Parties in the Pool

I learn so much from my days in Mama Rutí's pool, it's where all the action is.


About a month ago there was a kiddie birthday party in the pool and it was sooooo cute! They had a pinata!!! This was before I had Costa Rica plans for my birthday and I thought to myself I'd celebrate my birthday with a pinata.Well, my birthday's well over but I'm still thinking I'll get one for the craic before I go!

The pinata

Another week there was a wedding in 'la finca' (the soccer pitch) behind the pool in the evening. It was so sweet and understated. It felt pretty casual, and pretty idyllic, with a pool party after? Hell Yea...I don't actually know if they had a pool party after but I'm hoping they did!

My creeping snaps, sorry they're blurry!

Getting the place set up for the night

Another Saturday I went to the pool it was the local fish factory's work party. Well this was hilarious! I wasn't hassled all day until they were wrapping things up around five when this guy (drunk) and his wife perched themselves beside me on the lounger and started having the chats. Then it came to medal presentations for their soccer league and low and behold I was called upon to present the medals to the winners. The guy in charge would pass me the medal and I'd give it to the winner and shake their hand, it was hilarious- and mortifying! After that was over I decided I could walk home instead of getting my usual lift with Mamma Rutí, there was no point making a spectacle of myself any longer!


A few weeks later I went to the pool on a weekday. Usually its really quiet during the week, with one elderly man and his coach and then a few odd people. This morning was very different.

I was in the pool about half an hour when a soccer team arrived. Grand. They left me alone. Grand. But not for long....

One of the players was I guy I met at the fish factory party and so he came over and said hello. Grand. Then he wanted to introduce me to his managers (or so I thought), instead I was introduced to, and shook hands with, 30-odd players and their managers as they sat in a giant circle in the restaurant area of the pool. I couldn't escape! I had the usual chats I have here (why I'm here, the colour of my skin, what I think of Panama and Panamanians), and had lunch and a few beers with them, they were actually very nice! They found it hard to believe that there are people whiter than me in Ireland (and I thought I was tanned, so sad)!

Apparently you're not supposed to mix watermelon and beer though, so I only had the one (They were all drinking Panama Light, my fave) since I'd eaten a massive chunk of watermelon earlier! They left around 3pm, inviting me to join them at some wedding party they were going to but I politely declined!

These are just a few days at the pool, the funniest days, another funny day was after we arrived when I was my whitest and these little boys and girls were all curious about me, calling me 'gringa' (only the boys, the girls learned my name) and we played tig in the water.

Finally, I've been asked for my photo in the pool with kids on more than a few occasions too... I would hate to be famous! It really is gas though.

So that's it, feeling very popular by the poolside! :D

Panama Pool Poaching

Crystal clear pool, nom.

So a few weeks ago I went what's called 'Pool Poaching', or what I prefer to call 'Pool Crashing'.

I'd read about it on this guys blog where he gave instructions on exactly where the pool is in a few different hotels in the city and what to expect. He's since gone to even more pools that he gives the down-low on here. How convenient! I'll have to go for round two myself soon!

It was a great day's adventure!

I chose the Hard Rock Hotel pool since it boasted three jacuzzis with actual hot water in them (which is apparently rare in Panama).

Once in the lobby of the hotel I was up the elevator to AS2 where I strolled out onto the pool deck, casual as. I'd the bikini on underneath my dress and had my 'fancy bag' with me to look the part. I picked a free lounger and hopped into the pool straight away.

The place was pretty quiet and after a while I hopped into one of the free jacuzzis. It wasn't long before I had company. I had great chats with a Guatemalan guy (he must be minted was all I was thinking) who'd come for a bachelor's party. He introduced me to his friends and 'the Irish'- yep, one of his Guatemalan friends was GINGER! Couldn't believe it!

Better yet, I didn't have to worry about making up a room number as he foot the bill for my first Corona (yay). I let him in on my secret.  We had the chats with the lifeguard too, who was actually from La Chorrera (he didn't mind my crashing) so we'd loads to talk about!

