Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-04-01
DOMESTIC LIFE IN PANAMA
Customs OF Daily Life Among the Wo-
men-TabIes Of the Rich.

&
men-TabIes Of the Rich.
all eyes are now turned on Pana-
ma, a picture OF the domestic life OF
Panama, given by a returned traveller.
is sure to be of interest
The gentlewomen of Panama, ac-
cording to this observer. are. In com
mon with other Colombians. graceful
In movement and charming In manner.
The houses Of the rich are large and
often open on a central court. luxuriant
with vines and flowers. Some of these
courts are protected by awnings In the
sunny hours, and some of them have
perfumed fountains which are utilized
for baths. But. truth to tell, the Colon
bans do not favor much bathing. An
American girl was advised that her
frequent use Of water would ruin her
complexion Her friends daubed their
faces and occasionally their necks with
little aguardiente, sort OF cane rum,
and dried them with tiny lace-trlmmed
towels. The rooms do not usually con
tain much furniture, but are decked
with a wealth of tropical flowers OF
exquisite fragrance. A rare plant OF
the orchid family bears the Flower Of
the Holy Ghost The petals are of an
alabaster white. and within them APP
near a miniature chapel OF alabaster,
containing a dove with dropping wings,
the stamens and pistils producing the
resemblance to the dove form. Other
beautiful orchids abound
Little upholstered furniture is used,
and the floors are tiled. In the sala.
or parlor, is n double row of wicker
rocking chairs down the center, and
when a hostess receives she and her
guests rock continually while they
chat. The Colonibians are hospitable
people and receive strangers cordially.
1t is customary for a stranger to send
cards to those whose acquaintance he
desires, and etiquette demands that the
recipients Of the cards call within a
few days.
The dining tables of the rich are
spread with fine linen and set with
handsome cut glass and china. A dish
for lnyallds is sopa de pan; a raw egg
is broken upon a slice Of toast and
beef broth is poured over it. A break
fast 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 seso. brain omelet; sweet potatoes
or other vegetable and coffee.
Saffron is a favorlte tiavoring for
soup. Chicken or game pies contain a
variety Of vegetables. hard-bolled eggs
and other ingredients A common dish
among the poor is stew called sin
coche. Another standby is rice and
red beans. Rice cooked I'm lard with
a little tasado, dried beef, for relish,
is a tidbit among the lower classes.
The flesh of the iguana, a species of
land lizard, is regarded as a delicacy,
and is said to resemble chicken. The
natives slit the sides of living iguanas
and take from them strings of eggs as
large as plums. They hang these eggs
in the sun and dry them for future
consumption.
The huts of the poor are of logs,
with bamboo plated sides and mud
ulleu cllukS. 1 he WluuoWS nave Nouu-
en- shutters, but no glass. Sleeping
places are bamboo benches with hide
thrown over them. or hammocks
woven by the women. Gourds of varl-
GUS shapes and sizes do duty for dish
es. spoons and knives. Chairs and
benches are followed logs of wood
But the poems get their living easily
and enjoy life well. They delight ii
music and dancing. and women as wei
as men are smokers. Cock fighting Is
a favorite amusement.
The peasant women are usually
barefooted and bareheaded with man
tillas for special occasions. Their dress
is a short skirt and bodice. or an am
pie. frilled, low necked garment called
pollera. Even the poorer classes are
bedecked with jewelry. The pearls OF
the gulf are very fine, and the jewellers
of Panama make beautiful necklaces
bracelets. etc. of finest gold threads
into which pearls are woven. Womer
of the upper classes take little exercise
in the open air. When a family Is II
mourning the women frequently re
main within doors for months behinC
closed blinds.