Siempre Soluciones

11 minutes ago, Bud said:

What about Juice Mi, across (formerly) from Banco Nacional? And Delicias Chiriqui on the river bank next to the Feria bridge? I suspect there may be others. ?

Regarding Juice Mi, I recall having several conversations with David Hatton about his "fights" (plural) with the city and specifically including the mayor about the road conditions, dust, lack of water, etc. We really liked Juice Mi because it was good (healthy) food, good service, and good value.

One restaurant owner told me that their business was down 40 to 60% during the various road closures.

Brutal.

1 hour ago, Keith Woolford said:

Panama does not have an open border with Colombia. It has the nearly impenetrable Darien Jungle to serve as a barrier.

The referenced travelers were handled by Panamanian Migration, MINSA, and SINAPROC.  None of them are citizens of 'violent' Colombia.

"The arrival of migrants to Puerto Obaldia will be managed in a professional manner, the health and humanitarian issue will be seen. The sovereignty of our country will be respected."

That's a quote from the Director of Immigration. He's a Panamanian. Seems like they're on top of this.

Judging by the lack of local press coverage since, the situation doesn't seem to be an issue with Panamanians. 

Keith,

You're 100% correct, Panama doesn't have an open border with Colombia.  However, the precedent has been set in the US that could possibly become pragmatic here in Panama.  Honduran nationals are being granted asylum in the US based on the fact that life is better in the US.  There are some people stating that the situation in Honduras is on the scale of what happened during the Nazi era in Germany.  From what I've read I would opine that that is simply not the case.

Here's where the problem lies for us here in Panama.  Honduran's seek asylum to the US since life, the standard of living, is better than in Honduras.  What's next?  Hondurans then determine that the standard of living is better in Switzerland so for humanitarians sake Switzerland should allow them to seek asylum?

Where does it end?

Life is great here in Panama, I think everyone here would agree.  Could Panama absorb limitless "refugees" from both Central and South America?

28 minutes ago, Keith Woolford said:

I fail to see the connection here.

Regarding "open borders" people routinely refer to the open border of The Netherlands and Belgium which are two first world nonviolent countries as depicted in the attached photo.  An open border between a violent and nonviolent country is a recipe for disaster.

I believe we can agree that Panama is a nonviolent country when compared to Colombia as is the United States when compared to Mexico.

A friend of mine who has lived on and off in Mexico informed me that it's routine to see dead people hanging from nooses on highway overpasses in Mexico.

On 2/16/2019 at 9:13 AM, Keith Woolford said:

 

It’s hard to imagine because the referenced posts are B.S.  Check the source.

Sounds like the same type of alarmist propaganda reporting in the U.S. that has massive, imaginary, migrant caravans passing through Central America and Mexico.

I have friend who was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, a US/Mexican border town, that for the safety of his family relocated to another state within the US due to the horrendous amount of crime committed by illegals.

And for the record, he's of Mexican decent, bilingual, and a retired US Army Ranger.  In addition, I asked him to assist me with my move to Panama by driving with me in my SUV.  He stated that due to the crime rate in Mexico and the fact that if something happened you'd receive zero assistance from the police, not a chance.

Keep in mind the population of the US is 2.5 times that of Mexico yet Mexico has twice the number of murders annually.  Let that sink in.

I was just in town this morning and ran into two expats who stated that the pharmacies are running out of medicine.

Here are Whatsapp messages from one of my Panamanian neighbors:

"[8:54 AM, 2/7/2019] +507 xxxx-xxxx: I went last nigth to get medicine at romero it was full of people buying something to stop the diarrea and vomit"

"[8:55 AM, 2/7/2019] +507 xxxx-xxxx: And was 1:30 am"
 

On 2/3/2019 at 10:35 AM, JohnF13 said:

Don't get me wrong, the idea behind such projects is admirable but, we are just not at a reasonable break even scenario yet.  Every wind and solar install is heavily subsidized by government in one way or another.  A personal example - around 2010 the government of Ontario, Canada wanted to "invest" in wind and solar.  They came up with a scheme to pay small producers (10 kw/hr or less) 80.2 cents per kwh.  This was when electricity was being sold to the consumer at around 11 cents/kw hr.  The difference was made up by applying a surcharge to everyone's electric bill.  The result, after a few years, was skyrocketing electric bills and inputs to the grid from wind and solar of about 1% of capacity.  Now, Ontario's electrical rates are double those of neighbouring Provinces, manufacturing is moving away due to high costs and surplus electricity is being sold to the New England States at a sometimes negative cost - Ontario is paying them to take excess power.  It is a perfect example of government intrusion into commercial enterprise with the expected results.

