It is very strange to move into someones home and have it become your own. At first it is like living in a hotel. Everything is new and it is a constant search for light switches, kitchen utensils and every time I walk in the door it is with awe that I am living in such a place. Over the weeks it became my home- although the light switches still get me. Slowly it becomes home and I find my favorite places to sit and enjoy, I have my favorite blanket to curl up with a good book. Over time it is like this place is mine - I am living in a dream home and loving it. But with all dreams it is time to wake up - time to give the dogs back to their own family- time to clear out the cupboards of our foods and empty the closets and close the door one last time.
Today we are going to move most of our stuff to the apartment down town. Bud will get his office set up and ready to go to work on Monday morning. When we leave a home I try to leave it just as we found it - everything neatly in place and clean and as if the owners had just ran out for a short time.
When you are only moving a short distance you really don't pack you throw things into sacks bags suitcases anything to get them moved. It really is not fun in fact it is a pain. I know that it will take me time once again to make a new place feel like home. But this move has another stumbling block - I am packing and moving to a new place and at the same time I am packing for my return to Iowa. While there I will I not be actually "home" but living out of a suitcase, bouncing between my kid's places. When I return I will once again have to learn where the light switches are, just what cooking items I have and just where Bud has put everything. He will have taken over the bathroom and I will have to lay claim on the small area in the bathroom.
Living in homes in Valle Escondido is a privileged style of life. You cross into this gated community and it is paradise- the streets are actually swept by men with brooms everyday - all yards are immaculately groomed, most people have pets that also live a very privileged life. It is almost like a fantasy land.
Living down town is the hustle and bustle of every day Panamanian life. The Indians are a constant visual treat for the eyes. It is great when you live without a car that everything needed is right out the door not a 1 mile hike down then back up the hill. Living in The Boquete Luxury Apartments as they are called has a feel of a college dorm. We are friends here and 2 of the apartments have people we lived with last year and love spending time with them. We have jokingly said we live two lives in Panama - the one is champagne and the other is beer. We love both but the worlds are totally separate. Many people in Valle do not really want to live in Panama- they want to live in a Panama that is a mini USA. Many do not speak the language and do not attempt to try. They do go get their groceries downtown, attend the Tuesday market but do not interact with the locals. They are missing so much and do not know it. Bud and I did not come to a foreign land to want it to be like the US and thus we interact with the locals. In the past I have danced with the Indians, have held the baby of a 13 year old girl, and walked the streets with candy in my pockets to give the young people.
I feel I am experiencing the real Panama and have grown as a person with experiences that have opened my eyes to things I never thought I would see.
Slowly Panama has become my second home. One that I want to see advance but not change to life in the US and if in any small way I can assist I am grateful . I do wish that each of you could have this chance.
I especially loved this post!
ReplyDelete