New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-23
DOMESTIC LIFE IN PANAMA
The Women, Their Amusements and Their
Homes, as Seen by Traveller.

As all eyes turned on Panama picture
Of the domestic life Of Panama given by a re-
turned traveller. is sure TO be of interest
The gentlewomen OF Panama. according to this
observer. are ia common with other Colombians
graceful in movement and charming in manner
The houses of the rich large and often cpen
on a central court. luxuriant with vines and flow
ers- Some Of these courts are protected by avn
inEs in the sunny hours. and Of them have
perfumed fountains which utilized for baths
But, truth to tell. the Colombians do not favor
much bathing. An American girl was advised that
her frequent Of water would ruin her
plexion. Her friends daubed their faces and oc-
casionally their necks with little aguardIente, a
sort Of cane rum and dried them with tiny. lace
trimmed towels. The do not usually con-
tain much furniture. but decked with wealth
OF tropical flowers of exquisite fragrance. a rare
plant OF the orchid family bears the Flower of
the Holy Ghost. The petals Of alabaster
white. and within them appears miniature chapel
OF alabaster containing a dove with dropping
wings the stamens and pistils producing the
sernhance to the dove form. Other beautiful or
chids abound
Little upholstered furniture is used and the floors
are tiled. In the sala, parort is double row
Of wicker rocking chairs down the centre and
when a hostess receives she and her guests rock
continually while they chat The Colombians are
hospitable people and receive strangers cor
daily 1t is customary for a stranger TO send
cards to those whose acquaintance he desires. ana
etiquette demands that the recipients OF tie cards
call within a few days
The dining tables OF the rich spread with
nne linen and set with handsome cut glass and
china Among their beverages, in addition TO
wines, Cebada, barley water; Orchada. which
contains almond juice and aETass, the juice
OF unripe grapes; nar4njada, orangeade. End a
preparation or chocolate thlck as gruel. A dish
foT tnvalids is sopA de pan; raw egg Is broken
upon a slice of toast and beef broth is poured
over II. A breakfast often consists OF several
courses; for instance, fruit. poached eggs with
stewed tomatoes and rice FISH, chops fried in eggs
and herbs. and tOrtilla con $3.50, brain Omelette
sweet potatoes or other vegetable and coffee. SAT-
is
game pies contain a variety OF vegetables hard
boiled eggs and other ingredients. \ common dish
among the poor is a stew called sin coche. An
other standby is rice and red beans Rice cooked
in lard with little tasadO. dried beef for relish.
is a tidbit among the lower classes The flesh of
the euana a species Of land lizard. Is regarded
as a decacy. and is said 10 resemble chicken The
natives slit the sides OF living female iguanas and
They hang these eggs in the sun and dry them Tor
future consumption
The huts Of the poor Of logs, with bamboo
Matted sides and mud filed cbinks The windows
have wooden shutters but glass. Sleeping
places are bamboo benches with hide thrown over
them or harnocks woven by the women GoUrds
spoons and knives. Chairs and benches are hol-
lowed LOGS OF wood But the poems get their living
easily and enjoy life well. They delight IN music
and dancing and women well as men are smok-
ers Cock lighting Is q favorite amusement.
The peasant women usually barefooted ana
bareheaded with mantillas for special occasions
Their dress is a short skirt and bodice, or an
friIed. low neCked garment called a pollera
Even the poorer classes bedecked with jewelry
The pearls OF the Gulf are very hne. and the
Jewellers Of Panama make beautiful necklaces
bracelets, etc. of finest gold threads INTO Whlch
nearls are woven. Women OF the upper classes
take little exercise in the open air When faInl!y
Is In mourning the women frequently remain
within doors for months behind closed blinds.