|
by Mary Austin Crofts
One of the great joys of my life is discovering and watching the many beautiful birds in this world of ours, so we were very excited to spend some time in and around the Bocas area to discover some of the unusual and beautiful birds of Panama.
You may not realize that Panama has over 900 recorded bird species, and 122 occur only as long-distance migrants. We are still learning about the birds around the archipelago and are happy to share them with you as we continue to explore and discover new species that either live or migrate here.
We arrived last August and many birds were migrating through the area. We live near Bluff Beach and were able to add over 50 birds to our life list.
Among the residents here are the Red-Lored Amazon, whose noisy and religious flights every day to their feeding grounds always give us a reason to smile. There are also regular sightings of Blue-headed parrots, Olive-throated parakeets and an occasional Keel-billed Toucan. We are told the Toucans are a rare find and that perhaps they are coming back to the area after being noticeably absent for a few years.
Also among the regulars here are the spectacular Montezuma Oropendola, the Golden-hooded tanager and the Lineated Woodpecker. Of course, we love to see the snowy egrets every day whose perfectly white images seem almost magical as they fly together to feeding grounds each day and home again each evening.
And, who can miss the beautiful groups of Brown Pelicans flying in with perfect precision, their graceful synchronized flights taking them scaling just inches above the waves. Living near the sea also allows us to see the great Osprey and Ringed and Green Kingfishers diving and fishing every day.
The most common Hummingbird where we live is the Black-throated Mango who raises their babies very close to our windows.
One of our favorite birds is the Brown Booby, found on Swan Cay. We caught them nesting and raising their babies in mid March. Also on Swan Cay, you can enjoy the Red-billed Tropicbird with its graceful long central tail feathers often extending 1-2 feet in length. These Tropicbirds are not reported anywhere else on the Caribbean coast.
Our next adventure is a move to Solarte for a few months and we are excited to discover the birds on this beautiful island. We’ll let you know what we find!
"DOVE"
"OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET"
*** EDITOR'S MESSAGE
It's been rewarding to see all of the support for the Bocas Breeze. Your words of encouragement mean more than I can ever say! Thanks again to all of you who contribute articles, photos, time or money and help make the Bocas Breeze a success! Please keep sending your contributions. I'm only sorry the newspaper had to be smaller this month because it was so difficult to only be able to choose a few and leave the rest for future months.
Yes, it's "slow season" right now for tourists, so then why not catch the eye of those who do visit. But keep in mind that when it comes to people moving to Bocas, there is no slow season! Can you afford not to let your business be seen on a regular basis? Several people stated they decided to come to Bocas only after reading the Bocas Breeze. Let's give them more reasons to come! I've said enough, so now you can hear it from a reader.
Have a peaceful and prosperous month!
Melody Burt
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
My name is Scott McAda and my wife is Belinda. We just wanted to let you know that we enjoy reading the Bocas Breeze and I hope you keep up the good work. I plan to use both of the shipping companies that I learned about in your paper (Mantaraya and Edgar Wong). This email is coming to you from the Bravo Center and plan to use them to get broadband at our house here on Isla Colon. Shortly, I am going to call the insurance company in David that advertises with you to get coverage for our house and we plan to check out Big Bamboo today.....ALL as a result of us seeing their advertising in the Bocas Breeze. Being relatively new to Bocas, we appreciate the advertising in your paper as much or more than the articles.
MANGO MADNESS
by Lois Kennedy
This is the year of the Lion, the year that all trees are supposed bear fantastic quantities of fruit. I had no idea what that meant until the mango season started. Our trees are loaded with mangos hanging like bunches of grapes. They were slow to ripen but now its mango time! In the past, we waited for the thump and we would run out to get the mango before the land crabs. This year it has been thump, thump, thump, and thump. We have been harvesting over a bushel of mangos every morning. The yard is soft and sandy and is getting dimpled from the mangos dropping from the trees. Anybody we see gets a bag of mangos; the natives now hurry across the front so they do not have to take any more.
Ray has been peeling at least 1-2 gallons daily for the freezer, which is now totally full. We eat mangos, mango pie, mango pudding, mango topping on our ice cream, mango smoothies mixed with papaya, milk, and yogurt or ice cream; and the most wonderful mango chutney for pescado, puerco, and pollo. We are still wall to wall mangos.
