Barrio Lindo and Cobradores

Cute Village is an apt description

My latest water system evaluation took me to Barrio Lindo (pop. 65), which translates as “Cute or Pretty Neighborhood”, which is exactly what it is. The small village is 3 km from Risco, down a muddy road and across the Risco River, with no bridge and then a hike on a path through a cacao plantation. The river is about 100 ft wide and 2 feet deep right now, but that changes in the rainy season, when it can get chest high. With no transportation or electricity, the village is still a scenic and pleasant place, save for the drainage ditches into which flow waste water from the houses.

We may need to build another tank

Their water comes from a beautiful spring and storage tank, which yield a minimum of 14,000 gallons per day. Since 215 gallons is way more water than is needed here ( average daily use is between 30 and 50 gallons per person per day), the village is exploring the possibility of sharing their water with  the nearby village of Barriada Terra on the other side of the river, which has no water system at the moment.

My frequent stops to take photos gave the troops many rest stops

I hope to facilitate the agreement document, construction of the waterline extension and repair of the spring box, which is leaking about 3000 gallons a day. We might also build a second storage tank. In any case I’m delighted that Barriada Terra will soon have a safe, convenient water supply and stop hauling water from the river.

We passed this guy from Lindo carrying 100 lb of
cacao (chocolate) beans. He had to hike the trail,
wade the river and go uphill to get to Risco, where
he''ll sell the bag for about $110

Some Panamanian Holiday History

Like most Latin countries, Panama enjoys a plethora of holidays. I got blindsided by a local holiday today - Founding Day in Almirante (the day the city was incorporated). No small bus service, so had to turn tail and come home.
The rest of the week does not bode well for getting anything done either:
Nov 2-Day of the Dead,
Nov 3-Independence Day from Colombia (aka Separation Day)
Nov 4- Flag Day 
Nov 5 - Colon Day (celebrated on Monday the 6th)
Also coming up :
Nov 10 - Los Santos Day (political, not religious)
Nov 28 - Independence Day from Spain (Fiestas Patrias)

The last two are curious. Los Santos was the uprising that started the War of Independence from Spain. Legend has it that it was started by Rufina Alfaro who was a young woman who lived in a small village near Los Santos. On November 10, 1821 she led a group of Panamanians, shouting “Viva la Libertad” (Long live liberty). People armed with sticks and stones seized Spanish barracks without spilling a single drop of blood. Historians agree that the uprising did occur, but Rufina and her words are not confirmed.
It was a VERY short war, since Spain ceded the area just 18 days later.
What is more confusing is that Panama was not Panama at the time - it was part of Gran Colombia.
Still, THIS is the BIG holiday. Go figure. My theory is that since Panama's independence from Colombia was mostly the doing of the US Army and Navy, it gets swept under the rug.

Since I am currently living in Panama ( a country sensible enough not to engage in the silly charade of Daylight Savings), I have no clocks to change. 
I will now be on the same time as the US Right Coast. At least for a while.

 In all fairness, DST would be truly ridiculous so close to the equator, where the length of day is near constant (11.5 min, 12.5 max).
Here is a very cool interactive site that demonstrates daylight length at various latitudes over the year.
http://astro.unl.edu/.../coord.../daylighthoursexplorer.html

I pass the construction site of the new MONSTER baseball stadium in Changuinola, Panama most every day. With baseball on the decline since the Americans left the Canal Zone, it seems an odd and very expensive project. $6.5 million could build some badly needed sewer or water infrastructure.
But, who am I to question local priorities.

A Tribute to the Cobradores

Most folks think a bus is all about the driver. But, I’m making the case that the lowly “cobradore” (never seen a cobradora) is the heart of the bus operation here. They are the “collectors”, the guys who collect fares. This in itself is a bit of an art form. The lads must remember where each passenger embarked and calculate the appropriate fare. Just before arriving at the ultimate destination, they push their way through a crowded bus, collecting and making change as they go. When presented with a large bill, they must wait until sufficient change is collected.

In addition, they help older or pregnant passengers on and off the bus and stow packages that are too large for a passenger’s lap. They call out the upcoming stops and tell the driver when to stop. At intersections the cobradore fills in the driver’s blind spots and tells him when to accelerate after new passengers are seated.

One the most fascinating of their functions is to signal seat availability when approaching passengers at a stop. They will stick their hand out a window or door and signal a “come hither” motion to indicate empty seats. If all seats are full, they will point two fingers down to indicate standing room only. If full, they just make the “wagging finger” motion.

Many times, these lads are called upon to perform multi-tasking. And they generally to do with aplomb. Rarely do they get a chance to sit - balance is a requisite. So, CHEERS to the Cobradores – the true heroes of the bus system !!