The Guatemalan Bachelor's Party was headed to Casco Viejo for lunch and invited me but there was no way I was leaving the pool, it was so fancy!

The story's only beginning! 

The #nomakeupselfie timing was impeccable!

There was a group of people sitting where I'd left my bag, but when I went to move it they absolutely would not have me ousted from my place. This bunch was from the States and were gas craic. They looked about 30...but were actually all in their forties (why are they always so old?)...anyway, they were absolute gym boys, waxed chests and all and full of conversation. They were with two girls too that they'd picked up along the way! I had great guy conversation and watched as they took turns to chat up women by the poolside, it was great fun! I learned a few bits about the States too...Apparently the new norm for first dates in the States now is way beyond the casual kiss on the lips. And as for waxing chests? Total social norm too...yikes!

With these boys I had my first Corona Chilada (or Enchilada- at least that's what it sounds like), which is DEEELISH! It's a salt rimmed glass with lime soda that you add your Corona to, LOVE IT!

We were having the chats on the loungers when an employee came by and replaced the pool towel I was lying on for a fresh one, I definitely shouldn't have bothered bringing my own!

I felt like a Spanish pro as I made dinner reservations for the State-side boys. While some of the boys went souvenir shopping before they left I checked out their suite and had my first HOT SHOWER in two months...! I did not want to leave!

I don't think I've even been so excited about hot water!

Serious power shower!!!

I went to Arturo's hostel for the evening and had the craic arsing around on the skateboard, trying and failing to make any progress! Then at like half eleven I went back to the Hard Rock to check out the rooftop disco-bar with the State-side boys and two really nice Canadian girls they'd found in the mean time, they meant business! Anyway, the view from the bar was amazing!

The view from the roof-top bar

It was so different to my usual nights out here though, it was so European, there was no ass-dancing, was a bit stuffy and the crowd a bit old and the girls were all in heels!
I thought I'd leave at a respectable hour but on my way out I bumped into the Guatemalan fellas - the ass dancing crew, so much more fun! At this stage it was too late to get the bus back to La Chorrera so we stayed dancing and having the craic til half three...then I got a very 'interesting' taxi to the bus terminal and got back home before the sun rise- just about!

All in all, for a solo-adventure it wasn't half bad!

All lit up 

Sweet Sixteen...Fifteen...What?

Sweet Sixteen...Fifteen...What?

Here in Panama, for some unknown reason (I've asked everyone) they celebrate fifteenth birthdays. It's their 'Super Sweet Sixteen'.

In the states you can drive a car, here girls get a ring for their fifteenth birthday.
And it's only for girls!

This weekend I was invited to my first fifteenth birthday party. EXCITED!

Alejandra, one of the girls I teach English to, turned 15 on Sunday and so the party was Saturday night. I was intrigued, this was an offer I couldn't refuse!

Friday before the party I got the best invite ever, hand delivered from across the road with a 'plus one' for my 'compañea' (Siobhan).

She likes to surf too :) 

Saturday night came and we got a lift to the restaurant with Alejandra's family. We were told that usually families can spend $2,000 on the 15th Birthday but they were keeping it small- a few close friends and the mother's side of the family (still about 40 people were there I think).

We arrived to Don Luis restaurant and chat with Ajejandra's friends and family. Before there was any sign of food there were a billion speeches- her sister, mother, father and Goddparents all spoke and her cousin sung her a song that I think she'd written herself. It was so cute! They even had a video of pictures from Alejandra's first birthday til now! I was particularly delighted too- I got a special mention in the mammy's speech! I had to stand up so everyone could see me as I was welcomed to Panama and to the del Carmen family. I felt so loved!

It felt very formal but they're all such good public speakers!

But when half eight came and there was still  no sign of food - apart from cheetos (they all eat cheetos here)- I was beginning to think maybe I'd got it wrong and there was no dinner at all...and Shivs and I were huuuungrrrry!

