Panama Notes RSS Feed

2009 Notes

Steve — 2009-12-31T20:01:11-05:00

To view “Notes” from 2009 just click the appropriate category, month or subject tag in the sidebar on the right side of this page.

Feliz Navidad

Steve — 2009-12-25T00:20:13-05:00

clip_id=8375536&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="539" height="299">

Shorty and Slim

Steve — 2009-12-21T20:53:58-05:00

You can hear Shorty and Slim's "Going Down to Panama" and watch my new and improved "Down to Panama" slideshow by clicking this link.

Unusual place for an art show

Steve — 2009-12-18T16:05:31-05:00

In the cool night air we walked around and looked at the art, graffiti painted walls, vines growing out of the crumbling structure, and a great view of the city lights across the bay.

Celebrations

Steve — 2009-12-14T19:45:19-05:00

The unusual thing about this celebration in Panama is that it's a Government Holiday (all government offices and banks are closed) and it's a VERY BIG deal.

Bomberos Celebrate

Steve — 2009-12-02T23:59:44-05:00

Sorry about the quality of the pics, but I'm not equipped to photograph moving targets, carrying torches in the dark.

Thanksgiving in Casco

Steve — 2009-11-27T19:14:25-05:00

Readability

Steve — 2009-11-20T00:35:21-05:00

Readability does get confused by site layout sometimes and doesn't allow direct navigation for articles that are more than a single page, but for most content it lives up to its name and makes content much more readable.

Getting our Panama Drivers License

Steve — 2009-11-14T23:32:18-05:00

Jane spent about 30 minutes in the office, 5 minutes buying the tax stamps from a vendor on the sidewalk, and 20 minutes in the bank paying (government offices rarely accept money, but send you to a nearby bank and you come back with a deposit slip), then a couple of hours shopping until it was time to retrieve the authenticated forms and move on to the next step.

We've got wheels

Steve — 2009-11-10T21:26:43-05:00

In fact, we are fans of the Panama City taxis as they provide a cheap and easy (most of the time) way to get around and we've had a minimum number of bad experiences and lots of interesting stories to tell because of our frequent use.

Parade Pictures

Steve — 2009-11-06T20:31:44-05:00

• It rained bigtime on the first parade, which is apparantly almost a tradition - everyone just kept on going.

Celebration Time!

Steve — 2009-11-01T19:45:08-05:00

• November 3, is "Separation Day" to celebrate Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903 with the writing of the “Acta de Independencia del Istmo,” declaring what was then a province of Colombia to be an independent and sovereign nation called The Republic of Panama.

Get on your feet

Steve — 2009-10-17T16:56:20-05:00

The Concert - great show and music (she took one short break in over two hours) - exciting (the crowd was really into it) - high energy (not many slow dancing pieces in this show) - loud (Jane can still hear the beat of the bass) - a little bit different (beer, wine, mixed drinks, food - served at your seat) - and the show ended with Gloria doing a Panama Tipico number complete with local traditional dancers.

St. Croix Visitors

Steve — 2009-10-14T23:05:56-05:00

Last night they treated us to dinner at Buzios and did a little last minute shopping - we now call Joel the Mola Guy.

Feast Around the World

Steve — 2009-10-10T20:42:10-05:00

In addition to those you would expect - Central and South America were well represented - some surprises, Russia, China, Holland, Israel, Ireland, Greece, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Great Britain, the U.S. and Canada were there - and I think I missed a few others.

Odds and Ends

Steve — 2009-10-03T23:42:32-05:00

• Another contract - the second phase of the Cinta Costera (road and seaside park) that will run from the seafood market to 9th Street in Casco Viejo, and will have a cost of $52 million dollars, has been awarded.

Big Cleanup

Steve — 2009-09-07T23:39:59-05:00

Embera Adventure

Steve — 2009-09-19T17:19:25-05:00

clip_id=6587286&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="375">

Unusual Dinner

Steve — 2009-08-30T16:29:32-05:00

The back of his business card says "Will Travel To Eat" and in fact he was only in Panama for three days so a friend could take him to dinner at La Posta the next night for his birthday.

Jane's Hangout

Steve — 2009-08-27T20:17:46-05:00

So, if you find yourself in Casco and need breakfast or lunch (they normally close around four p.m.) stop by Frit Arte - guaranteed you will get a warm welcome from Maria and you might see Jane over at the corner table.

Back in Panama

Steve — 2009-08-16T23:13:53-05:00

Just returned from my quick trip to the states, visited family and friends - it had been nearly eighteen years since I was last in Michigan, did some shopping and lots of eating.

