Valentines Day in San Carlos

It is Saturday, the day after Friday the 13th, and it is sunny and hot as per usual. Our house is 3 days away from completion. Once we are in and settled I am going to blog about our the whole process of buying, and setting up a mortgage and moving here in Panama. For now however I am going to write about the other stuff. The people we have met, the adventures and community activities we have found ourselves participationg in and of course today, Valentines Day.
As I type Allan is getting a massage on our terrace overlooking the Pacific from Elsye. Elsye is a registered massage therapist and she has by far the most comfortable massage table I have ever lay my body on. I have been on over 50 different tables in my spa career and this has been the best bar none. She arrived at our home at 11am, and her rate is $25/hr. Full body, nothing missed massage. Happy Valentines day to us! I just came back from my 90 minute yoga class taught by a young english girl. Her rate is $8/class, and she is fabulous. She holds the classes in a quaint art studio "La Sueno" (The Sleepy).
Allan just finished playing a round of golf. We are members of the Vista Mar Golf Course, and our monthly dues are $45/each.

This afternoon, we are off to Finca La Maya. http://fincalamaya.com/?p=19

Finca La Maya is an educational and arts centre which is located not even 4 minutes from where we live, down a small windy road in a small village outside of the already small town of San Carlos. An American couple Steve and Starr bought this Finca (farm) and decided to give back. They offer so many programs to the local Panamanians focusing specifically to the kids. Dell/Panama donated 10 refurbished computers and 2 staff members to the Saturday morning computer program.
Allan and I went to help out last Saturday and tears came to my eyes. These little Indigenous Panamanian kids were learning how to use a computer, and write letters and emails. They were learning English and participating in art class. Kids who don't have hot water or electricity in their homes are getting an opportunity to have a better future and to get themselves out of poverty.

Starr just recently retired from VP of Marketing for a software company in France and Steve is still flying part time for FedEx. They bought this beautiful home and property 3 years ago and are now giving back.

One question that is asked of me more than any other from my friends in Canada is "Don't you get bored?" Between rescuing sloths and helping with projects like this, our social life has never been busier!

I am going to post more often once we are moved into our Casa. I am going to dedicate a post to food and restaurants, our home, Panamanian destinations, our plane I cannot forget N5535J and then continue with some posts on our day to day young lives here in Panama.