Panama Notes RSS Feed

2008 Notes

Steve — 2008-12-31T11:21:54-05:00

To view “Notes” from 2008 just click the appropriate category, month or subject tag in the sidebar on the right side of this page.

Merry Christmas

Steve — 2008-12-25T00:00:06-05:00

Take care.

Work, work, work . . .

Steve — 2008-12-18T20:34:29-05:00

To her left, on the floor are bags of broken concrete and tile that we removed from the kitchen - we will hire a guy with a small truck to haul it away.

Visitors

Steve — 2008-12-12T20:59:50-05:00

Had a brief conversation with three of the sailors (pretty good English) and they seemed to be enjoying themselves but really wanted to get back home after five months at sea.

Another Holiday

Steve — 2008-12-08T22:03:07-05:00

The “bridge” refers to either the Puente de las Américas (Bridge of the Americas) or the Puente Centenario (Centennial Bridge) the two bridges that cross over the Panama Canal and which Panamanians use in great numbers to escape the city on these long holiday weekends.

Thanksgiving in Panama

Steve — 2008-12-05T21:34:46-05:00

Lots of tasty food (even had a turkey), drink (sangria) and conversation, shared with our new friends made it a great evening.

Nonstop Excitement!

Steve — 2008-12-03T22:48:13-05:00

That pretty much sums up the week - we watched it rain and for a little change of pace watched the paint dry (very slowly).

Holidays

Steve — 2008-11-24T21:16:51-05:00

In this case however the City Hall in Casco Viejo is all decked out for the nearly month long celebration of Panama’s independence from Spain and then Columbia.

THE door

Steve — 2008-11-19T19:41:54-05:00

After you enter through those big front doors (that’s not an optical illusion, they are BIG) you are in a common entrance hall for the four apartments on our side of the building ( a single family lives on the other side).

You never know

Steve — 2008-11-14T22:02:38-05:00

Here is a quick recap of the two hour concert (no intermission), as best as I can remember: She started with a new age thing (I think), the birds chirping, wind blowing and other sounds her band conjured up, then was joined by a accordion player as she did a couple of Panamanian folk songs - complete with dancers.

Guest Writer

Steve — 2008-11-06T23:19:39-05:00

That plane ride was pretty neat (even though they wouldn’t roll down the windows so I could hang out) then we hit the ground and this nice van took us to the terminal.

We’ve decided

Steve — 2008-11-03T23:01:52-05:00

Our island stint, with it’s limited access to goods and quality services, obviously had an affect on our priorities - just as someone else’s desire to escape the hustle and bustle of their present life may lead them to a quiet mountain community.

Night at the symphony

Steve — 2008-10-30T20:05:55-05:00

Second half of the concert started with the drums - four gentlemen and two young ladies did a segment that clearly was the crowd’s favorite of the night.

Friends visit

Steve — 2008-10-24T22:09:05-05:00

I usually try to find something unusual on the menu to try and after getting the thumbs up from our waiter I ordered “glazed pimentos over cream cheese” as an appetizer, it was grea.......t.

Diabolical "Slasher" strikes again

Steve — 2008-10-19T23:59:29-05:00

He does want us to memorize his taxi number - presumably that was to ensure that we could find him after the performance when the other 25 cabs were parked in line to pick up their passengers.

Góngora was jumpin'

Steve — 2008-10-17T22:27:49-05:00

It was the usual diverse crowd for this place - young and old, smartly dressed and the blue jean set (me).

It's a . . . . .

Steve — 2008-10-15T20:33:29-05:00

Not the greatest wildlife photos, but the best I could get while facing eminent attack!

Rain Delay

Steve — 2008-10-11T23:32:19-05:00

The musicians at one of the outdoor cafes where I normally sit and listen for a while had called it a night - but had been replaced by street performers (jugglers) with most of the tables still filled.

Slow week . . .

Steve — 2008-10-10T21:32:46-05:00

We are trying to catch the Saturday history tour of Casco Viejo tomorrow and hopfully come back with some pictures and information to share.

One Egg

Steve — 2008-10-07T22:59:00-05:00

The overriding reason for this “unit pricing” and distribution is that lower income Panamanians can’t afford a dozen eggs, a bottle of Advil, drugs in foil wrapped packages of twelve, or even a full pack of smokes.

