This is "DripDry" the old fashion way!!

Here is the flash photo everyone has been waiting for. I GOT THE MOTORCYCLE BACK! After afew shakedown cruises, it runs like a dream. And after all we have been through, it seems like a dream, too. The console instruments have been replaced. There is a new, better horn and new rearview mirrors. The windshield is still missing. (I have a replacement waiting in CRica.) As is the rear luggage rack. That's OK because I now travel with much less.

If you want chicken dinner, first you catch the chicken, pluck it and then cook it! I only posed with this hen! Marlenis did the rest.
Rice is somehow "sorted." I never got the skill to know what to glean out. Probably a good thing because the men sit around and talk while the girls glean the rice. (I haven't used the word "glean" since Bible School.)

Umbrellas are common here, but not for the rain. Both young and old use them for solar protection. Sunglasses are rare and men rarely use the "sombrilla." I have never had folks refuse to stand for a photo. Usually they are flattered!

Internet cafes charge fifty cents an hour, up to 75. They are in every town because folks don`t have the money to buy their own computers. And why? with so many cafe`s around. After school, the places are jammed with kids doing email, playing computer games and surfing.

"VOTE EARLY AND VOTE TWICE" Faustino isn`t holding anything back in this Panamanian legislative election.

Who is this candidate´s political advisor? Vote for PORKY?

America hasn´t had a fat president since Taft. He (Taft) was told never have his photograph taken horseback because people loved horses! All of Taft´s suits were grey. When asked about the color, Taft said, "Well, God made elephants grey!"

President McKinley also died from excess body fat. Yes, he was shot at the World Fair, but the surgeons couldn`t find the bullet (x-ray machines were not yet used by doctors and one was even being demonstrated less that 50 yards away). The infection from the bullet killed McKinley in about ten days.) Then T Roosevelt became president, got the Panama Canal started and now -here I am looking at that Canal!

This is the surf beach known as "Santa Catalina." Just a quarter of a mile away is a world famous beach for surfing. I rented a board (la tabla de surf) and immediately the surf went away. You can see how smooth the ocean water is. Even so, it was pleasant to roll in the surf with the warm sun and easy waves. The same thing happen the next day-no surf. I was content to view the surf photos in the dive center.

This fellow is a common site in CAmerica when out of the city. Both adults and children ride. Only in Nicaragua did I see horses pulling carts. It is a grand site to see folks riding at a gallop along the road!

I have no idea of the idea here. This is not my work only because I didn´t think of it first!

This is our beach gang at Santa Catalina. Everyday the girls would act as if the beach was a totally new experience in their lives and relish every wave.

This is Marlenis´s home in Santiago. Two bedrooms and two baths. Fully wired and with propane for cooking. We guessed that the full selling price might be $50,000. The road is paved and everyone says "buenas" when passing. There are 8 chickens in the backyard for eggs.

My hostess. By inviting me home, she proved that there are still amazing things happening in this world and no man should feel without hope. Thank you Jesus!!

This is the six year old daughter. She has an eight year old sister. Two good personalities

Here is the six year old cousin. His face says it all. Name is Joel. We went swimming the the local river, what great fun. The place looked like a scene of boys swimming in the Missippi from a Mark Twain story. Jumping from the bank or swinging over the water on an old rope -- all good with no worries!

If you want the best food in Panama, visit the best people right in their own kitchens. She is fixing us lunch without being asked.

Here´s another meal not in the Diners Guide Book but made with love. The range is propane AND there is a microwave oven next to it. I only saw it used when I wanted my coffee made hot. It usually comes only warm because of the large dose of milk. Unlke the Europeans who serve coffee in little cups, the CAmericans serve the coffee in American style mugs!!


Another entry in the "10 Best Cooks in Latin America." No tour company can book you into these places. "By Inviation Only!"

Some gratitude goes a long way in every country.

This is right off a set at Warner Brothers Studios. A bandana is rolled into a circular pad and placed on the top of the head as both a cushion and as an aid to balance.

This is the real public market in western Guatamala. I was the only white guy in the entire place of thousands of shoppers and vendors. No tourists around there. And your MasterCard is usless.

