Santa Fe Fun

August 26, 2014

We finally had some free time the last couple of weeks to do some fun things here in Santa Fe.  First we drove up the road to Cerro Tute.  It is a gravel road that winds through and up to the top of the Cerro Tute mountain and then down again into the Santa Fe National Forest.  Just beautiful rolling hills with great views and a few scattered houses and farms along the way.  We parked when the road narrowed and hiked on for a while.  It was very beautiful.

As far as the eye can see in all directions

And just 15 minutes from our house

We walked thru spider alley with these all around from teeny tiny to three inches.  There were at least 30 of these "spider patches"

Cool Tree

This is for our friend Trox... another road you won't be driving

This is why it is the orchid capital... they are everywhere

We took one day to drive into Santiago to see if we could find a bank that would loan us some money to help build our house.  We decided to take Glorys (landlady) with us to help with the language barrier.  Seven banks later we haven't felt this rejected since a junior high school dance.  It turns out they don't like loaning to ex-pats who could flee the country at any moment; guess I don't blame them.  We did get a lot of other business taken care of.  We finally found the good pet store and we signed up for a Mail Boxes Etc. mailing address so we can now get regular mail here in Panama.  Send me an email if you want our new address  - we still want a Christmas card from each and every one of you.

This cool bird was in the pet store.  They said it was a pheasant, but I don't think so.

The next weekend we attended the Santa Fe Orchid Festival.  It was an exhibit of all different kinds of orchids grown by locals and then awarded prizes.  It was fun to see our neighbors out and about in a social setting.

This one looks like it is right out of "Finding Nemo"

We made a trip out to Los Islotes to give a tour to our new friend Paul who is going to be building 5 spec homes in the Mango Village section of the property.  He also owns a few lots of his own so he will be a future neighbor.  We enjoyed getting to know him and picking his brain for building ideas and concepts.

I can't help myself, I love these cows.  They have the most beautiful eyes

Yes the Aggies have invaded Panama!  This one is for Crouch

Amada runs a fonda outside Los Islotes and makes fabulous meals over hot rocks

Glorys threw a BBQ and invited a lot of the expats in the vicinity.  She has a great property overlooking the river.  We met so many nice people ranging from not yet moved here to moved here 15 years ago.  Several have farms with chickens and some orchards and gardens, one couple has a B & B with a restaurant that serves Cambodian food (the wife is Cambodian), one is a yoga instructor from Austin.  It was really nice getting to know them and sharing stories of how we ended up in Panama.  We look forward to the next gathering.

Glorys' pet chinchilla Chi Chi - has his own air conditioned room

Glorys' pet son Colby - what a ham!  He doesn't have an air conditioned room!

Our new friends at the BBQ - expats from the globe

Lucho on left and Janice on right are the ones that make the most delicious cheese

At the end of the BBQ I was invited to a yoga session the next day.  It was so great.  We practiced out on a terrace over looking the river and surrounded by green hills.  I have not felt so relaxed in a long time.  They meet twice a week and pay Ryan with donations... fruit, vegies, money whatever. Great people and I look forward to going again. 

The terrace out back looks out over these hills 

The view from the terrace

My new yoga buddies.  Ryan, from Austin is the instructor.

US Shout Outs:  Congrats Karen on ringing the bell!  Thanks to Greg for once again using his angel powers to save us from ourselves.  Happy Birthday to my Alex, can't believe it has been 25 years.