One of my favorite homes to visit here in Panama is that of Lucia and Florencio. It's up in the mountains, where it's best to hike in, the doors are always open, the smiles are always warm, the coffee hot, the kindness and simplicity inspiring.
This is where we take our guests to experience an authentic way of Panamanian life in the interior. Traveling the world and visiting others in their homes can be a deeply enriching experience. Immersing yourself in another culture not only opens our minds to a new perspective on life, it helps to preserve cultures as technology encroaches, and gives everyone a chance to share a part of their world they are passionate about.
Before I moved to Panama, I'm not sure I ever visited someones home that had dirt floors. I wonder what you think of when you see this? I never knew how clean a dirt floor could actually be. What about cooking over an open flame inside your kitchen (gas flame beside)? The food coming from Lucia's kitchen will change you forever. It's amazing and it's truly made with and served with love.
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future." John F. Kennedy
We just had some guests here that were telling me about how they enjoy real estate tours even though they weren't looking to buy and actually, a lot of people do this. There's just something fascinating about seeing others homes whether it's in our own neighborhood or in another country. Driving through Panama, you won't see much diversity in styles of homes. We just don't have access to a lot of building materials, machinery, and alternative options. However, you will notice a lot of homes that look exactly alike. These homes are a result of the "Roofs of Hope" project funded by the government.
Providing a family of 4 or 5 just over 500sqft, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a small living space and a kitchen were originally constructed of cement block. Now, they are made of a foam panel system and can be constructed in about a month.
Every 5 years, each community is allotted 5 of these homes to offer to their population via a lottery system. There are several requirements to apply for the lottery but if you win a home, it is built 100% with government funding, connected to utilities, and ready to move into.
Welcome to another great way to live life. We look forward to sharing these experiences with you here in Panama and would love to hear from you.
Your Friends in Morrillo,
Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners and Hosts
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort