Bonnie

I agree that this is a dangerous situation, Bud. It's amazing that people will put their own safety and that of others at risk to avoid a bumpy section of road under construction.

The same holds true for those going outside their lane to avoid potholes. This is an ongoing problem and is particularly dangerous on curves when visibility is compromised. I can't count the number of near accidents I've experienced on the Palo Alto-Alto Lino loop because an oncoming vehicle swerved into my lane to avoid a pothole or other bump in the road. The major offenders are taxi drivers.

Speaking of the loop, there is another thing that really concerns me. About 80% of the hikers, mostly tourists but some locals, walk with their backs to traffic. This is doubly dangerous. A vehicle is obliged to swerve into the other lane to avoid them, thus endangering himself and an oncoming driver. And the hikers are at risk when a car comes around a curve, up behind them, doesn't see them in his lane until it's too late. Neither do the hikers see the car because their backs are to traffic.

Mike, please let us know how it goes. I need a Toyota key cut also.

6 hours ago, JohnF13 said:

  I would disagree with your statement that a medical catastrophe would be financially ruinous.  The public system is there and available for every qualified resident.  Costs are reasonable and you do pay for some things yourself.  I have spent some time at Regional helping out a friend.  While it is not the most modern hospital, the staff there treated my friend with compassion and sympathy.  I guess it depends on your expectations, some folks can never be pleased.

I'm never pleased to be in a hospital at all, but if I were recovering from a heart attack or stroke, major injuries associated with a vehicular accident, or anything similar that involved severe pain and required long-term medical care, I would not want to be in a hospital with crowded, noisy wards; bathrooms down the hall; and frequent lack of needed medications (including pain medication) and linens. I have observed all of this and more in the public hospital. There is a reason that Panamanians of means choose private hospitals. But to each his own.

I also question whether expats should be taking advantage of the already overly taxed Panamanian health system. An important element of planning a move is to plan to take care of one's own health needs rather than expect Panama to foot the bill-- or, as I have observed numerous times in my 12 years here, to expect other expats to chip in for unexpected, expensive health crises.

So you're talking about no health insurance at all. Even those of us with expensive coverage pay for regular stuff up to a deductible, which is usually at least $5000. The choice is what happens beyond that: how to pay for catastrophic illness or injury. Virtually anyone can afford the day-to-day stuff, but medical catastrophes can be financially ruinous without insurance.

The idea of saving what you would pay in premiums for future costly treatment is a good one IF, and only if, you have the financial wherewithal to pay for costly care initially, i.e., should you encounter a costly health crisis before you've saved enough to pay for it. I've never used my health insurance, have paid hefty premiums which grow heftier by the year, and now wish I had chosen that option. Unfortunately, I was in no position to know when an unanticipated crisis might arise. That's the nature of unanticipated crises. And I've had enough experience with the public system via helping others that I know I don't want to be there if I should suffer a debilitating accident or illness. (A friend who spent time in a public hospital described the experience as a cross between "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Midnight Express.") But, then, when it comes to matters of health, I am very risk averse. Others are braver (or more foolhardy).

39 minutes ago, JohnF13 said:

Bonnie, I think your doom and gloom comment is a bit of a stretch.  I know of an older person who has spent a considerable time in Regional hospital and reports that the care she received there was excellent.  That included operations and chemo treatment.  The previous warden for David was extremely negative towards the public system and he decamped, in part, for the U.S. after his insurance premiums went to over $1000 a month.  Not too many people can afford that, especially those on a fixed income.  Maybe people should look at a mid range alternative - private care for routine matters but with the option for a referral to the public system in case of an emergency.

What mid-range alternatives are you talking about, John. I'm not familiar with them. Most comprehensive plans, those good for major illnesses and accidents, are essentially mid-range plans because of their high deductibles.

And this is the system you'll be using in case of a major illness or accident if you have no medical insurance or plentiful cash reserves.

Thanks to both of you. I have sent a message to my bank. They have never levied an ATM charge previously based on the length of time I have been with them, the amount of my savings there, etc. But they recently merged with another bank, so it's a possibility.

The charge appeared on my statement from my bank in the U.S. various ATMs here in Panama. It reflected the usual $5.25 charge and then an additional $2 charge. Sorry I wasn’t clear.

I just noticed an additional $2.00 charge on ATM withdrawals in addition to the existing $5.25. My bank has never charged me for ATM withdrawals in the past, so I'm wondering if this is a new CLAVE charge. Does anyone know?

This Kenmore sewing machine was brand new when I brought it to Panama, and it has received very little usage. Model # 385.15218400, it has all the bells and whistles. It comes with a nice tapestry carrying case. Price: $125.

