Live Uncomfortably Case Study: Eva

A couple of nights ago, we had a fantastic dinner. We went to an Italian style restaurant called Il Pianista in the mountains near Boquete. The restaurant was situated next to a beautiful waterfall that was visible from every dining table. I didn’t take a picture of the waterfall, but I will when I go back for another one of these:

Clay and I decided to take Eva, the owner of Isla Verde – our hotel/cabana/resort/apartment. She is a wonderful woman who truly enjoys the spirit of life. She works on Isla Vista for 9 months a year and travels the rest of the year, sometimes in her sailboat, sometimes by plane to exotic places like Argentina and San Francisco.

Eva came to Panama from Germany about 10 years ago on a sailboat. The trip was supposed to be around the world. She never made it. She loved Panama, and especially Boquete, too much to keep going.

Her story is an inspiration. She sold all her possessions, including her house, and decided to travel the globe. After landing in Panama with her friend and two children, she lived for awhile before finding it necessary to make more money to keep going. So, she went back to Germany and worked a bit more, then came right back to Panama to start Isla Verde. 

For Eva, life is not so about material as it is about experience. She works only to live. She finds excitement in travel and good company (Clay and I are the best company that I know of). She allows you to explore her virtues and systematically reveals weaknesses that only make her more adorable. She says, “I’m no good for marriage.” I laugh.

Eva has been tremendous to us. She’s been more than helpful. She is the type of person who does well for the world and provides inspiration for those willing to listen. She is generous and gregarious. She has stories and life and wisdom.

Dammit! There are good people in this world – go find one!