I was glad that the Annual Coffee and Flower Fair was going on while Kaiden was here - it is the hugest event in Boquete in the entire year.  It had started before we returned so we did miss out on the loud music for one weekend.  We went over on Tuesday afternoon it was a nice sunny day and not too crowded.  I was so surprised when we walked into the start of the flower area and he just stopped and said "grandma its beautiful" I can say I did NOT expect that out of an 8 year old!!!
We wandered around looking at not only the flowers but the people and the exhibits.  There are lots of people selling a little of everything.  I introduced Kaiden to the best fresh plantain chips in all of Panama and he agreed.  Hot from the 100% all fat grease to a paper sack then covered with sea salt .... oh YUMMMMMM.
We did some shopping and found him a "man purse" but it is an over the shoulder thing that everyone carries down here and I am hoping it will keep him from loosing everything like he does at home.  We got him a pair of Panamanian made leather sandals ( yep all of $7) and he checked out all the necklaces made from bone, wood, etc . He fell in love the the man all in silver that looked like a robot and when you put money in his jar he stiffly moved around and interacted with the kids. Then the glass blower held both of our attentions. Making glass swans to sell.  I  got a real kick out of the photographers who have stuff ponies and horses that you can put the kids on and get their pictures taken - they have portable  printers and sell the pics right away.

We went to the fair on 3 different days - one day we were able to see the traditional dancing in the wonderful dresses and he loved them. We bought a pineapple that  had been gutted, cored then put back into the shell with vanilla ice cream on top - wow almost as good as the plantains.
It is a fair - many ways so different than in Iowa yet the same.  Food -  fun - vendors - and entertainment.

Oh and yes I did do some shopping to- but this year I knew that the best deals are on the day after the fair closes- many vendors stick around for additional sales and what I found I love - it is an Alpaca cape - it is sooooo soft that I just want to pet myself when I wear it.  The price??? $20 what a deal