Un•Lysh•d

Is Confidence the Key?

2009-07-22T09:55:00.011-04:00

I'm not a faithful reader of the Wall Street Journal, but a recent article that someone tweeted about caught my eye. Its title: "Silencing the Voice that Says You're a Fraud."

Unfortunately, I am very aware of that voice in my head. It plagues me with doubts about my writing ability and causes me to hesitate about marketing my services. What gives me the right to claim to be some great writer? Surely someone will figure out that's not the case! It is thoughts like these that can be immobilizing.

One psychologist is quoted in the article saying, "People usually succeed in spite of their Inner Critic, not because of them."

Just a few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing how and why some are perceived to be experts in their field. She, for instance, has come to be known a a local authority on social media. She's not really sure what's she's done to deserve it, but she's content to ride the wave. Yet, all the while she's wondering if someone will call her out for being a fraud.

But is she? I'm thinking it comes down to confidence. If you project an air of confidence in yourself, your ability and your knowledge, I think people are drawn to that and in turn seek you out when they need answers or insight into what they perceive is your area of expertise.

So if you silence that inner voice and face the world with confidence, does that result in success? I hoping yes!

The big quandry: Who to work for

2009-07-08T14:23:00.005-04:00

Welcome to my adventures in networking. As your typical introverted freelance writer (yes, sad but true, I am generalizing) who prefers to remain safely behind my computer screen, socializing on any level is a struggle! Here's what I am doing to change that.

At the Creative Freelancer conference I attended last year, there was a lot of talk about creating a marketing machine; a system that would continue to market your services no matter what your workload. A successful marketing machine keeps you in front of potential clients on a regular basis and keeps the work from drying up.

Unfortunately, here I sit a year later with no marketing machine.

Thankfully my writing assignments remain steady, but the problem is I am not gaining any new work or clients. The big question for me is: Who do I want to work for?

It sounds like an odd question, but from the books I've read and the blogs I follow experts say that is the all-important question. I suppose I need to look at it from a different standpoint. As a freelance writer, I actually have control over who I work with unlike at my full-time job where those parameters are determined for me.

Of course, I can't be too picky considering I am new to this world of entrepreneurship, but I've learned that the more projects I take on, hopefully the more kudos I receive from work well done, will ultimately result in me choosing clients I really want to do business with.

That would be the goal, right?

So who do I want to work with?

I love the real estate field and considering that my full-time job is marketing for a real estate company plus I write virtual tour scripts for one of my freelance clients, it seems natural to pursue real estate writing. I suppose a Google search is in order.

Next, I would love to write for more trade publications in the real estate, construction and green industries. My Writer's Market membership should help with that.

Once I have completed this research, I suppose the next step would be plunging ahead with the cold calls (eek!) and letters of introduction to see where the opportunities lie. Just another form of networking that I need to tackle!

My photo gets the networking ball rolling

2009-07-01T10:29:00.013-04:00

Welcome to my adventures in networking. As your typical introverted freelance writer (yes, sad but true, I am generalizing) who prefers to remain safely behind my computer screen, socializing on any level is a struggle! Here's what I am doing to change that.

Some people love to see their photo in a magazine or newspaper. I am not one of those people.

Even when I was the editor of a growing weekly newspaper, I shied away from having my photo appear next to my column. I just didn't want the added exposure.

However, this past April when the editor of the Naples Florida Weekly, a paper I freelance for, approached me about writing a weekly business column that would also feature my photo, well I was nervous but I wasn't about to turn down the opportunity.

What I wasn't prepared for was the recognition it brought me! While I had been writing for the newspaper for several months, no one, except close friends and family, realized this because very few people actually take the time to notice a story's byline. What they do notice, however, is my photo!

This added exposure has not only brought compliments but some networking opportunities, too, which hopefully will open doors to future freelance writing work. Thus far, I've been invited to help plan the 2010 American Cancer Society's event (Viva Naples!) here in Naples where I will provide my writing skills to effectively promote the three-day extravaganza. Also, former colleagues have contacted me letting me know they saw my column and would love to catch up.

Who knew that having a photo in the local newspaper could actually help me in my networking quest?! What a great marketing tool!

Guest Blog Post ... A First for Me

2009-06-24T12:11:00.005-04:00

7 Steps to Make Networking Work for You

2009-06-17T10:12:00.019-04:00

Welcome to my adventures in networking. As your typical introverted freelance writer (yes, sad but true, I am generalizing) who prefers to remain safely behind my computer screen, socializing on any level is a struggle!

This morning I attended another session (it's a three-part series) of the Advanced Networking Workshop held at the Naples Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by Realtor Matthew Klinowski and business coach Jessica Macera.

Here's what stuck with me: If you live in a big city, you can pretty much remain nameless and faceless and still do business.

My plan of action: Move to a big city immediately! Just kidding.

I'm thinking if I move to a big city, I wouldn't have to actually be out there meeting people face-to-face. Maybe I could simply do business from my home computer, in my sweatpants, and still be a successful copywriter without ever having to meet anyone in person to try to sell my services.

Hey, some people dream of winning the lottery. I dream of never having to face-to-face network. We all gotta have our dreams, right?

In all seriousness, though, I know that is not reality, whether I'm in a city of a few million or here in Naples where we balloon up to about 300,000 or so from January to April. I must get out there and get to know people and, more importantly, have them get to know me in order for my business to even have a chance of growing.

What really took me back this morning was something business owner Phil Dodd said to me. He had read a previous post where I confessed how scary networking was for me and today he told me that at the last Advanced Networking session he felt I was the most approachable. Wow! That was eye opening. I never pictured myself like that. Maybe that will help me in my networking quest.

