Dennis Philpot

Thanks again for the help, Keith. i tried yesterday, but there was a little twist that I thought I'd share. My car was purchased (from you) before I got my cedula and was linked with my U.S. Passport number. When I tried to renew the driver's license yesterday, I was told I needed to go the the Municipio and have my records changed so that the Passport reference number would be replaced by the cedula number (I got my cedula in December and got the new license plate in January, so that's when the cedula number got into the system). So I got the records changed and will go back to Sertracen tomorrow (30 minutes before they open). I hope this info helps save others an extra trip. Dennis

I just realized that I will need to renew my Panama Driver's license in a few days and it might be a little challenging to get it done on time. So I have two questions I hope will be answered. Is there some kind of penalty if I am a few days late with the renewal? What documents do I need to bring other than current license? I remember that getting the original license one year ago was smooth and fast at the David office, but all the documents I had to gather in advance was very time consuming and I hope that was a one time effort. Thanks in advance for the help. Dennis.

My experience is similar to Uncle Doug's, but I'll add a few details that might help. I maintain my U.S. Medicare coverage through an HMO in California, since I maintained a residence address in the locale where that HMO provides coverage. My primary care doctor in the U.S. provides the prescription updates about once a year and this information is on file with Walgreen's. Whenever the 90 day provision period arrives, Walgreen's automatically ships the two Rxs to the California address and charges a few dollars to my Visa. The person who lives full time at that address then forwards the package (special delivery with a tracking number and signature required) to my Florida Eshop address (Mail Boxes Etc. would also work). They then forward the package to Eshop in Boquete. This works quite smoothly and maybe it takes 2-3 weeks from the time Walgreen's ships to the time I make the pickup. When I first arrived in Boquete I got a few quotes from local pharmacies on these two generic drugs and the prices were very high compared to what I pay to get them from the U.S. Hope this helps. Dennis

Just to add my two cents here, I can say this was a major concern before moving to Boquete. But without an answer to the question of medical coverage I moved here anyway. So now that a year has passed I can say that I've explored all options and have concluded that for people my age (71 now 72 soon) there is no good coverage option in Panama other than self insured for emergencies (up to $20,000 in my case from US plan, though car insurance does cover some part of this) and Medicare coverage back in the states for more serious situations. I realize there is still a gap in what i might need, but have decided to accept the risk, take really good care of my health and see what the future brings. Not a great solution for everyone, but it's all I can do for me. Best wishes for great solutions. Dennis

Personally I find that open space adds to the tranquility of the library inside and to those who choose to sit outside to enjoy the relative quiet. I'm happy to take a little longer ride down the side road to gain access to the main road. But I can understand one's frustration if one doesn't experience what the library space offers.

I'm going to Panama City this weekend (and will do so often for some time) and plan to take the bus this time (first time for me). One option I'm considering is to drive to David, park at the bus terminal, then take one of the daytime buses to Albrook. My question for the Boquete longtimers is if parking at the David bus terminal for a Friday - Monday trip is OK? I do so regularly at the airport, and wondered if the same is true for the bus terminal? As always, thanks in advance for your help. Dennis

I'm moving closer to town on March 31 and have a Frigidaire Mini Refrigerator / Freezer unit for sale. Bought it new last July at Pricesmart for $130. Fits under the counter and is 33” H x 19” W x 20” D. All offers over $65 considered. I move on March 31, so it could be available that day or a day or two earlier. dennisjphilpot@gmail.com and 6889-4181.

I am interested in learning if any technology experts here in the CL group know about the latest verbal Spanish / English translation devices or technologies? I know about and use various online apps and services like Google Translate on my smart phone and computer, and others. But since I haven't yet activated my speech on Google, I'm not sure if I can do what I want there. My need is more with conversations than just words or phrases. I'd like to talk in English at lengths of paragraphs (not sure how many words or characters) and have the translation to Spanish be voice transmitted, and then have the response in Spanish voice into the device be translated into English with a voice transmission. And it would be great if the voice responses could have corresponding written responses. I've seen Phrasebook's iTranslate Voice app, handheld or tablet devices like Ectaco has. But before going too deep on my own research I just wondered if any of you have some advice? And just so you know, I continue to improve my Spanish skills the old fashioned way and may now be at a 10 year old level :-). Thank you.

The lab doesn't necessarily need to be in Chiriqui. And ask if they can do High Index lenses (higher index of refraction so the lenses are thinner and lighter). -1.5 should be quite light and thin and work with almost all frames. Good luck.