Food arrived when the speeches were finished though. Yay! This being one of the few meals I've had out now, I'm pretty sure people don't come to Panama for the cuisine. It's just a little boring. Don't get me wrong, the birthday dinner was tasty but it just wasn't anything special.

Birthday Dins  

Dessert was some sort of cake too, not that exciting either...
But we did get some Birthday champagne so that was fancy!  


And the party afterwards was so fun, I just wished I hadn't worn a dress so I could join in the action!
The boys and girls played Twister and played with hoola hoops (I could do that, attempt that) and played Just Dance (I chose not to do that). It was gas though, there's no way I could picture 15 year old girls and boys in Ireland playing like together that, they'd be too cool!

They don't play it like we play it either!

We stayed til after ten, when the crowed dwindled, hoping they'd cut the AMAZING cake, but no such luck!

How incredible is this? 

Buuuut when I arrived to give my English class Monday she had two slices of cake wrapped up for me to take home, deeeelighted! It was yummy! The filling was like a toffee flavour and the icing was crackly, how I don't know, but since sweet things are few and far between here Shivs and I made sure to enjoy it!

And finally, Alejandra gave me one of the little figurine decorations her auntie made her as a keepsake, it's adorable, I'll just have to make sure I wrap it up well for coming home!

My keepsake :) 

I think I should get myself an 'I love Panama' t-shirt before I leave!

Alejandra, the sweet fifteener :)

Some family and friends :) 

Cake time! Yum yum yum!

'CrossFit' Craic

 

So I joined the CrossFit White Lion place and LOVE IT!

And it's less than a five minute walk away so no excuse!

It's become my routine every evening now and helps to keep me motivated for the day...it also helps me justify the amount of butter bread rolls (Panama style croissants) I've been eating!

The place is great craic and Jhon 'mi maestro' really knows what he's doing! I even get a 'motivational' text every morning reminding me to come that evening and then another message when he arrives in the evening for the work out ahead.

Three a day, so tasty! 

I can honestly say I've never sweat so much in my life. I think you'd be a bit disturbed if you saw the images...the only up side is the tan helps to conceal how red my face gets! Ha!

And I've been dispensing dietetic advice and learning more about what people eat here too! It's great craic!

So it's not just CrossFit as I thought most nights it's circuit training of some description, usually with push ups and squats- I'd say I've done more squats in the past two weeks there than I have all my life!

Love the special effects!

And I'm getting better at boxing too, I have a whole five 'moves' under my belt at this stage! Happy days!

I'm just so rapid...

Or maybe not...

We had a seminar from Jhon's 'hermano'  Jeffry this week from Costa Rica, the 'Original White Lion', and he and his crew were class (I also cannot wait to go to CR, the talent was sublime!). We did lots of Jujitsu which I'd never done and before coming here I always thought it was kind of weird if I'm honest, but it's actually unreal, the moves are fun and fast and even though I have no coordination I managed to get what was going on. I enjoyed it so much that I am seriously considering joining a club when I get home now but saying that just makes me want to stay here :(

These my pro Jujitsu moves...

And I got a certificate too, delighted with myself! 

The photos are gas too, at the start I didn't know what he was doing and I was like 'I didn't sign no consent form!'  But sure they're not too bad! It's the least pretentious 'gym' I've ever been to, you don't need runners and you can join the class any time. What's not to love? ...Apart from the dripping sweat?!

Jhon keeps planning a training day on the beach too and I get all excited...only for it to be cancelled last minute...but luckily before I got here I was warned that plans never materialise in Panama and haven't been too upset but fingers crossed before I leave (sob) there'll be bum squats on the beach :D

Add caption

So sweaty, so attractive. 

Grey t-shirt on the left...mostly sweat.
My top, all blue...all sweat.

Jhon 'mi masetro' is in the blue, second from the right bottom row
and Jeffry 'The Original White Lion' is in the middle in the black <3