In any case, here's what I learned from today's session:

Choose the right events that play to your strengths and the application of your business. Of course, to discover which events are right for you, it may require attending some that turn out to not be a good fit, but you won't know that until you show up.
Be consistent in your networking and marketing efforts. As Matt quoted, "Repetition is recognition." And remember, more often than not, a simple message that is well executed is typically much more effective than one that is extravagant with no real thought-out plan.
Carry a pen with you at events and when you collect a business card from someone you really made a connection with, place a check mark on that card to trigger your memory when plugging that person into your database.
Keep notes about your contacts. This works well in Outlook which provides a spot for notes. As Jessica pointed out, keep notes about each person's likes and dislikes which can spur conversation the next time you meet them.
Organize your contacts. Keep a list of casual contacts versus those you consider "hot pursuits."
Maintain a regular follow-up schedule. Whether you follow-up with an email one day after meeting someone or deliver a handwritten note to them within a week, make a plan and stick to it.
Let your personality shine through. The more you let people see the real you, the more memorable you will be. Stand out from the crowd.

But the most important point is that networking is a lifestyle. If you commit to it in whatever capacity, you will follow-through and get it done. Happy networking!

Just Get Over it & Participate Already!

2009-06-10T04:32:00.015-04:00

I have this insatiable need to learn. Unfortunately what that does is keep me safely tucked away behind my computer or in the pages of a book rather than out in the real world getting to know people. To combine my appetite for knowledge and also continue my networking quest, I attended Coffee & Social Media, an informal group that meets the second Tuesday of every month at Bad Ass Coffee here in Naples.

The get-together was great --- about 20 people sharing thoughts and issues and questions surrounding their involvement with social media. The problem: I continue to be a spectator rather than actually participate in the discussion. I know what my hang-up is. I sit there thinking any comment or question I bring up will sound stupid or immature among this group of professionals, even though I am technically a professional myself.

My thought is, the more I attend the more comfortable I'll feel with the group and the more apt I will be to actively participate rather than just listen.

Then I thought participating in a discussion via the computer would be easier. Wrong! Yesterday afternoon I joined a conversation about social media for B2B happening on Twitter. The questions from the moderator were thought-provoking and the comments from those online were excellent, but again I felt insecure. I did make a comment and asked a question, but that did nothing to ease my fears of being perceived as stupid or immature.

So where does that leave me? Grappling with my own ridiculous insecurities. The good news: I'm not giving up. I mean, sooner or later I have to get over it, right?

Confessing my addiction

2009-06-03T11:31:00.008-04:00

Welcome to my adventures in networking. As your typical introverted freelance writer (yes, sad but true, I am generalizing) who prefers to remain safely behind my computer screen, socializing on any level is a struggle!

My name is Alysia Shivers and I am a social media-aholic.
There. I’ve said it. Whew!
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs … I can’t get enough! I am literally sucking in so much information about these sites every day that my head feels like it will explode as it hits the pillow each night.
Do I need help? Probably. Will I accept it? Not unless your advice includes ways in which I can use social networking better and more efficiently, because frankly I do not want to stop.
Right now, as my TweetDeck keeps notifying me of updates, I can’t help but peek up at it to see what people are talking about. In the evening, my husband gets on the computer to check his email and play around on YouTube and all the while my mind is screaming, “I’m missing out on vital communications?!”
In the midst of tweeting and gathering followers, checking LinkedIn answers to see if I may be of assistance, updating my status on Facebook, and deciding whether or not to create a Fan Page, I’m absorbing every tidbit I can about how to use these systems most effectively.
A big help is attending Social Media Success Summit 2009. I’m learning a great deal from these social media experts about what to do today to grow my business and my social network and what the social media future may hold. I’ll fill you in as I go through these informative sessions over the next few weeks.
The good thing about social media is I get to communicate with others all over the globe via the computer, relieving me of my face-to-face networking fears. Of course, I still believe face-to-face is truly the best way to obtain new business, a belief me and my shy self are still coming to terms with.

Networking .. Not So Scary After All

2009-05-27T12:15:00.009-04:00

The morning after a long holiday weekend, I dragged myself out from under the comfort of my covers to attend an Advanced Networking Workshop at the local chamber of commerce. I was tempted to hit the snooze button and continue to catch some zzz’s but that nagging voice in my brain had enlisted the help of a jackhammer that morning and kept pounding at me to get up. Believe it or not … I’m glad I did.

Maybe I felt comfortable because there were only about 20 people in the room or maybe it was because I was called out twice to practice a tactic before the class. Whatever the case, I loved it!

It got me thinking that maybe I’m not so bad at this after all. Just wishful thinking, of course, but it did raise my confidence a bit. I have to admit, I do enjoy meeting people and I like hearing about what they do. I think it really just comes down to me crafting my message a bit more to help sell myself better.

Here are some tips I took away from the class:

Get your mood right before entering a networking function. As one of the instructors noted, on the way to an event she listens to upbeat music in her car, singing loudly for all to hear, which puts her in her happy place.
If your handshake is rememberable, you are doing it wrong. Don’t be the Shaker, the Klingon, the Gripper or Queen Elizabeth. Get in and get out fast with a firm, confident handshake using your entire hand.
Drink some extra water before the event. It wards off dry mouth and the potential for spitting. Drinking too much red wine can have the same drying effects.
If there are a bunch of small groups, develop an approach (the slide in, the burst in, the team approach) that works for you and introduce yourself. Remember: Everyone is there to network; they will be welcoming.
Don’t work the room while you are working the room. This is extremely rude. If you are speaking to someone, focus on them, not on who you’d like to talk to next.
Keep in mind that just because you may have ruled someone out as a potential customer doesn’t mean they don’t know someone who could use your services.

