minimal maintenance. These are structures that have evolved from the country side to the backyard of modest and fancy homes in the city. You also see them at entertainment facilities. They got the screen up and it is almost time. Time to Rrruuuummmmble ...... Ladies and Gentlemen !!! Introducing ........ From Panama C

A friend asked me if I had found a cheap place to eat in Santiago. Well I found quite a few interesting and unusual places. I think by now you get the drift. I will provide my view of different restaurants, business or anything worthwhile. No stars, no spoons, no tires or thums up; That would be really unfair. We will have the following: Ta´Bueno , Will be for the kind of place that you should stop if you are around here. Ni Chicha Ni Limonada , A saying that undefines anything, it may be or may not be. Ta´pal Gato , Dont blame me. I told you so. Lunch today at the Galeria Hotel and Restaurant . Most likely the best eatery in town. I had a small chicken consome then Octupus in garlic sauce with rice, decent bread, two cold beers and black coffee. With a Dollar tip it was $ 13.00 out the door. Their menu is quite diversed and the facility is confortable. Sometimes service may be slow, because anybody who is anybody in Santiago will stop by this place sometime during the week. Ta´Bueno

There are many things we dislike, some a little and some with a passion. I dislike getting those calls at home: " May we speak with the lady of the house? ¨ I use to get upset, well I still do, maybe the best option to that is just say: Sure ... Hold On .... And then just leave the phone off the hook. Having been in sales, you develop this negative feeling for ¨strokers or tire kickers¨ I don't care what it is, they are not buying anything and only wasting your time. I also dislike talking of Vietnam....What a f..&%&ing waste of resources and precious lives that was. And that brings me to the most annoying and disgusting thing: Getting outflanked...? There is this little main plaza in Santiago with a nice small gazebo in the middle. As I was siting around early in the morning, waiting for a business that handles copies of survey plans to open, I noticed this lady and 2 guys just looking around, but just not looking around .... searching. Yes they were on a mission, you

A friend of mine once told me ¨You just watch too many news¨as she was stomping her right foot, that was correct and I was the first to admit it. Things are a little different around here, as Telenovelas dominate the airwaves in the evening and news coverage is more concentrated early in the morning, when I am on the move. Nevertheless as I saw a clip of George W on the Internet or Internets as he says, I had to follow up. For all you guys who did not see it, here is a brief unbiased transcript; - Welcome Mr President , ¨Yes Welcome je je...!!¨- Mr President there are a few months left in your presidency, what are your thoughts? ..... (He pauses) ¨Oh yes, That we have kept this country safe from evil¨ - Mr President do you feel that you have accomplished your mission? ¨We have these terrorist that want to do us harm, these are bad people you know...¨ - Have you been successful? "We are the only ones that can keep America safe from these extremist, these are bad people¨ - How long

My father in law was a great person and also a great entrepreneur, not necessarily the best administrator, but always a great guy. I remember his comments in regards to how governments, institutions or local authorities and private individuals had made things tough for him. As he said: ¨Yo no le deseo a nadie la mitad de lo que yo he pasado¨. He made more than one fortune and lost a couple, but in the process he left a legacy of courage and wisdom. I will need that. Imagine that you wake up one morning and the road company that won the bid for the road construction by your property, goes broke and leaves town. Companies in Panama are accustomed to low bidding to get the contract and whatever happens later, it just happens. The outcome is that all of sudden you have no access to your property. What...???? How to handle this crisis? .... Get a lawyer and sue the shit of them....of who?.... crisis 28. I must think outside the box, the important thing is that I must have access; next wee

Enough of the good life in Panama City, its time to head to Santiago and take care of business. I am able to take the 4:30 AM bus from the Albrook station that leaves on time with not many customers. The fare is $ 7.50 for the 250 Km trip. This ride will not be DIRECTO , no, it will stop along the way and pick people here and there, for short and medium rides. It is all good, just relax and go along with the program. We arrived around 7:50 Am. All well and good. All hotels in Santiago de Veraguas were pretty much full, luckily a friend was able to find me a room at my second choice. There is much activity with government employees from Panama city during the work week, there are also many foreigners just snooping around for real estate deals on beach front property. We will talk about that later. You have a better chance of getting a room if you arrive on a weekend. Your best choices are Galleria, Grand David, La Hacienda and Piramidal. Decent quarters, specially if you have been in t

