Panama Jazzfest, 2013

Ruben Blades was playing on the main stage, and the crowd loved him.

Who knew there was actually any culture in Panama?  With no museums, very little theater, and a lack speciality food, I sometimes feel that I am living in a cultural wasteland.  That is until we had Panama Jazzfest this weekend, and it was like any summer night in Chicago- free, lots of beer vendors, plenty of people hanging out, and a lot of good music.  It was great fun- my friends and I drank a lot of rum, danced to a 25-piece brass band playing Carnival music, and heard an hour of Ruben Blades, the most famous jazz musician in Panama.  

Food and Friends, January 2013

My time in Chicago included a LOT of meals out with friends.  I didn't get pictures of all of them, but I got a lot.  It's funny to compare how different waiters across Chicagoland take pictures.

Awesome Pub food (with a 10" tall piece of chocolate cake) with Carolyn

Tre Kroner amazing Swedish brunch with Lisa and Jackie

Pequods Pizza and Chinese dumplings, pajama pants, and Cards Against Humanity with Carolyn and Neha.

Post-church brunch with Tina, Hye-Yung, Kurt, Renee, Julie, Mark, Tara, and Ashley

Super fresh couture sushi with Amanda

Glenns Diner with Lauren

I ate so much, and can't wait to repeat the experience when I visit again in July.

What a cutie pie!

While visiting Chicago in January, I finally got to meet my godson, Deacon (one on the left).  He and his twin brother Charlie (who are obviously fraternal twins- who knew that 3 months old could look so unique?) and both little cutie-pies.  Deacon and I had a great afternoon together, most of it with him asleep in my arms.  He's a tough little guy (he was born with a broken leg, and has already been through physical therapy) who is going to be a joy to play with each time I'm back in Chicago.  

First Class Home for Christmas

 I don't know why CopaAir bumped me up to business class, but I am glad they did.  Not only did a get an ice cream sundae in a classy glass dish (which says 'Clase Ejecutiva' = executive class), but the first class baggage is unloaded first to cut down on wait times.  And b/c I was so far forward in the plane, I could take a beautiful picture of the Chicago as we were landing.

This is how the wealthy live? Maybe I need to play the lottery more often.

welcome 2013

From left:  Rob, Laura, Andrew, Kim, Mark, Eric, Dana

NYE Dance Party!!!!  My friend Andrew invited our coworkers, Kim and Rob, and their adult children visiting from the States to a New Years party.  It started out pretty mellow (talking and drinking wine), but at 11:45, the Panamanians started setting off tons of fireworks.  After watching an hour of unregulated fireworks (see below), we went inside and had an amazing dance party to ring in the new year.

Notice that all of the fireworks are in the middle of the city, being launched from parking garages, apt balconies, and public parks.  In the words of my roomate, it felt like the Blitz in London during WWII.

Christmas in Pedasi, II

from left:  Jonathon, Alex, Andrew, Elan, Erik
Eva, Katrina, Laura

 At our surfer hotel, we met this great family from DC.  The family (Mom, Dad, and 3 adult sons) still travel together, and the four men are pretty serious surfers.  They became our Christmas Eve family.  We all went to Catholic Mass together, and took the obligatory "family" picture outside of the church.





The parents, Eva and Elan, must have put something in the boys milk, b/c not only were all three brothers extremely handsome, but Erik is in medical school, Alex in vet school, and Jonathon is getting a Masters in Engineering. Five Blutingers + 3 ISP teachers = fun Pana-family for the holiday.

Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel: a huge family table,
delicious food, flowing wine, and lots of great
conversations among the many int'l travellers. 

Katrina and I surrounded by presents, right on
the edge of the beach.  

My friends and I agreed to do stocking stuffers, so that we would have some presents to open on Chrismas morning.  As you can see, we got quite a haul.