What do you miss the most?
September 29, 2007 Filed in: Story
What do you miss the most? Of all the questions I
receive about living here on an island, I think that
“what do you miss the most?” is the most common.
There are the two most obvious things: family and friends. There are the less obvious things: Target, Whole Foods and the occasional opportunity for a night away from home – you know a date with my husband.
However, more important than the people and things that I do miss are the things that I do not miss. I do not miss working for someone else. Working for myself is far superior than working for “the man”. I do not miss driving a car or the traffic I used to experience while driving a car. I like the fact that I do not have to deal with any of those issues. I do not miss television with commercials. We have opted, for the time being, not to get subscription television of any kind. Our television is limited to that which we can download or purchase on a DVD. As such, other than the brief previews on DVDs I do not see any form of visual advertising. It is really nice not to be bombarded with all of the latest and greatest pop culture has to offer. If I want to find something I have to go looking for it.
There are the two most obvious things: family and friends. There are the less obvious things: Target, Whole Foods and the occasional opportunity for a night away from home – you know a date with my husband.
However, more important than the people and things that I do miss are the things that I do not miss. I do not miss working for someone else. Working for myself is far superior than working for “the man”. I do not miss driving a car or the traffic I used to experience while driving a car. I like the fact that I do not have to deal with any of those issues. I do not miss television with commercials. We have opted, for the time being, not to get subscription television of any kind. Our television is limited to that which we can download or purchase on a DVD. As such, other than the brief previews on DVDs I do not see any form of visual advertising. It is really nice not to be bombarded with all of the latest and greatest pop culture has to offer. If I want to find something I have to go looking for it.
Fast Forward - March 2007
September 25, 2007 Filed in: Story
Fast forward to March 2007, we have been open for
business for close to two years. Last year we
experienced a tropical pregnancy and birth abroad of
our daughter Boty. So now we have a beautiful eight
month old daughter who is a dual citizen of both the
USA and Panama., a precious bilingual three year old
son and a wonderful life.
I went to the beach last week with some family and friends who were visiting. As I walked along the beach checking out the gorgeous views I realized how lucky I was. I have a very rich life even if I do not have much money in my pockets.
We have daily challenges but we face them head on and do what is best for our family and our business. We have become environmental stewards and our business is slowly becoming a success. Each day I am thankful for the fact that I met, fell in love with and married a very determined man. I am happy that he had a dream and the guts to follow that dream. I am happy that I adopted the dream. I am happy that we are raising our children in such a fabulous place and attempting to leave them an incredible legacy. And honestly, I am happy that I am just a little bit crazy.
I went to the beach last week with some family and friends who were visiting. As I walked along the beach checking out the gorgeous views I realized how lucky I was. I have a very rich life even if I do not have much money in my pockets.
We have daily challenges but we face them head on and do what is best for our family and our business. We have become environmental stewards and our business is slowly becoming a success. Each day I am thankful for the fact that I met, fell in love with and married a very determined man. I am happy that he had a dream and the guts to follow that dream. I am happy that I adopted the dream. I am happy that we are raising our children in such a fabulous place and attempting to leave them an incredible legacy. And honestly, I am happy that I am just a little bit crazy.
2005 - Operations Begin
September 21, 2007 Filed in: Story
At this point, we attempt the transition from
construction to operation. Installing communications,
building a website, finding employees, and establishing
a client base takes time.
Setting ourselves up to have communications on a Panama island where there are no other utilities was no small feat. We researched the equipment necessary to send an Internet signal from one island to another. We determined that we would need a radio tower over 100 feet tall to clear the tallest trees on Isla Bastimentos in the line of sight from the radio tower on Isla Colon. We researched different voice over internet protocol phone providers to determine which company to use. We purchased all the necessary equipment. We had the tower constructed. We did large amounts of rework on the tower as it was not completed to our standards. We determined how the tower would need to be installed and supported. We installed the tower and hooked up all the communications equipment. The day we went live on the Internet was a really big day for us.
Next came the website – get as much information about what we have here in Panama on the web as possible. Add photos to help describe what we have created here. Given that we didn’t have any background in this area it was just another area we took the time to learn and attempt to master.