Before leaving the Veneto casino it was important to check the high rollers area and the poker room. In Vegas you find High Stakes areas, here they will define them as VIP rooms. In one of them Baccarat seems to be a game of choice. Ample room with new carpet and top service on the drinks. Weekends are when most of the real action takes place. Big money my friend. The poker room was visited before and a month later one seems to find the regular players with one or two newcomers.   As we look around the table I know I am at the bar of characters in Star Wars. On the button, Chinese #1, let's call him Li. Always chewing on a straw, he must be a victim of the smoking ban. Li has about $300 in chips and seems to be the tightest player on the table. Next to him on the small blind is an Italian guy that must sell furniture. Flashy shirt and can't stop talking. Luigi can't be trusted, not even with an old tire. He has about $400. To his left is a Panamanian / American guy in his

There are many casinos in Panama City. Some are just one arm bandits saloons with music and ladies galore. Others have table games with food, music and ladies . Even others are, hotels with gambling, music and more ladies . I think by now you know that there is no shortage of female action in this town. I was staying conveniently enough about a block away from the Veneto Hotel & Casino. This is a decent size place with a nice set up and a variety of gambling options. On the first floor you have the hotel lobby and restaurants, the second floor takes you to Blackjack tables from $ 3 minimum to $ 500 per play. Mini Baccarat from $ 5 min. Roulette from 0.25 chips to $50. As long as you are part of a game the drinks are on the house. At the bar you can get a 12 year Old Parr scotch for about $ 5.25. Reasonable. This place is not a Wynns, Bellagio or Venetian of Vegas, but it has its own personality. First let me tell you that smoking is not allowed anywhere in the casino. Not on bathro

There are many ways to get to Panama, I chose the cheapest and here is my advise for all you nickel and dime travelers: a) Be ready to get what you ask for, b) Your body better be in good shape, c) Have transportation arrangements ready, d) Have a sancocho soup as soon as you can. From Fort Lauderdale on Spirit you leave around 11:00Pm ET, there is an hour difference at this time of the year, You arrive at 1:00 Am local time. I chose a one way from Orlando on those ¨big front seats¨for $ 204.00 all included. Not a bad deal if you can manage abc&d. You are going to be the only flight at the airport. Customs agents must be retrieved from hibernation and then you are ready to move. Well almost. With great confidence I move out and look for a cab.....??? Taxi?....Taxi? Hay taxi caballero?.... Chuleta Mister a esta hora.....a veces pero esta bravo ?!?! Alli hay uno !!!...... Cuanto al Cangrejo? $27.50 mister......Te doy $25.00 socio.....Bueno..Ok I will take it says this lady.... and tr

This lady claims to be of the highest pedigree and a close relative of UNO of Westminster fame. She walks with finesse, her nose is always active, food is something she cannot miss, and will always appreciate some steady petting and affection. These beagles are just to be spoiled. Today she is ready to go.... anywhere she likes to travel. Locally. From her humble beginning in Gainesville, Florida...You see, she was added to the family the same day my son started school at UF, to the present, what we have is a true bubba beagle. Better known as Cocoy. There is an interesting description in Panama of dogs that are not quite pure bred or of pedigree, mutts are called ¨Tinaqueros¨, but the affection for these loyal animals merit the best, call them ¨Tynakers¨. They are always special.

It's  almost time and this is not just another short travel to an interesting location, after all I estimate that over the years I have made about 30 trips from the US to Latin America, some short and some extended stays. This one has new challenges that will unravel in the next few weeks. Central Florida is the kind of place that it is nice to live, but......, yes just but....., somehow there is something missing. Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way. I am a family person, sociable, with some education and certainly not wealthy. The whole picture in this place just does not fit an individual that is 59, pushing 60. How can that be with all the retirees that make this area their home? Making this place your home is not the same as "living" somewhere. To live you must continuously feel challenged. What is that ingredient that ties HOME and TO LIVE. That one missing factor can only be the "sense of adventure". There will be challenges and adventure in Panama