Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Another “short update” from my brother Jim’s Central-American road trip (previous posts here, here, and here)—he’s now working his way back north…

“Bonny & Joey (Jim’s wife, my sister-in-law—and her sister, Bob’s wife) arrived in Panama City on Feb. 12th. We’ve explored (and experienced) the Panama Canal. Amazingly interesting!

Spent two days at Bocas Del Toro (islands that were the original headquarters for the Chiquita Banana Company, but are now more touristy). Wild boat ride there and back. A full day boat exploration of the mangrove forests, dolphin watching, snorkeling through the corral reefs (WOW!), crashing through the surf of the Caribbean on an amazing white sand beach reachable only by boat… and then a trek through the jungle, dinner on a stilt platform over the ocean waters, etc. And then the celebrations of CARNIVAL (Mardi Gras–Panamanian Style) during the evenings and into the night.

Then, the world’s most astonishing border crossing bridge (border at Sixtoala Panama, into Costa Rica)—unbelievable in almost every astonishing way. (Ask us about it some time).

Two nights in the highlands of Costa Rica at the town of La Fortuna. Our resort hotel was on the northerly slope of Volcano Arenal, an active volcano that spews lava and steam daily, apparently quite a sight! (Apparently, because it was cloudy and rainy the whole time we were there; never saw a thing). We’re told that it is more likely that the weather is not clear, and that many visitors never see the volcano. Oh well, the crocodile, butterfly, and ant farm that was part of our resort was amazing. The rain forest beauty of the flowers, forest, waterfalls, and steam baths made for an enjoyable time despite the weather.

Today we’re at Playa Hermosa (36C, 97F), a beach on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Tomorrow we head into Nicaragua…”

Panama City, Panama

Well, it seems brother Jim has made it to his intended destination…

“I’m sitting on the 3rd floor balcony of our hotel at the entrance to the Panama Canal, watching ships leaving and arriving from/for their passage through the canal. Beautiful & interesting. It’s been a few days since we’ve reported in. That’s because we’re kind of in recovery mode right now (see my earlier note to Bonny below). We made it to Panama City (our intended destination) and are now waiting for Bonny & Joanne to join us tomorrow. We’ll spend a day exploring the Panama Canal before heading up to the islands of Boca Del Toro for 2 days, then start our trek back through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and finally to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We’ve seen lots, learned lots, eaten great food, met wonderful people and are anticipating some great days yet to come.

(Note from February 9 to “Blondie” below…)

Our 5 hour whitewater rafting trip down the Rio Chiriqui Viejo (it straddles the border between Costa Rica and Panama) was spectacular, but we’re both hurting quite a bit right now. We did a 2-hour van ride from Boquete to the entry point of the river. It was amazing that the howling, beat-up van with grinding gears even got there. Then all the rafts and our gear was transferred to a 4-wheel-drive truck for the steepest part of the road. We all climbed into the back of the truck on top of all the equipment. We then met several local girls with donkeys. The rafts and equipment were loaded on the “burros;” we each carried our helmets, paddles and water bottles. The 25-minute trek down the trail was treacherous in itself—we didn’t know whether the burros could even keep their footing. It was a track that was as narrow as 8 to 10 inches in places, muddy and slippery and steep. Eventually we emerged from the jungle at the river where the rafts had to be inflated and readied for the rapid run. Many of us had slipped and fallen into the muddy path on the hike, so it was good to get to some water to clean up a bit.

We managed to ride the biggest Class IV and Class III rapids successfully. About 3.5 hours (75% of the way) both Bob and I got thrown from the raft (and it happened to us again just a few minutes later) at a big rapid section. Bob hit his hip bone big time, so he’s hurting quite a bit. It’ll take him some recovery days. I banged up my tailbone and knee pretty good, but managed to keep my head above water and safe. It was pretty scary, because you’re being flung down this wild river, over and into big rocks, trying to get back to the raft which is also riding the rapids. It was an amazing ride through deep jungle and on a wild river (22 km in total). Absolutely beautiful, but probably a ride meant for a younger and a somewhat experienced crowd. We were in a raft with a Swedish couple and a Panamanian rafting guide named Freddy. The other raft had a French Canadian couple, a single adventurer from Germany, and an American rafting guide named Micah. Great folks—all of them. Half way down the run, we pulled to the shore and had a picnic meal that was included in the trip.

I lost my wedding ring in the bottom of the river somewhere… lucky it wasn’t the one you bought me a couple of years ago. We’re back at the hotel, drugged up with pain killers, and heading downstairs for a meal. VERY HUNGRY right now. (Sorry, don’t have pics of the rafting trip because there was no way of taking a camera along on the wild ride).”

Photo: “Crazy old guys in the river,” Bob Banman and Jim Peters preparing to board whitewater rafts on the Rio Chiriqui Viejo, Panama.

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

My brother Jim’s latest email update and pics just in…

“We continue to have a great time on our driving trip through Central America. Spent time in Quetzaltanengo, Panajachel and Antigua, all in Guatemala. Awesome. Then headed to Copan ruins in Honduras—what a beautiful place—those Mayans sure were sophisticated in many ways. From Copan, we headed to Tegucigalpa (capital city of Honduras, 1.4 million people) for one night… tonight we’re in San Juan de Sur, a little surfing town at the bottom end of Nicaragua. It was 100F when we got here. Beautiful sunset and ocean breeze this evening. We might stay here one more day, or possibly head into Costa Rica tomorrow… Border crossings continue to be bewildering adventures, but we’ve survived them all (with considerable help of “bribe” money; amazing how that works).”

