Some notes on cuisine

Okay, one of the most important things about travel is the dining experience. We have basically brought all of our food in with us. When we came in we went grocery shopping in Isla Colon and picked up 50 lbs of rice, 15 lbs of red beans, several loaves of pretoasted bread, peanut butter, grape jelly and Nutella. We don’t have coffee so Kyle went through withdrawl – not a pretty sight. We generally skip breakfast and head up to the pavilion (the Rancho) and get started by 8 am. We break for lunch at noon and make some combination of sandwich from either the pretoasted bread ( aka “croutons”) or small coconut rolls made by Ambrosio’s wife. They are delicious. Scott and I have taken to topping them with Smuckers grape jelly and “Killing Me Mon” sauce that we picked up in Lillys. The rest look on in shock and awe, or just plain disgust. The highlight of the day is dinner at 6:30. It is prepared for us by the women in the cantina that overlooks the lagoon. Every night is rice and beans with a side of fried plantain  accompanied by either chicken or fish .  The first night I got a fish head. I kid you not. A fish head. I turned to Scott and started singing the “Fish Heads” song from Dr. Demento – He sang along and knew all the words. Our younger colleagues did not know what to make of this but if they had knowledge and access to psychiatric medications I think they would have given both of us a dose.Last night we had sausage that bore a strong resemblance to SPAM but it tasted good.  I am writing this on Sunday afternoon as Ramon and I ferry Scott to the airport. We are having lunch at “El Pirata” and I have unlimited access to internet and electricity. This must be heaven J. A pineapple smoothy and a plate of calamari al ajillo and I am one happy boy.

Ramon and I will head back to Isla Popa after we bring Scott up to the airport then back across the bay (1 hour) in an open longboat. We have the first tank fully installed and operational. It rained last night and there was water in the bottom. The first biosand filter is running producing lovely clean, clear potable water. We will finish up all the rest tomorrow and then head back on Tuesday. I will try to keep you updated and when I get back to Panama City will spend some time loading photos.