 

 

John,

You wrote:

"Every wind and solar install is heavily subsidized by government in one way or another."

Eight years ago in the state of Florida the US federal government subsidized 100% a residential solar project to the tune of $55,000 per house hold that saved the home owner $100 per month.  That's 46 years to break even assuming nothing ever broke and no maintenance costs.

Let that sink in.

A friend of mine in Silicon Valley took advantage of US federal and California state subsidies to purchase a car.  He thought he'd never see the day that he would own an electric car but after the subsides he was driving a brand new $40,000 electric car for a lease of $150 per month for three years.  He and his wife found even a better deal for the same car for $100 per month so they purchased one for their nanny. 

But there's more!  There was a time when they provided an additional subsidy for the entire first year of payments for low income folks.  A free car for a year!

Yet there are politicians that exist that want to spend more.

1 hour ago, Keith Woolford said:

Anyone going to suggest building a wall ?

It appears to have worked in Israel.

"Israel ... had a real problem with illegal immigrants coming in from the southern border, about 16,000 in one year. In two years, they constructed 143-mile fence, about $2.9 million per mile, and it cut that illegal immigration rate from about 16,000 to I think 18. Cut it by 99 percent."

https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/feb/13/ron-johnson/border-fence-israel-cut-illegal-immigration-99-per/

53 minutes ago, Marcelyn said:

Wondering if lack of customer service and rising costs are indications of a “Yankee Go Home” message intended for gringos?

As for food, the rising costs are world wide.  A friend who just returned to the states paid $39 per pound for scallops.  He also added that most meat and seafood products have skyrocketed in price in recent years and believes there's a conspiracy to eliminate meat products by the far left vegans.  I'm wondering if he's wearing an aluminum foil hat.

Another friend back in the states who is a chef stated that some seafood products have increased in price five fold in the last five years.  He says there's substituting corvina for mahi and grouper.

We should feel fortunate to only have to pay $5 per pound on average for seafood here.

On 1/21/2019 at 4:47 PM, Bonnie said:

It’s not clear to me how inefficiency keeps costs down.

Let me use an analogy to explain.  Let's assume you want to have lunch at say McDonald's.  Picture two McDonald's restaurants next door to each other and they're identical in every respect except for the quality of service.  One has fantastic service whereas the other has poor service.  Which one would you choose?  Most likely the one with the fantastic service.  However, if the restaurant with the poor service had significantly lower prices and cost is a factor in your decision, you would be more likely to choose it.

I've lived and worked in many Latin American countries and my experience has been that Panama ranks at the bottom for customer service.

That's on top of the usual surprises you get when you rent cars and stay at hotels here in Panama.

The Baseball Hall of Fame in Coopers Town New York was founded in 1936.

Babe Ruth played from 1914 through 1935.

Ty Cobb played from 1905 through 1928.

It would've been impossible for these two players to have made that accomplishment.

I received responses regarding this new bridge from two CL members in offline private email messages.

Interesting.

Bonnie,

I used to fret about these what seem to be daily occurrences of inefficiencies until I made the realization that this is what keeps the cost of living so low in Panama in comparison to other Latin American countries.  Costa Rica?  A can of domestic beer is twice the cost and a bottle of decent vodka can cost double or triple compared Panama. 

Priorities!

There appears to be bridge construction in Bajo Boquete on via Boquete over the Quebrada (rio) Bajo Grande on the right when coming into town just before Sugar and Spice.  It looks as though they're constructing a new bridge span adjacent to the existing bridge.  That small building that occupied that location, a restaurant and a car wash, is gone.

Are they adding a travel lane or is this going to be for pedestrians?

4 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

There is no reason why there can't be two lanes on a one way street.

The No Entre or Do Not Enter sign remains.

Keith,

Thanks for the clarification.  I have always assumed that the white lines indicated a one way street whereas the yellow lines indicated a two way street.

I noticed that they painted yellow lines on Calle 2a Sur the road just north of the Mandarin grocery store.  I guess it's now a two way street?

Photo attached.

Maybe Larry is the next Thomas Kinkade!

On 12/21/2018 at 9:30 AM, Marcelyn said:

I thank you earned a gold star.  Thanks for sharing this story. 👏👏😄😄

Make that two gold stars, he's now a regular morning visitor!

16 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

A blind, burrowing amphibian species which was discovered in Panama drew international attention this week.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46614138

 

 

 

Anti-Trump rhetoric.  It looks as though someone isn't happy with Trump's booming economy.

For the last three years I've been living in a Panamanian neighborhood in which one home is occupied by an elderly woman with an unfortunate dog chained to her porch.  For the last few months she's let the dog run loose through the neighborhood at sporadic times.  

