The past few days have been mostly sunny especially in the mornings and the crews are working diligently to get all the roads open and people moving freely throughout the countryside. Click here to visit some of the latest reports on that progress in the Panama Guide. The Panamanians are strong and wonderful in crisis. They always seem to have such an “in the the moment perspective” that will sometimes drive you crazy and at other times you realize how beneficial and positive their attitude is.

My good friend in Punta Pena Bocas del Toro mainland lost part of his house and 3 cabanas that were right on the river. He was building these to have for rentals. When I asked him how everything was on his side of the mountain he said something like this. The cabanas are gone, the back of the house is partly gone but my family is fine, we have enough food for 15 days and the electric is on, cell phone is working and the new view of the river out of the back of the house is amazing! Panamanians typically find the rainbows or as they say in Panama “Arc de Iris” in every day regardless of what curve balls life throws them.

Here in Boquete as the community pulls together to provide relief for the people affected, it is otherwise business as usual. We attended a wonderful benefit concert for a children’s music camp – Hogar Trisker & Casa Esperanza- last Saturday at Finca Azul in Dolega with 9 local bands; some foreign (music typical of the US) and some Panamanian bands. All who played especially the children were really talented and everyone enjoyed them.

This weekend will focus on the annual local play at the fairgrounds. A musical called Reflections Musical Memoirs of the 50’s and 60’s told by the people who lived them. I’m just glad to hear someone actually remembers the details!

The fairgrounds are right on the river and in protest to the river’s contrariness of late the residents have pulled it together, cleaned and organized, practiced and practiced and the show will go on! Right now they only have tickets available for Thursday as Friday and Saturday are sold out.

Yes it is the holiday season in Boquete with the normal charity fund raising garage sales, mother’s day brunches and the usual attending hoopla. Please let everyone know that Boquete is open for business for this season and will experience a full recovery hopefully aided by a good tourist season.

Recent news from Bocas on the mainland is good too. Although things are not back to normal yet the roads are good enough that lives are beginning to get back to normal. The rivers are starting to subside in Rambala and Punta Pena and most utilities are working fine.

As news trickles in we will keep you informed; in the meantime come on down to Boquete Chiriqui, the weather is fine and the hotels and restaurants will welcome you.

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