Returning to Panama for year 2

Flying to Panama from Los Angeles through Miami took a little longer than expected, but I was able to bring along my tenor saxophone so I could learn to play it down here.

While in Miami Int'l for an unexpected 6 hour layover, I brushed up on my weightlifting skills, just in time for Rio 2016!

Mini Me was looking forward to the tropical weather.

After a couple of weeks into the new school year, it was time for a karaoke break.

I'm trying to get a band started and finding Ricochet Studios in El Cangrejo has made it easier to rehearse.  Current band name: Los Canaleros

I also made this GrittyCitty fascade inspired by the homes in Clayton, near the Ciudad Del Saber, where our school is located.

Settling in to our Second Year in Panama

There are many places to live, from townhome apartments, AirBnB rooms and houses, condos, hotel rooms, single family residences, and your friend's sofa.  With all these choices, it can be hard to decide, but we've settled on a place on Avenida Balboa.

It has great views of the city...

...is close to Casco Antigua...

...close to a variety of restaurants...

...for breakfast...

...lunch... 

...and dinner...

...and Darth Vader lives close by and shops at the local mall...

 ...and is close to sweet treats...

...and it's fully furnished -- down to containers for leftovers!

Entertaining Photos 2015-2016

These photos don't really have a specific theme or story.  They're just here for entertainment.  Enjoy!

Summertime in the USA

A wedding under the trees in northern California,

A jumping photo on Lombard Street, San Francisco,



A visit to the Charles Schulz museum,


Good Grief!



A ride on the ferry,





A visit to wineries in Napa,


A visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific

A visit with family and friends.

Another great summer!

Spring Break in Medellín, Colombia

Having traveled to Bogota, we thought we would try Medellín, since we heard so much about it from our colleagues.

We found a funky boutique hotel and set out to explore this mountain-valley city with a sordid history and great views all around.

"Esmeralda"

Sprawling twilight city view from the mall.

Fruit market during the foodie tour.

View along the mountain metrocable ride, part of an extensive mass transit system that moves 30,000 passengers up and down each day.

The metro cable goes up the mountainside, then along the top for a good 20 minutes.  At the end is a forest trail you can explore.

Fernando Botero's bronze sculpture, "Pajaro de Paz",

the original was blown up by terrorists in 1995.

Beautiful brick cathedral, Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín.

El Peñon of Guatape.  A large rock you can climb via 740 steps.

"What goes up...", as they say.

The view at the top is worth all those steps!

"740" and our feet.

The nearby, colorful town of Guatape had the best cappuccino we've ever had.

Thanks to Anthony Bourdain for reviewing the restaurant

"Queareparaenamorarte" 

Run it through a Spanish to English translator to see what this means.

This guitar by Botero is so...chubby!

No amount of bug spray will save you from this gigantic mosquito!

The entire city is experiencing an explosion of art, culture, mass transit innovation, and delicious culinary delights.