After the pandemic lockdowns and event cancellations of the past couple of years, it finally feels like things are pretty much back to normal in Panama. Parades are back, musical events are ongoing, and this Christmas season is being celebrated enthusiastically all over Panama!
The first event I attended was a first for me here – a Christmas concert with a symphony orchestra. The young people in the orchestra did a good job, and it was an enjoyable evening spent with new friends.
On Christmas Eve, I had a delicious buffet dinner at El Punto restaurant. Entertainment was provided by my friend Vanessa Ferguson, which you may remember from her performance at the Good Timey Music Revue a couple of years ago.
The atmosphere was very festive and the restaurant was full of good cheer. They gave us all Santa hats and other fun headwear to get us into the Christmas spirit. I went with some good friends, and we had a great time!
Good friends, and a great time!
After dinner, some of our group went to the town plaza to take photos of the Christmas tree and lights. The weather was perfect, and the lights were spectacular – the perfect ending to a perfect evening!
The Christmas tree and some of the many dazzling lights in the town plaza.
On Christmas Day, I attended a potluck party for another friend whose birthday is on Christmas. We had plenty of good food and drink, and there was an uproarious “white elephant” gift exchange. I ended up with what I really wanted – a couple of small, colorful ceramic lizard figurines to go with the larger ceramic gecko I received at last year’s gift exchange at this same party, which was in remembrance of my little “office buddy”, Punkin.
Punkin is on the right, and his two new (as yet unnamed) friends are keeping him company.
All in all, this Christmas season has been most enjoyable, for many reasons. Merry Christmas to all, and I hope yours was a joyful one, too!
