Return to School

Ten more days until the children of Panama return to school. Historically, the weather in Panama City, the largest population center in Panama, is drier December through February than it is June, July and August. As such Panama has scheduled its "summer vacation" for its students beginning around December 15th and throughout January, February and then returning to school in the second week of March.

This works out well for people traveling to Panama during North America's Spring Break as it gives them an opportunity to see the indigenous children in their schools. Here are a couple of photos of the children on Punta Valiente.

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Blue Skies

Although we have adopted Panama as our home we can't help but be influenced by our upbringing and those around us. My husband loves Willie Nelson's music. Thus, when I look up into the sky and it is filled with several beautiful shades of blue enhanced by white fluffy clouds all on top of the gorgeous Caribbean Sea, this song by Willie Nelson comes to mind:

Blue skies smilin' at me
Nothin' but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singin' a song
Nothin' but bluebirds all day long

Never saw the sun shinin' so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days, all of them gone
Nothin' but blue skies from now on
Blue skies smilin' at me
Nothin' but blue skies do I see

Never saw the sun shinin' so bright
Never saw things goin' so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days, all of them gone
Nothin' but blue skies from now on
Nothin' but blue skies from now on

And so even though we are no entrenched in Central America - a little bit of Texas comes out every once in a while!

There is more to Explore

Remember that there is more to explore in Bocas del Toro and for that matter all of Panama than what pops right out at you. By this I mean - find a restaurant recommended by a local, stay at a hotel or lodge off the main road. Give yourself more time in one location than you normally do. I know and understand that your vacation days are numbered. But is it more important to see the highlights of a country or to take home memories you will cherish forever? Me, I go for the memories.IMG_0265