Dennis Philpot

Can anyone recommend a laundry and dry cleaning service in Boquete, other than the one on the one way street just down from Choxx and Sr. Gyros? Thanks in advance.

For the most part I agree with Hil's assessment and also remain apolitical with regard to parties and candidates; though with definite ideas and preferences about specific issues (and also an appreciation for those folks who truly dedicate themselves to public office for the "greater good" rather than their own enrichment). In looking at the current campaigns, rather than asking all the relevant questions like Hil did, I reviewed the impact that all the Presidents in my adult voting life (from 1968 when I was drafted and went to Vietnam for 13 months) had on my life. My only conclusion was that their impact on me was minimal, and the greatest impacts on me were always my own personal decisions and actions. Over this 48 year period I've voted for both Republicans and Democrats, some of whom won and others of whom lost. But I always did so from an issues orientation position and who I thought best for the common good. And of those who won, I think maybe 2-3 really made a positive difference on the whole with the others having a more or less neutral impact. And so I'm also really amazed and saddened at the anger, vitriol, even hate being bandied about this time around, and hope that once the results are in, folks can forget about their own position and get back to making and taking good decisions and actions in their own lives. I've only been in Boquete for five months and have made friends who support both sides in this election. And in general they're all really fine, compassionate and giving folks -- no matter their political beliefs. So in consequence, I really like living here and look forward to lots of non-election years without "me and them" conversations. And to remain true to the CL mission, I have to say that many folks here have helped me figure out what I didn't know with regard to lots of topics and I think this is the best on-line resource for me as a Boquete resident. But I also have to say that before moving here I found my current residence and vehicle through B.ning, so both sites have proven valuable when facts are needed. Here's hoping that I can someday return all the favors.

I'm not sure where this message should go, but I guess it doesn't matter. I've been thinking about doing some roadside trash pick-ups (sort of like a prisoner without the orange jump suit) around town, but before doing so on my own I just wondered if anyone on this site already is doing so in an organized way or knows of others doing so? If not, no big deal; and I'm not looking to organize a group -- just don't want to duplicate any existing efforts. If anyone wants to join, I can provide garbage bags and gloves (kind of a substitute for the morning hikes and nature walks that Jere so graciously leads, but without the regularity). Thanks in advance for any info, and feel free to send a private message. Dennis

Not sure if anyone cares anymore, but eShop got the packages yesterday from the shipments that were held up in customs. I stopped in today and the office is full of boxes. Mine was included, though I'm not sure about all the non-delivered packages. I think Karinthia and Ken did all they could, at great expense to them, to overcome the problems. Anyway, if you've been waiting for yours, the wait might be over. Dennis

I'm going to the US for a couple of weeks in mid-September and thought about seeing if I could get into my dentist for a $100 teeth cleaning. Then the other day I walked by a dental clinic in town. I don't know the street name but I think it is next to a Peruvian restaurant. The door was locked but I looked inside and the clinic looked clean and upscale. So I wondered if any CL friends have references about this clinic or any others in town. I think I'd rather have the teeth cleaning done here for less if the care is just as good. Thanks in advance. Dennis

This is a really interesting article with some pretty good advice. It just so happens that I was fortunate enough to be able to make the same trip in 1972 -- 4 years after touring Vietnam as a possible retirement destination:-) -- by driving from the SF Bay Area to Panama City. Little did I know at the time that I would move to Boquete 44 years later, but in retrospect that trip played a major role in my eventual decision. Of course return trips Latin America and a 35 year career that required very frequent global travel also helped, but the 1972 trip was a difference maker. If I had never left the US for extended periods I don't think I could have relocated here or anywhere else OUS.

Another minor issue I've run into (and I do have a couple of fallback plans) is finding appropriately priced and packaged 81mg aspirin. I've been taking it for years on my US doctor's advice and of course it's cheap and easy in the US. So far in Boquete and David, however, it's a different story. I've found the 81mg packs of maybe 30 tablets, but priced at almost $10 or more, since it's labeled and sold as "cardio aspirina". Yet a box of 20 500 mg aspirin tabs is priced around $2. Anyone can see the math doesn't make sense nor does trying to cut 500 mg tabs into 100 mg pieces. So I can either buy bulk on-line at Amazon or Walgreen's, etc. and have it shipped here, buy a few years supply when I visit the US in September, or ask this community if anyone has a better local solution. Thanks in advance.

Here is a link. https://www.google.com.pa/maps/place/Galería+Central/@8.4304688,-82.4319579,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8fa59d7509bc9035:0x699b23dffc411626!8m2!3d8.4305378!4d-82.4301447. If a problem to open, hit control, right click, then "open link in new window". It's about a block from Chiriqui Hospital.

Oh, no apology needed, Keith. The fresh food mall was another place I wanted to visit but never got around to it. So now I know where two new places are, plus Chiriqui hospital, and can get around much more of David than before. So thanks for that.

Just wanted to clarify, for anyone interested, that the above directions got me to a large building that houses lots of food vendor stalls and a large government office. But it wasn't the Galleria Central. I got directions from one of the vendors and the Galleria Central, a beautiful new mall just opened, is about a block away from the Chiriqui Hospital. So I did find the new Vitamin Shoppe there which was my objective. But this new mall is still only about 10% rented so not sure what new tenants might come or when they'll come. Oh, and though this new Vitamin Shoppe is convenient, like the US parent it's expensive. So Amazon remains the value choice if time is not an issue.

