The Artisans of Panama

In El Valle de Anton I recently found and photographed this feather painting, which I felt so brilliantly captured the artist’s craft.

Here on a feather is a depiction of what truly was a remarkable little creature but one that has pretty much been eradicated, perhaps thanks to man. The Golden Frog once lived in el Valle de Anton and then a terrible fungus struck the frogs of Panama practically eradicating all of them The Smithsoninan scientists have found some of these tiny creatures and some other frogs of Panama and are keeping them alive so they can study the fungus that is killing them, hoping to solve the problem and use the few survivors to repopulate Panama’s frogs.

So paintings are currently all you see of the yellow frog.   What a gift. To capture this little creature in such an elegant form. Be sure to look for these feather paintings, either to adorn your own home or to give as gifts. Your friends and family will love you for it.

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Panama Hats

Panama Hats have been famous around the world for a very long time.  Remember the movie, The Tailor of Panama?  Well you may be interested to know that the Panama Hats of that movie were not actually made in Panama, but in Ecuador.  So why in heavens name are hats made in Ecuador called Panama Hats?

These hats made in Ecuador are of exceptional quality.  Today it is not unknown to pay more than $100 for a high end hat with beautiful colors, but the weave is so tight that the hat is waterproof and so soft you can fold it.  The reason it became known as a Panama Hat was that these hats were shipped form Panama to locations all around the world.  Remember Panama has long been a world shipping hub.

But Panama also made hats by weaving straw and adding black into some of the straw allowing them to make intricate patterns in the hat, usually just above the brim.  The highest quality “made in Panama” Panama hats are made in a little village above Penonome in Cocle province, called Pintada and in the surrounding area.  People love to take the trip up to Pontada to see the hats being made, and some people even order one especially for themselves.  Do you have a neat design yo would love to see in a hat?

So now you know why there are two very different “Panama” hats.

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Orchids Galore

One of the amazing things about going to the El Valle market is the vast array of flowers that you can find there.  There are flowers of every shape and hue and even strange plants that don’t look like anything you have seen before.

One of my favorite areas is at the back where the orchids are located.  I never thought I could grow orchids but I have bamboo orchids growing happily on my patio and they just love the hot sun.  But in El Valle de Anton they grow 53 different varieties of orchids.  Just take a look at one small section of the orchids on display at the market the Sunday I was there.

I got chatting with the young man and he was so proud to show me the many varieties of orchids some so tiny you could barely see them.

My personal favorite are the deep purple ones.  Which ones do you like best?

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Volcan Baru, the Baru Volcano

Sometimes there are parts of Panama that I have not yet visited and yet I find wonderful resources that will allow me to enjoy what I have not yet seen.  When the pictures are this spectacular, it make me want to go there even sooner.

These pictures are of Panama’s highest point … the BARU Volcano.  Click on the small fanned pictures to get to the slide show

http://www.seeit360 .net/vtour/ volcanbaru. html

Not only pictures but videos as well

I hope you enjoy this and it makes you even more anxious to come and visit Panama.

So much to see, so much to do, so little time.

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El Valle de Anton Market

Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in season in Panama at markets designed to allow the local farmers to bring their wares to market. Some markets offer meat, chicken and fish as well depending on whether the market is close to the ocean, for fish and has good fresh beef available. This is not quite what we are used to and many of the markets have no refrigeration so it is brought to market fresh and you take it home that day and use it that night. This is how Panama has worked for years.

The El Valle market has become a much bigger market than most, offering more vegetables and more variety.
In addition to vegetables there are a lot of beautiful pieces or artisan work, including tagua nut carvings, molas, wood work and traditional works of art on canvas.

There are also lots of plants for sale to add to your garden. Just make sure that the plants you coose are suitable for where you want to plant them.  Many El Valle plants do not love the hot sun of the Panama beach areas.

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Boquete

Some of you may have heard about the terribly destructive rain storms that ravaged Boquete.

