The Final Countdown

Yes, it is the final countdown to our return to the US.  It is crazy to think that next Friday we will wake up in our own bed, in Phoenix!  While I realize that I have been counting down to our return since we got here, we have really loved our time here, and I even find myself starting to feel sad about leaving!  Genevieve and I went on our walk today and we saw a man who is always at the corner near our building sitting on his yellow motorcycle.  He is probably in his 40's, bald, has a Leno-esq gap in his teeth and no matter what time of day, he NEVER seems to be working!  He has always said hello to Genevieve and me and we've even had a few brief conversations (he speaks zero English).  After seeing him today and telling him we'd be leaving in 5 days, I realized, I am going to miss my and Genevieve's walks along the Cinta Costera, and even seeing our "friend" on his yellow motorcycle on the corner! But, enough of the sappiness...I will save that for our final blog posting before heading home!

Last night, James' co-workers arranged a dinner for James and to show their appreciation for coming to the Panama office.  The night before, James informed me that there was going to be karaoke at the restaurant/bar they were going to and that one of his co-workers said he was required to sing.  Now, if you know my husband, he hates karaoke!  He decided he would do "Born in the USA" if they had it.  It is times like these that I wish I knew his co-workers so I could make sure someone was video-taping this experience! 

The restaurant they went to is owned by Roberto Duran.  He is Panama’s real life Rocky, and was actually in Rocky II.  Roberto Duran is known by many as the best Latin boxer ever.  He grew up in Chorillo (that poor area by Casco Viejo).  After he beat Sugar Ray Leonard, his record was 72-1.  Duran is probably Panama’s most successful athlete.  Unfortunately, like most boxers he didn’t know when to stop and is now broke.  The Panamanian Government has helped him out a lot (i.e., saved his house from foreclosure and give him a pension).  He wasn’t there last night, but he often is. 
When it came time for karaoke, James and his friend Javier decided they would sing a song together that had a minimal amount of words.  Their choice:  "The Final Countdown."  Lucky for both of them (and everyone else in the place), the song wouldn't play!  In fact, none of the songs that were in English would play!  So, it appears James escaped having to participate in the singing festivities. 

His co-workers gave him a really nice card that they all signed and wrote messages in.  They also gave him (us) a bag of gifts...no, they gave us the perfect Panama souvenirs (see picture below).  James had a great time and I know he is really going to miss his co-workers from KPMG Panama! 

Tonight, the Partner of KPMG Panama has invited us and the managers to a dinner/get-together at his house.  It starts at 7pm, so we are going to bring Genevieve's pack n' play along with us so she can sleep while we socialize.  :)  Unfortunately, Genevieve will have to attend with a black eye due to an unfortunate run-in with the corner of the coffee table yesterday afternoon!  Despite her injury, she continues to walk all over the apartment and is actually walking around the living room in circles as I type!

Well, that is all for now!  Have a wonderful weekend!

James with his co-workers at dinner last night.

James' co-workers getting their sing on :)

Javier singing!



Robert Duran's shorts



More wall art...

James' office...realized we'd never taken a picture of his work!



James' card from his office mates



Inside where everyone signed.  Not sure why it keeps showing up sideways!

Gifts from James' co-workers!  A traditional Mola with a wooden frame, a change purse, a Panama Hat, and a traditional dress (for Genevieve) worn by children in one of the 7 indigenous tribes in Panama.

Genevieve with her extreme black eye :(