Though we are now in Medellin, Columbia, as the title explains this is the next blog. One more blog is coming on the move to the continent and one more on diving in Curacao.
The kids were tired of isthmus living I reckon. Anyway it was and continues to be ADVENTURE.
For Panama City - we will remember noise, oh my, we will remember noise. Even though Stephen and Jen's apartment was 24 stories up and not surrounded by other buildings — one side opened to views of the Pacific, the other to developable land. Developable means there is an opportunity for construction and it seems as if there was constant construction and destruction. Not one, but two, sites just off the deck, on either side of the street were under construction and had been — foundations and underground parking are a serious undertaking.
We will not miss the warning sound of back up horns on trucks and tractors and jackhammers as one cubic yard of concrete is broken up for every two poured. There was a third site in the photo in the upper right and more construction in various stages to both right and left with those tall cranes further in the distance, but close enough to grace us with the noise.
A favorite of the kids, parents and nannies was Parque Marbella. Spent many mornings there and enjoyed most of them. Really liked watching the gatherings of the nannies.
Raleigh and Clinton mingled, fought, fussed and played well with others. The nannies, at least when I was there did a good job between gossiping (assumption), looking at cell phones (observed), looking incredibly bored (observed) and dealing effectively and lovingly with the kids (also observed).
Another favorite park, known as the sand park along the Cinta Costera is only usable when the sun sets behind some of the tall buildings. It is in direct sun and hot all day. Clinton attracts and enjoys the care and play with other expat kids, in this case a French girl whose English was limited but Spanish was quite good — again observed.
Clinton Samuel, (Clinton SamWell) as his nannie Kata calls him, is bold and will go for it. Except slide down a slide. Just not there yet. However, with the rope ladder, it is on.
Another day another angle and proud of himself
Now the sand play with cars and trucks is Raleigh's interest. He really enjoys it and seldom appreciates playmates when so engaged. Other kids close to his age — parallel play is OK, but Raleigh has his rules. Note styling knee high black socks and black shoes - setting the tone for Panamanian style.
And this tranquil scene lasts on average 10-15 seconds.
Now Raleigh will slide and slide about anything else too.
And somewhere somehow an engineer is born in our family tree — blame Patt, not me. A real builder, Raleigh constructs many complicated things (in his grandparents opinion) - roadways, bridges, buildings and such for his cars and trains.
Now on to Columbia blogs, now that will be a few. But gotta get internet in the house first (promised this week). This is from Subway internet - good, fast but not a real sustainable alternative.
handsome kids!
ReplyDelete