Remember, disaster and horror sells news. Fortunately the entire town of Boquete was not affected. The Caldera river did overflow its banks and it did cause destruction where it encountered buildings that had been built very close to the edge of the river. But this is really not news. As rainy season ends in Panama the rains increase as the opposing winds collide bringing lots and lots of rain, meaning that these small rivers overflow. This year was worse than normal. People on the scene describe it as the worst in 30 years.

But people should know when dealing with the forces of nature, if it happened once than it can happen again. Rivers can overflow their banks. If you know this you can build sensibly so when this happens your dwellings, your business or your hotel are not affected. But people ignore nature, forget the past and build where they should not build and when nature destroys there is weeping and wailing. Truly it is sad for the people who lost their businesses, their homes or their hotels but they should have known they were taking a risk. One that did not pay off. Hopefully they had insurance and they can rebuild. Please don’t rebuild right on the edge of the river.
For Immediate Release from the Boquete Business Association
November 30, 2008
What’s Up in Boquete?
Boquete is back on track and the town wants to put the spotlight
where it belongs: on its beauty and its people.

BOQUETE, PANAMA: Boquete was in the spotlight this past week, not for its natural beauty, award-winning coffee and friendly people, but because of the damage caused by the Caldera River. The dramatic footage and photos don’t tell the whole story: Boquete didn’t experience long-term flooding. The river grew quickly during a short period of time and affected some structures in its immediate vicinity. The fact is, the majority of Boquete, including the downtown, roads, tours and activity businesses and most restaurants and hotels, were untouched. The people of Boquete and the business community have come together to invite the public to experience Boquete today.
“Boquete is back on track,” says Charlie Collins, Owner and Executive Chef, Panamonte Inn and Spa. “Of course, it has been a difficult week for the people of Boquete and our hearts go out to the families affected. My family has been in Boquete for three generations and some things never change: the things that Boquete has always been known for—its natural beauty, relaxing environment, fresh air, friendly people and welcoming spirit—were 100% unaffected.”
Earlier in the week, media, websites and blogs were reporting on the situation in Boquete. But the photos and footage was limited to a very small section of Boquete, the rest of the town was untouched.
“Everybody saw the photos and footage, but it’s important to remember: the story didn’t stop there,” continues Chef Collins. “The Boquete community rallied together to help the people in the areas affected by the river. The speed at which those vulnerable points were fixed was truly amazing. It speaks volumes about the character and spirit of the people in Boquete.”
‘What’s up in Boquete?’
o Airport service to David and the main road connecting David to Boquete was unaffected
o All the main roads and the downtown were untouched
o Traditional Boquete activities Panamanians have always enjoyed—visiting gardens like Mi Jardin es Su Jardin and El Explorador, stopping for strawberry drinks, enjoying coffee, sharing the beauty with family and loved ones—never stopped
o Great restaurants and hotels are open for business
o All the exciting outdoor activities Boquete is known for are still available: hiking, rafting, ziplining, rock-climbing, horseback riding, bird-watching, hot springs and coffee tours
“All of the traditional activities that Panamanian families have enjoyed over the years never stopped,” says Lissette Ameglio, Fresas Café. “The gardens of Mi Jardin es Su Jardin and El Explorador. stopping for a delicious strawberry batido. enjoying a fresh brewed cup of coffee. relaxing with your family. Boquete is the perfect place to do this. Now the sun is out and we want people to experience the beauty of our special town today.”

So get your plans in place to come and visit. The Coffee and Flower Festival starts officially on January 8th 2009.

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Waterfall in El Valle de Anton

This is one of the many magnificent sights that await you when you visit beautiful El Valle in Panama. This waterfall is close to the town center and is a very easy and safe hike for the entire family.

Take a look at the rocks as you climb The petrogliphs are hiding here in the rocks. Magical drawings from yesteryear. What could they mean?

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Mountain Flowers & Spring Like Temperatures

The area between the two oceans of Panama is called the interior. It is filled with mountains, inactive volcanos, banana plantations, coffee plantations, rainforests, exotic plants, flowers, rare species of animals and birds and mountain and valley towns and villages with year round temperatures in the upper 70’s and low 80’s (you might want a sweater in the evenings .

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