A Electrical Power Crises In Panama
Panama had a very dry 'Dry Season' and the 'Wet Season' is late coming. So among
other drought-related problems in agriculture and farming (in some provinces hundreds of cattle have died), the water levels of the two big reservoirs responsible for generating more than 50% of the energy consumed in the country is down to critical levels. And no appreciable rain is forecast for another 10 days.
Last Thursday the President ordered changing the work schedule for government employees, to 7:30 am to 1:30 pm for public offices as an energy saving measure. And the following day directed new measures included the suspension of classes in public and private schools, including elementary and high schools, as well as universities. And the suspension of the use of air conditioners at public and commercial offices, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. was ordered.
Then that evening the government mandated rationing electricity consumption by ordering the closure of all supermarkets, cinemas, bars, pubs, casinos, discos, and nightclubs from Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 pm until 6:00 am. It also ordered all air conditioners to be turned off during the hours of 11:00 am until 3:00 pm for all public and governmental offices, malls, shopping centers, stores, and other activities.
There may be some hope on the horizon. Whoever honored my request for a rain dance - I THANK YOU! By Friday the drought had worsened to where the discussion was about 4-hour nationwide electrical black-outs. But this afternoon here in David it started raining like the dickens (well like it is supposed to during rainy season afternoons). One afternoon doesn't solve the problem and it may not be raining everywhere - but it is a start.
KEEP DOING THAT RAIN DANCE!
Nature in Panama's Guna Yala
The Panama's english-language weekly, "The Visitor" had a fascinating article I want to share:
"One of the most impressive sights in nature is when a huge sea turtle emerges from
the ocean, almost always at night, and crawls up the beach to lay her eggs. These huge creatures appear to be the size of Volkswagens as they work their way beyond the high tide line. As if in a trance, the big females dig a hole and optimistically deposit their eggs. Then they turn around, cover the nest and forge their way back to sea.
About sixty days later, the little leatherbacks crack their shells and burrow out through
the sand. Awakened by the sunrise, these tiny creatures of about six to eight inches long scurry toward the waves and wade into the surf in a cute and inspirational dash for survival.
One of the reasons the fourth annual Sea Turtle Festival is being held from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 19 is so that nature lovers can witness both events in process at one of the most significant nesting grounds on the Caribbean. The big turtles start laying their eggs on the beach near the town of Armila in Guna Yala in late February and continue through May. This means that visitors to the festival have an opportunity to observe the mothers at night and the hatchlings from previous nestings in the morning."
For those of you who are interested this a real 'get down into nature' trip. The festival, organized by the indigenous of Armila, is a four-day, three night even that offers numerous opportunities to have a full ecological and cultural experience among the Guna Indians. Space is limited partly because keeping the festival small is less disruptive to the turtles. And for instance at night, care is taken not to disturb the females with bright lights or camera flashes.
The cost for a full schedule of events and three meals a day is very affordable at $117 (plus airfare to the island from Panama City). In addition to carefully guided tours to the nesting sites, a cultural program includes ceremonies and plays; native dance exhibitions; a typical town meeting; student exhibits and sports competitions; crafts; boat rides including kayaking on the Armila River and visits to beautiful pristine beaches.
This is potentially one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences
World's Best Surfers Battle It Out In Panama
The annual International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games are being held in Santa Catalina (Veraguas province) May 4 thru Sunday, May 12.
Among the Panamanian surfers is Gary Saavedra who holds a Guinness Book of World Records title for riding a static wave along the Panama Canal for three hours and 55 minutes.
Some 150 athletes from 24 countries are competing for the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy as well as individual and team medals. Some 24 countries are represented at this year’s games, include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Panama.
Panama Canal Excavation Unearths Ancient Secrets
The Panama Canal expansion has revealed secrets buried in the ground for millions of
years. Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in collaboration with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), have revolutionized the thinking scientific world with their findings as the earth was opened to make way for larger ships to transit the Canal. Their discoveries include ten new species of fossils, a hypothesis about the tectonic and volcanic events that helped to create the isthmian land bridge between North and South America and how flora and fauna made its continental exchange here.
Dr. Carlos Jaramillo said that one of the most remarkable discoveries was that the Isthmus of Panama was created 10 million years ago (Previously it was thought that Panama rose from the sea some three million years ago). This event changed the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean and by deviating warm currents that were coming from the south towards the East Coast of North America and Europe, the climate was transformed from tropical to temerate. Due to this revelation, the hypotheses about how ice was formed in the Arctic have to be reformulated.
They also estimate that scientist wiil be studying fossils that were uncovered during the excavation for years.
Panama Is A-Buzz
A couple of things have Panamanians all stirred up:
The 'Rock' is in the house! A new TNT television network series called "The Hero"
which features Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson includes some feats filmed here in Panama. The skyscrapers of Panama City and the locks at the canal are the scenes of defying acts carried out by competitors to win a million dollar prize.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’ provides a look at some of the feats, which include sprinting up the pinnacle atop Tower Bank and rescuing the contents of a safe against time as the water level in the Miraflores Locks rises. The series will premier on June 6 on the TNT television network.
Cirque du Soleil comes to Panama! The famous Canadian circus and dance troupe,
Cirque du Soleil, will bring its Orient-inspired "Dralion" production to Panama the end May - Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever appearance on the isthmus. As most of you know, the troupe has become one of the most revered live performance acts in the world.
"Dralion" blends Western and Asian acrobatics in a colorful show of prowess, fusing ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. Showings are on Wednesday, May 22 through Sunday, May 26 with two and three presentations daily.
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
Recent Comments