The Columbia Sportswear Company, a chain of stores specializing in outdoor and sporting clothing and equipment, recently organized a trekking tour between the mountain communities of Sorá and El Valle de Antón, in western Panama. The activity was jointly organized with Club de Excursionistas del Istmo –an extreme sports organization.

A group of journalists and customers of Columbia took part in the 11-kilometer, five-hour adventure through a rugged, but beautiful terrain which encompasses waterfalls, rivers and lush vegetation.

The Columbia Sportswear Company has branches at the Multicentro and Multiplaza Pacific malls in Panama City.

May 6/7 - Atlantic Panama Trip
Depature early Saturday morning heading out to explore the historical town of Portobelo, and its well preserved forts, and the museum, then off in a boat to Isla Grande. Choice of beach, hiking, just lazing around enjoying the scenery, or possibly a boat tour of the area. We´ll explore for the last portion of the day and enjoy a quiet evening on the island (oorrr..maybe not, our choice).

In the morning, we will leave the island by noon to return to the van and a quick stop to view the Black Christ Church as well as the Black Christ robes and view the local flea market. Expect to be back in the city somewhere around 7:30pm on Sunday.

MAY 8th - Expat Social - Location will be announced.

MAY 10th - Bridge!!
Event host: Sheila Hawes. 10:00am Whether you play bridge, or want to learn, please come to this first get-together. Sheila will be determining needs and discussing best meeting days and times with those interested in meeting on a regular basis. A minimum of 4 are required, and no maximum is set, so please RSVP to let us know if we can reserve the conference room offered to us (free!) to assist in getting this group started. No cost.

Saturday, May 13th - Beaches and Residential areas.
We'll go directly to a unique resort for breakfast. Choice of remaining at the beach and poolside for the morning/early afternoon, or taking a drive around the residential area of Coronado & return for lunch. Following lunch, we head off to explore the beautiful beach found in Santa Clara. Again you will have the option of staying or looking around. Min. 6, max 9. Costs depend on the number registered (the more, the cheaper!), but with the minimum # (6) the cost, including transportation, breakfast, a welcome drink, lunch, and full use of the resort's facilities should be around $55/person.

Tuesday, May 16th - Morning Jungle Walk
Event Host: Richard Abell. Wear good walking shoes, bring sun and insect protection. This walk is not long or hard, however you must be physically fit enough to maintain balance in slightly rougher areas. Richard will guide and inform us of some of the history behind it. El Charco means "Water Hole". Park entrance cost is $3 non-resident,$2 for jubilado. Indian escort who can point out some various medicinal plants, is an additional $30 to be split between us. We have decided to add in this guide to touch on a bit of their culture and as an economic help to an indigenous group. The trail encounters an old "mule trail" that leads up to extinct gold mines (we will not be going to the mines).

Transportation has been arranged for those needing it, cost is $10 return. Pick-up locations will depend on location proproximity's those registered, so Please RSVP (Thom, Jim, & Rose Mary - I have you marked in already - thank you!).

For more information, e-mail expatexplorers@expatsinpanama.com

You should not miss the recital of the Youth Symphony Orchestra on May 18. The group will offer a rendition of Mozart's No. 36 Symphony at the Anita Villalaz Theater, at 8:00 p.m. For more infomation, call 229-6635.

Expovino

The wine fair, EXPOVINO, the fourth annual event, will take place at Atlapa Convention Center from May 18 to 21. This year the focus is on Spanish wines with participation of 16 Spanish producers. Wineries from Chile, Argentina, California, Italy and France will also have strong representation.

Entrance to the fair costs $2.00. Wine tasting will be offered at $10.00 per glass. All the profits will go to the Fundación San Felipe.

The four-day fair is expected to attract over 17,000 visitors with over 800 different wines represented by companies in Panama. Importers from other Latin and Caribbean countries will be among the visitors.

The organizers of the event are Panama City chefs "Willy" Diggelman, Rafael Ciniglio, Pedro Masoliver and Lydia Samudio who will use Expovino to kick-start Panama's first Restaurant Fair as a combined event. Food and delicatessen sections will enliven the event.

For more information contact Rebeca at 6640-1717 or contact the Vino Club at 265-1381. www.expovino.com

Don't miss Hilary Duff's grand concert at Figali Convention Center May 23. This 19-year-old pop star has been a hit in the worlds of music, movies and TV, and is one of the most famous pop divas atpresent. For details call: 314-1414.

For one hundred years J.M. Barrie´s heart-warming story "Peter Pan" has been delighting children everywhere. Movies, plays, cartoons have all been dedicated to the theme. The latest interpretation is "Peter Pan on Ice" which Panamanians can enjoy at the Figali Convention Center from May 31 to June 4. The thrills of a spectacular ice show, with its colorful costumes and daring leaps and twirls in addition to the well-loved tale should make for an unforgettable event. The show started its world tour in November in France, visiting Russia, Latvia, Poland, Italy, Germany before making its way to Panama, and thence to Chile.

Panama City's Hindu temple.

Visitors are invited to the "Second Universal Festival of Giant Carriages" –an activity organized by Panama’s Hindu community, on June 10.

A parade will start at 2:00 p.m. from Plaza Edison on Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro (Via Tumba Muerto), and will end at the Hindu Temple, (which is located on a small hill overlooking the Bethania neighborhood, off Via Tumba Muerto) where visitors will enjoy dance performances, theater, concerts and cultural exhibits from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Dance, theatre and spectacle.

Strong roots in Panama
Panama’s Hindu community descends from the thousands of laborers brought from India in the early 20th century to build the Panama Canal. A large percentage of Hindu citizens decided to make Panama their home after the Canal’s opening in 1914 and many of their descendants became prosperous businessmen. The majority of the stores located in the vicinity of Plaza Cinco de Mayo are Hindu-owned.