The story of the Canal

On our arrival at the Miraflores Information Centre, we watched a 15-minute film about the history of the Panama Canal followed by a tour of the 4-story museum dedicated to its story.

A fascinating story that involved the greatest aspirations and even greater losses. Many people died during it's construction from Yellow Fever, Malaria, landslides and more.


When you see the Canal for yourself, you will be in awe of the size of the achievement, and the sacrifices made by so many from so many different countries.

The Panama Canal

Last night was a bit stressful. My 88 year old mother, who I brought down here with me, fell in the bathroom and cut her head. We drove her to the Clinica Emergencia which is about 1 mile down the road where a very gentle and efficient doctor put 6 stitches in her scalp!

That seemed like it was going to throw all of our tourista plans out the window for a few days, but when she got up today she felt good and was rarin' to go! Guess I must come from a tough breed! LOL

So, that meant that our plans to go to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal were still on. It was another hot day (are there any that aren't here?!) so an air-conditioned ride in the car was welcomed.

We crossed the Canal a bit further north this time, and were able to catch our first real glimpse of the ships lining up to go through the locks.

Continuing down the Canal to the locks, we all started to feel quite small. The size of the ships and machines we passed was incredible.

Swimming in Paradise

Here is a lovely shot of Playa Coronado (Beach) - today my sister and I went for a swim in the ocean here. The pink tower on the right will be where we will be ushering in New Year's Eve 2010 with a good view of fireworks and friends of friends.

Did I mention that there is a type of rum made from local sugar cane called Seco that sells for about $6 per 750ml bottle?!

Home Base

After about 1.5 hours of driving on windy, unpredictable roads we arrived at my sister's home in Coronado. Populated primarily by wealthy American ex-pats, Coronado boasts some of the driest weather in Panama. Economic disparities between classes here are hard to resolve simply. Much of the poverty in this country is a result of the dictatorial governments that have ruled this nation. Even the United States has left bloodstains here in its fervor to assert control over the Panama Canal. I will try to expound on this a bit more as I try to understand some of the political and social dynamics that have made this country what it is.

Despite it's past, Panama is a beautiful place and Coronado is one of it's prize jewels. On the left is a pic of the place we are staying in - a thoroughly modern Euro-style building that looks out over the Pacific Ocean.

Panama - Day 2

After a comfortable, air-conditioned night's sleep we drove around the city for a while before heading out to our homebase in Coronado - about 1.5 hours west of Panama City.

I was surprised by the incredible amount of high-rise development in the city, but it turns out that many of the skyscraping condos were unfinished or empty - apparently the U.S. economic downturn has had a significant effect on the willingness of Americans to invest down here.

A quick pic of the Panama Canal as we crossed over La Puenta de Los Americas was all I saw of it. We have plans to go see it up close in a few days.

Bienvenidos a Panama !

WE MADE IT! Arrived in Panama City's Tocumen Airport after a bit of a turbulent flight, but walking out of the airport we were greeted with a hot, humid breath of Panamanian air. At night it goes down to about 30 C ! Above is what I saw out our plane window as we approached the runway. Our first stop was at the beautiful Balboa Inn B&B. Run by a Dutch ex-pat family, I found it on several gay-friendly lists on the internet and it had just been decorated with elaborate hand-painted murals throughout which captured the exotic feeling of the city. This lovely mural of a Panamanian street scene was hand-painted over my bed. The palm leaves beside the door were beautifully intricate and others included delicate butterflies and birds. The bed provided welcome relief after the late-night flight and the breakfast the following morning gave us everything we needed to explore the city.

Panama here I come!!!

Most of you already know that I am going away to Panama for a much-needed holiday this season. I am taking my mother down to celebrate her 89th birthday with my sister who lives down there.

As you get this post in your email, we are winging our way to Panama City where we will be staying at this lovely little B&B, The Balboa Inn, that just happens to be at the top of most lists of Gay-Friendly Hotels in Panama!

I will keep you all posted as to my discoveries down there. Wish me luck on a surfboard!

Cheers and Happy Holidays everyone!

You "syrup suckers" better watch out! Better not cry!

Television host Stephen Colbert is going the comedic distance with his image splashed on the glossy cover of Sports Illustrated decked out in a skin-tight speedskating uniform, complete with a tie.

The satiric host of The Colbert Report appears on the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, due out this week, as part of his ongoing support for the U.S. speedskating team.

The mock right-wing pundit came to the aid of the team after its largest supporter, DSB Bank NV, declared bankruptcy in October. Colbert's fundraising efforts have so far netted $250,000 US for the team.

The magazine's latest issue, emblazoned with "Stephen Colbert and his nation save the Olympics," concerns sports media. It's also a sly reference to the comedian's jab at Olympic officials in Canada.

Colbert has launched a campaign against organizers at Vancouver's Winter Olympics, labeling Canadians as "syrup suckers" and "ice holes," after reports that staff have limited access to the Richmond Olympic Oval and other venues to international athletes.

No God?...No Problem!

Celebrating a new kind of holiday tradition, the American Humanist Association has launched a new advertising campaign. Ads will be blazoned across transit systems in five cities--including Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco--marking the first-ever nation-wide humanist holiday advertising campaign.

"No God?...No Problem!" proclaim the ads, featuring an image of several smiling, Santa hat-clad individuals. The ads will kick off in Washington, D.C. in time for Thanksgiving weekend, running inside 200 buses, fifty rail cars and on the side or tail of twenty buses. The campaign will continue with ads appearing on select buses in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco starting in early December.

Canadian Gothic

"Scott Brison describes it as 'Canadian Gothic.' ... 'Just a couple of guys and their dog standing in a field,' he says about his Christmas card this year.

But there are others, the Nova Scotia Liberal MP says, who are describing it as 'The Brokeback Brisons' – an homage to the Ang Lee movie about two gay cowboys and their love affair on a Wyoming mountain. This is the first time, meanwhile, the couple has posed together for a Christmas card and it is likely the first same-sex married-couple MP Christmas card...

It was sent to about 5,000 friends and constituents.