Finding the right employees takes time. They need to enjoy living in our secluded pristine environment. We have spent an extended period of time getting the right people here to help us. It will be an ongoing challenge but for now we have a good group.
Establishing a client base requires providing a good product and spreading the word. We are working on both on a daily basis.
Small bites, we are together. Are we crazy? Yes, a little bit. Are we happy? Yes. Are we tired? Yes. Would we do it again? Yes.
Setting ourselves up to have communications on a Panama island where there are no other utilities was no small feat. We researched the equipment necessary to send an Internet signal from one island to another. We determined that we would need a radio tower over 100 feet tall to clear the tallest trees on Isla Bastimentos in the line of sight from the radio tower on Isla Colon. We researched different voice over internet protocol phone providers to determine which company to use. We purchased all the necessary equipment. We had the tower constructed. We did large amounts of rework on the tower as it was not completed to our standards. We determined how the tower would need to be installed and supported. We installed the tower and hooked up all the communications equipment. The day we went live on the Internet was a really big day for us.
Next came the website – get as much information about what we have here in Panama on the web as possible. Add photos to help describe what we have created here. Given that we didn’t have any background in this area it was just another area we took the time to learn and attempt to master.
Finding the right employees takes time. They need to enjoy living in our secluded pristine environment. We have spent an extended period of time getting the right people here to help us. It will be an ongoing challenge but for now we have a good group.
Establishing a client base requires providing a good product and spreading the word. We are working on both on a daily basis.
Small bites, we are together. Are we crazy? Yes, a little bit. Are we happy? Yes. Are we tired? Yes. Would we do it again? Yes.
2004 - Together at last
September 17, 2007 Filed in: Story
We begin to really see the light at the end of the
tunnel however as we get closer it feels like someone
pushes the light just out of reach. The infrastructure
work is completed. Main dock construction begins and is
completed. Finish work in all the buildings is ongoing.
Stefanie and Scott move in with Jay’s parents in
preparation for the move to Panama. Stefanie quits her
job. We set dates for the move.
Jim comes back to Houston to collect me, Tres, Wahoo and Bimini. I am sure that everyone on the flight with us would have preferred we leave a few things behind. We have the maximum luggage and carry on baggage allowed. Bitzser the cat moves in with Jim’s stepmother Marilyn. Jim’s mom makes the trip to Panama with us so that she can help with Tres while I set up house.
Prior to our arrival Jay gets the main building as clean as possible and puts in foam mattresses and a crib for Tres. I begin the arduous task of unpacking all that has been sent to Panama. We are still operating with the small propane refrigerator and a small generator, but we are together at last. Jay returns to Houston to get Stefanie and Scott. When they arrive, we move to the regular refrigerators and turn on the full size generators.
Jim comes back to Houston to collect me, Tres, Wahoo and Bimini. I am sure that everyone on the flight with us would have preferred we leave a few things behind. We have the maximum luggage and carry on baggage allowed. Bitzser the cat moves in with Jim’s stepmother Marilyn. Jim’s mom makes the trip to Panama with us so that she can help with Tres while I set up house.
Prior to our arrival Jay gets the main building as clean as possible and puts in foam mattresses and a crib for Tres. I begin the arduous task of unpacking all that has been sent to Panama. We are still operating with the small propane refrigerator and a small generator, but we are together at last. Jay returns to Houston to get Stefanie and Scott. When they arrive, we move to the regular refrigerators and turn on the full size generators.
2003 - Main lodge building construction
September 13, 2007 Filed in: Story
2003 rolls along and the construction on the main
building continues. We are expecting our first child in
our tenth year of marriage. Interior work begins on the
cabanas. Jim and Jay move in to the staff quarters
building and out of the rancho – still camping but more
like in a trailer rather than in a tent. Jim sleeps in
the staff quarters and Jay sleeps in a tent in one of
the unfinished cabanas so that they both might have an
ounce of privacy. I make my last trip down to Panama
before the birth of our child and then go back to
Houston to do contract work. I find out I have
Gestational Diabetes and must watch literally
everything that enters my mouth so that I do not grow
too big a baby and put it at risk. While work as a
contractor was more lucrative it was also much harder.