Mango chutney, a most wonderful use of mangos, is fantastic on fish, pork, or chicken. All cuts are about ¼ to ½ inch thick – boneless chicken needs to be pounded out to this thickness. All that is required is to sauté the meat slightly, and then bake for about 20 minutes covered with the chutney. There are about as many recipes for chutney as there are cooks. I’m also sure no one ever makes their chutney the same way twice. Here’s my recipe for Caribbean Mango Chutney:
4 cups of peeled chopped fresh mangos, not over ripe
3 TBS veg. oil
1 TSP chili flakes
2 cups of diced onions
¼ cup on minced fresh ginger root
¼ cup fresh diced red bell peppers
8 oz pineapple juice
4 oz cider vinegar
½ cup of brown sugar
1 to 1 ½ TBS curry
Salt and pepper to taste
¾ cup raisins
½ cup chopped toasted almonds
Pinch of cinnamon
Peel and chop the mangos roughly. Sauté the chili red flakes in oil without burning them. Add onion and sauté until transparent and soft. Add chopped ginger root and bell pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Add mangos and cook for one minute longer.
In a separate pan, combine pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and curry powder. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Add liquid, raisins, cinnamon, and nuts to mango mixture and bring to a bare simmer. Cook for 30 minutes. We use yellow curry, but red can be used as well. Makes about a quart and a half. The chutney is very spicy to the taste; however, after cooking with the meat, it is passive with an exotic flavor. If you have any questions, my number is 757-9763.
***
***
"Wahoo! What a catch!"
From the April Fish Tourney
"Hot Afternoon in Bocas"
*** In the Quest of Marine Life at the Smithsonian
by Lidia Valencia and Lucia Lasso
 Fourteen kids from Carenero elementary school came to the Smithsonian Bocas Research Station on Friday, April 29th. During the two-hour visit, the children participated in a hands-on learning experience about marine life in Bocas del Toro. They entered in contact with the scientific process, observing and touching living animals. The kids asked lots of interesting questions, played games and had lots of fun, enjoying a beautiful new experience outside their island. Now, they know more about coral reefs and how to protect them. All this was possible thanks to support from the teacher and the Carenero community.
We are always welcoming school groups of all ages to participate in the Smithsonian Educational Program. If you are interested in bringing a group, please contact us at the Smithsonian, 757-9794 or gonzalesu@si.edu. These visits are free of charge.
*** UPDATE ON R.O.P PROPERTIES IN BOCAS:
Recently, a group of property owners in the Bocas area had a meeting with a representative from CATASTRO, Dr. Rodriguez, to get the facts and dispel rumors regarding R.O.P. properties. He asked this group to share the following information with the foreign community.
The current staff at CATASTRO are of the opinion that the last two or three governments all of which were issuing, through the Reforma Agraria, certifications of transfers of possession rights should not have done that because the "development plan" required by Article 286 of the Constitution regarding "conveyances" of ownership of land on islands was not adopted by the Legislature. In other words, predecessors affirmed your possession rights, but they shouldn't have. As of right now, the only "legal" ownership of land is that held by title, which was registered in the public registry as of 1941 (and subsequent reconveyances of same).
HOWEVER: They also told the group that because buyers relied on the prior government's actions, the current government will not apply its current legal position - which is that the certifications were all illegally issued - to deprive any good faith holders of ROP of their land. Anyone who was not a party to a fraudulent transaction will have their rights respected.
As to how we will eventually be permitted to legalize possession of property obtained via a ROP conveyance: The government is working on a "development plan" that will meet the requirements of Article 286, along with a general review and reworking of the Panamanian land laws. This "project" will be extensive and may take some time.
In the meantime, the government is conducting a survey of land ownership and occupation in the Bocas Islands to determine how and where people are living and on what basis they claim the right to be there. (And as it was pointed out to them, when they do that, they will learn that a large percentage of the locals also live on ROP, not just foreign investors and retirees.) All ROP land holders should be prepared to show their documents to inspectors.
According to the analysis of Manoj Chatlani, Attorney at law with Panama Offshore Legal Services, it is important that the person occupy and maintain the land, and that there should be no opposition by third parties. Acting in good faith is critical.
For more information contact POLS at 507-236-8303.
Recently I had a center console installed on my new boat. I was driving the boat to my property with an Indian worker and he kept staring at and touching the steering wheel, obviously never having seen one before. Knowing he was a boatman and being familiar with the local waters, I asked him if he wanted to drive. Eyes wide open, you’d have thought I’d just handed a teenager a set of keys to a Porsche Carrera!