Baseball Playoffs

Steve — 2008-10-05T17:07:04-05:00

Oh, Jane went to the flea market - bought a couple of houseplants and some books and I stopped for ice cream on the walk home from the big game.

Casco Festival

Steve — 2008-10-04T21:19:13-05:00

We had the suit and tie crowd setting next to the backpackers, the wine and cheese ladies next to the beer and pretzel contingent, along with us seniors and teenagers - a pretty diverse audience.

Gremlins at work

Steve — 2008-10-03T20:15:46-05:00

Please let me know via email if you spot any problems.

Birthday Bash

Steve — 2008-10-02T19:02:40-05:00

After settling in a a corner table in the bar (because it’s in a restored building the restaurant is comprised of several small rooms and a patio) I ordered a Mojito (mainly because I’d never had one - think I will stick with plain old rum and coke) and we picked up the menu.

Behind closed doors

Steve — 2008-09-28T20:43:53-05:00

They make us smile and almost cry, protect the rich, provide sanctuary for the poor and always remind us that Casco Viejo is real.

Nueva Avenida Balboa

Steve — 2008-09-27T22:05:11-05:00

Just another day, until . . .

Steve — 2008-09-25T20:26:29-05:00

Jane thought she had seen this march earlier in the day and this turned out to be a procession to honor the patron saint of Iglesia de la Merced.

The Hill

Steve — 2008-09-24T21:11:39-05:00

On and up we went, until stopped by a smiling park employee - we had reached the point where the road is only a single lane and this gentleman and his counterpart at the top controlled the flow, up or down.

Playing Catch Up

Steve — 2008-09-23T22:14:04-05:00

After our tour we headed back towards the city and took a side trip to the little fishing town of Veracruz for a late lunch.

The Old Fashioned Way

Steve — 2008-09-18T20:37:21-05:00

Ice with cherry syrup, cream, honey and malt - at least that’s what we think is going onto the ice that he shaves using his “special snow cone plane”.

Another look

Steve — 2008-09-16T22:25:49-05:00

Every building in Casco Viejo is classified by the government with respect to it’s historical importance (one being the most important, usually government buildings) La Posada is a Class Three.

Budget Buster

Steve — 2008-09-14T22:46:31-05:00

In an attempt to limit a problem with either our wallet or waistline we have adopted the “only twice a week ice cream shop” rule.

Something Fishy

Steve — 2008-09-12T20:54:14-05:00

These merchants have just about anything that comes from the sea - whether your taste is exotic or tends to the more mundane - you have a good chance of finding something.

Avenida Central

Steve — 2008-09-11T22:11:51-05:00

On Central you can get custom-etched drinking glasses, plastic lawn chairs, clothing, office supplies, jewelry, candy or cigarettes, cell phones, groceries, electronics, appliances, junk, and trinkets.

Concert at Teatro Nacional

Steve — 2008-09-09T15:40:05-05:00

Note: We were back at the apartment and out walking Wags while those driving to other parts of the city were still in the parking lot.

Nothing Exciting

Steve — 2008-09-08T22:00:03-05:00

If you see something that doesn’t look right or won’t display - please let me know.

Sunday in Casco Viejo

Steve — 2008-09-07T21:02:02-05:00

The bright cloth panals you see are Molas which are hand made using a reverse appliqué technique by the women of the Kuna Yala tribe.

Looking at Casco Viejo

Steve — 2008-09-06T22:59:41-05:00

Overall, it’s difficult to grasp the real estate environment here (compared to the slump in most U.S. markets) because the inventory is very low, resales are almost nonexistent, and most units are being sold during “pre-construction” before you have anything tangible to look at.

A walk around Casco Viejo

Steve — 2008-09-05T22:18:13-05:00

This walkway is divided into three sections: El Paseo General Estéban Huertas the tunnel of the bougainvillea's, La Punta de Chiriquí-the viewing point, and the French Plaza (La Plaza de Francia) - in homage to those who built the Canal.

Casco Viejo, a short history

Steve — 2008-09-05T21:14:40-05:00

Balconies are filled with flowers such as geraniums and bougainvillea wrapped around sculpted wrought iron crafted in another century, The streets are brick, and no matter which way they run, they run to the sea, because Casco Viejo is a peninsula jutting into the Bay of Panama.

