Greetings. God Bless all here. Here is a little story about chasing iguanas...enjoy!
Back in the mid 80's, I had escaped to Panama. I was living in Hato Pintado and working for the US Navy at Rodman Naval Station in Supply at building # 2. Among all of my supply duties, I was also the designated station's Inventory Accuracy Officer. This assignment had some really great bennies.
Once a week I would take a run up to Arrijan Tank Farm. This vast storage facility on the way to Arrijan contained aviation fuel, US Navy Special, Bunker C oil and gasoline. The gasoline was evaporating under the hot tropical sun but the Fuel Officer suspected a theft. I spent 4 months gauging the tanks and the bottom line was that I never discovered any discrepancy. But since it got me out of the office, I would make the run each week and in a heartbeat at any other time as directed by the higher chain of command.
During the dry season the tall grass dries up and turns very brown as winds blow from off shore. The winds seem to blow all day long. But out in the sun it can be extremely uncomfortable! But oh in a nice shady spot… that is the easy life. But we is working so we were out in the tropical sun for hours.
The tall grass of the tank farm is a natural habitat for iguanas. There wasn't a week that went by when we didn't spot a few iguanas darting across the meandering road that cut through the jungle like snake. I had eaten iguana but I was not really too thrilled in capturing them. Why? Because of the wicked welts these large iguanas could give when they whip their tails like Indiana Jones! The tank farm had lots of mango trees and in season the branches would reach the ground for easy picking. So, it was quite common for me to take a sack of mangoes home after my weekly trip to Arrijan Tank Farm. Yes, life was good in the old Canal Zone. I guess that was why ever so often I had to escape to Panama to work from wherever I happen to be on this green planet we call earth.
On a particular day while making my weekly inspection trip to the tank farm, I got teamed up with Paco Dominguez. He spoke some broken English. But no problema for I spoke Spanish like a Panamanian. I like Paco right off. He was easy going and a natural talent for capturing iguanas. In some circles, he was known as the Great Iguana Hunter. Could it be that he rarely went home without one.
That morning we would gauge about 8 tanks. These tanks were scattered all over the farm. So, after enjoying a very delicious cup of Cafe Duran, que bueno es, we jumped in a hazy gray US Navy pickup that had seen better days and headed for our first tank. We had our clipboard, weighted tape reel, some white paste to coat the business end of the tape and some rags. The clean ones were for mopping up the sweat that seem to pour off our bodies under the unforgiving tropical sun of the rain forest in Panama. The other rags we used to clean off the residue paste after gauging the tank. It was hot even with our hats.
The old pickup had no air conditioning but it had a radio that was stuck on a local station that played typical and salsa music. It also came the time. I think it was Radio Reloj.... but we is going way back. After about a 1/4-mile in low gear driving through a narrow jungle trail, we were both sweating up a storm. Gauging of the tanks is not difficult. You climb up on top of the tank and pop the inspection port. You apply the paste to the tape and lower away by manually unreeling the weighted tape toward the product stored in the tank. With practice you can judge exactly when the weighted end reaches the stored product. Then you reel in the tape and record your findings on the clipboard by the number tank that you have gauged. Little did I know that we would be over come by events (OBE). The Mobil Oil would be doing it all by sensors from the main office. It would all be computerized. Yes, the magic of fiber optics wiring. But for now we had to do it. It was a hot, dirty and sometimes dangerous work. One had to be on the lookout for snakes, spiders, bats, small wild cats, and of course the bamboo chicken.... iguanas!
Paco was always on the lookout for Iguanas! Did I say he liked them? That is an understatement.... Paco loved them! As you who have lived in Panama and the old Canal Zone know, to go the distance while working in the hot tropical sun, a person must work slower and take breaks to replenish the liquids lost through sweating. So, after having gauge 3 tanks, we decided to find some cool shade and take a break or as they say tomar cinco. We found a perfect spot under a mango tree. Paco took out his thermos and had a bit of coffee. Then he grabbed his newspaper, "El Siglo."
That action is what amazes a lot of tourist; almost all Panamanians love to read. They read the racing form, the editorial pages, funnies, Barrios de Trifulca, dream books for good lotto numbers and the sports page. So, while Paco was reading I had taken a swig from my water bottle. There was no breeze and the air lay heavy all around us like a blanket. Another precaution was not to touch any exposed metal. This kept one from receiving a mean burn. The hood that day was hot enough to fry eggs! I was starting to doze, when Paco says, "Senor, look there." I opened my eyes and there were two of the largest gray iguanas sitting on the hood of the pickup.
They seemed to be resting for the little bag under the head was moving in and out very slowly. They seemed to be there for the taking. We both had machetes but one only kills an iguana just before cooking. So, we the machetes were put aside. I had a burlap sack and Paco had a bit of twine about 3 feet long. The idea was to capture them quickly before they went into the tall grass. Once in the tall grass it would really be a job. The tall grass would cut like a razor. So, we wanted to avoid the chase in the tall grass at all cost. On the hood although quite hot, we had the upper hand so we thought. But Iguanas can move like grease lightening! Right then we decided it was best to go after the larger of the two. We figured it would be easier to catch. It probably would move slower and offer us a larger target.
So, we eased out of the truck quietly, having left the doors opened to catch some breeze. The plan of attack was that Paco would attack from the front and I would use the burlap sack to catch him if he turned around in my direction.
We had taken a few steps when the big Iguana slowly turned his head in my direction. I don't know what it is but those prehistoric reptiles can get the heart pumping. In addition, I asked myself, "What am I doing?" Well, Paco made his move and before you could blink, he had clamped down on the big gray iguana. He held it right behind the head just ahead of the iguana’s front legs. And he was screaming, "Senor...a little help...please!" My first past I missed and Paco was now yelling, "Ahora, ahora.... Now, now!" So, in all the excitement we were now in the middle of the dirt jungle road with the big gray iguana whipping its tail in all directions. I got a few welts that stun but now I was bound to pin it down. Finally I got lucky or the gray iguana stop to rest and we had him! The other one had gotten out of Dodge in a real hurry. It would have ended there, but about this time a jeep comes barreling up the dirt road. Paco and I have the gray iguana between us. The driver sees us. He stands on his brakes and throws rocks and dirt everywhere. After the cloud of dust settles Paco is yelling at Miguel the driver of the jeep that he almost killed us! And where did he get his license to drive and a few other choice remarks. We thank God that we are all well and still holding on to the big gray iguana. It will make a nice delicious meal for some lucky soul.
Iguanas have long nails. So, Paco securely ties it with its own nails and I don't know what else. The gray just looks. We finish gauging the rest of the tanks and by mid afternoon it was back to the big house to clean up and update the status board of product on hand in each tank gauge. Paco was happy and I was too! Had a large burlap sack of mangoes and of course Paco had the big gray iguana. Being friendly and good-natured like most Panamanians I have known, he asked me if I wanted the iguana.
After all the rolling around in the middle of the dirt road chasing the iguana and almost being run over by a jeep... I had lost my appetite for the big gray iguana. I replied, "No, Paco. You can have it. But thanks. I'll always remember this day, as the day we chased iguanas at the Arrijan Tank farm. Paco, Muchias Gracias y que lo passé bien."
And so ends the saga of my adventures in Panama chasing Iguanas.... they taste like chicken don't you know. Really!