Many thanks to both. Dennis

I'm in touch with a Vitamin Shoppe employee in PC and am told they will open a new store in David at Galeria Central, which is near Coopeduc Plaza (not sure of spelling) and it should open by the middle of next week. Can anyone give me directions, while referencing the landmarks I know (the Novey, Rey, Panafoto, Super Baru area; Pricesmart, Chiriqui Mall area; and the airport. Thanks in advance for any help. Dennis

I've found .ning useful in the past when looking for facts and information. Opinions aren't of much use, but some reviews (maybe half way between facts and opinions) are also helpful. Actually I found the casita I live on .ning and also made contact with Keith via .ning and bought my vehicle from him -- this was all in the Feb to May 2016 time frame. Now that I'm a few months into Boquete life I must say I prefer CL for well described and easy to find facts and information. But I still avoid gossip and opinion posts on both. I like it better when I don't encounter hate, bigotry, extreme views, etc whether in person or on-line. And as an added incentive for me, the impression I get is that the CL admin folks do the best job keeping the site relevant.

I went there last week one day for lunch, when they were unofficially open. It seems crazy since the salad offerings looked great, but I hadn't had a burger in months or maybe a year, so that's what I got and it was very good!!. I'll be back for salads soon.

I received the same message from Soc Sec US and had trouble earlier yesterday and today signing in to my account. Kept getting the message you see below. Just now I was able to get through, but when signing out I again got this message. So I assume lots of folks are just trying to get in to their accounts to make sure their smart phone numbers are part of their profile. Mine is so no problem. The problem is that the SS account profile page only accepts one phone number and it must be 10 digits. But I'm guessing that those with Panama mobile phones with 10 digits won't be accepted since the 507 country code isn't a recognized area code in the US. This is one reason I kept my US smart phone. It might be some time before all government, finance and commercial institutions recognize the global nature of many citizens' lives and enable us all to live with just one phone and number. Social Security The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration Text Size Accessibility Help We are sorry, but this service is not available at this time. Please try again later. This service is available during the following hours (Eastern Time):Monday-Friday 5 AM - 1 AM Saturday 5 AM 11 PM Sunday 8 AM - 11:30 PM Federal Holidays: Same availability hours as Monday - Sunday for the day on which the Holiday occurs If you need immediate assistance: You may call us Monday through Friday: 7:00AM 7:00pm at 1-800-772-1213 If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call our toll-free TTY number 1-800-325-0778

Total was about $185, list $179, included three each of the cartridges. Didn't shop it, but noticed that PriceSmart (which I went to after Panafoto) didn't have this printer. Haven't opened the box and connected yet, but am confident in success having done this many times with HP. Denins

Thanks all for the input. Much appreciated. Just fyi today I bought the HP 4729 at Panafoto. It seems to be a new offering, with high efficiency cartridges (uses one black and one tri-color, with black good for 1,500 pages and tri-color for 750 pages -- as advertised). It's a wireless three-in-one and comes with three each of the cartridges and Panafoto sells each replacement for $10.95 each. Seems like a good improvement to me (have used HP printers for years with full understanding of the razor / razor blade business model). Seems like they've moderated that formula a bit. I'm satisfied and really appreciate the community help and input. Dennis

Thanks, I'll take a look. Dennis

I plan to buy an HP 4729 All in One wireless printer from Panafoto when I'm in David soon. The purchase comes with six high yield ink cartridges, but I'm wondering if anyone knows where to buy additional cartridges locally (if at all possible)? I know I can do so in PC at one place, but otherwise it looks like buying from HP on-line is the only other choice? The Panafoto website didn't show this possibility. Also, as an aside, how does one keep the printer paper dry other than using the dehumidifier and storing the paper in a zip lock bag or something like that? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Dennis Philpot

Many thanks. Much appreciated.

May 30 is my arrival / move in day in Boquete and of course one of the first things to do will be food shopping. My question is if fresh fish (mainly wild salmon but others as well) is readily available in Boquete? I've read or heard somewhere on an earlier visit that there was a guy (Miguel I think is the name) that comes up from David regularly, but not sure if that is still the case. I've also read about the genetically engineered salmon farm in Boquete, but would prefer wild if possible and not sure if these GE salmon are sold in Boquete. Thanks in advance for suggestions. Dennis Philpot

Thanks to all who replied to my message. I followed up all the suggestions and have had numerous quotes on various policies. Bottom line is that most were way too expensive and the others too limited and still expensive (for me) -- and all of it is related to being 70 and without regard to the fact that I seldom need care or prescriptions and am in good shape (as of today). So I'll plan to self-insure (i.e. pay out of pocket) for routine care in Panama and maintain my US Medicare plan where I currently live for other care. Not the best solution and still not without risks, but I think I'll be OK and am willing to take them. Hope to see you all around town in the near future. All the best, Dennis

I'll be a newcomer to Boquete as of June 1, 2016 and hope medical coverage can be arranged before or soon after then. Have some referrals to agents / brokers of different plans and waiting for responses. Have other suggestions but without referral contact information, such as the Chiriqui hospital plan. Confident that patience will pay off, but would like to work multiple angles in the meantime. Will keep my Medicare coverage in the US just in case, but would prefer Panama coverage for POM. Please let me know if you have a plan you like (I'm 70 and healthy and good shape) and can refer me to a contact. Thanks in advance. Dennis Philpot