Panama is the southern most country in the North American continent. In Panama they speak Spanish. Our Aunt speaks English and Spanish and was able to help us alot of the time, but it could be difficult to get around and get things done not knowing the language very well. Fortunately the people were very patient with us.
Panama is a very narrow country so we were able to visit both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean during our trip.
The Pacific Ocean is a much bigger ocean and is less broken up by land, so the waves were a lot bigger here.
We were able to go to an island just out in the Atlantic Ocean. The waters were much calmer there.
Panama has many different animals than we see in New York. A favorite was the sloth, we were able to see several of them.
One was actually moving and crossing the road to try to find a female sloth.
We also saw pretty blue butterflies, toucans, crocodiles, a jaguar, raccoons, iguanas, and a cougar. We saw the butterflies and iguanas and little capybara around when we were hiking, the other animals are native to panama but we saw them in a zoo.
We were able to learn a little bit about the Panama culture. One day we went to go visit an Indigenous Tribe. Their ancestors were in Panama before Europeans came. They used to farm, but where they were living was turned into a national park and they were not allowed to farm there anymore, so they turned to tourism to provide for themselves and allow themselves to continue to live on their tribal land.
Their homes and buildings are made with palm fronds layered over each other to form the roofs.
They dye plants with plants that give off colors to weave bowls and plates.
They also hand made these birds and hand carved this sloth slingshot that Joshua got.
We also watched a tribal dance called the Toucan Dance.
Another day we went to a Museum to see some more Panama Culture. We saw these traditional dresses. They take 6 months to a year to make and cost $5000 to $10000 to make because each one is unique and very detailed. We saw some people wearing the traditional dress because while we were there Panama was celebrating their Independence from Columbia. They have two Independence Days one from Columbia November 3rd and from Spain on November 28th.
We also got to watch some traditional dancing from Panama.
We also got to enjoy the beauty of Panama. We took a Surrey Ride by the ocean at sunset.
We spent some time in the mountains and saw this beautiful view.
We hiked up a mountain near the city saw the Panama flag and a poisonous caterpillar.
We also had to take a boat to visit the tribe. Afterwards the guide said that he would take us to a waterfall. The river became to shallow for the boat, so we hiked barefoot near and through a stream in the jungle to find the waterfall. It was beautiful and tough on the feet.
Minna failed her eye exam at her yearly physical. I thought I should get my eyes checked when I took her to the eye doctor because I haven't had my eyes checked in over a decade. We both ended up with glasses.
In July we were saddened when we had to put our dog Chasse down. He had not been feeling well and wasn't eating unless we babied him, but seemed to be getting better. Then suddenly one day he was struggling to breath, we took him to the vet, and they found out he had congestive heart failure. So we went in looking for him to get better, but it didn't happen. He was very good with the kids, and was so patient in teaching them how to act around animals. He never reacted when they came into his space. His biggest vice was killing chickens, but even that he added some humor when he buried a bunch of them upside down with their legs sticking up in the air.
He loved chasing his ball and going on walks with the family. I was glad we were able to get him out a bit more this year. The kids finally got big enough I felt comfortable taking the kids and Chasse on hikes. Unfortunately it was short lived.
The vet office gave us this nice doggy coffin.
Brian dug the grave. The day Chasse died was the only day that week that Brian was home before dark (and it gets dark late in the summer). Fortunately the timing worked out that Brian could give a hand.
I found a rock and the kids organized the headstone area.
We cleaned it up and wrote our favorite memories on it.
In July we made our annual trip to the Saratoga County Fair. It was just me and the girls. Brian was working and Joshua went with Summer Camp. Next year we will take Joshua with us because he didn't get to see the shows they put on. The girl's favorite shows were a magic show and a juggling show. They also loved seeing all the animals.
We also saw this awesome giant moth who was not an exhibit but was just hanging out by the bathroom.
We happened by some wrestling bears.
The highlight on the trip was looking at the school art and finding Minna had a piece being displayed at the fair and we didn't even know it.
We have some friends, the Hannons, that live a couple hours from my inlaws and we will visit whenever we go to Tennessee. Well this summer these friends returned to New York, so we drove out to Palmyra to see them and watch the Palmyra pageant. Our kids are starting to remember each other and they get along which is fun too. We spent most of the time at the Sacred Grove and then waiting for the pageant to start. The Hannons had extended family with them, and Miriam decided to claim Grandpa Hannon as her own. There were 5 Hannon grandchildren there and Miriam kept working to make this happen.
We didn't take very many pictures because I am bad at it and we were too busy catching up. The girls did get some pictures with the cast members though.
At the end of the year of preschool Miriam's class went to the awesomely creepy Magic Forest Theme Park. Theyhavethese statuesaround that while trying to be fun and whimsical for kids end up being the stuff of nightmares for adults.
They also have tons of kiddy rides that are perfect for preschoolers.
They also have some bigger rides. I don't really like rides. But Miriam's teacher loved them and was begging for kids to ride with. And since Miriam likes big rides they went together and we were all happy, they go to ride and I didn't throw up.
The awesome day ended getting ice cream. Fun memories all around.
