Whether the Weather

     I've been sitting here at the computer, staring out the window trying to come up with any topic of interest to write about.

  Granted, I am a bit foggy this morning, not only because my coffee is still perking, or because this is the second time I've attempted to get up and function in the last few hours, or because I finished off the tequila the first time I got up.  Well, okay - it's all of those things, plus the view directly in front of me is three, tall trees, each different but all blowing in the late morning breeze and making it easy to just stare.  I'm going to turn this 'tablet' around and take a photo. 

Hmm.  It looses something in the translation.  

But, my point is this;  Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody (except perhaps some black-ops government agency) does anything about it, and the reason, at least here in Panama, is because you can't keep up with it.  So, I've decided to write about the weather.

In Oregon for instance they have a thing called 'an extended weather forecast', which the

meteorologists put together in order to justify the millions of dollars they spend on gadgets, and to give them something to fill up their share of the news broadcast, which is somewhere around 97%.  These 'extended forecasts' are supposed to predict, with relative accuracy, what the weather will be like in the upcoming week or so.
     Of course, this extended forecast is shown every day, which saves the weather person from having to be the least bit accurate for more than two days at a time. 

If, lets say, on Monday, weatherman 'Matt' shows that his extended forecast for the upcoming week is going to be clear and sunny 'right on through Friday', then actually looks at one of his million dollar gadgets and discovers a giant hurricane will slam into Portland on Wednesday, he can simply change his 'extended forecast' to reflect this new discovery in Tuesday's extended forecast. 

Now before I get cards and letters regarding the predicted hurricane hitting Portland, we both know I'm only kidding.  Weatherman 'Matt' never really looks at the million dollar gadgets.
That is why Panama, like most Central American countries, only has two seasons; dry

and rainy.  Sure, the so called 'experts' at NOAA will tell you it has to do with being closer to the 'equator', and the 'oceanic flow', and 'jet streams', but the real reason there are only two seasons in Central America is because they are smarter than us.  Let me explain.

In Panama, for instance, in what is known as the 'Dry' season, in rains more that it does in the 'Rainy' season.  Don't believe me?  Look it up.  Every day since I have been here in Boquete we have had warm spring days - with cleansing showers, high winds, thunder and lightning.  Last evening a bolt of lightning struck the ground so close to the house that sparks fell into the yard and you could hear the electricity crackle in the air.  Then it cleared up and the sun is out this morning.  

 My point is this; I don't think Central America even has 'meteorologist'.  What is the use? 

I got your 'extended forecast' right here!  Enjoy the sun until it rains - or vise versa.  My advise is to visit during the dry season.  But don't forget to bring your goulashes.  Don't bring a parasol to keep the sun off, because you'll loose it!  The wind can whip up in an instant, and poof! There goes the $25.00 you spent on that umbrella up and over a mountain.  Here is a little known fact; Scientist have discovered a reef, larger  than The Great Barrier reef, made up entirely of umbrellas and parasols. 

It is on the Caribbean side of Panama near Bocas del Toro.  It makes for good snorkeling.  So you see, not only do these guys save millions of dollars on gadgets and meteorologists, they also are more relaxed, and make a fortune selling parasols.  Therefore, who's the smart one now Matt?!