Fête de la Musique 2008 - Panama City

Every June 21st, over one hundred cities spread throughout the globe celebrate the gift of free live music.



Since 1982 and falling on the longest day of the year -the day of the summer solstice- French Embassies, Cultural Centers and Alliances Françaises the world over have put together a musical experience as open and diverse as you can get.

In my little city, music took over the old quarter with representations of many genres. Access for cars to the Casco Antiguo was closed to give way to waves of hurried feet, old feet, skipping feet all going in different directions, all to claim their music. On a deeper level, handing that sense of ownership to everyone who found themselves in the city was the beauty of it. No obstacle course, no artifice, no deception at the end of the road. No freaking VIP sections.

Cienfue playing, raspa'os selling

We took our three kids and naturally set up camp in front of the Rock N' Roll stage at the Teatro Nacional parking lot. We arrived in time to see Carlos Mendez, Cienfue, our good friends Carlos Ivan and Rocío (Son Azul), Maleza with guest star David Levi and the others I didn't get to see most probably because I kept looking down while trying to make sure we remained a party of 5 at all times. Ok, except the last half hour during which I kept looking down so the police officers wouldn't catch me drinking from my 'circumstantially illegal' can of beer.

Our friend David stepping in during Maleza's performance

In nearby venues, people gathered to hear everything from jazz trios to salsa bands, world music performances, Panamanian folkloric music and classical concerts. And people responded. People came and ate and drank and listened to free live music. In the midst of all the bad things happening to this poor country, this sheds a ray of light on all of us. Picks us up and takes us to the surface, at least for the time it lasts and for a short breath of fresh air.

At the end of the night there were tumbling feet, tired feet, drunken feet. Near midnight, after nearly 12 hours of music, everyone was still thirsty for more. And so, with the salsa stage closing the event in one corner, and a dance party hitting it off at the next, the Fête de la Musique came to an end for the second year in Panama. I must say I'm impressed by the seamless organization. If you missed it this year, do count the days till the next.

Lovely concert attendee

More pics here.

Pic of the day

Julia Zevallos Earle - 2 months 6 days

More pics here!

Weekend Activity

This weekend was kinda hectic for me because on top of all of the kids' social, sports and family activities I managed to escape my motherly obligations for about 2 or 3 hours Friday night and go see Cain & guest play at El Pavo. I know, shame on me... but I had a great time! And it was all done for a good cause: my brother and Ivan were singing that night. It actually turned out to be a bit of a sacrifice because I could barely stand the excessive amount of cigarette smoke and loud music. What d'ya know. I AM getting old!

Anyway, on Saturday the music was supposed to continue since we were to attend the inaugural concert for SembrArte, which is basically some local artists contributing with their art to kick up Summit Park. However, the rain had other plans in store for everyone. The concert was cancelled (we learned after having made the half-hour trip plus like 6 hours of getting everyone and everything ready) and we chose to go for a nice stroll instead to check out the murals. At the end of the trail, where the concert was to be held, we found many of our friends whom I hadn't seen in ages, some who would have played, and it turned out to be well worth the trip out there.

Click on the pics below to check out the albums.

Julia

A petición popular y para evitar más reclamos he aquí unas fotillos de la Julia tomadas hoy. Not much more to say except she's a delight and a very considerate boss so far. Se siente muy fuerte la presencia de un nuevo miembro en la familia, aunque todavía no nos ha caído el peso de ser cinco, como muchos auguraron con ojos como platillos y expresiones de mitad horror-mitad lástima. Supongo que por eso bien reza el dicho que dice que donde come uno comen dos y así sucesivamente... Además, Pablo es una ENORME ayuda y con Diego he contratado ayuda! jajaj (Pero por si las moscas, para cualquier donación contactar a la administración de este sitio...)

All in all, the first weeks are very tough, there's no getting around that. I have not slept through the night, not even 5 straight hours, during all this time (and I guess it's kinda starting to hit me - note the Spanglish, very seldom used on my posts). However, I am not really doing much more than sleeping and eating when Julia sleeps, nor does anyone expect me to do anything else. I'm starting to wonder for how long I'll be able to play the "I just gave birth and I'm breastfeeding" card.




I most definitely love being a mom more than anything else in the whole universe -more than music, more than chocolate- but it's the toughest job around, do not be fooled by my enthusiastic-romantic take on the whole thing. It's also the most rewarding. Como diría mi papá, no hay nada realmente bueno en esta vida que sea rápido, fácil o gratis.


Ok, I guess there was a bit more to say...

Nacimiento de Julia

Parece mentira, pero cuando para algunas cosas me sobran las palabras, adjetivos, opiniones, etc., etc. etc., para otras, usualmente más importantes o significativas, me quedo corta.

Este evento, sin precedentes en nuestra familia, no es la excepción a esa categoría de cosas que tienen esa trascendencia y profundidad, pero que lo dejan a uno con una emoción tan intensa que las palabras le quedan chicas a la hora de describirlo.


Así fue la llegada de Julia...

