How has the holiday season been here so far? Different to say the least. Both of our families live in the states and we have enjoyed very memorable Christmas' in the past. This is our first year away, however, our holiday season is replaced with pleasant and wonderful new experiences here in Boquete.
The other evening the Mayor had the Annual Xmas Parade it started on our street, beginning at 7 pm. The police sirens were blaring marking the start of the parade. There were a number of BIG Mac trucks decked out with strings of lights and covered with decorations, children were dressed in cute costumes and holiday hats. The "Amigos de Animales" ("Friends of the Animals") joined in the parade as well, and the Mayor, his wife, and Santa were on one of the huge trucks. Many of the indigenous people the Ngobe-Bugle came walking down from the hillsides to town where the festivities were taking place.
The other evening the Mayor had the Annual Xmas Parade it started on our street, beginning at 7 pm. The police sirens were blaring marking the start of the parade. There were a number of BIG Mac trucks decked out with strings of lights and covered with decorations, children were dressed in cute costumes and holiday hats. The "Amigos de Animales" ("Friends of the Animals") joined in the parade as well, and the Mayor, his wife, and Santa were on one of the huge trucks. Many of the indigenous people the Ngobe-Bugle came walking down from the hillsides to town where the festivities were taking place.
The Ngobe-Bugle women always wear brightly color dresses and begin wearing them as teens. The male Ngobe-Bugle wears the usual shirt and pant. The population of this indigenous group is approximately 200,000 living mostly in the Provinces of Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Bocas del Toro. They are the largest indigenous group in Panama. Before the Spaniards arrived, there were a dozen indigenous tribes now only seven remain. The most well known group is the Kuna who inhabit the Archipielago de San Blas and run their native lands as a comarca (autonomous region). Then there are the Embera and Wounaan inhabiting the jungle o
f the eastern Panama Province and the Darien. The Naso group inhabit mainland Bocas del Toro, the other two groups are the Bokota who inhabit Bocas del Toro Province and the Bribri, who are found both in Costa Rica and in Panama along the Talamanca reserve. Well that’s my lesson for the day.
Back to celebrating, we attended an Art Gallery opening where we met up with friends and met new people as well. Then proceeded to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, the food we ordered was extremely awful. The worst we have had in Panama. We won’t be going back there again.
On Christmas Eve we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Boquete it is Art Café La Crepe, it is French owned by Jean Marie and his wife Danielle. The menu was a traditional French Xmas Eve feast. Jean Marie and Danielle brought back some wonderful goodies from their trip to France in October. The dinner party was by invitation only. Our evening started with a glass of Champagne followed by the most delicious Duck Fois Gras (from France) served with a pear compote and gelee made with Vieux Xeres and a glass of Vin Doux Naturel de Gascogne wine. The entrée was turkey stuffed with chestnuts from
Ardeche or Dinde Farcie Aux Chataignes d’Ardeche. We stuffed ourselves and after dinner the dancing partay started and did not stop. Of course I had to dance. Some were still dancing when we left. A truly great time had by all.
f the eastern Panama Province and the Darien. The Naso group inhabit mainland Bocas del Toro, the other two groups are the Bokota who inhabit Bocas del Toro Province and the Bribri, who are found both in Costa Rica and in Panama along the Talamanca reserve. Well that’s my lesson for the day.Back to celebrating, we attended an Art Gallery opening where we met up with friends and met new people as well. Then proceeded to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, the food we ordered was extremely awful. The worst we have had in Panama. We won’t be going back there again.
On Christmas Eve we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Boquete it is Art Café La Crepe, it is French owned by Jean Marie and his wife Danielle. The menu was a traditional French Xmas Eve feast. Jean Marie and Danielle brought back some wonderful goodies from their trip to France in October. The dinner party was by invitation only. Our evening started with a glass of Champagne followed by the most delicious Duck Fois Gras (from France) served with a pear compote and gelee made with Vieux Xeres and a glass of Vin Doux Naturel de Gascogne wine. The entrée was turkey stuffed with chestnuts from
Ardeche or Dinde Farcie Aux Chataignes d’Ardeche. We stuffed ourselves and after dinner the dancing partay started and did not stop. Of course I had to dance. Some were still dancing when we left. A truly great time had by all. Here are picture's of Chef Jean Marie, his restaurant, and friends dancing the night away!
No comments:
Post a Comment