When I started this blog, my idea was to follow the progress of the new inter-ocean canal being built in Nicaragua, and also on the companion projects that are part of what is called the Mega Projects. My main focus is on the building of the canal because that is a once in a lifetime event, and this time around we won’t have to look at grainy black and white movie film to see a canal being built. History records the building of famous man-made wonders like The Great Wall of China, and the Panama Canal in the early 1900’s. I doubt that many of my readers were around for either one of those events, but this time we all have a chance to experience an event of that magnitude.
Up until recently, many people were saying the canal will never be built. However, in December when work began on the access roads, and other infrastructure projects, the equation changed. There are still be those who doubt it will ever happen, but the odds have now shifted in favor of a canal actually being built, even in the face of the widespread resistance that will no doubt continue for some time to come. The following YouTube link is to a video that documents some of the resistance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Uw1QSIJrI
As the canal evolves, I will have the opportunity to observe the construction up close and personal, and to mingle with the local people to get their story. It will be interesting to understand how they feel about the event that is unfolding in their backyard, and to hear from those who have been displaced. It has been my experience that, what I see in person is sometimes different from what makes the national, or the international news, so my personal observations will no doubt balance, and add to, the major news coverage, but why would I do this? The easy answer is, because I can, and it is a good activity for a retired fellow like me to do something useful, and maybe have an adventure in the process, but the story goes even deeper, so I might as well tell it now.
I learned about the Panama Canal when I was 11 years old. That was a water shed year for me, because that was when I read two books that left a lasting impression on me. One book was about Albert Einstein who died the year that I was born, and the other book was about the Panama Canal, completed in 1914. With the exception of school books, or comic books, they were the first books that I ever read. Obviously, I didn’t follow in the footsteps of Mr. Einstein–not many have done that, but the Panama Canal got into my blood, and it left a lasting impression on me.
In 1992 my childhood dream came true. I made my first transit of the Panama Canal. I went on to make a total of 29 transits of the canal as working crew on various size vessels, but my first transit was akin to a religious experience. It was on a 19-foot sailboat called “Glory,” owned and captained by a 70 year-old man who was introduced to me as Sir Henry Pigott. No way Josė!!! I shook his hand, but I had to sit down immediately. Less than two years before, I was reading about him in a book called “500 Days,” the story of a 12-foot sailboat that circumnavigated the world in…you guessed it, 500 days. Before that event, “Glory” was the smallest boat to ever circumnavigate the world, and in recognition of that, Queen Elizabeth of England bestowed the title of “Sir Henry” upon him. He is a nice mild mannered man, and didn’t want us to call him “Sir Henry.” Because of my admiration of him, I had a hard time just calling him Henry. He is now in his 90’s, and it is my understanding that he is still sailing. Wow, 90 years-old and still sailing. His crew mate must be the Energizer Bunny.
A few years after my “religious experience” on “Glory,” the dream got even better. I found myself living aboard a yacht in the Panama Canal at the Pedro Miguel Boat Club, literally a stone’s throw from the path of the giant ships, and the other exotic vessels that make up the worlds shipping. It was, to say the least, a unique, and a very pleasant experience. Sadly, like dreams usually do, my dream came to an end. In December of 1999, the United States turned over the canal to Panama, and the rules for living there changed. All of us had to leave. That was sad for me, and to this day I still miss my friends from those years, and the 18-foot crocodile who had been my neighbor for two years, but that’s another story.
My main reason for this short biography is to let you know that I have real history with the Panama Canal, and I understand very well how it works. That probably explains why I am so fascinated with the building of the new canal in Nicaragua. Is it possible that I am a canal junkie?
It is important to understand how the canal and the various companion projects fit together for Nicaragua, and what they will do for the country. Increasingly, the people of Nicaragua realize that their country is at the brink of a major make-over, and the excitement is starting to spread through the land. It must be similar to the Gold Rush days in California. It is infectious to be part of it.
Please sign-up for my blog, and if you know anyone who might be interested in following the progress of the canal, and the literal make-over of a Latin American country. I will do my best to convey what is happening.
—Jim
Yes, we must learn to live together, but why not just get a cat?
Photo taken in Costa Rica, and NO, that’s not me.
The Sign-up Procedure: The main purpose of my blog is to report on the activity surrounding the building of the new canal in Nicaragua, as well as the other projects that relate to the canal. I will also include other interesting articles, pictures, and video of Nicaragua that should be of interest to everyone. I’ll be slogging through the jungle, and traveling the rivers to get the story, and I look forward to having you join me on my adventures. However, you won’t need bug spray, and Spanish is optional. If you have not already signed up, look for the blue tab labeled FOLLOW that appears in the lower right of the window. Click it, and it will present you with an input field where you can enter your email address. Once you have done that, click the SIGN ME UP button and you will be sent a computer generated email invitation to join the blog. From then on, every time I place a new article or photo on the blog, you will receive a notification. That’s all there is to it. NOTE… PLEASE BEAR WITH ME: I am in the process of setting up a new system for distributing my stories, so until it is complete, some of you may receive duplicate notices. If you will be so kind, please sign-up on the blog so that I can complete the transition. You are at https://nicaraguacanalnews.wordpress.com |