(Click photos for full-size.)

David at Rio Caldera in Boquete.

David with Panamanian hosts, Alex and Emma Canton.

After a hiatus of 30 years (there were two short visits in the 1970s, the last in 1975), I finally returned to the Republica de Panama in March 2005, with my partner, Bud, accompanying me on his first visit there.

We stayed with my Panamanian friends, Alex and Emma Canton. Dr. Canton was the director of the center where I served as a PCV at IFARHU. The experience was special for all of us as we renewed our friendships. Two of Alex and Emma’s three sons are now in their 30s, married, each with one child. We had the opportunity to spend much time with them. The youngest son was living in California and was not there at the time. It is a wonderful family that I love very much. Thanks to regular correspondence, especially through the Internet, we have continued to stay in touch.

Bud, Penny & David hiking in Parque Metropolitano in Panama City.

Alex and Emma were wonderful hosts. Our time together was rewarding, and our friendships were solidified even more than before. Much of the time we ate en casa, dining on the delicious food prepared by Emma. One day the four of us drove to El Valle, a quaint little village in the mountains not far from Panama City. There we ate comida tipica prepared by a chef in a local restaurant, walked around a zoo that housed native species, and shopped at the local market. Another day we took the launch to the island of Taboga (a rare but inviting retreat for PCVs in the 1960s). We devoured a meal of fresh fish and other delicacies, one of the best meals of my stay in Panama.

Alex and Emma gave us two taguas (figurines hand carved by native Indians from the nut of the tagua tree found in the Darien jungle) as recuerdos of Panama. One is a tortoise and the other is an iguana.

David, Penny & Bud in Parque Metropolitano.

To express my gratitude and leave a memory of my visit, I requested their son to photograph Alex, Emma and me. He kindly had it framed and gift wrapped for me to present to them.

Bud and I were in Panama for the birth of a Canton grandson. We were invited to the hospital to celebrate in that happy and meaningful occasion. The boy’s father was so moved that he was speechless. Alex spoke on his behalf. Others said endearing remarks and toasted the boy’s birth.

The oldest son and daughter-in-law were gracious hosts too. We dined in their lovely home. The daughter-in-law is a real estate agent and gave me a tour of several of the new high rise condominiums that now frequent the Panama skyline. Bud and I are considering Panama City an option for retirement.

Watching busy traffic on Via España.

Bud’s sister and her partner coordinated a trip to Panama at the same time as ours. The latter was born in the Canal Zone and made this her first visit back since graduation in the 1960s from Balboa High School in the Zone. We explored Panama City together. It was amazing to see the changes in Casco Viejo, where those of us assigned to the urban sector of Group 14 were initially housed in the Hotel Colonial. We hiked through Parque Metropolitano, and visited other sites in the former Canal Zone.

After Bud returned to Philadelphia, I joined his sister and partner in the mountain village of Boquete. One day we rafted down a river. It was an exciting and beautiful experience. We were surrounded by abundant wild life and beautiful fauna. Only one of us managed to fall from the raft into the river when we encountered some white water. In the Boquete area there is river rafting available up to a level 5 or 6 (extreme), depending on the precipitation. We were on a humble level 3.

A quick swim while river rafting on Rio Estí (near Boquete).

Preparing for river rafting on the Rio Estí.

Eileen, David & Penny on the river raft

David pointing the way down the river

The changes to Panama are incredible since my Peace Corps days and two subsequent visits. There is a huge building boom: new commercial buildings, 50-story high rise condominiums, a shopping mall, new highways, and wonderful restaurants.

David and guide maneuvering the raft.

The foreign influx from Europe, South America and North America is substantial. AARP, among other organizations, considers Panama one of the best places in the world to retire. What was once the U.S. Panama Canal Zone has been converted into family housing. Even the Panama Canal is being run successfully by Panamanians and at a profit!

One day I arranged to visit the Peace Corps office. It was a total shock to me as I reflected on the office of the 1960s! The “new” office (soon to be relocated) is in a high rise office building with security, has a huge staff, and personal computers for everyone, including some available in the lounge for visiting PCVs. Several of the PCVs that were in the office at the time of my visit joined me for lunch. After lunch I met with one of the staff members who presented a power point show describing Peace Corps Panama. Then I was introduced to the PC Director of Panama and her soon to be replacement. They explained that there are no records or photos of groups prior to the recent reinstatement of the Peace Corps in Panama. Did you know that current PCVs are now permitted to return to the States during their tour? They are also all issued cell phones! Times have changed.

Footnote:

Colorful fauna as seen from the raft.

Recently I retired and have (for the first time) taken time to become involved in some Peace Corps activities. I participated in the Spring Send Off Party in April 2006 at the Philadelphia Free Library for new applicants about to depart to their assigned countries.

Last year I was one of 9 RPCVs in Katrina Response Team #1 as a Crisis Corps member serving for one month in Louisiana in the “Disaster Recovery Effort, Hurricane Katrina 2005.” It was a rewarding experience although mentally and physically very challenging.

Next I look forward to be present for the arrival of the Pajaro Jai in Alexandria VA.