[Leslie]

Hi all, if you recall we decided to switch from Panama to Colombia back in May. The switch was made and we are waiting. Whether from New Mexico to Agentina or Chile, we were set on Latin America not a specific country and went with stability at this point. However! We did take the family vacation to Panama from July 22 to Aug. 4. What a beautiful country! It was one the best vacations we have ever been on. We were in Panama City(of course the canal was amazing), Bocas del Toro(very cultural with lost of international people running businesses) and took a long (but extremely beautiful) bus ride to David and immediatly on to Boquete (my personal favorite). Then back to Panama City. We toured the Embera indians in their native village. The seafood was wonderful and the people are not only beautiful but very friendly and helpful. It was humid, but never as hot and humid and Mexico this time of year. Bocas was expensive at times (Starfleet Scuba is a great place to scuba dive, we got certified!), but Boquete was very reasonable. If anyone wants a wonderful, wonderful place to stay in Panama City I have only great things to say about La Estancia and Panoramic Panama (tour company) and the owners Gustavo and Tammy Liu. If anyone wants any general travel info. or info. about Panoramic Panama please let me know, I highly recommend them and they were surprised to hear adoptions had slowed down, I believe some agency has recommended them in the past. They can arrange everything for you in Panama, even if you stay somewhere other than their bed & Breakfast which also has two private apartments in a lovely quiet part of town. My heart is still with all of you and the children of Panama. I wish you the best of luck in a truly beautiful country! Leslie