After our presentation for the original Rotary Club of Panama (presentation 5 of 6 in the first 4 days) Doug, Curt and I (Mark) were approached by a man named Henry, an ex-UN employee originally from Sweden. Henry is a younger looking Rotarian, blond hair and tanned skin with a zest for life far more energetic than anyone I have seen in a long time. He begins to explain a project that he is in the beginning stages of starting.
Doug, Curt and I are glued to every word that leaves his mouth. He has large ambitions to create an eco-friend community on a mountain he purchased 20 minutes outside of panama near the village of Vera Cruz, population 30,000. He explains that Panama Pacifica is a new development that is converting a large abandoned US military base that was used during the US control of the canal, creating thousands of residential and commercial units nearby his property; a new and potential strong support for the proposed eco community.
Henry has grand ideas for the project and wants to share more; his enthusiasm for the idea is infectious. We are in Panama for only one more afternoon and are scrambling to fit a visit to the mountain in. “I have a truck and only have room for two more,” Henry says. Sorry Doug, Curt and I have dibs on this one.
Still scrambling to make this work, we head to Victor’s house (Curt’s billet) between appointments so we can swim. Henry calls us; he is waiting outside to take us to the mountain. Tables have turned, sorry Curt, you have to stay and entertain, Doug and I have got this one.
We drive through the street and already we notice the increase in traffic in preparation for carnival in a few days. We cross the ‘Bridge of Americas’ and take a left at the big guitar billboard. We drive through the streets of Vera Cruz, it is the first time Doug and I have seen anything outside of the city limits; much different. Students crowd the streets as they walk home from school, you can tell the demographics in family income are lower for this town. Henry explains that this town does not have a bank machine or a bank. The typical man is paid cash at the end of the week and it is likely that the family will not see or know all the money that was made before it is spent. One of the many things Henry would like to do is install a bank machine in the town to facilitate savings and proper sharing of money to the families. He lives here. He has chosen to live in this very poor community.
We turn on a bumpy road and the truck starts an accent. We reach a gate, henry unlocks it and mentions “the next section is very bumpy, it would be best if you stand in the box of the truck; that would be most comfortable.” Doug opted to stay in the cab as I jump gleefully in the box, standing and holding onto the back rack… this is my kind of travel; fresh air, unobstructed view, sense of adventure.
Now is the real ascent; the road is upwards of 35 degrees I would say and averaging 25 degrees. I am enjoying myself and slowly I see the best view of the Canal, Pacific Ocean and Panama City that exists. The ocean has tens of ships waiting to reach the Canal. As I duck for trees, I look in the window of the truck, Doug is bouncing so high from the bumps he hits his head many times and can’t stay in the seat. We reach the top after 15 minutes of the truck struggling to climb. The glorious view is short lived as we need to get back to the city for a press conference. For the descent, Doug joins me standing in the box without hesitation.
Doug, Curt and I are glued to every word that leaves his mouth. He has large ambitions to create an eco-friend community on a mountain he purchased 20 minutes outside of panama near the village of Vera Cruz, population 30,000. He explains that Panama Pacifica is a new development that is converting a large abandoned US military base that was used during the US control of the canal, creating thousands of residential and commercial units nearby his property; a new and potential strong support for the proposed eco community.
Henry has grand ideas for the project and wants to share more; his enthusiasm for the idea is infectious. We are in Panama for only one more afternoon and are scrambling to fit a visit to the mountain in. “I have a truck and only have room for two more,” Henry says. Sorry Doug, Curt and I have dibs on this one.
Still scrambling to make this work, we head to Victor’s house (Curt’s billet) between appointments so we can swim. Henry calls us; he is waiting outside to take us to the mountain. Tables have turned, sorry Curt, you have to stay and entertain, Doug and I have got this one.
We drive through the street and already we notice the increase in traffic in preparation for carnival in a few days. We cross the ‘Bridge of Americas’ and take a left at the big guitar billboard. We drive through the streets of Vera Cruz, it is the first time Doug and I have seen anything outside of the city limits; much different. Students crowd the streets as they walk home from school, you can tell the demographics in family income are lower for this town. Henry explains that this town does not have a bank machine or a bank. The typical man is paid cash at the end of the week and it is likely that the family will not see or know all the money that was made before it is spent. One of the many things Henry would like to do is install a bank machine in the town to facilitate savings and proper sharing of money to the families. He lives here. He has chosen to live in this very poor community.
We turn on a bumpy road and the truck starts an accent. We reach a gate, henry unlocks it and mentions “the next section is very bumpy, it would be best if you stand in the box of the truck; that would be most comfortable.” Doug opted to stay in the cab as I jump gleefully in the box, standing and holding onto the back rack… this is my kind of travel; fresh air, unobstructed view, sense of adventure.
Now is the real ascent; the road is upwards of 35 degrees I would say and averaging 25 degrees. I am enjoying myself and slowly I see the best view of the Canal, Pacific Ocean and Panama City that exists. The ocean has tens of ships waiting to reach the Canal. As I duck for trees, I look in the window of the truck, Doug is bouncing so high from the bumps he hits his head many times and can’t stay in the seat. We reach the top after 15 minutes of the truck struggling to climb. The glorious view is short lived as we need to get back to the city for a press conference. For the descent, Doug joins me standing in the box without hesitation.
In the car ride back to the city, Doug and I interview Henry and I record a video. I will present the video and the idea as a possible international project for the Rotary Clubs back in Canada. It is an interesting concept and Henry has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Ideas include eco-friendly lifestyles, affordable living, community involvement, an aim for multiple demographics and an international community. Possibly the most driven notion is for this community is to nurture idea sharing and facilitate the spirit of young professionals and their curiosity in living green.
MC
MC
Sounds amazing, can't wait to see the pictures!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy carnivale!
HOPE YOU HAVE HAD A GOOD TRIP TO COSTA RICA YOU WILL NOTICE THE CHANGE OF SCENARIO
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK, ROMEO