Vermontness & Pete's Bday

I've now been in Ludlow Vermont for a month, teaching at Okemo. Joss and Gar arrived a few weeks after Pete and I, making our little international household complete. An Irishman, an Englishman, a Canadian and a lone American all live peacefully under one roof on Pleasant street.

Our street, viewed from our front door.

Enjoying the first snowfall

Pete celebrated his quarter century this year. Living together made it hard, but I managed to muster up a small crowd to surprise him. Inevitably, my Facebook page was open on his computer and he got wind of the event. Fail.

I still caught him off guard with a few unexpected guests and close friends.

Gar and I @ the Outback

Birthday boy.

Carrot cake, his favorite. The crazed face says a lot about the party the night before.

All far from family, we decided to make a traditional turkey dinner for Christmas. Complete with garlic sweet potato mash, yorkshire puddings and far to many desserts, I was stuffed.

Ludlow family gathered around the table.

Joss, carving the turkey.

Today the most wonderful thing happened: we got out first blizzard of the season. A whole 18 inches fell, covering our slopes with beautiful fluffiness and contributing to our bare glade runs. Fingers crossed, the trees will be open soon!

Our street this morning.

Pete shoveling our steps... while I watch :)

Panamanian Adventure

My parents are totally amazing. Knowing that Pete and I were pasty white and in need of some warmth, they took us under their wing and gave us a taste of their new home away from home. We spent a stress free two weeks on the pacific coast of Panama, enjoying good food, spending time with family and exploring local culture.

Panama is an up and coming country, still fairly under the radar in terms of tourism. It's just waiting to explode: new buildings are sprouting up faster than the local population can build itself, the Canal is undergoing a major face-lift and resorts are popping up gradually along the oceanfront.

Though on well its way to success, Panama suffers from a massive dichotomy, not unlike many Central American countries. Minimum wage is 1.80$US and most Panamanians live in concrete, tin roofed homes with no plumbing. That being said, as far as central american countries go, Panama allows for a fairly high quality of life, even for the less fortunate.

The people seem happy and animated, though not so much so towards us "gringos". I get the feeling that there is a good part of resentment towards North Americans in general, owing to the fact that we live like kings in their country. However, take the time to address locals in a broken spanish with as much courage as one can muster, and the attitude seems to soften. They must think we're hilarious, using rudimentary language skills and fumbling at that. I couldn't help but notice the smirks.

For Panamanian children, we were like tourist attractions. Groups of school children would walk up to us, say "hello!", then scurry away giggling. Very cute.

All in all, the place is absolutely gorgeous. Mountains of lush jungle, unique stony and sandy beaches and colorful homes contribute to its charm. I definitely could have done without the massive, obnoxious advertising that seems to jump out at every opportunity, though.

Just on its way out of the rainy season, we got really interesting weather, ranging from short lived tropical storms to blaring sun.

Beach front adventures

Local wood shop, offering mainly teak furniture.

Exploring the mountains

Our attempt at surfing

Panamanian Paradise.

Old Panama City

Jungle escapade in Gamboa

Lazing by the pool

City of Pananome

Woody's Canadian bar, on the beach