Just coming to grips with...

[HPF Bob]

To those outside Panama, if you see a MLB cap on a Panamanian's head there's about an 80% chance it will be a New York Yankees cap. Most of that is due to native son Mariano Rivera and the near deity reverence he receives from the people here.

So, I was surprised when I stepped into a taxi with my groceries during the ALCS and the driver asked where I was from. I said Texas. He asked what were the baseball teams there. I said the Astros and the Rangers. Then he said "No me gusto Los Yankees". I reacted with shock. "You're the only one in Panama", I joked in my broken Spanish. "What about Rivera?"

He said he didn't like Rivera either. "He doesn't do enough for Panama" was his response. I honestly could not respond intelligently to that because I don't know how much/little he does for Panama. When I reached my apartment, we traded "Viva Los Astros!" and he drove off.

Chuck, have you ever had mondongo? My landlords saw the roof of their new house completed and it is part of the custom to have a party with mondongo stew (like beef stew but the beef is tripe). I also had my first Panamanian beer (like a weak Miller Lite). My education continues.