Being an animal lover and an amateur chef my home has become a gathering spot for the neighborhood pets, dogs and cat alike.  Especially on the days when Miguel the fish guy visits and I'm cooking a batch of fish head soup.  Both the dogs and cats gather in total solidarity.  My neighbors say we have the best fed pets in Boquete and that they eat better than some Panamanians!

I've always wanted to feed this poor woman's dog but the rule here in Panama is that it's taboo to feed some one's pet..... unless of course they visit your property.  Well this morning the opportunity came.  Her dog was pacing out in front of my home along side of two of the morning feline regulars.  The scheduled breakfast this morning was to be soon to be diced left over Asian marinated grilled chicken thighs.  Time was of essence and it appeared that her dog was too anxious to stick around for the dicing.  I had previously cooked left over grilled Johnsonville Italian Mild sausages in the fridge.  As we know, they come at a premium here in Panama, $7.49 to $8.15 for a five count package.  

What to do.

Of course I had no choice other than to feed this precious dog a well coveted sausage since the opportunity may never come again.   It's rare in one's life to see such a response from a living creature.  I had two left and of course I had to feed him both of them.  I couldn't have humanly possible considered walking away with any food in hand.  

Interestingly in response to this feeding the two feline regulars proceeded to repeatedly charge the dog away but he was a happy camper and left with a big smile.

I may have a new regular visitor.

13 hours ago, Bonnie said:

The demographics have changed. When we came expats were largely those with adequate to substantial retirement incomes who built nice homes because the inventory of upscale homes was small. It's been my observation that many if not most of those coming today are trying to stretch their social security checks and therefore are renting instead of buying.

I have lived in Boquete for 12 years and have not regretted making the move. The expat community here is phenomenal, I've indulged my passion for gardening, and I have made many, many friends. I particularly love all the volunteer opportunities here--which makes you feel like you're really contributing to bettering the world in some small way.  It was something I've always wanted to do but was unable to in my working years.

My house currently is for sale and I plan to return to the States because, after my husband died 2-1/2 years ago, I find that I'm getting too old to live alone and don't want to spend my final years so far away from family and friends back home. Perhaps even more importantly, good health insurance (and I believe in good health insurance) has become outrageously expensive at my age, and it's time to go back and cash in on the Medicare I've paid for.

I predict that Boquete will experience a renaissance now that the roads are nearing completion and the Panamonte bridge is operable. But, as Twin Wolf points out, who knows what the upcoming new government has in store and how it will affect expats and potential expats?

Bonnie,

You wrote:

"The demographics have changed."

You hit the nail right on the head.  I began visiting Boquete eight years ago and moved here about six years ago and that's what I've observed.  Expats early on obtained residency, purchased homes and cars, and ate at restaurants daily.  That doesn't appear to be the norm today.  Especially with the fact of the number of expats working here illegally to make ends meet.  Several of my Panamanian friends have told me that Panamanians in general despise the new crop of expats especially the ones taking away their jobs.  One even pointed out that there are more expats in grocery stores today and less in restaurants where they create jobs.

17 minutes ago, Penny said:

I'm so darn happy about this new bridge that I had to drive across it again. Drove all the way to Alto Boquete during the height of the parade. This would have been impossible in the past.

You think it's nice now, wait until they complete the second span making it a total of four lanes.

Penny,

Elmec in David possesses the ability to order virtually anything bath or kitchen related.  Will they is another story.

They refused to see if they could order me a gas versus electric powered hot tub from their US supplier Hot Springs which does manufacture them.

Then again I've encountered numerous businesses who refuse to do custom orders here in Panama.

You can purchase them on Amazon or Ebay

https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Holiday-Europe-tethering-countries/dp/B06XBYMX58/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543151860&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sim+card+france&psc=1&smid=AJ7281WMH2EGA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FRANCE-READY-TO-USE-FRENCH-SIM-PASS-DATA-ORANGE-PAY-AS-YOU-GO-5-GB-DATA/302473032441?hash=item466ccc32f9:g:EjQAAOSwBOtY93LN:rk:4:pf:0

What a whole chicken costs in Venezuela.

I sure hope nothing like this happens here in Panama..... I love chicken!

https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/see-how-many-bills-it-took-buy-chicken-venezuela-n902491

Update:

Last night Rodny did followup with me and suggested that I return the cedula to the Tribunal Electoral office.  I also asked him if he could kindly call both the Policia Nacional and Tribunal Electoral and notify them that the cedula was found and would be returned to the Tribunal Electoral the following morning so that the person wouldn't go through the trouble of inadvertently ordering a replacement.