I fall asleep almost instantly despite a torrential downpour, the thump of a bar on the main island, the scuttling of foraging crabs in the rain and the house cat fending off a feral competitor. Eleven hours later, I rouse from a deep sleep. We are on Eastern Standard Time, plenty of time to prep some analytics for a client. …
Island life
A brightly colored hammock awaits me, as I sink into the evening energy here on the island off of bocas del toro, Panama. Tyler and I are enjoying some creative time on the veranda as Feather and Warrio prepare our dinner of chicken stew, coconut rice and beans. I feel refreshed after a rejuvenating shower and enjoying a peaceful day …
Day One: Arrival
The turbo prop plane flies west along the northern edge of Panama. We drop below the clouds, revealing a rainy landscape of turquoise blue water, small be-jungled islands and now an increasing number of outboard boats dotting the sheltered Caribbean coast.
Day One: En Route
The red-eye arrives at PTY, Panama City’s modern international hub, filled with duty free jewelry, chocolate and American knock-offs. Passing through customs into the warm, tropical humidity of Panama, we are greeted by Omar Ríos, bearing a sign that says “Alisun | Tyler.” Arranged by Heather, whom he calls “the lady of Boquete,” Omar is a taxi driver, father of …
Sadness, An Opening, a Blank Slate
The house is empty. The laughter and joy and blessings still echo from room to room. We leave our paradise amidst the mist that settles in the eucalyptus trees. Ali Sun takes my car. I settle at my Bryant St. office, tie up online details, send emails, make a call, have a chat. My dad calls – my grandma …
One Week To (Radical) Departure
We are overwhelmed. Over-tired. Over-excited. 160-odd hours until we are dumped at the terminal, herded through security and ushered down the corridor that smells of stale air and jet fuel. I figure the degree of complexity in traveling and working around the world falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. More complicated than filling up a truck and moving …
The Adventure Begins in Panama
We leave Ojai on February 27th – not for good, but for a while. I am keeping my office on Bryant St. and a six inch square suite at the mail place. The office has a back room that will be larded up with furniture and boxes, and the gated parking is perfect for long-term storage of our cars. We’ll …