we’re sneaking up on my favorite tropical time of the year, winter - aka the green season, or the rainy season. i’ve been loving the gradual change in panama’s weather. around the second week in April, the harsh summer sun gave way to winter’s brooding clouds, violent downpours began to roll in from the pacific and flush panama city. read more»

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i’ve always loved baseball. when i was a lad my hero was luis tiant of the boston red sox. el tiante, was a charismatic, Cuban hurler, who smoked fat cigars, and had this crazy, twisty motion. he’d pause at the top of his windup, then roll his eyes to the heavens, or over to a hot dog vendor in the bleachers.

hey, the man had needs. tiant got his start pitching for the Havana sugar kings. by the time he pitched for the sox he was fat, and long past his prime. but he was still the man. he had the nerve and guile to win 18 games in ‘75, and lead the sox to the world series.

even communists followed el tiante. read more»

“I am here for a reason, these moments run into pages, the seamy side of life.” Arturo Bandini

San Jose Costa Rica - I was alone then. What the hell I said. I was turning 50. And I was running out of days.

Tonight my little friend has locked herself in the hotel bathroom. Sweet Alex, out of service, guts churning, making the horrible rumble of a diseased organ about to shut down. Serves you right girl. You’re a native. You should know better than to buy food from a Tico in the street.

Easy Cojito, you need to get out man. You need to experience something. No one wants to read a story entitled, “Alex and the burning ring piece.” Anyway, she told you to go. She said she’ll be fine. And with room service and a mini bar, what could go wrong?

Three years ago, on our first trip to San Jose things were different. We were inseparable then. After dinner we’d sit in Morazan park and kiss like young lovers. Back then, the 38 year old Alex had pubescent hips, and the appreciative demeanor of a wino with a fresh bottle.

Then one night we hit the Blue Marlin for drinks. read more»