FINCA

FINCA means farm in spanish, and a couple of weekends ago, Ross invited me to his finca near the town of Penonome. It is the main city in the Cocle province west of Panama City. In the 17th century, it was the nation's capital for a few years after Panama City had been taken by the pirate Henry Morgan. It was about a 2 hour drive from Albrook along one of Panama's only highway. I love road trips and it was a great coastal drive. Lourdes, Ross's girlfriend kept me company and I'm proud to say I spoke only Spanish that whole weekend. It wasn't particularly good or fluent Spanish, but something that a Latin American could devise as Spanish. We stopped at a very traditional roadside eatery on the way and for $4 dollars, we were both able to stuff our faces with delicious Panamanian fare.

When you arrive at the finca, you are greeted with a brilliantly color sign:


Pixbae, or peach-palm in English, is the fruit of a species of palm native to South and Central America. It has the texture of a starchy root and a cheesy sort of flavor. It's really good and was one of the first food Panamanian food items that Ross introduced me to. I find it endearing that he has named his finca after it.

YUM!

AS YOU DRIVE UP THE DRIVEWAY

VIEW FROM FRONT PORCH

ROSS AT THE GRILL

By the way, Ross is a wonderful cook. He made oxtail soup and ribs that weekend. So delicious!

ROSS'S FRIEND, ANDREW, SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH

VIEW OF BACKYARD

BROMELIADS!!! I WISH THEY WERE FLOWERING

VIEW FROM FRONT PORCH

That hill on the left that looks like a nipple is called Cerro Viejo. Down the road, there is a hotel called Hotel Cerro Vieja. As you know, in Latin languages, things are identified as masculine and feminine. People joke that these two hills were assigned the wrong genders because the masculine Viejo resembles a breast, while Vieja doesn't. :)

Hotel Cerro Vieja is actually a stunning place with gorgeous views. Below are a couple of pictures from the hotel and a good one of Cerro Vieja.

It was such a fun weekend. We ate well, drank well and even smoked some cigars from the neighboring town, La Pintada. The factory is called Cigarros Joyas de Panama. They have tours, but it was closed when I ventured into town. La Pintada is also famous for their sombreros pintados - painted hats. I didn't really see any of those either, but the beauty is, I can always go back!