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JimAndNena

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  1. JimAndNena
    Interesting project and very much needed. The Thatcher Ferry bridge needs retirement or a total restoration, not possible with its present use. The article says the new bridge will be the fourth over the canal, the third bridge in Colón missed its initial completion date so the bridge to Arriajan could be the 3rd bridge. http://www.vinci-construction.com/en/project/15892/atlantic-bridge-panama jim
  2. JimAndNena
    I played this for Nena on youtube and she enjoyed it thoroughly. The audio was a bit difficult with all the background chatter. She was upset when the chavetas were discussed; she remembers the finca workers getting paid with money that was only good at the finca for buying goods. She did say the chavetas could be exchanged for actual money if there was any left after buying food; often there was not. We bought the book when it was first printed, still have it. jim
  3. JimAndNena
    "So baby, here's your ticket Put the suitcase in your hand Here's a little money now Do it just the way we planned You be cool for twenty hours And I'll pay you twenty grand" Glenn Frey
  4. JimAndNena
    Exactly correct. And it does not have to be just cash. And it is a cumulative amount of everyone traveling together. If you are arriving in the USA from Panama: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/195/kw/10000 dollars/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ5MDE5MDAyNS9zaWQvQmxuUF9hZW4%3D
  5. JimAndNena
    This is a cultural/language problem with the USA, Roger. I can have any number of amigas in Panama but only one novia. The USA does not have a good word for amiga. Our only word is girlfriend and it isn't the right word. jim
  6. JimAndNena
    The tourist visa is still good for 180 days. The difference now is that if the border official sees a previous visa stamp for 180 days the odds are he will deny entry to Panama for 30 days. What is interesting is that I see no mention of the 90 day hoppers for driving privileges. jim
  7. JimAndNena
    It would seem the "officials" don't have a clear understanding of the current law: Carrillo detailed that this new measure "is for those who have more than five months in the country as tourists and leave nothing more than to return to get in. Now they have to be 30 days out of the country. " Bottom line: 3 days out of Panama has become 30 days. jim
  8. JimAndNena
    Very true, MarieElaine. During Martín's presidency, he extended visa time in part because the paperwork to get residency was taking longer than the tourist visa time. People who wished to do business with Panama had the same problem getting accounts set up, etc. Panama has shortened the time it takes to get residency paperwork processed, we will have to wait to see if that actually works. The big test will be following the next election when all the government offices get scrambled with the new administration. I don't know about "millions" to the economy from retirees, several retirees choose Panama based on cost of living issues. A thousand retirees spending $1,000/month would work out providing the rent money was going to a Panamanian and not another expat. The payouts from the charitable organizations was often paid to expat organizations which may or may not have benefited Panamanians directly. Boquete's lack of activities requires the expat retiree to create something to do; it is still basically just a rural, mountain farming village. jim
  9. JimAndNena
    The solution to most of this would be to ask a visitor how long he has planned to visit Panama and mark the visa page accordingly. Visas are to allow one to arrive at a port of entry; the official then decides the length of stay based on the visitor's answer to the official's question on the purpose of the visit. Simply stamping 180 days of visit is the problem. jim
  10. JimAndNena
    Panama has a number of issues to fix if it is going to become a world player in world economics. Best countries for doing business Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business. A high ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. Overall ranking: 70 out of 190 countries (2017) Subcategories: Starting a business: 43 out of 190 countries Enforcing Contracts: 145 out of 190 countries Registering Property: 84 out of 190 countries Getting Credit: 20 out of 190 countries Protecting Minority Investors: 70 out of 190 countries Trading Across Borders: 53 out of 190 countries Paying Taxes: 170 out of 190 countries Dealing with Construction Permits: 73 out of 190 countries Getting Electricity: 23 out of 190 countries Resolving Insolvency: 133 out of 190 countries Source: https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/country-data/panama-gdp-country-report Many expats have personal experience with several of these subcategories. jim
  11. JimAndNena
    There is a certain advantage to being an English colony as opposed to say a Spanish colony. And Malaysia is a very new independent country, still with many "growing" pains. Then there is the whole "other side of the world" thing for Norte Americanos to deal with. Nothing like being able to have breakfast in Panama and lunch in the USA and supper in Panama. jim
  12. JimAndNena
    Hola Roger, Absolutely agree. I always think of the quote of Marion Barry, past mayor of Washington D.C., " Outside of the killings, D.C. has one of the lowest crime rates in the country". Barry was convicted on drug charges during his 3rd term as mayor and forced to leave office in 1991. He was re-elected mayor in 1995. Panama is not the only country with problems. jim
  13. JimAndNena
    I would interpret this as the reporting of crimes is down 28%. Any statistics on arrests, court appearances, or jail time served? Has anyone heard of any criminals involved in the cases we know about serving any time at all? jim
  14. JimAndNena
    Hmmm, South Africa IS an apostille member and Zimbabwe is not on the list. Ten seconds on a web search turned up this: http://www.internationalapostille.com/hague-apostille-member-countries/ Sounds like being in the wash cycle with the laundry! Best of luck in getting out of a bad situation! jim
  15. JimAndNena
    This was exactly how we did it, Bud. Since the Canal Zone was U.S. territory, our marriage was a matter of federal record unlike in the states where it is a state record. Recording our marriage license at the National Registry was extremely easy, we presented the document and had it added to Panama's records. No lawyers or other professionals involved. I know of folks who have gotten divorced in Panama who had the decree registered in the state in the U.S. where the marriage is recorded just to close all the legal loops in both countries. Having legal issues spread between two countries is tedious but getting the details recorded in both places clears a lot of confusion. jim
  16. JimAndNena
    I hear Colombia still have those areas, Keith. Might be time to move south again. Just don't tell anyone where.