Happy networking!

Forever doomed by nerves and dead plants?

2009-05-21T08:59:00.008-04:00

My life feels like one big research assignment. I am currently conducting two experiments (insert mad scientist laugh here just because it’s fun).
The first is related to my freelance writing business and it’s something I’m deathly afraid of – networking. I believe I’m flat-out no good at it. My tragedy is two-fold. In my constant state of nervousness when speaking with a stranger, I tend to keep the conversation one-sided – meaning all about them – that I never give them the opportunity to inquire more about me. Or I just never find the right moment to tell them what I do except to say “I’m a freelance writer,” which usually elicits an “Oh” response and nothing more. And, the final scenario, which entails exchanging business cards with everyone I come in contact with but making no real connection with any of them. In the end, I wind up frustrated, tired and soaked (yuck!).

The problem is, I do have a business and I want and need to be promoting my abilities, but when I hear networking event I immediately shy away. So, I’m working on it, hence experiment number one where I’ll make an effort to get out there and then share my experiences, the good, the bad and the downright embarrassing, so others may learn from my mistakes and (hopefully!) share in my successes.

The second experiment is something I’ve been contemplating for a while now – starting a vegetable garden. You must understand, I have absolutely no green thumb. I’m embarrassed to admit, but I even killed a cactus once obviously from just plain neglect. My husband is a certified and well-educated horticulturist who finds humor in my attempts to keep all-things-green alive. While he’s spouting off long Latin names, I can only stare back in utter confusion, my brain still trying to wrap itself around the difference between an annual and a perennial. So, I’m working on this, too.

Fingers crossed … maybe by year’s end I’ll be a networking hound and a plant extraordinaire! I’m an optimist, can you tell?

Loving the change of scenery

2009-01-27T14:39:00.009-05:00

We've been home from Maui for more than a month now, but there's no denying that the island feeling tends to stay with you for awhile. Basically what I'm saying is that I have no trouble reliving those memories now so I can bask in that easy-paced lifestyle once again, even if it's just for a few moments.

One of the things I love most about Maui is its mountainous terrain. Coming from Florida where our house, and the majority of the state for that matter, sits literally just feet above sea level, it's nice to see a change in the landscape. And there really is nothing like seeing that morning sun peek over the top of Mount Haleakala or see the golden colors of the setting sun reflecting off the mountain's face come evening. Talk about breathtaking!

Another favorite of mine is the island's different microclimates. My parents live along the beach where warm days and mild evenings are the norm, and yet just a short, 10-minute drive up-country and the temperature change is unmistakable. In fact, a light jacket is usually called for. This is the part of Maui where you'll find cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, while down by the beaches you are resigned to purchasing a pre-cut tree at Home Depot.

Evidence of the climate change exists in the plant life you'll find as you explore the higher elevations of Maui. While visiting up-country, my mom has stopped in at the Ace Hardware only to discover that some plants she admired would not survive in her beachfront paradise. Disappointed, yes. Enough to relocate up-country, heck no.

What I find entertaining is that on an island encompassing just over 700 square miles, residents and even frequent visitors get attached to one section. Those who live in Kihei hate the busy, touristy feel of the west end, while those who like the bustling west end dislike the more subdued feel of south side.

I suppose I can't say much considering that we have friends who live in North Naples, just 10 miles away from our house, and we always say we could never live up there where it's so busy! And yet, they think we live out in the boonies. I suppose it's all relative.

25 days on Maui

2008-11-30T15:35:00.005-05:00

I was under the impression that my honeymoon at two weeks long would probably be the longest vacation I would ever take during my working lifetime. Obviously I was wrong.
25 days in Maui! Crazy, but true.
Of course, this wasn't to be a true vacation. See, my parents live on Maui and have for the past six years. Unfortunately my mom's health has taken a turn for the worse and my husband and I knew it was time to come out and lend a hand. Thankfully, a combination of our presence and medications from the doctors have put mom back on the road to better times, which we hope will last for a long time.
Not to brag or anything, but this is probably my sixth visit to Maui since our honeymoon eight years ago, which entailed a week on Maui and a week on Kauai. When you come to the island so many times, you begin to see things that you normally wouldn't as a one-time tourist.
For instance, in Kihei, where my folks live, it's fun to see the peacocks cross the main road. In fact, you must always be on the lookout for them because they'll walk across whenever the urge strikes and drivers, who are only traveling a modest 30 mph, stop in awe as these cool creatures strut by.
It is worth the drive up-country to visit the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage up in Makawao where students studying massage offer one-hour massages for $30.
On the way over to Kihei and Wailea is the SPCA, a fairly non-descript building where you can visit all the cute dogs and cats that are up for adoption. In fact, on this visit we actually got mom and dad to adopt the cutest cat you've ever seen. It will be good for them to have a cuddly creature around the house to keep them company once we have left.

Airport comfort. An oxymoron?

2008-11-16T15:04:00.010-05:00

I'm not sure if I've just been traveling too much this year or if I've just turned into one of those weird people who notices fun and unusual things in airports now.

Then again when you are forced to spend nearly four hours in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, it is hard not to notice all the cool stuff.

For instance, let's say you suddenly have a craving for an iPod Nano. Or maybe you have an iPod but you want better earphones. Or you desperately want a pair of those iTheater glasses. If you are traveling when this desire strikes, don't worry. The Dallas airport has a vending machine for iPod products. How awesome is that?!

