PANAMA

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



For the life of me, I'm trying to picture what lots of framed fish molas on the wall would look like. Trouble is that I don't know what a "mola" is. But, I don't have any trouble envisaging a hundred bottles of beer on the wall...in fact I think I've sung about them countless times over the years. Both Bocas Del Toro and Coral Lodge sound fascinating. I especially like the idea of staying at a luxury resort where your accommodation is in bungalows on stilts over the water. Fascinating! Also like the idea of a tour of the local Kuna village before you check in. Novel idea! Thanx for the info.



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

You made me laugh! My husband would have loved beer on the wall vs. the molas!!!! I was starting to dig deeper into the Coral Lodge. I am seeing mixed reviews. My concern is back to what do people expect when they travel. Some comments such as not having drinks prepared at the pool!! was crazy when you think of where you are. This is not an all-inclusive in Cancun! I think I am getting better at reading reviews and trying to pull out the pieces that are important to me. I also found in Panama villa rentals that are available on the beach about 1.5 hours outside the city. This might be nice to add with Coral Lodge. Its fun in the early stages of planning a trip!

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



Glad your hubby got a laugh out of the 100 beer. But, please, please tell me what a fish MOLA is, as I can't stand the suspense any more. I'm with you on the ridiculous notion some travellers have that all their high-end expectations will be satisfies automatically at every resort they go to in all parts of the world. Talk about being unrealistic and arrogant. Sounds like you, much like me, really enjoy the planning and organizing part of travel. I often use Google Earth as a tool for "checking out" a potential travel destination and its surroundings well in advance. This way, there'll be less surprises once we actually get there.



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Curtiejoe. A fish mola is just a mola with the picture of a fish on it. The Kuna Indians use colored fabrics (all different brightly colored fabrics) to make a picture or scene. It could be the ocean, animals, or in our case, a fish! Well, we have all the "fish" combinations of molas! Hey, at least our home looks uniform and organized and looks like we are "fish" people! Yes, you are right. I love the planning! I inherited this from my mother who used to study the train schedules across the US. She had pen pals all across the States. During the war, she took the train to visit from Philadelphia everywhere. Many times, she would (if allowed) talk to the soldiers being transferred by train to the East or West Coast. (She said they were typically all together in one car.) She loved to study the train schedules. I used to have the European train schedules almost memorized. I spent the 80's travelling throughout Europe by train. (East and West.) It was great fun! (however, I couldn't imagine doing it now!) The planning is sometimes almost as fun as getting there!

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoe



I finally googled "mola" and found out that it's a traditional blouse worn by the Kuna women of the San Blas Islands. Apparently they all have very colourful and often intricate panels on them that depict various aspects of their lives and culture. Below, you'll see several samples that I really find very attractive. Do you have any of these?

For sure, the planning and organization of a trip or vacation for me is often almost as exciting as the actual event itself (perhaps because at this early stage, I'm often forced to use my imagination to picture what the place or destination we're headed to looks like. Getting to know the train schedules, as you and your mother have done, is another fun example of people getting involved in faraway travel experiences.



Curt.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Curt! Great research. Each Mola is made by hand so each is very different. From your research, you now can see the "fish" mola. And yes, we have many variations of a fish mola with a single fish to many fish. (Though my husband is now looking for "beer" molas with different beer labels from around the world!) Do you think if we go back to the Kuna area we can start a trend by "asking" for one to be made?!! The best idea we had to display our molas was to actually have them framed. In this way, they stay fresh and don't lose their vibrancy from the sun. Our first mola is just nailed to pieces of local wood (we bought the whole thing mola and wood.) Its a little more funky and rustic. Only problem is is that it gets a little faded and worn without protection. When you buy the mola, you are actually buying a "swatch" of fabric with the design on it. You are then left to use it as clothing, a bag, or like us, framed.



Enjoy!

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



I had a lot of fun looking into the molas. Was fascinated by the vivid colours and intricate patterns that the Kuna women use in making their unique molas. Whether they would actually custom-make a beer mola poses an interesting question. I guess the only way to find out fort sure is to ask them on your next trip to Panama and the San Blas Islands. Somehow I doubt it, butmaybe if you have something unusual from home to trade with, they might consider it. Good luck!



Curt