Football Ref, Fishing, Holidays

A few weeks ago, Rob invited Jason and I to spectate at the first Football (American rules) in David. The game was delayed a couple of hours because the first team using the playing field for soccer was late, so everyone after them had to be delayed. Just before the game started, Jason and I were approached to help referee the game. I was reluctant because although I am a fan of the game, I have never officiated ANY sport in my entire life, much less in Spanish with a bunch of big Panamanians in crappy, hand-me-down pads ready to annihilate each other. After some pleading by Rob with his point of "do you think ANY OTHER spectators here would possibly know the rules better and be in a better position to officiate" we finally agreed to do it. Jason knows all of the rules very well, so he was head ref. I was the line ref and was responsible for moving the 10-yard markers as needed, as well as keeping the clock. We didn't have whistles, but instead were armed with Vuvuselas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela) to stop/start plays. These guys were hitting incredibly hard at first and we had to warn each side that we would start calling late hits, helmet to helmet, etc. After the game, I was soaking wet with sweat. Jason and I were invited to a post-game reception to celebrate the first game of the league. We met all of the players and they thanked us for helping. We had a really good time participating, so I am glad I did not refuse to be a referee. I believe we will be called upon to do this again in January.


My friend Bill started talking about fishing a couple of weeks ago, so I asked him more about it. Bill is retired and has been going to the Pacific coast regularly to go shore fishing. I decided it is time to pick up another hobby, especially with real estate being so slow (I am all set up and ready for business, just need the clients). I went to David and bought a rod/reel and some tackle. We went to Puerto Armuelles last week Tuesday (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Armuelles,_Chiriqui). There is a huge wharf there, built in the early 1900's for Banana import/export. We needed to buy bait and tried a few grocery stores in town, but no one had shrimp. I started asking around for "carnada camarones" but no one knew of any for sale. Then, we saw a truck on the side of the road with a big cooler...and it was filled with huge, fresh shrimp. I asked the guy how much for the carnada "bait" and he looked offended saying that the shrimp were fresh off of the boat. He wanted $2.50/lb for some of the fattest, freshest shrimp I had ever seen, and it's too bad I didn't have an extra cooler so I could have taken some home to eat. Anyway, we bought a pound and headed to the wharf. The weather was beautiful with a constant wind. As we approached the pier, we were stopped by some kind of Official who took our IDs/names and told us to be very careful...and not to drink any beer (yeah, right). The platform of the pier was in terrible condition, and in some places there were holes. There were several other fishermen there, but no one seemed to be catching anything. Bill caught a Diabla and a small sting ray towards the end of the day. We were told that in about a month, the fishing gets much better. I had a great time getting away from the grind and seeing a new place here.

Map - yellow line shows way taken.






This structure was most likely used to unload bananas. There was a crane to carry them to a waiting train which carried the bananas the rest of the way to the shore.



Bill giving it his best.