All you do is pop in your credit card, punch in your selection, and out pops a new iPod or a new iPod accessory. It's almost better than chocolate except it will put a bigger dent in your wallet.

Thankfully, my iPod is fully equipped so there was no need to splurge. What we did splurge on, though, was first-class seats. No, not first-class seats on the plane. We can't afford those even though flying first class would be on my bucket list, if I had a bucket list. These first-class seats were comfy, leather massage chairs in the terminal that only cost $5 for 15 minutes.

We had three hours to kill so what's 15 minutes and $5? Plus, as you sit there having a massage, you can also put on the headphones and select from a variety of soothing tunes. It's a great place to grab a power nap.

Another great place to stretch out in Dallas is in the terminal chairs themselves at your gate. Believe it or not, they have a selection of chairs around that come with foot rests. What an incredible idea! To my surprise and my luck, not all of these chairs were taken. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why anyone would pass them up. I didn't waste any time snagging two for us while we waited for our group number to be called. My hope is that maybe more airports will add this luxury.

As you can see, I get excited by the little things in life. A little extra bit of comfort goes a long way in my book.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T10:28:00.009-04:00

Halloween is my husband's favorite day. This year, since there's been talk of trying to sell the house, he is going all out (more than usual) with the decorations.

Since we moved into our development eight years ago, we've become known throughout the neighborhood and the neighboring neighborhoods as the scariest house. He's done everything from chasing screaming kids down the street with a chainsaw, to jumping out of our hurricane debris pile as a mutilated creature, to placing himself in his handmade electric chair (that was the year the kids felt they got some much-deserved vindication).

This year, there's a six-foot devil greeting trick-or-treaters by the mailbox, mechanical creatures that moan and light up and whose heads turn around, and a black tunnel the kids have to wander through to receive the night's greatest reward: candy.

In the past, we've had some kids who won't even venture up the driveway, sending their parents up instead, who are in awe of what he has created, to get their candy. Others have spilled their entire pillowcases of treats on our sidewalk in their haste to get away.

It's always fun to see the reactions and just how scared everyone gets when you blast some spooky music and shine some strobe lights on the yard. Of course our yard is full of tombstones with skeletons and monster hands escaping the earth. That might have something to do with it.

Not only do we have tons of scary do-dads, but we also have a ton of candy in preparation for the Friday night onslaught of greed. Our first year here we had no idea what to expect, but part way through the night as the bowl ran low, Wes was forced to make a candy run. We've since upped our candy count.

This year, since it is on a weekend night, we are expecting a few hundred visitors. Hopefully they make it up the front walk so we can get rid of all the candy!

Sweet escape

2008-10-28T11:06:00.002-04:00

I’m one of those people who love to read bumper stickers stuck to other people’s cars, but will never stick one on my own car. Yesterday I saw a great one that said: Escaped from Wisconsin!
Of course the notion is relevant because most people come to Florida to escape the cold and bitter winters of the north. And yesterday, and the rest of this week for that matter, the weather was, and is, supposed to be particularly gorgeous.
The thermometer has finally dipped below the 90 degree mark and, more importantly, the humidity is all but gone. In fact, today we may not even reach 70 for a high and we could wake up in the 40s tomorrow morning. For myself, whose blood like water, this is sweater, boots, and heavy jacket weather.
Despite the chilliness, there’s a palpable energy in the air that comes with the change of weather. It reminds me of that first day up north when the blast of cold, winter air dims to a light breeze and suddenly the sun is shining bright and the warmer temperature allows you to turn off the heat and roll down the car windows.
That’s what yesterday was like here in Southwest Florida. Except instead of the heat, I turned off the air-conditioner that’s been on non-stop since probably April, opened up the windows, and turned up the radio. Everyone else must have felt the same way because drivers were driving crazier than usual.
I, for once, was content to drive behind every slow poke, relishing the sunshine, the bright blue sky, and the wind through my hair. I did everything I could so my day stuck in a windowless cubicle could start later than normal.

Walking the boards in Jersey

2008-10-15T15:56:00.009-04:00

New Jersey was another of our destinations this summer, and beings that I am from Jersey, it would be all-out rude not to include it in my blog.

Yes, even from a very young age, I was always eager to leave Jersey, but believe it or not there are many things I do miss about it. Mostly food related, of course.

Many of you reading this might be thinking what is so great about Jersey?!

I'll never forget one of my college boyfriends being literally shocked to see stretches of farmland in a state he thought only consisted of refineries. I was pleased that his visit dispelled that myth.

Where I'm from in Central Jersey, that's really all there is ... farms, farms and more farms. So naturally the only thing to look forward to is food ... oh, and the shore. Yes, I may live in Naples and the beach is just minutes from my home, but that's all it is ... a beach. Sand and warm water. Woo hoo.

In Jersey, there's the boardwalk with skeeball and mini golf and batting cages. More importantly, there's pizza and boardwalk fries and fudge and waffles and ice cream and funnel cake ... now I'm hungry!

Thankfully this time we visited Jersey in early September so the boardwalk was still open before closing up for the winter months. Don't get me wrong ... even when we have come up in the winter, I've made a trip to the boardwalk just to walk the boards even if I couldn't buy fries and fudge and ... well you know the rest!

So our evening at the boardwalk involved lots of noshing and lots of skeeball. And with all our skeeball tickets we got bracelets full of glitter, a tribute to our glory days back in the 80s.

Bellies full Chicago style

2008-09-25T14:35:00.012-04:00

Most of our travels don't necessarily revolve around sites to see and things to do but rather what food to eat. Our Chicago agenda was no different. And considering we had already done most of the touristy things on our first visit, food was our motivation this time.

