The MOVE to Medellin: and we got to help

It is something parents do, right?  Well whether on not it is, we have done it now!  Stephen and Jen are moving from Panama City, Panama to Medellin, Columbia.  No UHauls, no moving companies, just a simple 55 minute flight on Copa Airlines.

Stephen stayed behind to continue to close up the businesses, locate the employees, and make arrangements for transport of the remainder of the "stuff" that gets moved.  

Patt, Jen, Raleigh, Clinton, Kata-the nanny, and Senhora Nora-the housekeeper (well don't you too move with a nannie and a housekeeper— Patt and I did several times).    We also had 10 large bags, countless backpacks and roll-ons, handbags, children's accoutrements, and a large double stroller.  Approaching the Premier counter for check-in (don't you always use the Premier lane?)  (Stephen's business miles came in handy here).   

Anyway one of the clerks behind the counter took one look at us with porter and pile of bags, puffed out her cheeks, exhaled slowly, rolled her eyes and walked away— bathroom break?  

Below is part of the scene.  Not shown is the growing line for Premier check-in, the break down of the luggage tag printer, nor the wonderful remaining Copa Air clerk who shares a birthday with Clinton.  

After 50 minutes, we did get through check in then another 20 at immigration — get Jen to tell you that story.  That went well I assume as I did not see it.  I was being shuttled line to line as no one wanted me and stroller.

The airport wait of course was a piece of cake.  Raleigh played with his cars and Clinton charmed all who were attentive to his offerings of water or what-ever.

And I have interstate I-85 passes for sale too.  Note below.  Clinton Samuel's curiosity knows no bounds.  Some things are too good to interrupt or best to ignore on my part.  This was one.

This is another

We did get six seats across — back row — but short flight of 55 minutes so that was good and the flight was smooth.  Fortunately the row in front of us had only one passenger in a window seat so we used 10 of 12 seats on the flight for the seven of us.  Worked well

there were some white knuckle fliers on this flight.  Guess who?

Safe, in Medellin, waiting on taxis to the new apartment in Barrio San Lucas. 

the story continues.

A few selected photos for the Grandparents to remember Panama City

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.

More dives, adventures and good times in Curacao

One of the many advantages of being with Nolo was that he seemed to know everyone on the island.  The guy to Patt's right is George, the head dolphin trainer at the Dolphin Academy and Therapy Center where people with various handicaps or illnesses go for treatment / therapy.  

Several of the dolphins came up to meet Patt and me — and swam over our hands.

And of course there was a touch pool where Patt actually picked up a porky pine — no a ?

The Sea Aquarium dolphin show with the dolphins not quite ready for prime time in the therapy pool was pretty good too - especially the jumping.

And on a later open water dive, a trainer brought a couple of dolphins out to the area where the group I was with was diving. The dolphins swam all around us, we could touch them, and one, upon swimming by me in play, bumped me going by rather forcefully. It was delightful and not threatening at all.

One of the Ocean Encounters boats had to be sent to dry dock. Nolo had previously pointed out that he financially sponsored a marine-motor repair shop; what with having several large boats that were used frequently. Monica and I went along for the ride.

Guess who else like a a boat ride?

Continuing toward dry dock through a swinging pedestrian bridge that opens for boat traffic. This channel into the main harbor is right in the middle of Willemstad, Curacao.

Then under the Julianna Bridge named for former Queen Julianna of the Netherlands as Curacao was once part of the Netherlands Antilles and still uses the Dutch Guilder as currency. I think there should be a plaque about my first grandchild. 

Along the extreme northeast coast is long stretch of volcanic shore with high winds and strong wave action, not a place where I would be interested in swimming.

The West End is immediately swimmable and dive-able (is that a word?), and worth a post card.

Willemstad is a tourist town not quite on steroids but definitely worth a post card or two.

Meet an Argentinian who can manage an Argentinian grill. Only three kinds of meat, plus three vegetables for those so inclined, including sweet potatoes. We feasted well at Casa de Ambrosi.

And at local eateries. We had great times together and look forward to more together times wherever they are. Curacao with Monica and Nolo is wonderful and highly recommended.

And so we return to Panama and the adventure! continues.

Swimming with the fishes

This was a treat! Patt, Nolo, Monica and I went to Animal Encounters at Ocean Encounters. You swim in a large pool created in a sea channel where animals are contained by netting. Fresh seawater flows through without the animals escaping. On one side are a couple of tanks with sharks and other fish that do not make good swimming partners.  Nolo arranged this and got a photographer to come with us.  So we have photos.  and WOW.

Here I am feeding one of two Lemon sharks. They would swim by and snatch the bait fish out of my finger tips, which were held back inside the tube between the pools. (Not as dumb as I look). The other fish in the tank would also fight for the bait, unless the shark was swimming close by. 

Here Patt with snorkel and mask is sitting on some steps as a sting ray swims over her going toward the bait held by Patt's partner to the right. The underside of the ray is incredibly soft and smooth.

The top side is a bit course and rough. The rays are almost like puppies in that they will swim up and over you often and brush against you with their bottom side frequently, which is quite pleasant.

Nolo and I together.

Big Herbie, an old grouper, with many scars and many sharp teeth swims by. He is quite curious and was a frequent companion in the pool. Looking him in the eye was a bit disquieting, as he appeared to not think you were a good idea.

Herbie, me, Nolo and Monica. Herbie is the one to the left.

And yes, Patt ventured out into the deep, snorkeling with the big fish and here wth

Monica, Nolo and me for a group photo.

 And finally just the two of us and a few fish, of which there were many.

Curacao is nice and Nolo and Monica are wonderful hosts.

Curacao is beautiful island in the tropics. This is where we ate dinner our first night. Living like this could become habit forming in about another six or seven hours.  

Nolo and Monica live across the bay to the right. They are marvelous hosts.

Of course the big deal for me was completing my SCUBA dive course at Ocean Encounters http://oceanencounters.com/en/  @www.oceanencounters.com and beginning underwater diving. Well that has happened. With the help of a great instructor and the attraction of being in a saltwater fish tank with lots of exotic fish, coral and things to see, it was super.

A few times as the instructor and I were on our way down to the bottom, I struggled a bit equalizing pressure with my ears, but on my fourth dive getting to 60 feet depth was fairly easy with only one episode where I had to stop and go up a bit before continuing down. Something about going slow being rewarding is counter to my thought process. However it is beginning to "sink" in.

Just about all the photo documentation we are going to get is here. We swam out past the rock barrier, then along a shelf for a distance with a gently sloping coral reef with tropical fish at depth about 20-30 feet. The shelf dramatically increases the slope of the drop at about 40-50 feet depth to a sharp drop and the variety of sea life and coral change dramatically.

 Final adjustment for goggles and, boy-oh-boy, while diving it seems I clear them almost constantly.

Yeah that first deep dive was a thrill. 

One evening we went for a sunset cruise along the island shore down to Spanish Waters, a large residential golf development in a bay. Nolo packed a full picnic dinner with ample drinks and refreshments. Yes, it was delightful.

and the sunset beautiful too. 

 Patt liked riding in the boat.

Returning to the harbor, the beach entry for dives is to the left between the beach chairs. The dock for Ocean Encounters is just behind the white boats in the back left.

Monica preparing to tie the boat as it enters the slip to the left of the yellow building.

And on more than one occasion I have spent in excess of 90 minutes in this position listening to the breeze in the palms and feeling the sun on me and wondering where the time went when someone spoke my name out of the blue.  Things are getting tough here with Nolo and Monica. You might want to think twice prior to visiting.