Saying Goodbye to Sewellyn (Monday)

All good things must come to an end they say, and today, it was Sewellyn's trip to Panama that had to be finished.  Alas!  We sure had a fabulous time together though!

Your selfies might leave room for improvement...

but your spirit and zest for life (not to mention your wonderful laugh and quick wit) are perfect just the way they are.  One might even say they are "Awesome".  Or perhaps not.

Thank you, Sewellyn, for your companionship, adventuring spirit, and culinary genius!  Panama feels practically empty without you.

Notice the paper "elephant-du-jour"
stuffing the hole in the lid so the
rice would cook properly
(and Sewellyn's temporary tattoo
from our Embera visit)

Sunday, Busy Sunday

We got up early again today, but this time for the reverse journey back to Panama City.  At the airport, Sewellyn entertained the other passengers awaiting the plane with photos from her recent trip on the Danube.  They were enchanted by these pictures of a place faraway, both in mind and on the map.

And then, the plane appeared and off we went!

Into the wild blue yonder - by way of Achutupu.

       

The urge to share the pictures - it's universal!

When the new passengers got on, there was a Director of Education for a Foundation who was responsible for all of the Darien (!) and her colleague, a professor of Informatics.  And, of course, there was the obligatory selfie as well!

 

Off we flew en route to Panama City.  We had a smooth ride and landed at Albrook Airport where Rogelio was waiting for us.

We went home and caught up on email and posting of photos here for Anna Rachel to print and bring for our next visits to the Embera and the Kuna.

Then, shortly after noon, Grace and Gerry Lindner from Balboa Union Church stopped by and we were off on another adventure.  First, they were stopping at Discovery Center, just around the corner from me, for some stuff to finish a sprinkler system for the garden.  Since we were there, Sewellyn suggested that we look for some things to take to the Embera and Kuna.  And off we went!  I was amazed at how much the Panamanians like their dogs.  Here is a very small selection of the leashes available.

We found all manner of things - toothbrushes, washcloths, paper, colored pencils, a soccer ball and some toys.  It was a very productive trip!

Seems particularly appropriate
given how everyone here has been
"Bitten" by the World Cup Bug!

It was a lot of laughs!

And then, we went to find lunch.  Sewellyn likened it to a joke, "Four old people walk into a [Sports] Bar..." Indeed, we did exactly that, and were soon overrun by Costa Rican fans cheering their team in a battle against Greece.  But it was still a lot of laughs!

And finally, they took us to Rey for a chicken and lettuce (which turned into its own Laugh-In joke)

Dear sweet Grace and Gerry!  They spent their afternoon ferrying us around and were so good natured about it, we were so grateful!

Once we were home again, Sewellyn popped the chicken into the oven and we prepared for dinner with Elba.  And Lydia happened by at about the time to eat, and stayed on for dinner.  

So what started very early in the morning went full circle, filled with interesting things to do and share, and wonderful people to share them with.

A Sublime Sunday

We began the day by getting our re-soul'ed at Balboa Union Church.  Here, Sewellyn got to meet a number of my BUC friends (though others, like Grace and Gerry, were not there)  It's always fun to introduce different friends to each other, and I think that Sue enjoyed it as much as I did.

We got a ride to Casco Viejo from the woman who gave the meditation.  She lives very close by.  She pointed out a house near hers that was formerly occupied by 5 gang members.  They have all reformed their ways - and 2 still live there.  One is a tour guide in Casco Viejo who has an intimate knowledge of the area and its history, which he has lived in part.  The other is an electrician who is has his own business.  He is branching into plumbing and has people working for him.  What an inspiring story!

She dropped us off at Plaza de francia and we began our exploration of the area.

We started by walking up the stairs to view the Amador Causeway and the City.  We walked by a number of crafts people and had some wonderful conversations.

Sewellyn with an amazing Peruvian craftsman who
had some absolutely stunning jewelry for sale

It was very hot, so the shave ice
guy was a welcome
diversion

We had a lovely conversation
with this Kuna woman who explained
about the "wini" and showed
us hers which were heirlooms

The conversation with the
clown was not so welcome
(we both felt he was kinda
creepy)

 

On our walk, we passed many wonderful buildings.  The overall effect was very similar to Old Havana.  The grillwork on the balconies was especially nice.

We also passed some atmospheric walls.

We walked and walked, enjoying the feeling of the place.  And capturing it too:

My personal favorite picture came at the end of our walk:

Tired but happy, we grabbed a cab and returned home.

Sue went to work in the kitchen and cooked up a storm, and that night we had the best chicken that either of us has ever eaten.  Of course, the bird came with feet and head...

But it was fabulous!

It's really wonderful having Sewellyn here (and NOT just because she's cooking!)