This is my fourth Easter in Panama, and I learn something new every year. Since I don't have kids, I haven't scoured the stores for Easter baskets... until this year.
This morning I had the bright idea to give my clients Easter baskets. This would have taken me all of 10 minutes in Dallas, but I spent two hours scouring stores for baskets, fake grass, chocolate bunnies and candy eggs. Want to know what I found? Nada. No bunnies. No candy eggs. No baskets. No grass.
Huh? How is that even possible! I thought the Easter bunny had invaded the entire world. I thought wrong.
I was so intrigued by the lack of bunny paraphernalia that I called a Panamanian friend and asked what rituals they do to celebrate Easter. The answer was so simple it made me smile. They go to church, they go to the beach, and they spend time with their families eating and drinking.
Panamanians love their holidays. Instead of having one optional day off like they do in so many US companies, the week prior to Easter is called Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Some people take the entire week off, but the majority of people have a 4-day weekend to spend relaxing with family. The days prior to the long weekend can get hectic as everyone stocks up on groceries, but then the holidays are quiet.
The more I think about it, the more I think Panamanians are right. I'm not sure where the Easter bunny came from, but I'm glad it hasn't reached Panama yet.
This morning I had the bright idea to give my clients Easter baskets. This would have taken me all of 10 minutes in Dallas, but I spent two hours scouring stores for baskets, fake grass, chocolate bunnies and candy eggs. Want to know what I found? Nada. No bunnies. No candy eggs. No baskets. No grass.
Huh? How is that even possible! I thought the Easter bunny had invaded the entire world. I thought wrong.
I was so intrigued by the lack of bunny paraphernalia that I called a Panamanian friend and asked what rituals they do to celebrate Easter. The answer was so simple it made me smile. They go to church, they go to the beach, and they spend time with their families eating and drinking.
Panamanians love their holidays. Instead of having one optional day off like they do in so many US companies, the week prior to Easter is called Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Some people take the entire week off, but the majority of people have a 4-day weekend to spend relaxing with family. The days prior to the long weekend can get hectic as everyone stocks up on groceries, but then the holidays are quiet.
The more I think about it, the more I think Panamanians are right. I'm not sure where the Easter bunny came from, but I'm glad it hasn't reached Panama yet.
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