This past week, during Veterans Day, I really enjoyed the reflection of so many honoring the people of the armed forces in the USA. So many incredible stories were shared from all walks of life and generations of families. The pride the country feels for those that have devoted their lives to protect its people represents the soul of the nation and the unity we are all craving these days. On the heels of Veterans Day, it got me thinking about when we made the choice to move to Panama - a country without armed forces. That's a bit of a shocking concept especially with a family so deeply rooted in the US Armed forces and makes you wonder if it's really a good idea?! Will we be safe there in Panama? How does Panama protect Panama? A legitimate question to ask ourselves, and i'm sure our parents wondered the same thing. Panama is roughly the size of South Carolina and slightly smaller than Ireland and while they may have tried, the past has proven that having a military hasn't really worked out. Essentially now, the United States works closely with Panama in a myriad of ways but especially to protect the canal, and assist in combating illegal drug movement and organized crime. Ring a bell Manuel and Meryl? There is a large US Embassy in the city, where the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and in fact there are 49 embassies in total that are available to travelers from around the world as an important resource. Speaking of armies, here in the jungle, I think of ants. Panama has almost 600 species of ants! They all have a job to do, and it's fascinating how important they all are. Sure, they may clean off your favorite flowers or trees overnight but be patient, there's a reason for it all. I included the video above about leaf cutters of Panama. They are a strong army with a serious purpose. To our chickens, they are like walking m&m's and hence our tasty morning eggs.
I know we all want to get out and travel and the heavy hand of COVID-19 seems determined to keep us inside but, we are all weighing our risks on where to travel and when so, knowing what's available to keep our families safe helps us to make those decisions. While there may not be an armed forces here, Panama does have several internal security forces and they do a darn good job of keeping the country safe. In fact, it's considered one of the safest countries in Central America.
We are here to assist you and your travel logistics. We have a safe place for you and your family to visit, the surf is awesome, nature is inspiring, food is tasty, and beer is col-col.
We miss you all and would love to hear from you and how you are doing. What's going on in your hemisphere? Do you have interesting ants?
Sending you love from the jungle.
Your Friends in Morrillo,
Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners and Hosts
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort