No Me Digas...

Panama at the crossroads of commerce in the heart of the universe... a place of dreams!

If you don't know where you are going... any road will take you there! But hey do you know the way to Cocoli? Nestle on the west bank of the Panama Canal, just past U.S. Naval Station Rodman off Bruja Road lies the enchanting town site of Cocoli. Cocoli for many years was my home. In it’s hey day, Cocoli boasted everything from a clubhouse to a clinic dispensary for common prescriptions. There were four family houses, duplexes, cottages, single apartments for the bachelors, and also 12 family units. It was a bustling town like those carved out of the jungle of the Panama Canal building days. Yes, living in Cocoli was fun! I can still see it in my minds eye as if it were only yesterday. The main part of the town was on a mesa surrounded by a series of low hills to the west that led toward K-9 Road and Miraflores Locks. A portion of the town, dropped away rather sharply to the west past the Cocoli Elementary School. It was affectionately known as Sleepy Hallow. Yes, just like the Halloween Tale we all had to learn in grade school. And on an spooky night when the moon played hide-seek among the low dark gray mist clouds, you might even see the headless horseman ride up the hill out of Sleepy Hallow on his shiny white horse and he would rear up...and we would all run home as fast as our small legs would carry us. It was really scary attending first and second grades at Cocoli. You may ask at this point what I am leading up too. Well, are going back to the future to the years of the late 50s. Our Canal Zone Teachers inspired dreams, shaped lives and gave us all hope for the future. Yes, this picture shows all the first graders. Maybe you can see yourself in this picture and maybe not. I am the short kid with suspenders in the top row. (Circa 1946 at Cocoli Elementary School) Memories Memories are a collage of forgotten pictures from the past thrown in your minds closet for a rainy day. Our memories are the storehouse of imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council chamber of our decision making processes. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path. ---- Henry Winkler, Actor Too Many Secrets Latest book More about my books ... God is in Charge and Jesus Is the Way. All things come from God. God knows us intimately since he is our Creator and Savior. God loves us all with a heart that is true. So honor him through prayer and obedience by keeping His Commandments. As it is written in Isiah Chapter 46: 10 “At the beginning I foretell the outcome; in advance, things not yet done I say that my plan shall stand, I accomplish my every purpose.” Parada...Yo dije parada! No me digas que no! Dale mas fuerte!Yes this will be our first stop and one of many if you stay on the Chiva as we explore a lost paradise at the crossroads of world commerce in the heart of the universe. This enchanting land where magic is at your fingertips is only a few hours south of Miami. I plan to give you a preview of what it was to have had the good fortunate to have been born in Panama and spend all my early years in the old Canal Zone. Yes, Welcome to my corner of the world. We also plan to visit Cocoli… the best little town site on the banks of the Panama Canal. Enjoy your visit. You are welcome to join us we go to the beach or just go on safari. If there are any questions or comments feel free to E-Mail Me… I will try to answer them manana. God bless you and yours… And you all come back… you hear? Hasta la vista and Buena Suerte! May the Force be with you…