Three restaurants for your Chicago must-do list:

Giordano's
The Original Pancake House

Lawry's, The Prime Rib

Even though Naples recently got a Uno Chicago Grill, and it is awesome, there's nothing like having deep dish pizza in its hometown. From the moment I learned that the Creative Freelancer Conference was being held in Chicago, I was dreaming about the layers of melted cheese and sweet sauce. Heck, even thinking about it now gets my mouth watering! On this visit, Giordano's was right behind our hotel, but in our three-and-a-half day visit, we were only able to squeeze in one lunchtime pizza. I'm sure our arteries were thankful that's all we could fit in.

On our last visit to Chicago, we wandered the streets one morning in search of a breakfast place. Breakfast is a meal I can eat 24/7, so it was important to find a great place. Of course, the more we wandered the more our stomachs growled and we were not finding anything except small coffee shops. Then we passed a cop. Now I don't want to admit that I was "profiling," but I thought "hey, a cop with a bit of a belly on him must know a good breakfast place." And what do you know ... he did! We had to walk quite a few blocks to find The Original Pancake House, but when we did it was so worth it. In fact, this time we made a point of going back. Don't be intimidated by the line, even it is out the door as is usually the case. It is worth the wait! You must try the apple pancakes and the Dutch Baby. Yummmm!!

I think we originally saw Lawry's Prime Rib on Food Network and both my husband and I were amazed. A restaurant that revolves around prime rib, my favorite dish ... what a concept! We knew we had to visit it, and we did on our first and our second trip to Chicago. Granted, it is not cheap, but it is worth saving up for. You must make reservations and while it is a fancy place, situated in the 1890s McCormick Mansion, there are many who come in casual attire. When that cart comes around to personally slice your piece of prime rib cooked exactly to your liking, it is a glorious moment. Even better is mixing it with the mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.

Trading in my flip-flops for knee-high, fur-lined boots

2008-09-21T13:38:00.009-04:00

Our travels this summer have taken us from the mountains of Panama, to the tourist-filled streets of Chicago, to the quiet farmland of southern New Jersey.

While I expounded a lot about our adventures in Panama, mostly because I had never been to a third-world country, or out of the country at all for that matter, I'll just give you a quick re-cap on Chicago.

If you've never been, I totally recommend it. Chicago is a fantastic city, and this comes from a girl who really isn't a city person. I've been to New York several times and to L.A. and San Francisco, but Chicago just blows me away!

This was our second time traveling there in three years. Usually, the novelty of a new place will wear off on the second visit, but I have to say I was just as in love with the city this time as I was when we first saw it in 2005. Maybe more so.

In fact, I raved about it so much my husband was worried he might find our bags packed, the cats in a carrier, and a For Sale sign in the front yard soon after we got back to Florida. Of course, each visit to Chicago thus far has been in August when the sun is shining, the temperature is 85 degrees, and the lake and the river look equally inviting.

But as everyone keeps reminding me, the winters there would kill me. I'm aware of this, but I try not to think about those long winter months of negative degree temps. I mean, technically, I could hole up inside our home there, drink hot cocoa, and write my stories on my laptop all while watching the blustery winds and snow from my comfortable office chair.

Then I think how painful it would be to go to the grocery store, because of course I would need food. And how I'd have to invest in winter clothes which I haven't had to buy for eight years now.

Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to be content with visiting - in the summer of course.

Final Panama thoughts

2008-09-07T13:51:00.011-04:00

Our final day in Panama took us from the white-sand beaches of Santa Clara and the beauty of the Las Sirenas resort, where hammocks swayed in the ocean breeze, to the craziness of Panama City, which unfortunately we had to drive through in order to get to the airport.

Neither one of us looked forward to driving in the city again, but we knew our chances of kissing the U.S. soil were far better if we could successfully navigate the city and come out on the other side.

We decided to waste a few hours at the Albrook Mall, which after a couple of wrong turns we finally found. Albrook was a HUGE mall! I mean talk about sensory overload! It was like Miami on steriods. The energy level was so high for 2p.m. on Friday afternoon, I think it would have benefited from some Ritalin.

In any case, we strolled along its large and bright corridors, scanning store after store, that all had foreign names but whose contents mimiced those found in the U.S., including the insanely high-high heels, tight-fitting and low-cut shirts, and hipster jeans, until we found the food court.

There Wes enjoyed a tasty steak from Lenos y Carbon (a place highly recommended by our Panama friend Jessica) while I had sushi. Then it was off to the arcade, which turned out to be larger than a department store with small carnival rides, loads of pool and air hockey tables, and a whole wall of my favorite - skee ball!

The only thing that ruined it were some kids following us around who kept trying to show us how to play the games by shoving us over and taking the controls, or in my case, the skee balls. Very frustrating, so we quickly left and gave our remaining tickets to a cute family with small children.

We left a few hours before night fell in an effort to find Hotel Riande Aeropuerto, which was only a few short miles from the mall. What should have taken us minutes ended up taking us hours because our wonderful navigation system let us know about 50 feet too late that we had to make a turn.

Instead, we ended up in 5 o'clock Friday traffic. It was a nightmare! And of course, there was some rain thrown in too, just to keep things interesting.

We finally made it to the hotel after dark and as we sipped our drinks at the bar and shared our last Panama club sandwich, a fellow U.S. couple expounded on why they love Panama and were so disappointed that we did not fall in love with it as well.

My feeling is ... if everyone loved the same place, we'd have quite a population problem in some areas of the world.