Gripping the wheel, we made several practice “S” turns, then off we went as he was yelling good things (I think) in his native tongue. The really wild part was that I had to let him drive back and forth three times along the Bocas waterfront so he could show off to all his friends!
I just kept grinning and wondering what people in my hometown of Tampa, Florida were doing in rush-hour traffic……………
A National Geographic Moment, or A Big Wake-Up Call
by someone who cares
Yesterday we decided to have a sleepover and each of our girls could invite one guest. The older one phoned her friend and it was a done deal.
My younger daughter asked me to walk to her friend’s house to ask her parents for permission. Her friend had been to our house many times and she seemed to be a bright and happy child. I suggested we take a taxi, and my daughter laughed, saying, “Mommy, we can’t take a taxi there.” And I soon found out why.
We walked, and we walked, and we walked. Down a dirt road, through the bush, along trails to another path. Along the way I told my daughter to please ask that her friend remember to bring her toothbrush. She said, “Mom, she doesn’t have a toothbrush. They’re poor.” Stupidly I said, “Then be sure she brings her pajamas.” At this point my daughter stopped me and said, “Mom, they don’t have pajamas. They sleep in their everyday clothes.” I thought my heart would fall out of my chest. Arrangements have been made for our Saturday dentist, Dr. Wong (who I highly recommend), to donate 50 toothbrushes and toothpaste. I have extra fabric that I will sew into clothes. Please look through your closets to find shoes and clothing of any size, or buy a few personal care items. The Bocas Breeze newspaper has graciously agreed to accept these donations and I will deliver them to this village in need.
And don’t ask. It’s private.
Message from the Mouth of the Bull – Part II
by Butch del Bocas
Sorry everyone! The conclusion to this story will be in the August issue due to space constraints. So until then, hold onto your seat!
My boss was complaining in a meeting the other day that he wasn't getting any respect. Right after lunch, he came back and taped a sign that read, "I am the Boss" to his office door. Later he saw a note taped to the sign that said, "Your wife called. She wants her sign back!"
***
Ngobe Artisanry Market
by Corrin Skubin The Ngobe are the largest indigenous group in Panama. For generations they have lived as sub-sistence farmers in the provinces of Veraguas, Chiriqui, and Bocas del Toro. Nakwa, the tradi-tional dress of Ngobe women, is generally brightly colored and decorated with a pattern of triangles and lines. These patterns represent the mountainous terrain and abundant rivers of Panama’s western regions. The chácara is a traditional bag made from the fibers of the kiga plant. It is used for a variety of purposes including carrying personal items, produce, and even babies. Plant dyes are used to weave abstract designs with nature motifs.
 In 2003, women’s artisanry groups from 14 differ-ent Ngobe communities, joined together to form the Association of United Ngobe Artisans, which work together to promote and preserve Ngobe artisanry and culture. In the past year, the Association has worked to create a centrally located and accessible Artisanry Market in the province of Bocas del Toro. The purpose of the market is to provide a place for women to sell their products as one of the few ways Ngobe women can financially contribute to their families. As well as providing a source income to participating families, a portion of the proceeds of every sale is committed to artisan training seminars to continually improve the quality and variety of products. In addition to the traditional nakwa and chácara designs, the market offers accessories such as belts and hats woven from the kiga plant, and modern styled clothing with Ngobe designs. The Association of United Ngobe Artisans invites you to come visit their new market in Silico Creek, km 25 between Almirante and Chiriqui Grande – look for our signs! We hope to have your support and look forward to seeing you.
For further information please contact Peace Corps Volunteers Corrin Skubin at 6624-2354 or Ann Sawner at 6576-1254.
***
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shakespeare Reading Circle
See Mathilda at Starfish Coffee
or call Richard at 6588-5377
Photo Exhibition at IPAT
Bocas wildlife photos by Terry Hit
Backgammon Club
Call Chris at 757-9885 for more information.
Texas Hold ‘Em ALL IN $$$
Hotel La Rumba every Weds. 8:00 pm. 757-9961
***
NEW BUSINESSES/CHANGES Bocas Sailing Adventures - Now next to Starfish Coffee
Scarlett Hotel – Newly remodeled 757-9290
The Internet Hallway – located in the San Cristobal Business Ctr. 757-9660
The Workout Studio – Opening soon in Spa Flora Bella, call 6675-6605
|