  17. JimAndNena
    All that should be required would be to get a certified copy of the marriage license registered in Colombia, present it to the National Registry of Panama to be recorded and that should be enough. I'm sure the tangle of laws has increased in the last two score and seven years, but that is how we handled our marriage in the Canal Zone. We married on 28 December, recorded the marriage license in Balboa at the then U.S. federal district court on 5 January, then registered that license in Spanish at the National Registry on 28 January. Cost at the National Registry was B/. 3.05. Of course, in order to get permission from the military/U.S. government to marry a foreigner took a half ton of paperwork and hundreds of B/. 2.00 timbres. Also had to make 6 copies of all the paperwork; I still have 5 copies... jim
  18. JimAndNena
    Can't you just register your Colombian marriage certificate with the National Registry in Panama, Dan? No need to redo a ceremony, besides most countries are signatory to the marriage agreement that is binding regardless of which country the marriage took place. How did you get married in Colombia if you are both not single? That part confuses me. Also the visas for Colombia and Panama would be to get permanent residence in both countries? I don't believe that would work since you should have a permanent residence only in one place. No wonder the immigration stuff is so tangled. I still have a headache from the hoops of getting Nena's sister her green card in the USA. jim
  19. JimAndNena
    Now I'm really confused. The Walkers own property, are working in Boquete, and are doing this on a tourist visa? How is that even possible? If they have work permits, one would assume that would be sufficient to return to Panama. Something is missing.
  20. JimAndNena
    The following is jim's recollection of how we got to this point. Disclaimer: jim used to drink and he is now old so his memory is suspect. The tourist visa was once valid for 30 days. Possibly there was a 60 day extension. During Torrijos' presidency, he overrode the immigration agency and changed the term for a tourist visa to 90 days, with a 90 day extension. The reason was that the amount of time it took to get legal work done was always exceeding the time allowed by the tourist visa. The change was via executive decree which did not explain how everything worked. So, when a tourist arrived at PTY, he was asked how long he was going to stay. If he said 180 days, the official stamped tourist visa and then hand wrote 180 on the stamp. The combination of executive decrees and laws and amendments is bewildering to everyone, including the lawyers and the "boarder" guards.
  21. JimAndNena
    The logo is not EXACTLY like Ted's Montana Grill, they moved one front leg. What would benefit the area more than a new watering hole would be Turner's commitment to water quality, or quantity. "Turner is also chairman of the Turner Foundation Inc. The foundation supports efforts for improving air and water quality, developing a sustainable energy future to protect our climate, safeguarding environmental health, maintaining wildlife habitat protection, and developing practices and policies to curb population growth rates." https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/downloads/pdfs/TMG_TurnerBio.pdf jim
  22. JimAndNena
    Yes, and I think there is yet a 3rd location but no idea where in David. jim
  23. JimAndNena
    I got this link from gmaps, https://goo.gl/maps/NkdokR19SKG2 6 years is indeed a long time but it was the most recent report I could find. Contact first hand is always better. jim
  24. JimAndNena
    This is something I have always wanted to do, but during my annual visits I was never able to get enough time. Bud, do you have a method of recording the mains voltage for an extended time, say a week or more. And has anyone ever looked at the mains on a 'scope to examine the amount of noise or dirty power or frequency control? If the frequency isn't accurately controlled, motors such as those in the compressors of refrigerators, and freezers can fail from overheating. The canal zone has large backup diesel generators for when the water level at the Lake Madden hydroplant gets low. Those generators have been used constantly since the canal operation was given to Panama to supply additional power to the grid in Panama City. jim
  25. JimAndNena
    Confused is good, Bud. It leaves more options open. I found this bit on facebook (which I believe created confusion). Casa Decor Boquete February 13 at 11:18am · Casa Decor Boquete is your home decor headquarters. Consign, Design and More store...come see why! Casa Decor Boquete January 15 · Patsi and John Phillips have placed their beloved Casa Decor Boquete for sale. There are some reasons for this, however it is not because it is not a good business. The store is a success as they have been in business for three years. Health and personal matters are the reasons for offering the business for sale. If you are interested in a unique, one of a kind business that offers people in the community a place to consign furniture and home decor in an up scale environment. A place for area shoppers to see the lovely treasures displayed and staged to look their best, then please contact Patsi Phillips at 507 6674 1721 and ask questions or make an appointment. Please, only serious inquiries, the store and the clients are too important to take away time for casual lookers. It is venue worth a serious consideration. Thank you. www.facebook.com/consignndesign4u
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