Sunset over the Pacific, Panama • Photo: R.C. Flores-Gunkle, 2022

Escape to Panama

Love and friendship in the age of Covid

I live in Puerto Rico, an island 35 miles wide and 100 miles long. My wife and I have been “sheltering in place” on our five-acre property in the eastern central mountains since the start of Covid. My last profession was in the travel and tourism industry: I love to travel and I love where I live.

View from our room at the J.W. Marriott, Panama • Photo: R.C. Flores-Gunkle, 2022

Before the pandemic, we traveled at least once a year to destinations around the world. Our last trip, in December of 2019, was to Bologna, Italy, a delightful place — more special since we traveled with our daughter and her Italian-speaking husband.

Covid closed the world. But to be honest, staying in place has not been difficult. We both love our land — even the encroaching jungle. It is always summer and, except for an occasional hurricane, it is the closest I can imagine to living in Paradise. Panama had not been on my dance card.

Two of the four pools at the J.W. Marriott, Panama • Photo: R.C. Flores-Gunkle, 2022

It never even occurred to me — until Skål club friends in New Jersey (Skål is an international organization of…