Well, there’s been a lot of talk from me about buying land outside the US. Starting with Nicaragua, then Costa Rica, Panama, Canada and who knows where else, it’s been a lot of talk and no action. After 2010 arrived, I handed the CIO whip over to David Wolf and transitioned to part-time Business Development Officer. Time to set my feet on the road of exploring options for a home in another country as well as practice the Spanish I’d been working on so diligently in class! Off to Panama for 17 days on my own. Starting in the capital to see the historical canal, hunt for wildlife in the rainforest bordering Gatun Lake and check in with a few banks to understand what it might take to open an offshore account. Thanks to my pal Sam, I had a great driver who helped me tour the canal, Panama Viejo and most important: the Mercado de Mariscos! Next day was a wildlife tour on Gatun Lake in a small boat under canopy to protect fm wicked sun. 2 other couples and 4 guides. Bird spotting, making fun of monkeys and spotting 2-toed sloths curled up in high branches of trees. Previously domesticated monkeys would climb down branches and almost jump in boat. Others would stay up on trees, but still close enough to laugh at us. Fun to watch them hang by their tails, pick leaves and munch away. How anyone thinks we’re not related is beyond me. Great afternoon run along the path on Panama bay. Leaving tomorrow for the highlands. A plane hop and then a bus up to the town of Boquete. More adventures to follow…