Mi persona favorita en el universo (por lo menos por unas horas): la anestesióloga!!
Y mientras yo posaba para la cámara, buscando mi mejor ángulo, los doctores me hacían toda clase de maldades, tratando de traer a la muchacha a este mundo.
Hora: 12:05 a.m. del viernes 31, unos 3 minutos después del nacimiento.



Julia recibe unas visitas muy importantes.
En la foto, Pablo, el orgulloso hermano mayor.



Pablo y Diego haciendo relajo en el cuarto.



Julia Zevallos Earle

Preview of Julia!

Today we went to check out how little Jules was doing and also whether we should expect any action any time soon or what. Everything's good, in fact so good she doesn't seem to have any plans to come out around these days.

So looks like I'll be able to attend with Gustavo, for like the tenth year in a row, Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo, and no less important, get a few more precious hours of sleep before I'm recruited...

Anyway, I give you... JULIA! The most beautiful baby in the world. ;)

August 12, 1999

Almost exactly eight years ago Pablo was born and everything changed for the better in Gustavo's and my life. This past Sunday we celebrated the occasion (2007 version) with a soccer themed party and a bunch of his closest friends.


Thanks to everyone who accompanied us, and thanks to you Pablo, for having chosen us!

TE QUEREMOS MUCHO HIJO!

More pics here!

ps: I swear I'm still pregnant, Pablo's friend's head just happened to cover all of my belly...

Pablo & Gustavo Expeditions presents

Playa Venao - Isla Iguana 2007

El 3 de agosto de este año, un par de aventureros dejaron la ciudad de Panamá rumbo a provincias centrales, para irse en busca de olas y tesoros naturales desconocidos para la mayoría. Regresaron no solo con una enorme sonrisa dibujada en sus rostros y reflejando la satisfacción de una misión cumplida, sino con muchas historias que contar (y picadas de chitra a tutiplén).

Gustavo y Pablo trajeron de vuelta imágenes que merecen ser compartidas. Abajo el video que registra parte de la aventura. Disfruten.

In a nutshell

...and in no particular oder, this is what I've been up to lately:

Pablo's Soccer Final... Arsenal Campeón!!

The winning team, proudly holding their trophies


First half of the game, he scored a goal, second half he was goalkeeper (not a ball went in !!)


Gabriel's birthday party at Coronado
Choir singing Happy Birthday in at least 76 different languages, conducted by Heidi "Julie Andrews" Arias


Our room at the Coronado Resort, where Gustavo took me to spend that night and get massages the next day!!!!!


Latest Craving Report
I can tell this really was a craving because I usually bake stuff with chocolate somewhere in it and cheesecake has never even been something I picked for dessert when eating out. Well this lemon cheesecake made me a believer and I had no idea it was going to be so easy to make. 200% recommended!


Second mid-year vacation trip to Coronado
The water was PERFECT. It brings a smile to my face just to think how good it felt to be in it (I was doing somersaults in it it was so good!). We go more often during summer when the water's kinda cool so Diego had a blast this time and actually enjoyed a nice dip.

Pablo and Gustavo surfed, of course...

...and two dead animals washed up on the shore.

"The Pelican from Nemo"

Some sort of eel


Rainy season afternoon
This is one of the things I'll miss looking at when we move out of this apartment and into a house.


House projects
I had my mind set on a design for the kids' room (mini flip flops and a surf board) and decided to make my own stencils, grab a brush and see what happened.


Step two


It's back!
Anyone who knows me well knows that 1) I'm not big on television and 2) one thing I AM addicted to is this show. Guess the degree of excitement when I found out about this.


From Germany, with love...
Gustavo is so charming that a couple of his clients had promised to send him some German brot (=bread) flour so his wife (that would be me) baked him some and he could remember his childhood days. Well they actually did send them, 5 different kinds, along with the famous book by Janosch "Oh, wie schön ist Panama" and it's activity-filled companion for the kids (and me).

Anyway, that's it. So long and goodnight!

Audacity

So what does mommy do when she's left home alone? (Ok, besides eating)

You guessed it, put on the wig, grab the broom-guitar and play "rock star"!!

Actually, forget about the wig and replace the broom with a (beat-up, yes, but nonetheless real) guitar and this is what you get: Sweetness Follows

Audacity is quite the operative word here, and the name of the program I used to record this. It even lets you use multiple tracks!!

One more time... in slow motion please!

This is it. The infamous Williams-Sonoma Flourless Chocolate Cake that fell upside down last week mere seconds before it should've entered the 375°F oven. It was reduced to a puddle of brown goo sadly smudged and smeared onto part of my kitchen floor; needless to say, so was I.

Well I just couldn't leave things like that, I needed redemption, revival. So today, since we were having lunch with Juanpa and Kelly and Luis, Penny and Bibi, I decided I'd give it a second shot thinking that if something tragic happened at least I'd have group support.

Small yet mighty, one hell of a moist, rich chocolate treat.

It was so good that when I thought about getting the camera to take pictures of at least one of the wedges, so graciously accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream, it was mostly gone and instead I had to run and get my spoon.