Before I Forget

Steve — 2008-09-03T23:03:39-05:00

Up and Running, sort of

Steve — 2008-09-03T22:18:59-05:00

Down and Out

Steve — 2008-08-28T11:13:11-05:00

Hope to be back in service in a few days which is about the time we are due to move.

Tuesday Night Football

Steve — 2008-08-26T22:57:18-05:00

Jane talked with a stadium employee - and in two minutes we had a cab, whew - it would have been a very looooong walk.

Sunday Afternoon Football

Steve — 2008-08-24T22:28:02-05:00

The area we are in was once part of the Canal Zone and even today has a different feel that most of Panama City.

Just a couple of pictures

Steve — 2008-08-23T22:14:42-05:00

Nothing exciting happened so I thought I’d just post a couple of pictures and then watch a soccer game on TV.

What's Happening?

Steve — 2008-08-22T21:49:49-05:00

I’m hoping that other resources come to my attention (that’s a hint) email if you know of any additional event information sources) - don’t want this retirement thing to become boring.

Celebration

Steve — 2008-08-21T22:55:44-05:00

So . . . (as I like to say) if you find yourself disappointed by some aspect of the 2008 Olympics, look at Irving Saladino’s historic achievement, smile and join the celebration - this is what sport is supposed to be about.

We're back in business

Steve — 2008-08-21T16:54:56-05:00

When they reinstalled the original board and the problem had corrected itself they could have just called and said pick it up - instead, they ran some additional tests and ordered another board.

Out of touch

Steve — 2008-08-17T22:26:21-05:00

My Mac Mini has been acting a little strange lately (lost all my audio capabilities) so I stopped by the “Mac Store” before we went to Cerro Azul to see if they could diagnose the problem.

Dracula in the Highlands

Steve — 2008-08-16T21:10:14-05:00

Back in the City

Steve — 2008-08-15T19:08:38-05:00

The original Panama City, it was founded on August 15, 1519 and is the oldest city on the Pacific coast from Alaska to Chile and this weekend they are celebrating it’s 489th birthday.

The "Enigmo" Got Me

Steve — 2008-08-12T22:11:05-05:00

For those of you that have actually read this far and are wondering “what the heck is a Enigmo” - it’s the reason tonight’s Note is not very exciting and a little on the short side.

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

Steve — 2008-08-11T21:57:19-05:00

As you study these two pics - think on me listening to Martina McBride on the CD player, sipping a Bailey’s and looking at the lights of Panama City in the distance.

A Sunday drive to Cañita

Steve — 2008-08-10T21:19:55-05:00

Enough of this tale (I think you probably figured out we found our gas, because I’m back at my computer) except to point out the obvious - Jane was not a happy explorer during this phase of our journey.

Odds and Ends

Steve — 2008-08-09T21:25:07-05:00

It has almost everything on our wish list - the PROBLEM, we haven’t decided if we want to live in Cerro Azul, Panama City, or some yet unseen part of the country.

Cerro Azul - Just Looking

Steve — 2008-08-08T20:49:04-05:00

We decided not to play a game of pool but take a little walk along the stream (stocked with either large Goldfish or Koi).

Cerro Azul - Our Observations

Steve — 2008-08-13T22:40:57-05:00

I would suggest that you ALWAYS VISIT any development and see for yourself - we all have our own criteria and to let others remove any area from consideration - before you see it - is a BIG mistake.

Cerro Azul - Wanderings

Steve — 2008-08-07T21:17:58-05:00

There is a growing, very diverse, expat contingent (U.S. citizens certainly don’t dominate) that are attracted by the affordable houses, climate and the convenience of being only an hour from Panama City with it’s restaurants, entertainment and services.

Cerro Azul - Up and Down

Steve — 2008-08-06T22:51:22-05:00

I don’t know what percentage of the development is devoted to green space but you get the feeling that it’s a substantial amount, including - picnic areas, hiking trails, streams with natural swimming holes, and a small lake.

Nice and cool

Steve — 2008-08-05T21:39:17-05:00

Our host is Paul Haney ( a Canadian who has lived in Panama for eleven years) who together with his brother Dave operate “Panama Canada Realty” and have a couple of rental properties in Los Altos de Cerro Azul along with their construction/rehab business - more about that later, when I get a chance to take some pictures.

