A Nourished Life for Us, Too

Being back here for the summer allowed us to celebrate the girls friend's traditional island-style birthday party again. Her family has a house on the main island of Isla Colon, but they also have another house at the far end of Isla Bastimentos. And every year they invite the community of friends out for a day of tropical festivities.

It's been raining almost everyday since we've been here this summer. It's not as bad as it sounds. The cloudy days have allowed for more water time without getting fried. And it's been a little cooler out...though still comfortably warm. The locals have been a little bummed, but the change from SF weather has been a welcome treat. And for Dad the rain brings with it beautiful waves! The rain however does not make for a classic beach party.

With wonderful Bocas Magic the weather on the day of the party was blue skies and sunshine!

Before we boarded the boat to Basti a couple of the girls friend's gathered for some rousing rounds of myriad patty-cake games.

Things tend to workout here in Bocas, but it often takes it's own mysterious path. The birthday girl and her family went to the beach house the day before the party. They caught a boat at the dock on our property. Besides the human family members they also take their dog and cat. Well, the cat decided she didn't want to go that day and hid on the docks. As veterans of Bocas they were un-phased and knew that it would work itself out so just headed off without her.

The property manager found the cat in the bodega (storage room) in the late afternoon and then locked the cat in the office for the evening. Xiara was thrilled to escort the kitty to the island the next morning. It started a little rough with both of us getting scratched as we tried to get her on the boat, but then we remembered "the swaddle". We wrapped the kitty in a couple beach towels and she settled down for the ride. By the time we got to our destination Xiara's animal magic was working and kitty was nodding off.

The boat ride is about 40-minutes and passes between a couple islands and through many, many islands made wholly of mangrove trees. For much of the journey the water is clear and no more than 3-meters deep.

We always describe this place as the Wild West on Water. The people who are drawn here (foreigners specifically) are reminiscent of the old pioneers and cowboys of ye olden days in the States. People who are striking out to claim some land of their own where they can do their own thing. People who are resourceful, hearty and strong willed. People who 'git-er-done'! Here are some of their settlements...

The local people don't often have the same resources, but they share the ingenuity for making a living on the water...

In thinking about this party...in this location....with these people.....the first thing that comes to mind is freedom. It's freedom to be simply be yourself. This is not the freedom that is 'given' to us by a document. It goes back to the idea of living the live of your choice. It is the inspired freedom from being around a group of people who are living the life of their dreams!

The adults were hanging around their lovely house chatting, playing guitar & laughing at the kids antics. There were long walks down the deserted beach along with some epic kayaking over the clear fish-filled water. I took my traditional journey on the stand-up paddleboard out to the mouth of the bay where I could feel the power of the open ocean beneath my feet.

The kids spent most of the time playing in the water off their dock. A group of them, including Xiara & Malea, walked up the beach where they hunted for lobster under the rocks in the shallows!

And then once everyone was totally satiated with good times it was time to return to our primary island of Isla Colon. The ride is as much a part of the fun as everything else.

Another day in paradise lived to the fullest!

Hey-hey-hey....so this entry is about the images from the journey.

Neat little cafe in Panama City, it's called little white lies in Spanish

Who do you suppose has such lovely toes?

Our neighbors friendly and talkative pet parrot. Everyday she lets her hangout in this tree for some fresh air and so she can talk to the passersby. The kids even feed her sometimes.

The iconic Bocas graffiti of "Sweet Love Bocas" is found all over the island and is done by a local artist who also does the most fantastic paintings. Maybe we'll try to bring one home this year!

This has been a very wet rainy season, but as you can see by our models outfit, the air is still tropical!

Our backyard for the summer.


Living spaces. That Berkey water filter has been the best thing we brought to Panama!

Life in Water World. This Ferry Boat comes to the island twice per day and is the life-line of existence here. All food, products & building materials come via this primary source.