MUNGO EATS Latin America

Yesterday was Independence Day in Panama.  This is the Independence from Columbia day, not the Independence from Spain day.  To celebrate the day, there was a parade in the town off El Valle.  To participate in this parade, you had to belong to one of three groups: civil servant (policeman, fireman, civil guard, park warden),

a school marching band,

or a cute little girl in a traditional costume.

It wasn’t a very long parade, but it was fine to watch for an hour or so. 

After the parade, a fellow went to the grandstand and started announcing that there would be all sorts of races, mainly for the kids, to celebrate the holiday.  There was to be a sack race, a number of foot races (50m and 100m), a lemon and spoon race (they don’t waste eggs on eggs and spoon races!), etc.  Also a greased pole was erected for the occasion, and there was to be a contest to see who could climb the pole.  This was only open to women this year, for some reason.  It promised to be an exciting day in the little town of El Valle.  Sara and Sean were game to race in the foot races, so we hung around listening for  the announcement of the race.  And hung around, and hung around and  hung around.  First, they had to raise money and prizes to award the winners of these races, so for at least 2 hours, the fellow droned on about how important it was for kids to feel happy, to get involved, etc, etc, etc.

Only one group of ladies decided to try climbing the greased pole.  Before the pole was raised, lots of dogs LICKED the pole…mmmm, grease!!)

   They were not very successful.  They were allowed to use ropes and sticks, so one gal stood on the shoulders of her two friends, wrapped a rope around the pole, twisted a piece of wood into the rope until the rope was nice and tight around the pole, then she would sit on the piece of wood, and wrap another rope around the pole and repeat the process.  They were supposed to climb the pole in 15 minutes, and if they were successful, they would win $50.00.  At the 15 minute mark, they were about 8 feet up the pole.  Two or three hours later, they were about 12 feet up the pole.  I  am actually not sure if the poor gal ever finished her climb, we ended up going for dinner before she ever finished. 

It started to rain quite heavily, so I think the majority of the races got cancelled.  Sara did not race, because they announced that the race was for ages 9 and under.  When the actual race did take place however, there was a girl at least a head taller than Sara running, so I think she could have participated if she wanted.  Sean did race, after many hours of waiting.  One official led the group of boys 50m or so down the road and told them to go.  They did not stop the traffic at all, the kids just ran on the road, dodging around cars.  When the official started the race, he was  kind of standing behind the kids and just said go.  Sean did not understand the start and ended up starting a second or two behind the rest of the boys.  He ran well enough and finished 4th.  His “prize” was  $2.00 in mostly dimes and nickels.  He was happy. 

Today was another holiday, either Flag Day, or National Anthem Day, I am not sure which.  Another day, another parade.  The same civil servants participated (EXACTLY the same civil servants) and many of the same school bands as well.  There were a couple of groups in today’s parade that were not there yesterday, a few extra cute little girls in traditional costumes, a few baton twirlers, but otherwise it was a repeat of the same parade as yesterday. 

Tomorrow is another national holiday (Flag or National Anthem Day, whichever one was not today).  I wonder if they will have another parade??