trina, you're right about Placencia being a 'unique' place. It makes me smile when I think of the way people walk thru, what we would consider our yards in U.S., and just holler out someone's name and get an answer from any number of windows whether that person was there or not, or where they were; how the kids would RUN to get to shade during the day cuz the sand is so hot on your feet; and all the different birds--especially the choco-lacas (sp?) calling out in the morning!