I spent my career with Carl Zeiss Meditec, selling / marketing various diagnostic and surgical equipment and devices to the global ophthalmology community. But Zeiss also has the Zeiss Optical division that makes various optical lenses of different materials, including glass -- high index and otherwise. You may have been recommended plastic lenses earlier if your prescription is high -- meaning lots of base material needed to make the corrections. If that's not the case, and if you've worn glass lenses in the past (also need to consider frame size and weight along with style), then maybe you can get them again. Before going to David I'd check the optician shop next to eShop just to see if they can give you options.. Not sure if that's Lopez Optical or some other place. Wish I could be more help. Good luck.

Thanks all. Big help and much appreciated. Dennis

I'd like to schedule a general dermatological exam (it's just time to do so) and have read the Health Care Resources information here on CL. However, I just wanted to see if anyone has any new information that could help? It appears there are two derm specialists in David and none in Boquete, unless something has changed. Thanks in advance. Dennis

I get various kinds without problem -- from either the Garden at SF Plaza (they stock up on Mondays), or Anna at the Tue market, or various stalls in the Mercado, or even Romero or Deli Baru. Just depends where I am when I need it. But I prefer the kind with the roots still wrapped compared to the hydroponic, since the hydroponic comes in a plastic container.

I'll do a repeat message here that I have one weekend VIP ticket for sale. $175 OBO. dennisjphilpot@gmail.com or 6889-4181.

I have an extra ticket, (weekend, VIP) for the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival. Bought it before I moved here when they were first available online. $175 or best offer over $175. They are now selling for somewhat more. Contact information: dennisjphilpot@gmail.com or cell 6889-4181.

Good service, good folks, good vibes. Bad food (though maybe prepared ok), high prices, better options elsewhere. But it will usually be busy so good for them.

Wow!! What great input from so many. Thanks and really appreciate it. As always it seems like different folks need different bank deals. So I didn't see any reason for me to keep my MB account open, but will do so for another few months just in case I learn something. And if not, then I can further simplify my life. Thanks again to all. Dennis

Just looking for a little input here from long timers in Boquete. I've only been here since June 2016 and one of the first things I did was open a bank account -- a savings account with a $1,000 minimum balance, debit card and no service fees. In these 7 or so months, the only transactions have been to deposit checks from my US Wells Fargo account, and then sometimes use the local bank's ATM to get cash. However, I've no problem getting cash on my Wells Fargo debit card ($2.50 fee) and all other transactions (rent, lawyer, stores, etc.) are easily handled via PayPal or Wells Fargo Visa Credit Card. So far it appears to me that I don't need the Boquete bank account, so I'm wondering if and when and why I'll ever really need it, even with it's good service, friendly staff, online banking, etc.? Thanks in advance for any education you can provide me.

Sage advice, I think, Bonnie. Just wish I could follow it. I began looking before I moved here last June, but at age 70 (now 71) found that the comprehensive plans (Worldwide, PALIC, etc.) cost from $500 to $1,500 per month with quite large deductibles ($10,000 to $25,000 as I recall). And the Chiriqui Plan seemed only good for small emergencies (though I still may opt for this plan) for the first 12-36 months, and then maybe something more comprehensive after 24-36 months. Since I maintained my Medicare coverage in the US, and since the HMO plan that administers Medicare for me will pay up to $20,000 when traveling outside the US, I've so far decided to take the risks and self-insure to a certain extent. But I'm not comfortable with that. So do you have any further recommendations that I might investigate?

I live in Jaramillo Arriba, almost seven months now. I've seen three scorpions so far, a couple of small ones and a larger one. I don't like killing things so I just put a small plastic bowl or other type of container over the scorpion (or other bug), then slide a piece of thin cardboard or laminated paper or something similar (larger that the opening of the bowl or container) underneath and take it outside and let the scorpion / but go to it's natural habitat. The scorpions don't seem to move too fast so it's pretty each to catch then like that. That works for when you see them. I've also been advised to make sure my shoes and other potential hiding places are clean before use.

I too looked long and far for kalamata olives until a CL poster told me about Casa de Jamon (I think that's the name) on the main road to Boquete -- right side going toward town next to office building which I think is called Paso Alto.

Thanks, Penny. This was a great suggestion. Appreciate it.

Penny, can you please tell me where this new store is? Thanks in advance.

Thanks, Bonnie. Appreciate the input. Their dry cleaning is OK, but I don't need it much. It's the simple laundry that is a problem -- clothes returned still damp, yet folded and bagged; plus too many lost socks. So I'll try somewhere else for the laundry. Thanks again. Also appreciate the other two recommendations. I've seen the place near SF Plaza and always assumed it was a DIY place (which I was ready to try). Anyway, it's close to where I live so will give them a try next week.

Thanks, Bonnie. Appreciate the input. Their dry cleaning is OK, but I don't need it much. It's the simple laundry that is a problem -- clothes returned still damp, yet folded and bagged; plus too many lost socks. So I'll try somewhere else for the laundry. Thanks again.