In the States, the Cajuns of Louisiana have a term for what we were about to experience.  It’s lagniappe and it means ‘a little something else, perhaps a surprise, that’s thrown into the deal to make it just a little sweeter.’ 

Not unlike a baker’s dozen; that extra cookie to make the experience that much better.

She had transited the Canal and, after a short layover at Rodman, would sail on to the West Coast to pick up her load of trainees. We were early and received permission to go out on the pier and take pictures.  As we approached, the Eagle was indeed impressive.  But, we were about to experience lagniappe!!!

The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center sponsored by “The Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation” was recently inaugurated by President Martín Torrijos. He was accompanied by former U.S. Ambassador Eaton and the foundation’s executives. Eisenmann, an internationally recognized neotropical ornithologist, actively encouraged the study of Panama´s species of birds. The foundation´s goal is to create a living memorial encouraging the continuance of Eisenmann´s work through ecotourism and field education.

         - Saint Basil -

Two of the very pleasant surprises that most foreigners find when they come to Panama is the ready availability of the labor force  and, compared to many places in the Northern Hemisphere, how cheap labor is.   For example, the present minimum wage in Panama is less than a one-fourth of the United States. 

Many expatriates find that a full-time maid, gardener or handyman are quite affordable and take advantage of that fact.  Yet, Panamanian labor law can be confusing. 

Case and point is that the minimum wage laws may vary from job-to-job and area-to-area in Panama.  In a country where much of the ‘payroll’ is done by cash, IF YOU EMPLOY A LOCAL WORKER OF ANY TYPE, WHETHER IN YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS, YOU WOULD BE WISE TO SEEK ADVICE AND COUNSEL.

The craft markets in Panama City show an exuberant display of tightly woven, brightly colored baskets of all sizes, bird masks with bristling plumage and imaginative functional objects woven from dyed raffia. It was not always like this. 

 Twenty-five years ago, scattered among molas, carved soapstone and beadwork, a sparse exhibition of small, crudely woven baskets and plates would have greeted the tourist. Today, family members of the weavers from the Darien attend the booths, assuring more equitable distribution of profits. And, perhaps even more significant, the Wounaan and Embera Indians have set aside their differences to share skills and profits in their efforts to maintain their traditions and to survive in a cash economy. 

A cry went up, “Dolphins!!” and all hands were at the rail catching a glimpse of the sleek creatures playing in our bow wave. The roll of the boat as Panama came into view built a thrill that stood hair on end.  Regretfully, our passage and adventure would soon be over. We were making our way from the Las Perlas archipelago to Panama City, the final passage of our “104” ‘bare boat’ charter course offered by the Panama Sailing School.