Some of the things I'll never forget about Panama:

A guy standing on the side of the road dangling two-foot-long iguanas from each hand evidently trying to sell them for food
Seeing products at The Rey, a grocery store, that I didn't think existed anymore: Tang, Close Up toothpaste, and Shasta soda
Armed guards both inside and out the Albrook Mall
A bidet in the bathroom of Hotel La Hacienda
Purchasing three baked goods and a cup of coffee at The Rey and only paying $1.40
A family's morning catch - a huge red snapper hanging from a rope on the side of the road

The search continues for our dream location. After this experience, my thought is it has to be predominantly English-speaking and probably within the U.S. I hate to limit ourselves, but ...

Mountainous highway and torrential rain – a scary combo

2008-09-02T15:04:00.009-04:00

On our way out of Boquete, we decided to stop by Las Olas, a beach resort the family from Kissimmee (our fellow white-water rafting and canopy-flying friends) was calling home for two weeks. The kids had raved about the black sand beach so much that we had to see it for ourselves. Lots of signs pointed the way to Las Olas, which was good because the road out there is fairly non-descript with large, open fields of green flanking it. Beautiful countryside, no doubt, but still desolate.
Las Olas was interesting with a three-story resort resting right on the beach, a gated community off to the right, and some huge homes under construction directly to its left. It was obvious that this beach locale is going to be a popular destination someday.
Unfortunately our Kissimmee friends had not yet returned from their adventures, but their sister gladly welcomed us in, showing us the three-bedroom condo and all of its amenities. We strolled down to the black sand beach where some were soaking up the rays and others were jumping in the waves. We couldn’t get over just how huge the beach and the waves were!
After a short visit, we got back on the road in an effort to make it to our halfway point – Santiago.
Word of caution: Do not attempt to drive the Panamericana Highway at night during rainy season. It becomes a death trap!
Stupid tourists that we were, we left Las Olas around 4 p.m. and we could see the dark clouds developing in the distance. We did happen to drive a good portion of the road in no rain or just a light drizzle, but when the torrential downpours really hit, it was pitch black out and big tractor-trailers were coming at us from around the curves blinding us as they passed.
Also, the headlights on our rental must have been set too high because everyone we passed flashed their high beams at us even though we did not have our high beams on. This resulted in a string of non-stop cursing from my husband as he fought to stay on the road.
Since we were up in the mountains, we knew there wasn’t much of a shoulder, if any at all, and we couldn’t take the chance of stopping to wait for the rain to subside. That was too dangerous of a prospect.
Instead, we just had to keep driving knowing that with each curve we rounded Santiago got a bit closer. We were both leaning forward as far as our seatbelts would allow, straining to see the road’s yellow and white lines through the rain. Every once in a while, when I caught a glimpse of the white line along the shoulder I would tell my husband he was over too far to the left or too far to the right.
Finally, Santiago came into sight as did the obnoxious colors of the Hotel la Hacienda. We were relieved but the huge margarita we ordered at the bar also helped take the edge off.

Flying through the Panama mountainside

2008-08-27T12:17:00.002-04:00

Yes, I am afraid of heights. Not deathly afraid, just moderately so. So the thought of flying through the tree tops in Panama excited me, accompanied by just a touch of nerves.
We met our guides in a shopping center on Boquete’s main street at 7:45 a.m. and they loaded us up in an old truck whose bed had been converted into a canopy-covered people mover. It looked comfortable enough with its cushioned bench seats, and it was while we were on the town’s paved roads. However, once we turned onto the rock-filled trail that led up the mountainside, I knew either a massage therapist or a chiropractor would be needed to help reset my neck and back again. In fact, I think my kidneys might still be on that Panama road.
At the top of the three-mile rock road stands the Boquete Tree Trek headquarters where someday guests will be able to stay in cute cottages. Our guides strapped us into our gear, gave a quick safety demonstration, and we were all loaded back into the truck.
This time the road literally went straight up leaving us to hold on to every available bar. I still don’t know how we made it to the top without flipping over.
We made our way down on foot to the first tree stand with 13-year-old Julio Jr. eager to go first. None of us adults put up a fight.
As Julio flew across to the second tree stand, we all just watched in horror and amazement secretly wondering if we were insane. When my turn arrived, I knew I was shaky but I put on a brave face. The first cable went past in a blur as I kept my eyes focused on the second tree stand just hoping that the cable held.

There were 13 cables in all, the longest being 400-plus km long. By that time I was used to flying through the trees, and wanting that long one to last, I tried to slow myself down halfway through to have a look around. Volcan Baru was in the distance and it was gorgeous.
We made it back down to the main cabin, stripped off our gear, and enjoyed a margarita from the bar. Since it is difficult to be Tarzan and snap photos at the same time, Boquete Tree Trek sends a photographer on each tour and you can buy a CD of the photos for $10. Pretty good for memories that will last forever!