I move into a garage apartment at my in-law’s house as
we think that it will be necessary to move out of Jay’s
house soon after the baby is born so it is much easier
to move pre baby rather than after the baby is born.
James III (aka Tres) is born on November 4, 2003. We
send a second container full of stuff down to Panama
one week after Tres is born. The guys start on all of
the infrastructure work to tie the lodge facilities
together.
2002 - Building an eco adventure lodge
September 09, 2007 Filed in: Story
Somewhere along the way we have moved into the second
phase – building the lodge facilities. Jim and Jay
install a toilet in one of the cabanas to improve
living standards a bit. The guys build pathways, five
more cabanas and begin the main building. Scott
Harrison Viola is born on September 6, 2002. He comes
home to live with his mom and his Aunt Renée. I
conveniently get myself laid off so that I will be
ready for the move to Panama. My severence date gets
pushed back several times as other attorneys leave or
go on maternity leave. Jim has lost almost 40 pounds on
a four-bowl diet and constant construction activities.
They eat out of camp bowls for each meal – one at
breakfast, one at lunch and two at dinner. Jim and Jay
sit around in the dark and debate or come up with ways
to solve the world’s problems. As they are sitting
outside using a light would attract bugs so they learn
all kinds of new skills which may be completed in
complete darkness. Eating without actually observing
your food, advanced mathematic calculations in their
heads, and how to make Spam Pad Thai among other
things.
2001 - time flies
September 04, 2007 Filed in: Story
2000 passes in a blur. The grounds are cleared, the
Environmental Impact Study begins and the guys begin an
almost five year camping experience.
2001 is used to finalize the Environmental Impact Study and submit it for approval, building a barn and the first cabana. Things move slow and take a long time. We remind ourselves we are taking small bites. We purchase materials for the other five cabanas and the main building in Houston which was a huge undertaking. Then we ship those materials down to Panama on a Chiquita Banana boat and move them out to the property. We do not have any heavy equipment. Everything must be transported by boat out to the property and moved up a very high hill by manpower.
The holiday season 2001-2002 is the last time Jim and Jay come to Houston at the same time. Trips to and from Panama are spread out thinner over the year in order to keep the project moving – we sometimes go as long as three months apart. Jay and Stefanie are expecting a child in September 2002. Questions continue – do you know what you are doing? Stefanie gets put on bed rest for the last part of her pregnancy. Day to day life can be challenging. We all deal with the issues in different ways. I do a lot of yoga, work quite a bit, have lots of migraines, discuss things with family and friends over a few adult beverages and tear out pages from magazines for the house that I will have some day. Jim and I talk about things – but we NEVER entertain the idea of quitting. Quitting isn’t an option. We have sacrificed too much and look forward to life ahead – so we push on.
2001 is used to finalize the Environmental Impact Study and submit it for approval, building a barn and the first cabana. Things move slow and take a long time. We remind ourselves we are taking small bites. We purchase materials for the other five cabanas and the main building in Houston which was a huge undertaking. Then we ship those materials down to Panama on a Chiquita Banana boat and move them out to the property. We do not have any heavy equipment. Everything must be transported by boat out to the property and moved up a very high hill by manpower.
The holiday season 2001-2002 is the last time Jim and Jay come to Houston at the same time. Trips to and from Panama are spread out thinner over the year in order to keep the project moving – we sometimes go as long as three months apart. Jay and Stefanie are expecting a child in September 2002. Questions continue – do you know what you are doing? Stefanie gets put on bed rest for the last part of her pregnancy. Day to day life can be challenging. We all deal with the issues in different ways. I do a lot of yoga, work quite a bit, have lots of migraines, discuss things with family and friends over a few adult beverages and tear out pages from magazines for the house that I will have some day. Jim and I talk about things – but we NEVER entertain the idea of quitting. Quitting isn’t an option. We have sacrificed too much and look forward to life ahead – so we push on.