LOOKING, LISTENING, LEARNING AND WITH CLYDE AND TERRY COLES

Unsure what will be remembered and hope not a lot will be forgotten about our Thursday in Panama, I am going to try and do right by Clyde and Terry Coles, since they showed us so much that day!  I do remember breakfast that day was in El Machetazo's cafe.  Since our meeting time at their house was nine am and Coronado Cafe doesn't open until nine, we knew the store cafe would be where we would find a pretty good meal quick and cheap.  (Also, Rincon del Chef in Coronado has yet to be open for breakfast even though some websites I have gone to say they are open early.  Whether rainy or dry season, we have been unsuccessful finding it open).  We had very good eggs, french toast and fruit to ensure full bellies for our adventurous day with the Coles.  And what a day!  We spent an enjoyable, action packed day visiting all of the places that they have discovered while living in Capira, Panama and then moving to Chame.  We drove into Gorgona to see the beaches with the all of the fishing (Ray and I had driven a little into Gorgona the night before looking at the homes,  but we didn't make it to the beach.  We learned on this day where to pull up and park when you want to just walk the beach--parking is very limited, but Clyde showed us how to bite the bullet and do it).  We saw the house they rented in Capira (this is a "cute" Panamanian neighborhood of colorfully painted and well kept houses), the pool and gym they use at Punta Chame Club and Resort and met the owner, Wayne, went into Campana National Park for sightseeing as well as being given a wonderful tour by Phil, the owner of La Joya de Chica.  His mountainside resort is nestled in the hills of Cerro Campana within the town of Chica.  For anyone wanting peace and tranquility being surrounded by lush tropical gardens of gorgeous plants and fruits as well as swimming, visit the website at www.lajoyadechica.com.  Our adventure up the mountain included picture taking at a scenic overlook of the Pacific Ocean and the mountains and a flat tire that Clyde quickly changed with Ray's assistance.  Terry and I stood by and cracked jokes.

Clyde and Terry Coles 

Yep, it's a flat tire all right.

Terry looks on as I take pictures and Ray assists

Back entrance of the property (the rock on right with flowers landed here from El Valle volcano thousands of years ago)

Bananas hanging around

More of the volcanic rock and resort

Pool and bohio

Flower of the banana plant

Once down the mountain, we traveled to La Chorrerra going into a Panamanian Super 99 (the one in Coronado is also Panamanian but with many more expats) with super skinny check out aisles.  We had lunch in a superb Italian restaurant eating thin crusted sausage pizza with beers and fresca.  (I forget the name but will post the picture).  

Italian restaurant for pizza

little girls room

little boys room

Traffic is always present in these small towns, we learned over the week to just be aggressive and honk to let the other driver know you are there and making a move (!) and to park wherever you can park.  El Costo is another store Ray and I had wondered about, and it was one of the stores Clyde pulled up to, parked and showed us inside. It reminds me of a two story WalMart (huge) with $3 or less flip flops, clothing for $4 and under, upholstery nearby by $1-3/yard and so much more.  I found it humorous to see big kitchen knives laying out on the shelves, but then again, the machetes are out in the open in the stores as well.  The children must know not to touch unlike here in the States!  Terry and I would shop the aisles talking about the store or anything else with Clyde and Ray in the back also shopping the aisles (lol) and talking about I don't know what (probably about how great Terry and I are).  Another store we wandered through was the Do It Center (just like a Home Depot or Lowes) and into Westland Mall.  This is a great addition to the town of La Chorrerra with many stores open and many storefronts still needing to be leased (just like in the States) along with a movie theater.  Here we took a break for helado.  Ray and I were on vacationing eating our way through Panama, so we each had two scoops in a cup ($2.50 each).  Clyde and Terry could use their jubilado discount and saved $1 off the two scoop sundae ($2.50).  And for kicks, they showed us beyond the gates of the "Push button motels" of Panama (drive into a garage, push the button, the garage door closes behind you, pay money in a slot in the door perhaps $20/two hrs in the photo below, and you get a clean room with a bed to nap in haha or...can even have snacks provided or if staying in a suite there is a shower and bath area).

Push button motel (this one with door open is available)

Many doors are closed.  We saw another one that had pretty pastel colored garage doors.

 While living in Capira, Clyde and Terry had their favorite produce and fruit stands so off we went to but some bananas and 2 pineapples ($1.25).  Next stand was for tomatoes, cabbage and peppers ($5.50).  Terry explained that the lettuce doesn't always keep well, so now she has learned to use cabbage in her salads.  She eats more fresh foods and not much is out of a package or box these days.  Clyde picked us up 2 coconut waters (.50 cents each) that were refreshing and so good!  And while drinking our coconut water, he stopped to have his flat tire plugged.  Within ten minutes, the tire was good as new (just not balanced but good to have a spare tire back and functional for the most part) and cost $2.

Hard work drinking coconut water (I left Ray a little bit)

Tire shop

Wandering little boy

For those seven hours, Ray and I never would have seen all that we saw.  Eventually we would venture into the Do It Center or the Panamanian hardware store, but it is a much better touring with those that have "been there, done that".  Listening and learning as we go along with the Coles is so more fun than discovering alone.   Ray and I aren't two people that won't venture out, we know that there will be lots of trials and errors, and the Coles won't be able to hold our hands all the time, but unlike when they moved to Panama and had ONE friend (their realtor) to show them the way, we feel extremely fortunate to have discovered Clyde and Terry's blog and to be able to call them true friends.

We said our goodbyes knowing it will be a lot longer before we see them again (we may visit Panama in January to start the VISA process and hope to have them come into the city to hang out with us) and off we went to walk the beach for the last time.  Bedtime in Panama seemed to be nine pm.  We had another early day on Friday, and our week in Panama was sadly coming to an end.