I wish we had had more time

2008-08-25T12:07:00.010-04:00

After our adventurous white-water rafting excursion, I was more than ready to take off my wet clothes and get cozy in a warm bed.
We had made arrangements to stay at Villa Marita that night, a family-owned and operated lodge set atop a Boquete hilltop a couple of miles from downtown. I knew from its website that the grounds were beautiful, but unfortunately we didn’t get to appreciate them much upon check-in since the afternoon rains had set in.
Ana, the daughter, showed us to our room, which turned out to be her family’s original home, whose first floor was converted into an apartment. We had a huge bedroom and bath, a sitting area, and a covered porch for $66.
The only concern was that the house was all wood, meaning greater potential for creepy, crawly critters. I was almost too tired to care about what bedmates I might have that night, although the memory of Reggie was still fresh.
After a day spent battling the Chiriqui River, we were starved, so we drove back into town and ate at Pizzeria La Volcánica. We chowed down on an extra large pizza with mushrooms and a side order of patacones for $13.75. The price was right, the pizza was edible, and the patacones were delicious.
For dessert, we strolled over to Choko Chettas, whose sign kept catching our eye each time we drove up and down main street. Its modern décor and feel made me feel like I had just stepped into a Miami restaurant. We ordered two skewers of strawberries and brownies covered in milk chocolate, which cost us $6.00.
The girls kindly wrapped them so we could take them back to Villa Marita.
We awoke early the next morning to guess what? No creepy crawlies! Yay! We dressed and packed because we had to meet at 7:45 a.m. downtown for our next adventure – gliding through the tree tops on a canopy tour!
But before we left we headed down to the registration building to have some free coffee and hot chocolate, check email, and savor the surrounding sights. The morning sun highlighted the lodge’s beautiful gardens, which were in full bloom and we tried to capture a photo of two doves that came to rest on the porch awning, but t that exact second our camera wouldn’t corporate.
Villa Marita offers a buffet breakfast for a small fee, but we weren’t able to take advantage of it since we had a schedule to keep.
As Wes went off to start the car, I snapped a few last photos of the property’s caged toucans when Ana’s father introduced himself to me and explained that one particular toucan usually rests on his shoulder as he walks the grounds. He also has many greenhouses on the property, that Ana said he would certainly give us a tour of, but we just didn’t have the time.
That is one place I would go back to if to do nothing more than to sit on the big porch and take in the mountainous panorama.

Alcohol: the Panama cure-all

2008-08-22T16:10:00.009-04:00

The one thing my husband wanted to do on our Panama trip was white-water raft. And while I certainly wasn’t against it (I mean I do want to white-water raft), I wasn’t totally ecstatic about it either.
I’m not a huge water person. I do know how to swim, but the prospect of rough water and the potential of going overboard made me nervous. But I wasn’t going to chicken out!
So the Chiriqui River Rafting guys picked us up at our hostel at 7 a.m. for our hour-long trek across Panama to get to our starting point. Along the way, we picked up some others – a couple from Dallas, another couple from Chicago, and a family from Kissimmee. All of us were first-timers except the couple from Dallas who has rafted all over the world.
With helmets and lifejackets on, we made our way down to the river’s edge and hopped into our boats – the Kissimmee family in one; the rest of us in the other.
The river’s water was chilly but after the hike down the rocky road to get to it, it felt refreshing. I had read in the brochure that this particular part of the river had a lot of good rapid action, which did nothing to calm my nerves.
Plus, Dave from Dallas left me on the shore with these words: If you fall out, don’t put your feet down. If your foot gets caught in a rock, you are sure as dead.

Whaaatttt???!!!
So off we went, with our little paddles, listening as our guide yelled instructions and told us what class of rapids were coming up. We were told this would be rapids 2 and 3, but every once in a while our guide would yell, “OK guys, rapids 4 coming up!” And I wanted to yell back, “Rapids 4? I didn’t sign up for rapids 4!”
I’m pretty sure it was in the midst of a rapids 4 section that we lost it. All I remember is hitting a solid wall of water and the raft going straight up and tipping over, leaving all of us in the current.

I, the water lover, ended up completely submerged. I flailed my arms for a couple of seconds before realizing I wasn’t doing any good. I just had to relax and let the water do its thing. I knew it had to spit me out sooner or later.
Thankfully I felt no rocks.
When I finally did surface, I saw Wes a few feet from me hanging on to our overturned boat. I, however, couldn’t breathe which made me panic as Wes told me to reach for him.
Now as I held on to Wes and finally was able to cough, our guide stood on top of the raft and told us to let go so he could turn it right side up.
I was finally starting to calm down, when the guide in the kayak yelled for us to hurry up and get into the boat as the next set of rapids were quickly approaching. So, what do I do? I turn around and see the impending rapids. Again, panic!
Our guide threw a rope to us and we heaved ourselves back into raft. Unfortunately we had no paddles and only a portion of our group. The Chicago couple ended up being rescued by the Kissimmee family and were regrouping on the other shore.
Soon after that excitement, it was time to stop for lunch. The guides put out a pretty nice spread of lunchmeats, chips, cookies and juice. Food, however, was the last thing on my agenda. First, was coming up with a plan so I didn’t have to get back in the raft and do the second leg of the trip. That was not an option.
After about a half hour or so, we hopped back into the raft and made our way down the river. This time the rapids were much calmer, but the water felt freezing now and my teeth kept chattering. We hit a few shallow spots where we got stuck on the rocks, and those of us who still had shoes (me not being one of them as my underwater struggle left me one shoe down) had to hop out and push. Otherwise, the second half was uneventful, which I was grateful for.
The experience ended at a cow pasture where we had to keep our eyes peeled for steaming piles as we made our way back to the van. The kayak guide was kind enough to give me his flip-flop to get me back up the ant-infested dirt road that also took us through a small, muddy pond. We tried not to think what might be living in it as we sunk in up to our knees.
Capping off the trip, was a flat tire that we got along the highway on our way back to Boquete. Thankfully, the Kissimmee family, who we had already dropped off, saw us and came back with beer. Yet another day in Panama ending with much-needed alcohol.