And to further please Kira upon her request of a recent Craving Report, these stuffed tomatoes, along with scrambled eggs with sautéed onions and toast, were part of our breakfast this morning:

Lemony and fresh, with a side of Juanpa and Kelly!

The end of an era

Some things you live through and immediately move past them. Others make you think you've come to a full stop in your life, somehow freezing passing seconds as you stand there grasping the moment, digesting it. You are left contemplating the possibilities of what now lies ahead and weighing past events, baggage if you will, that you carry with you.

As I approach the 30 (years of age) mark, I got to thinking about the line that should divide my life before and after this date, which happens to be, time after time, the very last day of the year. I realized there was none. I remembered how life is made up of the big and small, and even the events you don't remember make you who you are and are no less important than those you never forget. So today I had to remind myself to be grateful for the things I already have under my belt because engaging in lengthy house projects, getting wrapped up on week after week of work or just dealing with the nuisance of traffic at 8 o'clock in this city can make you temporarily lose sight of much more important stuff or at least prevent you from fully enjoying them.

So yes, I'm basically excited to be entering a more grown-up decade, it means something when I say my age out loud and confirm my status as a twenty-something and I know I'll inadvertently expect some kind of change, even if it's secretly giggling to myself, now that I begin to say, "Hello, my name is Greta and I'm a thirty-something". Maybe I'll even start to believe I should know better. However, I am very fond of the years that have made up my twenties and I know I'll miss them dearly, but kind of like you miss your school years: they were great and who knows where you'd be without them but you wouldn't go back. I guess I'm looking forward to finding out what's behind door number 3.

I give you... Pablo!

Two jewels of modern cinematography... next time you see him be sure to get your autograph!

Afro Pablo
(This was 2003 and apparently back then there was no such thing as decent lighting so adjust your screen o just bear with me.)




Mozart Pablo
(Ok, apparently in 2005 there was still not much of an improvement in lighting, promise the next ones will be better!)

Drum roll, please...

Well, I just found out and thought I'd share the wonderful news about the newest addition to the Zevallos Earle family...

...a healthy, beautiful (click here to find out)!

When ignorance is not bliss

Sometimes I think I must be a freak. Pregnancy is one of those times. I seem to go against the current, the widespread trend, in so many ways that yet once more I feel singled out by the crowd.

In some cultures more than others, being pregnant means that you´re in a vulnerable, delicate moment of life regardless of your overall state be it emotional, physical or otherwise. So no matter how hard you try to go about, unintentionally proving to the world how well you feel inside and out, you´re bound to run into people who will impose their help and good intentions even on your ordinary, daily activities. I am lucky, I know. A certain percentage of women do experience 9 months of all sorts of mildly uncomfortable symptoms all the way up to life threatening conditions that endanger the enjoyment of one of the most wonderful events in a person´s life -if not the most. But I think many play along with the damsel-in-distress charade simply because the significant changes that come with not just creating, but welcoming a brand new little person into your life can be overwhelming. What I´ve found though, is that it mostly comes down to -as does everything else in life- your attitude. You can chose to sit there and be overwhelmed and not know what hit you every time you feel a new symptom, or you can chose to be overwhelmed and go with the flow of that energy and use the experience to open your eyes to life´s magical way of perpetuating your species, a genuine mixture of sci-fi and fairy-tale.

We are afraid of what we don't know and that is perfectly normal... but also easily changed. Popular belief drills into your head all kinds of spooky, absurd statements in the form of seemingly harmless advice from people who, most probably, do care about you. However, all this really does is add stress to an already eventful, intense experience. Getting a few facts straight early on or at least having a reliable, trustworthy source to turn to when in need of answers, could make the difference between experiencing a pregnancy full of anguish and one full of wonder. Then again, it may just be something bigger than me. Culture expresses itself through so many different layers that attempting to change the people around you can be more than any one person could handle. Which also applies to the homogeneous, choreographed response I've gotten from everyone that's heard I'm expecting my third child and already have two boys. The reaction suggests that if I have a third boy the general feeling should be that of disapointment. Disapointment! Really, is there anyone left in this country that does not know about Pablo and Diego? My general feeling is that if I have another healthy child I'm incredibly blessed. If I have one anything like my wonderful two boys, quite honestly I have no idea what I've done to deserve it. It may have something to do with the fact that many people usually look for anything external -a partner, a child, a job- to guarantee happiness or a sense of purpose in life or even a reason of being. And from what I've gathered recently, a lot of women think I need a girl in order to attain these things. And if I don't ever have one it means I was cast some evil spell. Well, maybe I'll always go against the current because this notion is something very tightly knit into our culture. The thing is, anyone who thinks that way is lacking a bit of information, some important pieces of the puzzle. So ignorance, it turns out, is certainly not always bliss.

Easy is good

This was lunch today. I got home barely on time and managed to whip it up in under half an hour, as promised by the source (Mexican Lasagna by Rachel Ray). It's a really rich dish, yet throwing some veggies into it removes any guilt.

Impress your friends at your next dinner party! ;)

This week's Craving Report

Need I say more?

An image's worth a thousand words

Pictures taken earlier today at the park.