Christmas Eve dinner with the O'Mara clan

Our little family has been adopted by this clan for many joyful Christmas pasts. This year was no exception- lots of laughs, great food, and time with good friends.

Carolyn and Laura, Christmas Eve 2014

A table full of laughs above and dogs running around below 

So much good food...

Cutest Pottery Barn Christmas table setting EVER

Carolyn is blown away by the worlds' smallest Christmas present

Bolivia VI- Chuletas

Throughout Bolivia, the indigenous Andean peoples have retained a lot of their culture.  Many speak Quechua or another Andean language, and have continued their clothing, food, and religious ethnicity.  Probably because the Spaniards were too lazy to climb the Andes and discover these groups, which allowed them to protect their culture for a few hundred years.

In Bolivia, the indigenous men dress in jeans.  But the indigenous ladies, called Chuletas, wear a very specific uniform: a plain blouse covered by a knit shawl (for warmth), a multi-layered knee-length skirt (which mimics colonial Spanish wear for women, and is warm), knee-high woolen socks, long braids,  and a bowler cap (brought by the British during the silver rush of the mid 19th century).

Diving in Coiba

Coiba is a protected national park on the Pacific coast of Panama.  The marine life is amazing.  And as the dive shop says, "Sharks Guaranteed."  Here are some of the best pictures.

A seahorse.  An honest to goodness seahorse, about 2" long.

White tipped reef sharks. Don't worry, they are vegetarians.  

White tipped reef sharks travel in herds, called a frenzy of sharks.  

Schools of fish everywhere, just like in  Finding Nemo.

Spotted Eel, 

Laura en La Mar

Sea turtle, the first I've seen.  I imagine him talking in a surfer voice.

Dancing at Fiestas Patrias

The Panamanian Studies teacher, a sweet lady named Griselda Franco, enlisted me to dance at the Patriot's Festival assembly.  After a month of practice, this is the outcome.  The Panamanians onstage, including my partner Lalio, put all of us foreigners to shame with their inborn rhythm.

But my favorite compliment came from my principal:  "Well, there were some awkward gringoes on stage.  But you were the least gringo-ish of the gringoes."

Fiestas Patrias

I danced a Panamanian folk dance- a month of practice, a lot of laughs with my partner Eulalaio, and a great skirt.  My favorite compliment?  "You looked less gringo-ish than the other gringoes dancing up there."

Bolivia IV- Animals

Cactus with bird

wild flamingo

Vizcacte, the wild desert hare

Llama selfie!

Bolivia III- Otherworldly

At 5:45am, as the sun is rising, it was surreal to walk on the surface of the volcano in the Salar de Uyuni.  The morning was cold, the steam and molten mud were hot, and it was sooo cool to walk around a place that would be a great background for a scifi movie.

Bolivia II- Music!

On a Thursday morning, we came across battle of the bands in a church plaza.  First was the classical guitars, followed by the string orchestra (pictured right).

And then came the Murga band, all brass and drum core.  These kids were definitely having the most fun of the performers  (poor nerdy orchestra kids all wished they were in the drum core).

And finally, a wider shot of the murga band, who brought stilts walkers, flag girls, and a lot of enthusiastic noise.

Bolivia I- playing with perspective

from left:  Kathleen, Daniel, Laura, Adam, Ivanna, Julia

I achieve a Jordan-esque vertical jump

PANAMUN XXII: Technology for the 21st Century

One more huge Model UN in the books.

followed by a well earned glass to celebrate. 

Friday nights in October, 2014

Random guy in the street practicing the trumpet in preparation for the Patriots Day in November

The view from a friends sweet 51st floor apt before poker

Crazy movie theater 

And the salsa band at the German restaurant for Oktoberfest

Wonky Panamanian street signs

I have no words, only questions.
Why is your head the same size as your ball?
Why do you have feet but no hands?
Why did your mother dress you in bell bottoms?

"Caution:  after a few drinks, trees may make awkward passes" (ala yawn turns into an arm around your waist).

"My anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hon"

"Caution:  Evel Knieval crossing."

Punta Chame- hidden treasure

We couldn't walk five feet without seeing a sand dollar buried in the sand. We collected 29 total, and rejected at least that many- if they werent perfect, we threw them back. Now its time to check pintrest for sand dollar art projects. 

Supermoon!!!!

As seen from Panama, August 10, 2014. Check out the reflection on the water. 

Newport, RI

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Newport RI in July.  My very talented friend Carter Howards took these amazing photos which really demonstrate the beauty of the area.