Leaving on a jet plane

Steve — 2009-08-07T00:24:57-05:00

I'll be away from the computer (no Panama Notes) for the next week.

Panama Politics

Steve — 2009-07-31T00:49:50-05:00

Should be interesting to watch the new guy at work and see if he can change the "system".

A dog's life

Steve — 2009-07-21T19:57:46-05:00

The good news - caught it early and he's getting medication that should help deal with the problem so he can continue doing what he does best - make us smile.

Twit 7/18/09

Steve — 2009-07-18T23:49:54-05:00

Very busy week

Steve — 2009-07-12T19:38:24-05:00

First House Guest

Steve — 2009-07-08T21:00:25-05:00

Jane and Don did a little shopping in the craft market and then we, again, headed out for a late lunch - this time to the Amador causeway.

Bump in the night

Steve — 2009-07-04T12:42:01-05:00

Last night just before 2 A.M. we were awakened by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake - enough shaking to wake us up, but otherwise uneventful, as we went right back to sleep.

Walking the Cinta Costera

Steve — 2009-07-02T22:27:29-05:00

Wild Wild West

Steve — 2009-07-03T09:45:51-05:00

Something's missing

Steve — 2009-08-05T19:37:44-05:00

Most changes in Casco are not as sudden and, thankfully, tend to be positive - but things do change on a daily basis, it's part of what makes living here so interesting.

Our first year

Steve — 2009-06-26T21:04:17-05:00

One year ago today we arrived in Panama to begin our new adventure and for the most part it's lived up to our expectations.

TWITS 6/21/09

Steve — 2009-06-21T23:07:55-05:00

La Fiesta de la Música

Steve — 2009-06-21T15:53:25-05:00

Music ranged from Panamanian traditional to Jazz, reggae, rock and roll, classical, salsa and even some blues - if you couldn't find something to enjoy it wasn't because the festival didn't try hard to provide "something for everyone".

TWITS 6/13/09

Steve — 2009-06-14T18:46:37-05:00

Rainy Season

Steve — 2009-06-13T21:42:19-05:00

The canal watershed and associated lakes (Miraflores, Gatun and Alajuela) provides the water so that the canal is deep enough for ships to pass through and for the locks to function properly.

TWITS are here

Steve — 2009-06-06T12:00:41-05:00

The Week In Thirty Seconds will give you a short (very short) video that won't require a lot of brainpower or keep you from all those important things you really should be doing instead of reading this blog.

"Fast" in Panama

Steve — 2009-06-03T14:31:54-05:00

This last picture shows the work still in progress as they work 24 hours a day trying to get it done by months end - don't think they will make it, but they sure gave it a good try.

And they keep on coming

Steve — 2009-05-26T17:09:49-05:00

Took us a little while to find a taxi (after 10:00, not a lot of taxis around) so when Jane finally spotted one - we weren't about to be picky.

Memorial Day

Steve — 2009-05-25T22:54:36-05:00

Remember, Panama has had a long history with the United States (some good, some bad) and many Panamanians served in our military or were born to American parents stationed in the Canal Zone.

New look and RSS explained

Steve — 2009-05-14T21:33:48-05:00

hl=en&nui=1&service=reader&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Freader/" target="_blank" class="static_page">Google Reader Very easy, especially if you already have a Google account - no software to install

Orquesta Sinfónica de Panamá

Steve — 2009-05-13T22:30:45-05:00

The new Star Trek is pretty good - unless you just can't get excited about science fiction. $2 a ticket, not free, but sometimes you just gotta pay the big bucks.

Panama's election

Steve — 2009-05-05T20:03:46-05:00

Time has another article on Panama - Panama's New President - if you are interested.

Getting our mail

Steve — 2009-05-16T23:39:32-05:00

That "#2-17" indicates that when the building was originally given that number in was in the second block from the sea and the door was seventeen paces from the corner - obviously things have changed in the intervening centuries, but the numbers (when you can find them) haven't and are of little value.

Exorcising the Red Devils

Steve — 2009-05-02T14:43:49-05:00

Panama National Elections

Steve — 2009-04-27T21:17:58-05:00

While this is largely symbolic (today) it stems from the not too distant past when incumbents (not liking the outcome) would declare martial law, void the election results, and use the army to retain power.

New shop in Casco

Steve — 2009-04-23T22:09:31-05:00

Think I may be in big trouble with two great ice cream shops just steps away from the apartment.

On the beach

Steve — 2009-04-16T16:42:33-05:00

Croix (or even the Caribbean side of Panama) where tides are measured in inches, tides on the Pacific coast can easily reach fifteen FEET (even higher under some conditions).

