Montechristi Panama Hats

Was going to massage everyone today but been having a little loose stools, worrying that I did not take Dukoral before coming like everyone else. While I was cleaning the toilet, I threw my back out. For goodness sakes. Lucklily, I brought some muscle relaxants so I basically spent the day in bed relaxing and reading. It was nice really. The guys did a lot of walking. That may have been part of my problem. I have been walking a lot every day and not used to it. Was going to go to Easter Sunday service but it didn't happen. There is a very nice big church here of course.

Went into Manta on Monday. Wow, beautiful big city right on the water. Lots and lots of new constructions going on. The cruise ships stop here. Fishermen bring all their fish here. Lots going on. Guillo took us to a town called Monte Christi. We went to a new museum high on a hill where the

ashes of a previous president were laid with a big mosque on top. The have an old steam train redone with carriage behind with the old wooden seats. Very nice. There were some vendors set up selling souvenirs. Gary and I just had to buy a Panama hat there. Got lots of interesting info. Panama hats are actually Monte Christie hats that were worn by Ecuadorians working on the Panama Canal when Roosevelt went to visit and he bought a hat and

has a famous photo with it on therefore the hats were called Panama hats. But there are made in Ecuador. In the province of Manabi. They use the leaves of special plants that only grow on the coast in this province. This province is very rich. There is oil here and that is why all the new construction and good roads. So Gary and I bought our hats. The gentleman showed us how you can fold them all up and put them into a box without hurting them. We were also told and shown the difference in quality and pricing. They can range anywhere from $10 to $2000. Depending on how fine the weave is. The finer the weave the more expensive. A good hat is

supposed to be able to be folded up and will fit through a wedding ring. Not going to try it with my hat. But I do love it. Vern says he has enough hats at home but I know he will regret it. He now is wearing my cheap Walmart Chinese hat to keep the sun off. Love my brothers. Having a lot of fun with them. Had another amazing lunch and some cervesas and back to Crucita. Tomorrow we are going to drive up north to Tonsupa to see a condo that Guillo is selling and to visit my Soo friend James Schenell who lives there now until May.