Going to the mountains

Steve — 2008-08-05T09:59:55-05:00

We will be staying at a rental in Cerro Azul (it’s a Melo development, like Altos del Maria) out Northeast of the city.

Chocolate Overdose!

Steve — 2008-08-04T21:41:53-05:00

Now, if you have something like this where you live, excuse my enthusiasm - we certainly didn’t on St.

Will you need a Panama bank account?

Steve — 2008-08-03T20:15:35-05:00

NO ATM FEES on any transaction regardless of whose ATM it is (harder - but there are banks with no ATM fees that will also reimburse any fee the ATM’s owner charges).

Thanks

Steve — 2008-08-02T17:44:53-05:00

While those numbers can’t even be described as a “speck” in the internet universe, it nevertheless is a surprise to us (especially Jane) that so many people find their way to Panama Notes.

Snowmobile?

Steve — 2008-08-01T17:44:37-05:00

On one of the cities’ busier streets (four lanes, each direction) our taxi moves to the far left lane to overtake . . . the snow-cone guy on his motorized three wheel cart (snow-cone-mobile?).

Feria Nacional de Artesanias

Steve — 2008-07-31T18:12:26-05:00

Today it was a non-stop display by young Panamanians in traditional dress performing all manner of traditional Panamanian dances.

Staying in touch

Steve — 2008-07-29T22:01:41-05:00

Quality of the call is pretty good, not perfect - most of the time it’s as good as a regular phone, sometimes better but on occasion unusable - that’s why we have two providers, so we can use what’s working best.

Panama's Red Devils

Steve — 2008-07-28T21:33:58-05:00

Proving, I guess, that observers have the time to contemplate art in the strangest of places, while those more intimately involved are just trying to get from point “A” to “B” and are left wondering why others stand around and take pictures.

We're Moving (again)

Steve — 2008-07-27T10:56:31-05:00

The “grand plan” has always been to rent for the first year - maybe longer - while we check the pros and cons of city vs country, East vs West, gated vs non-gated, house vs apartment, highrise vs low-rise, you get the idea.

Come on down

Steve — 2008-07-26T11:35:20-05:00

Remember: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

Some Technical Stuff

Steve — 2008-07-24T22:15:06-05:00

When you include your email you will receive an email whenever someone makes a comment to the same “Note” - on other systems it’s called “subscribing” to the thread.

Tonight, eating out at . . .

Steve — 2008-07-23T22:20:34-05:00

We polish the whole thing off (Jane gets a little help with her Corvina, it was a big filet) except for the few fries that find their way into Jane’s purse - Wags likes those fries.

Thrill Ride

Steve — 2008-07-22T14:27:05-05:00

On the plus side: Taxis are cheap and do a good job of getting you from point “A” to “B” - remember that, especially when you have a ride that falls a little short of the perfect experience.

Quick Observations

Steve — 2008-07-21T18:46:58-05:00

We did have a nice young lady assisting us at Migración, but they move a LOT of people through a complicated process quickly.

Visa Requirements?

Steve — 2008-07-15T22:02:55-05:00

Because a new immigration law is pending (that means it may happen, may not, and will likely be revised several times before final adoption, whenever) I won't give the details of our visa application process as it most certainly will be different for you.

The Rich and Famous

Steve — 2008-07-19T16:15:55-05:00

Wags tries to get a share of the vet’s lunch - no go, but everybody has a good laugh.

A Tough Three Months

Steve — 2008-07-13T22:41:31-05:00

In the end we decided to give most of our major items to nieces and nephews, keep a few things (eventually to be shipped to Panama), have a moving sale and either give away or trash what remained.

Why Move?

Steve — 2008-07-11T21:45:00-05:00

Jane wanted to “teach one more year”, we had a house to sell and all those little details to work out so it looked like June of 2008 might work.

Island Life

Steve — 2008-07-10T22:51:58-05:00

This is a place where most people are lousy drivers (by the way, we drive on the left and share the road with goats, horses, cattle and plenty of other creatures, big and small), but at the same time some of the most courteous drivers I have ever shared the road with.

First Time Visitors - Read This First

Steve — 2008-08-01T15:51:22-05:00

Opinions will dot the landscape - remember, my opinions are only slightly more valuable than the average, but still are worth about what you are paying to read them.