Penny

Brandy

Take the appliances to the recycling center across from Restaurante Polsada. Theoretically, they will pay you the scrap metal value but I just donate them and am glad to get rid of them. Alternatively, if you put them out in front of your house, someone will usually pick them up for parts or for the scrap metal value. This has always worked for me.

This was funny the first time I saw it years ago. It's even more hilarious now -- especially if you've had a recent experience dealing with the bureaucracy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZ3uAEKsw

Every year I search for this form and can't find it. I googled it and opened what I thought was the official IRS form. After spending several hours filling it out (I have 7 bank accounts to report) I got to the end and found out it was a private service and they wanted $185 to email it in. There was no way to save or print the form.

I need to know the link to the official IRS form. Why do they make it so difficult????

Today is the big ceremony for the inauguration of the construction of the new Panamonte Bridge. They have multiple heavy machinery and a big canopy tent with chairs set up underneath. I believe President Varela will be there for the ceremony. They've laid down a cement pad for the approach to the bridge.

I'm so happy !!!!!

Personally, I like the one-lane bridges.

Gives you a chance to yield and then wave to your neighbors.

Who can't afford 20 seconds out of their day?

9 hours ago, Rooikop said:

Bonnie how do I contact  the UK. Warden in Boquete?

Steven

Many people care about your situation. Trish Daugherty is the UK Warden and her email is triciajdaugherty@hotmail.com.

However, like Bonnie said about the U.S. embassy, there is very little they can do about Panamanian law.

Good luck with this. If you decide to just walk back across the border, I will come and pick you up. Email me at pjbarrett@aol.com

A little additional information -- apparently some border immigration people are telling folks they have to stay out of Panama for 30 days before being allowed to return.

What would happen if you flew into Tocuman? I don't think they're looking for border hoppers there and also, how could they deny you entry when you're already standing on Panamanian soil.

I think that's what I would do.

In addition to incompetent and dishonest lawyers, there is also the problem that many older people no longer have fingerprints that can be taken with the old ink roller method. I even know some folks who have made multiple attempts at digital fingerprints only to have that method also not work.

I know two of the attorneys that Twin Wolf entrusted to get him resident status and I can certify that they were both incompetent.

It is true that this change seemed to be abrupt to many. However, those who follow the local news, the forums, and the yahoo groups have known for quite a while that Panama was about to tighten up the border hopping loophole.

If we lose Dan Porter to Colombia because of this SNAFU, we will have lost a valuable member of our community.

What a screwed up mess. I feel horrible for them.

About six months ago there were a lot of signs that this was coming. At that time I urged my neighbor (and tenant) to apply for her pensionado visa. Luckily she followed the advise and now has her temporary card.

I just read an old post on Ning written by Steve Walker. Steve said he had been doing the border crossing every 90 days for 10 years to reset his tourist visa and drivers license. It seems to me that this is the perfect example of what Panama is trying to prevent.

I know Steven and Michelle but don't know what kind of visa they have. I think knowing this information might explain a lot about this situation.

The memorial service held on Wednesday was memorable with lots of people sharing stories about Gary's wild adventures.

Too lazy to research this myself so am asking the community. How do I change my social security deposit from one US bank to another US bank?

5 minutes ago, JohnF13 said:

Bonnie, FWIW, my lawyer told me you need a special rider on your temporary carnet if you are going to leave and re-enter the Country.  That was a few years ago so I do not know if it is current, might be worthwhile checking if anyone is in that situation.

Judy and John are correct. When you have a temporary visa waiting for your permanent visa, you need to buy a multiple entry visa for $100 from immigration. This is just a large stamp in your passport which allows you to exit and enter the country.

On 3/8/2017 at 0:36 PM, Brundageba said:

  I just looked at my E-Cedula which was issued June 2013.  It states clearly that it expires June 2023.  I should still be alive and (God willing) well in 2023.   It will be interesting to find out what will be required for this renewal. Anybody know?

Everybody (including Panamanians) have to renew their cedula every 10 years. This is a routine process and is in place because the government want's a current photo on your national identification card.

It seems to me that Panama has every right to decide what qualities they want in their resident visa holders. Many permanent tourists don't get visa status because they can't meet the requirements set by the Panamanian government. These are quite often the folks who come here without sufficient resources to take care of themselves in case of a medical or other emergency. They run up huge bills at the local hospitals and then disappear into the night.leaving the Panamanian citizens to foot the bill.

All sovereign nations have a right to control their immigration -- even the United States.

Gene has an assistant who has done some plumbing work for me. His name is Lalo and his number is 6436-5850. Lalo speaks some English.

Gene Bourque

alfredb73@gmail.com

6575-2355

Article 4 of Law 6 of 1987 states that the beneficiaries of this law will prove their entitlement to its benefits by showing:

1. Cedula of personal identity.
2. Jubilado or Pensionado card.
3. Resident visa.

This means that you must be a legal resident of Panama and not a tourist or illegal.

25 minutes ago, Keith Woolford said:

Too bad there are no more rails to ride the guy out of town on. You could probably find some tar and feathers though.

Are you referring to George Bush? Or the pendejo gringo?

3 hours ago, Bud said:

My Spanish is very poor, but I believe the word pendejo (without an "s" on the end) only means an idiot, or stupid idiot, or words to that effect. The word pendejos (note the plural form) is the A..H... that you refer to. This is the only Spanish curse word that I [currently] know.

FWIW.

My former Spanish teacher was also a linguist who loved studying the root derivation of words. She said that the word "pendejo" literally means "pubic hair" but is used loosely to mean A**H***. I think the word came into the English vocabulary when the former president of Mexico called George Bush a "pendejo". My favorite Spanish translation service agrees with me:

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/pendejo

It's a common misconception that the restaurant can deduct the discount amount from their taxes. What actually happens is when a restaurant sells a $10 meal for $8, they only report the $8 income. Actually, many smaller fondas and restaurants pay no income taxes. You have to have gross sales of $30,000 per year before you're liable for income taxes. Restaurants that don't pay income taxes, take the hit from the discount.

The tourist visa person who demands the discount should be informed of the law. This is the true definition of an "Ugly American". What an A*H* (pendejo in Spanish).

This is wonderful news. I hate that they put every item you buy into a separate bag. I just returned from San Francisco, U.S. where plastic bags are totally banned. They offer you a paper bag for a dime.

The other interesting thing is that they raised the minimum wage to (I believe) $15/hour in San Francisco and as a consequence all of the restaurants we ate at added a 5% sur charge on the bill. The explanation for this sur charge was given in very small type at the bottom of the menu.

My friend Daisy Quiel has a small apartment available now for one or two persons. It is located in Los Naranjos. She furnishes cable TV, internet, water, electricity, and garbage services. Located in a quiet area but easily accessible for buses or taxis. The rent is $350 for two people, possibly a little less for one person. Contact Daisy Quiel (speaks English) at daisyquiel11@hotmail.com or 6553-2384.

1 hour ago, Helene said:

Penny, may I ask what email address you were using to communicate with Craig? I sent an email 2 days ago to reservations@lucero.com.pa, however, no response. Our dinner is in 2 days and I'd like an alternative email if you have one. Thanks.

 

If Craig is not responding I would write directly to the owner, Sandeep Lal at slal@lucero.com.pa