Panama Is A Verb

  
My first time in rural Panama, Not prepared for what I saw. Knowing so little about the place, I came with open eyes and grace. It struck me first the scenery, The oceans and the skies, Lush and green from coast to coast, And mountains way up high. And life is lived so simply.   

 Happier people there are none, They give and have no greed, quietly living off the land, For many a century, They share with all the things they have, plant crops and harvest too, Build homes of mud and cinder block, Is the way that they love you.

  
With what I brought to Panama, I never could repay The countless acts of kind and deed, I’ve received along the way,  My home, now full of welcome too, no sign do not disturb, Now what do I know of Panama? Panama is a verb. 
   

 Beautiful good people living the life. Thank you for making my life better though kindness Mis Hermanos

Panamá Interior

 
My favorite surprise after moving to Panamàs interior has been the people. I remember when I was young, living in Preston, Washington, having neighbors that you knew by name, and roaming the countryside on bikes and horses. People took the time to visit and be a part of your life, and help out when there was a need. Here in rural Panamà it is still a way of life.  

 

Throughout the year there is so much to be a part of. The junta is a grand tradition here where people build houses, plant and harvest crops, and tend to the cattle with vacunaderas for branding and shots. All volunteer, and neighbors helping neighbors. It is common to have 50 or more Ten cuidado. Los niños necesitan algún tipo de trabajo o terminan con mayores incapacitados, como Estados Unidos.men and women attend these events, working all day at a break neck pace, all for the love and friendship of a neighbor. Click The Junta here to see a great example building a home the old fashioned way. The people of the interior are a giving and friendly people that make due with what they have. I love this place. 

The Best Parts of Panamá

Most of you know I could go on and on about this place, and so far I have not been at all disappointed in my adventure here. Some things stand out better than others, while the everyday surprises just keep coming.  

 

Ground and pound rodeo? Most of the hard work is done with men tackling cows to do the branding and vaccinations. No fear! None. It is all so entertaining to watch and help. Grab a cow by the tail and bring it down! Pretty cool.  Of course just about everyone rides and ropes well too. 

 

Flowers year round. I like that too.  

 The junta is a grand tradition here. Everyone is helping someone everyday. Building a house, planting or harvesting, or maybe branding cattle?  The neighborhood will help all day for a bowl of soup and some seco. Friendly, friendly people.  
 

Abundant wildlife and birds. Over 950 species in panama. Bird watcher paradise. Monkeys and panthers and iguanas. It’s all here, everyday. Also world class fishing and surfing.  

This is a sombrero my neighbor made, on top of my drum the other neighbor made. Handmade and homemade in all varieties. I like that too.  

 In the end, there is so much more to say, but the people have been the best surprise of all. So kind and genuine. Even Asa’s original coconut Bob as pictured above is a great guy. I could go on. But I won’t for today. I love this place! 

Junta de Casa Barro

Another junta in the books this week. The Barria home is a Panamá landmark and is built by neighbors and friends. The pictures don’t speak the volumes of comradery and pure beauty of the traditional Panamanian.  

  

Above they are stacking and packing the walls after constructing the framework. And below everyone gets in on the mud stomping.    

 
The junta is a grand tradition here in Panamá. Many of these Barria homes dot the land, all by hand and all for the love of a neighbor. Pretty cool. I love this place!

  

Panama Junta y la Playa

Another great day with a little variety here in Agua Buena, Panama. Started out with the neighborhood junta to pour Ninin and Zunys floor for the new house. 11 men and 4 hours. This is the typical house size for the area.  

Then off to playa Venao for a little fun with the family. I saw this cat out in the bay, and my first thought was “that would be a good night sleep”. I am getting old! Had lunch on the beach and everyone got wet. Great day. I love this place!  

 

   

Agua Buena, Panama…Where?

Five hours from Ciudad Panama in the province of Los Santos is the village of Agua Buena. This is the “Tonosi” Agua Buena, for because they are small there are two. The other Agua Buena “Los Santos” is near Chitre. We, however, are THE Agua Buena. To confirm that just ask anyone from here.  Within an hour of 5 beautiful world class beaches, we are centrally located for fun!  Look at the charts below to get your bearings, but even then it is a large area and hard to grasp the amount of privacy and beauty. 





To top it all off we are the greatest holdout of traditional Panama where you can see handmade, homemade, or go to a junta or matanza or iguana hunting, then go surfing or fishing with loads of really great traditional music and the friendliest people you will ever encounter. Terrific food and always something new. This is the best part of Panama for sure. I love this place!

Junta Agua Buena Panama

Thanks to the Neighborhood Junta starting today, Ninin and Suny will have a new house

The Junta is a grand tradition and today the foundation is dug by hand, foundation poured and three rows of block laid in a days work. And a big welcome to our new neighbors!!

Panama Junta Arroz

Another junta on the books. Yigo and Reina hosted a junta arroz 3 days ago and we had 32 men and 10 women. Here my son in law Klaus tries the cuchilla for the first time.

And this handful came from my neighbor Marcelino.

And this is Yigo’s son Pacifico with a cuchilla and water and seco for the workers. What a great tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. Agua Buena had 30 juntas this past month. Seems like everyone is in on someone’s junta. Great times

Saludos from 7.35 Degrees North

Panama Barrios

Most homes now in panama are made out of cement, but not that long ago they were made of mud over a framework of sticks. These barrios were usually made during the “Junta”, where the community would gather and work, mixing mud and straw and building up the walls. Here is a barrio wall up close.

The mud in panama is very dense and hardens close to concrete. This here sounds like cement when you tap on it.

And here is a kitchen arch made of mud and painted. Genius.

Saludos from 7.35 Degrees North