Winnipeg, Manitoba

If you’re in the vicinity of the city this Friday, 5 February, please join my girlfriend (Evelin Richter) and me at the opening reception of the Manitoba Crafts Council 2010 Members’ Showcase, from 7-10pm, at the Cre8ery Gallery in Winnipeg, 2nd floor, 125 Adelaide (in the Exchange District). Ev will be exhibiting three figurative sculptures alongside 29 other MCC members who will be exhibiting works: PJ Anderson, Aliza Amihude, Jan Ashton, Marilyn Folson, Ursula Neufeld, Louise Gardiner, Michael Astill, Linda Glowacki, Jolanta Sokalska, Natasha Halayda, Kathleen Black, Elise Nadeau, Pat Findlay, LeVerne Tucker, LeeAnne Penner, Carol James, Alison Norberg, Karen Schlichting, Tammy Sutherland, Valerie Metcalfe, Kathryne Koop, Rachael Kroeker, Helen Lyons, Jayne Nixon, Evelin Richter, Lily Rosenberg, Zbigniew Sokalski, Susan Styrchak, Gaetanne Sylvester and Karen Taylor.

The show will run until 16 February (gallery hours are 12-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 6-10pm Monday and Thursday). The opening will offer the chance to meet the showcased artists, with snacks and a cash bar available.

Tapachula, Mexico

My older brother Jim (recently retired from a lifetime teaching career) is on an extended road-trip south to Panama (and back, we’re hoping!) with his brother-in-law Bob Banman. I’ve just received the first travel update by email and am re-posting it here, in Jim’s words, for the benefit of extended family and friends…

“We got stopped by the Mexican army today. They searched through all our stuff, then tried to convince us to sell them Bob’s big GPS. The soldiers sure wanted it, but we managed to leave without selling them the GPS or giving them any money, so that was good.

Tomorrow morning we try to cross the border into Guatemala; then we have only a short drive (140km) to Quetzaltenango.

We’re in Tapachula, Mexico right now. It was 97F here today (36C) and humid. We spent the evening sitting in the city plaza, eating supper and watching the people. They all come to the city plaza for the evening, all dressed up and ready to socialize. Bob and I stand out of the crowd because we’re gringos and so much bigger than everybody else.

Did lots of mountain driving today; good roads in Mexico! Will be in touch again soon…”

Pic is of “Diego and Pako, two little street merchants I paid 5 pesos each to let me take their pictures.”

Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba

Best wishes on this ostentatious day, Jennifer! (Your mother dug up this old photo of you last night while we were talking about your arrival on this planet back in the seventies… you may find it encouraging to know that if the Neurophysiologist gig isn’t working out for you, or becomes boring, you might still have a shot at success being a bunny—the advantage of being both smart and cute).

Smile for the camera…

Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba

Over the past few months, I have enjoyed the occasional opportunity (perhaps once a week), of driving into the city with Ev’s eldest daughter, Jennifer Kornelsen, Ph.D.  I learn a lot from Jen. She’s a researcher in Neurophysiology with Canada’s National Research Council, where she conducts brain-related studies using cutting-edge fMRI technology. This week, she shared with me the Three Things About Science I Learned from Patrick (Patrick Stroman, Ph.D.), Jen’s Ph.D. supervisor (before she headed off for a stint of postdoctoral work at Stanford)… I found these profundities she shared to apply equally well to design—so I thought I’d share them here:

1)  The simplest explanation is the best. (i.e. the most likely, the most accurate, the most truthful)

2)  The data is what it is. (trust it, let it be…)

3)  If you’re nervous and think you’re going to puke, eat something colourful! (at least then it will be Spectacular!)

Thanks Jen. I look forward to gleaning more from you over time…

Winnipeg, Canada

My cousin Tim was laid to rest today…

I hardly knew you, Tim. But I’m very glad I attended your funeral. I learned more about you in an hour than I had known since you married my cousin, Ruth Koop, 36 years ago. I met your two handsome and well-spoken adult sons (for the first time)… and I listened carefully, with tears in my eyes, as one person after another stepped up to the microphone to share their recollections of you.

In case you weren’t listening in, they described you as “one of the most decent people you could ever know,” (that was your boss, by the way); as wise, rational, vital, fair, modest, understated, decent, knowledgeable, ethical, humble, good-natured, energetic, gentle, and loving; and as a brilliant thinker with a quick wit, as someone always on the side of the underdog, as someone perpetually giving and generous with your time, as a lifelong conservationist (choosing walking or cycling over driving, even in our brutal climate), as a peace-maker, as a tireless volunteer and champion of social justice, and as a man of great integrity—and few words.

I really do wish I had known you better, Tim.

Rest in peace…

+

You don’t stop laughing because you grow old.
You grow old because you stop laughing.

(thanks Nicole)

Rural Manitoba, Canada

Here’s a big Happy New Year! to friends far and near… may 2010 bring you peace, good health, and much happiness. Be good to each other, OK?

Also, a hearty Thank You! for your visits to this blog during this past year—over 68,000 unique visits (75% from first time visitors) from 168 countries in 2009—that’s more than three times the traffic in 2008. A very special thanks to all who have contributed ideas and inspiration and have taken the time to contact me directly with your comments, thoughts, and suggestions.

Cheers!