Penny

Incredible. Inga definitely is one of the "grand dames" of Panama in general and Boquete in particular.

I can't remember the name but it's on the Volcancito Road in the building that used to be Casa Colonial. Has anybody had any experience selling stuff through them -- good or bad? Thanks.

After cancelling and re-booking about 3 times, we are finally getting Jose Arias to come to the Tuesday talks this Tuesday to tell us about his newly opened crematorium in David. I think it's mostly gringos who use crematoriums and the local Panamanians held protest marches against it's opening -- hence the delays. Also there were numerous governmental permits that took forever to obtain. Anyway, it's up and running and for those of us who plan to stay in Panama until we're "called home" this is great news as there is no longer any need to take a body to Panama City for cremation and therefore the service is much cheaper. Also, Jose speaks English which is a help for us -- especially in times of distress. The Tuesday talks starts at 10:30 in the BCP theater.

I may be wrong but in the past I believe they divided the money between FPI (Handicap Foundation) and Buenos Vecinos de Boquete (food distribution).

Nice titled lot with views of the best beach in Panama and also the river. The lot is 1753 square meters and is priced at $33.65 per meter ($59,000). Nice trees including cashew trees and palm trees. There is electricity and year-round road. Road deadends at lot.Call 6510-8934

This is an adult Flexstone drum set which includes 5 drums, two cymbals, and a stool. The set is like new. It belonged to a friend who died before ever learning to play it. He paid $350 for the set. The first $300 takes it all. Email pjbarrett@aol.com

Wow, I'm like Bonnie. I've never seen anyone give money. And it seems they're always the same people (couple of guys and occasionally a woman) which says to me they're not just traveling through but it also says they make enough money to keep doing it.

I think Keith was making a joke however I have to tell you that the correct name for the septic cleaning service is actually Saka CaCa

Don Winner was always a bigger than life character in the early days of the gringo migration to Panama. He feuded with two "journalists" Okke Ornstein (since disappeared) and Eric Jackson (still around). To his credit, he was the force behind the investigation and arrest of Wild Bill in Bocas del Toro. Wild Bill probably murdered a half dozen people or more and is currently housed in the prison in David where, it is reported, he has found religion and preaches. The Investigation Discovery Channel (# 67 on CableOnda) occasionally shows the documentary about Wild Bill and Don Winner is interviewed extensively on that documentary. The last I heard was that the speculation was that he had left Panama to move to Miami although the business card appears to put him in New York.

I am in a group of 6 to 10 folks who eat breakfast at the Zum every Saturday. We love the breakfast menu. Best omelet in Boquete (maybe in all of Panama). What they call "pancakes" are really crepes and are delicious. I also love eating lunch and dinner there. In fact, 3 of us stopped by after the spay clinic on Sunday and were disappointed to find the place closed. The weinerschnitzel (spelling?) and the chicken cordon bleu are wonderful. The home fries are to die for. The prices are more than fair and the service is excellent. We will miss George but we would also miss the restaurant if it were not to continue.

I think when many Panamanians voted for Martinelli they thought he was so rich that he wouldn't need to steal from the treasury (as has been the custom). Guess that's not a viable theory.

Why are we in such a hurry? The bridge next to the Jaramillo Road is a one laner and that seems to work. I think folks going to North side of town will use the Panamonte Bridge and those going to the South side and on to David, will use the Feria Bridge.

Our monthly "Boquete Chicas" lunch was held Friday at Casona del Cusco, the Peruvian Restaurant behind Plaza Los Establos. There were 22 of us and because we pre-ordered they were set up and prepared for us so the service was good. They have a regular $7.95 lunch special which includes a chicken, a fish, or a shrimp dish. Most of us ordered "Crispy Garlic Shrimp" and there was a bit of confusion when it was delivered as the shrimp were boiled and definitely not crispy. Maybe this is a language difficulty. The other thing worth mentioning is that apparently they didn't get the memo on the law changing about including tips in the bill as they included a 10% tip in everyone's bill. Since that is a little less than I would have left, I didn't complain. However, it got me thinking that maybe there's an exception in the no included tip law for larger groups of people. Anybody know?

Will it be a one or a two laner? I can't see where it tells. Personally, I love the one-laners.

And, of course, Keith is right. It's not a valid comparison. Part of my slant is that I have no respect for Sra. Moscoso. Every time I pass her coffee processing plant and extravagant coffee house, I wonder about the source of the funds.

Robby Robinson is a well known name in Panama. I think he's in charge of U.S. veterans affairs in the country. Interesting that they picked that name . . . or maybe it was just a coincidence.

The people in the gray truck contacted me. They are respected members of the community and wrote extensively about trying to help this dog. Here is what they wrote:

When I first came to Panama in 2003, almost all medicines other than heavy duty pain killers were OTC. Now antibiotics are controlled (as well they should be) and also I recently got a prescription from Dr. Gomez for some very mild sleeping pills. I darn near had to sign my life away to get the script filled. Show ID, sign the prescription as received, and leave the prescription at the pharmacy.

There's definitely something fishy going on here.

Walking about in leg shackles?

This is true that it wouldn't happen in the U.S. but just to put a little perspective on it, the president of Panama is more or less equivalent in power to the governor of South Carolina and how many of us even know who that is. Oh wait, he was the guy who said he was hiking the Appalachian trail while he was really having an affair with his mistress in Buenos Aires.

Yesterday, there was a little stir at the BCP market when Mireya Moscosa showed up with several personal body guards. Not many people recognize her anymore as it's been about 12 years since she was president of Panama.

The report of this incident was circulating in the market today but some of the people attributed the rescue to Nairn (or maybe I misheard).

Diputada Athanasiadis is a neighbor in Potrerillos to Marion Clamp who was assaulted, beaten, stabbed, and shot by a group of minors who invaded her home in the night. Marion was left for dead but after months in the hospital she managed to survive. Of course, the minors are known but they were all released back into the community. At least one of them now lives in Boquete.