[SAJ]

For the "rainy" season, most of Panama is dry as hell. Just 2 days with rain in July (a rainy season month). Luckily, we had a shower 2 days ago, then a good rain yesterday. Been watering the garden with 2-liter bottles. Again, luckily, I'm only growing 7 herbs and some sweet peppers. Rosemary is virtually invulnerable to drought in a semihumid climate, as is the Panamanian variety of oregano. Panamanian basil (WAY more flavourful than Genovese, which is preferred by American restauranteurs) needs water, but much less when it is planted in half-shade.

Thyme is tricky here, but grows. Sage is a real PITA, have to germinate it in a wet paper towel vacuum (sort of) sealed in a Ziploc bag; however, once germinated, just plant the seedling in the garden in RAISED soil and you're good to go. Wet roots is about the only thing that will kill sage here; no natural pests or diseases to speak of. Dill, of course, which I grow and sell, needs a lot of water...so I see to it that my dill GETS the bloody water, and it grows like crazy.

We have a new presidente, Varela, who is very pro-business, but has just imposed price controls on 25 popular staples. This will, of course, backfire as price controls always do, but they are popular temporarily. More heartening is the fact that in the May national election, the socialists got clobbered. Panamanian economy is growing at 7+ % per year, so things are pretty good.

The canal widening is pretty much on schedule (shocking, considering Panama), and will bring in stacks of revenue when complete. To the government's (temporary, I'm quite sure) credit, the pols aren't (yet) falling all over themselves to spend the future revenue. The new subway system in Ciudad Panama has a big chunk complete, but doesn't yet run to Tocumen Int'l Airport (important because it will break up the ripoff taxicab cartel). Here in El Valle, we are having water shortage problems w/o the rains, not surprisingly. The various alcaldes have finalised a plan to increase water storage by 40-50 per cent, which will (WILL, the funds are already appropriated) be built next year. Have to have it, because (drat the luck), this province (Cocle) is growing in population very quickly, mainly I think due to the fantastic (usually) weather.

And that's all the news that is news, and (best Dennis Miller imitation) I..am..outta..here.

FReegards!

[xsmommy]

is Panamanian oregano a variety of cilantro? I cannot abide cilantro, hadn’t really had it until I lived in Colombia and found that it just makes me want to hurl! I bought a mixed greens blend at the store last week that had it in there and I was outraged, then I saw that I bought something that said mixed HERBS and I guess that’s where I got into trouble with the cilantro. Makes eating Mexican and Thai kind of dicey, I always have to ask about cilantro.