Where the Ex-Pats reside

2008-08-20T15:24:00.012-04:00

We attempted to go for a hike after leaving the Boquete Garden Inn, but either the directions we were given were not accurate or we just don’t know how to locate a trail. Either way, the weather was beautiful for the short walking we did do.
Bowing to our lazy genes, we hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, and drove up and around the surrounding mountains instead. What amazing views! You could see the whole valley from up there.
We wound our way back into town and stopped for lunch at a place on main street. Yet again, the menu was huge, but we were getting used to the routine of ordering what we really wanted only to be told no and having to settle for our third or fourth choice off the menu.
I ended up with a fried chicken platter that came with one piece of chicken, rice and black beans, vegetables, and sliced bananas. Wes got his usual, a club sandwich and a beer. Funny thing was, the entire meal only cost us $7!

We stopped next door at the Chiriqui River Rafting office and made arrangements to go rafting the next day. Then we were off to check out Valle Escondido, a housing development that we had seen on HGTV’s “House Hunters International.” Believe it or not, the sales guy turned out to be the same person from the show. In it, he and his wife were looking for a condo in Boquete’s Valle Escondido. Can we say marketing ploy?

No doubt, the community was gorgeous. The salesman took us on a tour of two attached condos, which started in the high $200s for a two bedroom. The floor plans were similar to what you’d find in the States with lots of tile and outdoor porches overlooking the golf course. In fact, Wes and I felt like we were in a typical Florida community except for the barbed wire that lined the surrounding fences.

Something to note: Barbed wire is everywhere in Panama, which was a bit disconcerting to me.
Valle Escondido has a wonderful clubhouse with an indoor pool, fitness center, and spa. There was even this cool outdoor amphitheater and some little shops, plus a hotel. The surrounding single-family homes and estates were beautiful.
We stayed for a bit to see how the other half lives until the afternoon rains came and then we left for our $22 a night hostel.

Finally, beauty and peace found!

2008-08-18T08:47:00.012-04:00

You know how sometimes you can physically feel the stress leave your shoulders? That’s how it was just looking at the Boquete Garden Inn.
What an adorable place! Flowers were blossoming everywhere, a winding stone path stretched out before us, and beautiful, two-story cottages dotted the landscape. If there would have been a for sale sign, I would have quickly signed on the dotted line.

And then, from the three gentlemen in the registration office, we heard the words we so longed for: Yes, we have a room available for the night.
Yay! Of course, these cute octagonal-shaped cottages and perfect garden setting didn’t come cheap, but after a long drive from Santiago and a crazy but quick run through David, spending a few extra bucks didn’t even register on our how-much radar.

We eagerly forked over the $80 for our night’s stay ($88 if you have to pay with plastic) and were escorted to our cottage, a second floor unit called Margarita. How appropriate since we had sucked down more than a few of these during our travels already.
Like the rest of the place, the room itself was cute with a king-size bed, a small breakfast nook, a cozy kitchen, and a separate bath. We said a few ohhs and ahhs, threw our bags down, and headed down to the bar for our complementary glass of wine or beer that was only available for another 20 minutes or so.

Located down by the river, the bar is a fantastic place to rest and listen to the gently rushing water. Plus, we met some great people from Canada who, like us, were considering relocating to Boquete. We spent a while drinking and chatting before they headed off to town for a late dinner and we headed back to our room to collapse.
The great thing about Boquete Garden Inn is the fact that you can sleep with the windows open because there’s an awesome, cool breeze (we are in the mountains) and you can sleep to the sound of the river. The best!

We awoke the next morning well rested and ready to explore this town that has Americas raving. But first we headed back down to the bar for our complementary breakfast, which consisted of yogurt and granola, homemade bread with nuts and raisins, fresh fruit, a few different cold cereals, and coffee and juice.
Reluctantly, we headed back to our room to pack up and leave this amazing place, but not before realizing that a crawly critter wanted to accompany us. The picture doesn’t do justice to just how large he was since I was only going to get so close and the zoom on our camera only goes so far! We named him Reggie.

Apparently Reggie liked Wes’ backpack and found refuge underneath of it until we so rudely took it away. Reggie didn’t move though, which made me question his life status. But, not willing to take any chances, I found a pot in the kitchen and placed that over Reggie. Hopefully the cleaning crew didn’t scream too loudly.

Escaping to the quiet of Boquete

2008-08-14T11:45:00.003-04:00

With the craziness of David behind us, yet still fresh in our minds, we were all too happy to see the mountains of Boquete looming before us. Having heard and read so many good reviews of Boquete, we were excited to finally be on our way to our final destination—a place that could potentially be our future home.
There were many signs along the two-lane roadway advertising the many new developments that are continuously popping up in this growing town, as well as places to stay and places to eat.
It was pretty countryside with lots of open land interspersed by small clusters of homes. It only took us a couple of minutes to drive the entire length of Boquete’s main street, which is lined with restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and a number of real estate offices. Pretty much your typical small town main street, except for the hoards of Panamanians waiting at the bus stop at the town’s center, a sight we had become accustomed to.
Since we were starving, we quickly took it all in, made a u-turn, and headed back to the Mexican restaurant we saw at the beginning of town. The food was excellent and the price was fair, but the service was slow to non-existent. I felt like we could have slipped out the door without paying and no one would have been the wiser. We didn’t, of course.
Now our mission was to find a place to stay. Wes was enamored by the Boquete Garden Inn signs that we passed on the way into town, so we decided to try to find it.
Although Boquete isn’t big, just a few streets north and south of the main drag and a couple of streets heading up into the mountains, it took us a bit to locate the Inn. Unfortunately our navigation system was no help. But when we did finally find it, we knew we wanted to stay and could only hope a room was available for the night.