A religious parade in Guatamala. There is a "saint" inside the van. These are indigenous Christians moving alongside the highway.

This is the arcade in Antigua-Guatamala. note that I'm wearing a light jacket. It's a tiny bit chilly in the morning and one does need the nightly fire in the sleeping room.

Nooo, this is not the singles club in Antigua. It is a huge souvenier mart. I could not find one mask for G Bush or B Obama.

Obama is popular in these parts, partly because of his race and partly because G Bush has gotten so much bad publicity.

Everyone seems to like America (why not?) and is friendly and considerate of me, an AMERICAN. I believe that it is not productive to complain about one´s native land when abroad. I always speak of the many good things about America and all agree with me. Then I buy another round of beer!! (A great convincer!!!)

Here I am in Antigua- Guatamala, the colonial capital of central America. Night photography is difficult, this is the best I could get so I'm sharing.

Around 7 pm a host comes to the room and builds a fire! Otherwise there is no heating (but there is A/C), more wood is avaliable if requested: The room rent was around $50 for an excellent place.

The biggest motorcycle in town was a 250 cc. Latins put that engine on a big frame and one thinks he has a "hog." 250 is a good selection for the city streets and the bike's weight.

No matter how much I pay for a flute, I can't play it! That is the problem with musical instruments. My oldest daughter gives music lesson so I know it is not in the genes.

Last night was one of those nights which no travel agency can schedule. I was half-way between Panama City and somewhere, in a no-name bar, in a no-name village. I daaanceed myyyy assssh offff!! I was constanly pulled to the dance floor. My only breaks were going to the bano. I got downright funky ! The more I drank, the better my Spanish got, the better my dancing got and the better looky my partners got! (Ever see a sentence so well constructed with three "gots?" My high school composition teacher is spinning in her grave! She hated the word "got." She taught us that it was an embarrassment to the English language. I must have been sick that day.) Afterwards, my group of five walked the mile back home. My face hurt from so much grinning!
The great thing was the fact that I had about 30 years on everyone except my date´s mother. (She is old.) To all of you eating potato chips and watching your big screen, digital TV's with the curtains pulled shut, Eat your hearts out!

At Rio Dulche, another day in paradise. This is sunrise across the lake.

Just another "damn bar" in paradise. I fit right in, don't I?

The kid's pool.

I will need a haircut soon. Nahhh, its Guatamala. Another topic, I do need a trim.

While staying on the Island of flowers in Guatamala, we decided to take a boat cruise around the place.

This is my idea of a great Spanish that any student can tell his parents to send more money for the "spanish school."

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The ferry is moved across the river with a hand crank powered by the operator.

If you look closely, the jungle cats spots, ocelot, are barely visible. they sleep during the day and hunt in the evening and early morning.

Termites maked their homes in trees. To escape mosquitos, use the smoke from the termite house. Of course, take it out of the tree first!
Next photo. I always check out the water for crocks. It facinates me how much they look like debris. While focusing on the one in the water, I missed the closer one in the next photo. Another good scare, which makes me smile now that i am with a beer and the keyboard.

This is an example of white folks getting their first day of sun, which, of course, spoils the entire trip for them. Maybe that explains the crowded state of all the bars and clubs.

Next photo, Im having trouble with this program, can't get the text to align today. Fey found a real live starfish in the bay. I thought they only existed in marina and in plastic.

The local motto is "Belize, go slow." This is the rush hour on the island of Caye Caulk.

Next photo: beach view from the water side of the Caye. I had waded out about 50 feet, up to my navel, forgot about the wallet, to take this photo. Water was very agreeable, no crouch crisis when I went deep.

Next photo. Only small kids allowed

I'm not sure of the meaning here. It must have a ethinic meaning, nothing like it in Reno.














The water was warm and clear. This was just one of the places we swam at.








The boat ride to the beach was on a fast boat, traveling at 30 plus knots for 21 miles. I saw no life jackets so I asked for three. The crewmember was very obliging. He got a key from the captain and unlocked the cabinet and gave them to me. Then he locked the cabinet back up with all the other jackets safe inside. I checked with another crew and we had been in Coast Guard violation. Next photo, we swam in many places. Next photo, Giselle sitting in the stern of the outbound voyage.