Home alone

Steve — 2009-04-11T19:18:38-05:00

Think we need to take a walk and get some ice cream.

Fun night for a good cause

Steve — 2009-04-05T21:47:48-05:00

We assumed that he was going to get traffic information from the taxi driver in the next lane, but no - he comes back and says we should get in the other taxi.

Another surprise

Steve — 2009-03-29T11:23:42-05:00

We had plenty of bright lights, the "runway", photographers, music, entertainment and the required number of "beautiful people" (along with those of us in shorts and blue jeans) in attendance.

Quick lunch

Steve — 2009-04-15T11:25:11-05:00

When we need a quick lunch, or just happen to be in the plaza at lunchtime we stop by the hotdog cart.

More visitors

Steve — 2009-03-19T22:44:39-05:00

It's always interesting when we visit with others that plan on moving to Panama (or already have) to hear the why's and process used in selecting a particular place within the country.

Our Casa Angel

Steve — 2009-03-18T19:53:55-05:00

At the apartment we now had a heavy, big (nearly 5 feet tall) and unwieldy angel that we wanted high up on one of our twenty foot walls.

Sunday Flea Market

Steve — 2009-03-15T21:51:22-05:00

What a shame, because this was not a production for tourists (90% of the audience were Panamanians) it was the "real deal" at a very small local event.

View from the roof

Steve — 2009-03-07T19:22:55-05:00

Remember those old walls we have in our apartment foyer, those belonged to the convent's stable - back in the 1700's.

Survived another move

Steve — 2009-03-03T19:42:44-05:00

Plenty still to do at the new place, but we can cook (range was installed), wash the dishes (sink drain working), watch TV, and use our new (fast) internet service.

Moving day

Steve — 2009-02-27T18:31:33-05:00

We're changing our ISP, never know if the gremlins will strike, if all goes well, should have a post by Sunday.

A visitor, música and night work

Steve — 2009-02-21T22:32:44-05:00

After the concert ended we walked Bonnie to her hostel and then back to the apartment - another enjoyable night and we really enjoyed showing Casco Viejo to our new friend.

Making progress

Steve — 2009-02-14T21:51:17-05:00

Yesterday the workmen reapplied some mortar between the stone - they made the mortar from old crumbled stone (saved from pieces that had been removed) so it would match the old stuff.

Night walk

Steve — 2009-02-08T21:34:08-05:00

The outdoor restaurants still had a lot of people enjoying the cool night air and at Plaza Bolivar the band was still playing.

The wall

Steve — 2009-02-04T23:44:57-05:00

In a bedroom we are trying a more traditional method, a waterproof coating over the plaster, to give us an idea of which method is better.

Nuts and bolts

Steve — 2009-02-03T20:44:30-05:00

First two guys I approach don't have a clue, other than I should talk (remember these "conversations" are in Spanish on one end and English on the other) to a guy in a white shirt.

Health care experiences

Steve — 2009-01-29T22:05:54-05:00

Story: During the prep for the ESWL the Spanish speaking nurses and I were doing our best to communicate when a new face appeared - first words she spoke "I have a present for you" (I answered, "what") and she said "ME" - "I will try not to hurt you putting the IV in".

Not a fun ten days

Steve — 2009-01-26T22:36:12-05:00

For those of you who have had the bad luck to run afoul of a kidney stone, you probably already know more than you want to about the subject so I will skip the details.

Out of service

Steve — 2009-01-16T00:04:39-05:00

After a little prodding from Jane (maybe it was a lot, can’t remember because of the pain) we were in a taxi on our way to Punta Pacifica Hospital where the emergency room doctor quickly made a preliminary diagnoses of kidney stones.

Panama Jazz Festival

Steve — 2009-01-11T19:16:15-05:00

But today, we are proud to say that every year -- for the past six years -- the Panama Jazz Festival has been the national event where the world does not pass by, but makes a stop in our wonderful land.

How cold is it?

Steve — 2009-01-04T22:09:08-05:00

As a special service to those of you residing in the northern climes I’ve added the Panama City weather to the sidebar.

Six months

Steve — 2009-01-04T14:33:49-05:00

Fares are very reasonable, but can vary widely for the same trip - 25% of the time we get the same price as a local (generally older drivers), 25% of the time they think we are idiot rich Americans (we just smile and walk away), the remaining drivers will ask what they think the customer can pay and we then agree on an acceptable charge.

Happy New Year

Steve — 2009-01-01T00:01:59-05:00

It’s not like we’re accustomed to, the city doesn’t have an “official display”, but it seems like everybody else and his brother does.