The giant Skykennel dog crate has been used only once: to transport a big dog from the U.S. to Panama. Measuring 48l x 32w x 35h, it is for dogs weighing 90-125 pounds. It comes with attachable food and water bowls and a LIVE ANIMALS sticker on the side. Retails for $300 and more. For sale for $125.

11 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

In this photo of the fellow who was arrested, it’s impossible to determine age. It can be noticed that he’s wearing a fairly hefty gold chain.

The household goods which were located in his residence don’t sound to me like the kind of stuff that would be stolen by a door-to-door bandit.

I agree with Keith. The guy widely reported in earlier thefts was on foot. He was looking for cash, jewelry, maybe phones and other small stuff. He wouldn't have been able to carry large items with him even if he had a car parked somewhere nearby. And we've heard no evidence of a vehicle being involved anyway. I think our guy is still on the loose, sorry to say.

The guy in this photo appears to be smaller than the the thief who came to my house. But it’s hard to tell.

1 hour ago, Wakana said:

Possibly Bonnie. Or maybe I am just a bad judge of age.? Is the guy you have experience with the same guy as in the pictures Andrea posted above? I sure hope there are not two!

I can’t say for sure, but I think so. A full frontal of his face would provide more certainty 

There must be two of them then because my robber was younger than forty.

There is a report on Boquete News on Facebook of the arrest of a 31-year-old thief from Palmira Abajo who is described as the “scourge of Boquete.” It is reported that there have been multiple complaints about him. I hope this is our guy.

Got it. I knew about it but had forgotten its name. Thanks to both of you.

9 hours ago, JohnF13 said:

City mall has pretty much everything that PS has and usually a bit cheaper.  But, of course, they don't have Kirkland dog food.  Oh, and they have it "in stock".  Weused ti go to PS for paper products, better choices available at City Mall.

Where is City Mall? (I don’t go to David often.)9

4 hours ago, BD said:

I’m confused. When did BCP change its name? What is the W in WBCP?

I think that's a play on radio station call letters, used for this event (Olde Timey Radio Show) only.

When they have enough chili to hold the event?

Yes, the grooming prices are high, and that's why I didn't mention grooming. The principal point of my post was Dra. Fatima, whose prices are the same as those of Dra. Chely.

I didn't compare the prices of medications with those at Melo and Mascotas, but I've found that when you need a particular medicine you're willing to pay whatever wherever you can get it. Time after time Melo and Mascotas have not had the very medicine I need immediately, so I'm pleased that there's another alternative. Too, it was nice to be able to obtain most of what I needed right there without having to go elsewhere.

I don't dress my dogs, so I didn't even look at the clothes.

I failed to mention that the name Charlie's Pet Fashions belies everything the store has to offer. In addition to premium dog food, the shop carries dog meds, shampoos, crates, and any number of other things. I suggest you drop in and take a look. It's a good alternative to add to Melo and Mascotas y Jardines, which often are out of things.

I just returned from a visit with the new vet in town, Dra. Fatima Valdes. Her clinic is located in La Tienda de Mascotas (also called Charlie's Pet Fashions) in the Don Vidal Building, lower level, near the medical lab and Viajes David (Anavilma). I note  here that the building tenants have employed a parking attendant out front who assures that everyone using the spaces has business within the building, so parking was no problem.

I found Dra. Fatima to be knowledgeable and personable. She has been here only three months, after completing her veterinary degree in Brazil. She has some equipment and uses Immunotec, almost next door, for lab work.

My Golden, Finnegan, has had ongoing problems with skin fungus. I was just about ready to give up after having tried several vets and a multitude of medications, but I decided to give Fatima a try on the recommendation of a friend. She ruled out hyperthyroidism just by looking at Finny's coat and explained why. She then examined him carefully, commenting the whole time. Finally, she took skin scrapings from various parts of his body, examined them under a microscope, studied them for quite a while, and advised me that he has both fungal and bacterial issues, with a little impetigo thrown in. She explained why the medicated shampoo and medications I had been using probably weren't working, and the explanation made sense. She prescribed a food supplement for his raw diet (which contains no grains or carbohydrates) and a different, stronger shampoo, both of which were available in the shop, and is ordering a special medication in pill form from Panama City. She spent a lot of time with me and with Finny.

An office visit costs $15, the same as Dra. Chely. I was more than pleased with her service and will be returning.

Dra. Fatima can be reached at 6672-1172. You needn't have an appointment, but it's probably smart just to make sure she's there and isn't too busy.

7 minutes ago, Keith Woolford said:

Directory at this site

http://www.galeria-central.com/phone/index.html

Thanks, Keith. The Factory Outlet piques my interest.