JohnF13

For me, I find the people, for the most part, very honest and refreshing. We came here to escape brutal Canadian winters and to enjoy a calmer lifestyle. It is working well, but we really need to redefine our conxept of retirement.

"In contact with him everday?" Why? Doesn't Don have enough to do?

Lynnie, you are not going to find anything on .ning about Marion. Those who know have either been banned or have left. Don Ray Williams is the best source of real info, not rumours.

What really amazes me is how quickly it all went bad. Seems that the new owners didn't even boher to research what .ning did but instead imposed their own version of what they think it did. Yes, we had disagreements and some classic battles, but for the most part interesting information was derived. Now, pablum. I cannot believe the 6000 member claim, nor the "we are all happy here", but I don't care anymore. Yes, I drop into .ning once a day or so, in part to watch the train wreck and in part to see if there is anything interesting. Right now it is 99% train wreck..

We need Tee-shirts to wear around town. Anyone know someone who can do the job? Bet they would go over well at the TMM.

Thanks Jaimie, I feel much better now.

I don't know about the Canadian thing, but as one I had to ban myself. Maybe it is just all you obnoxious Americans that JLM hates so much....hahahaha (sarcasm alert!). I can't tell you why I didn't get banned, I tried. Now I'm a failure on top of everything else.

Hey, congratulations, you join an elite group.

I seem to remember that David has not implemented their parking meters, maybe Keith or someone can chime in on that. As for parking in Boquete, I drive a beat up 4 wheel drive nissan truck. What's one more dent, and I can park pretty much anywhere!

Bud, it is happening with my ipad mini. I can post using my android. The mini is running ios 9.01, just tried it again and switched machines to reply to you. Seems like my wife is not having any problems with her ipad air, beginning to suspect my machine.

It would be a shame to lose the links to Don's blog

Every time I try to post a reply to Don Ray's thread my apologies, the reply box comes up and when I tap on it to get the keyboard on my screen the whole thing disappears and I am redirected to the topics list. This does not happen with other posts and obviously I can comment here. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Bud, when I click on new content I get, besides the new stuff, other posts from several days ago. Is there any way to make the new content just that - new stuff since I last visited? Thanks.....

To which, the reply should be, what are you going to do and when? No more wriggle room.

Bud, on both my Ipad and Android devices the star is in place at the top right. However, it disappears if the machines are being used in landscape mode

Bonnie, I wasn't being flippant, merely realistic. I went through a 21 day power outage in the dead of winter in Canada, where no electricity means no water, no heat and the consequences could be fatal. Here, not so much. After the power outage I went off-grid and ran my own power station for 5 years. I know the ins and outs of generators batteries, inverters and solar power, along with the need to load balance so my equipment would not be overloaded. Why have improvements not been made? Look at your power bill, the amount you pay is minimal, the subsidies are huge. No money means no improvement, that's simple economics. I just don't understand people who want a $40 monthly bill but think that Cadillac service is a right.

It all comes down to cost. In Canada winter electricity supply was essential. Here, not so much. I have been looking into a 5kw genny but so far, have not been able to justify the cost. So the lights go out, sio what? My propane stove runs without electricity, my UPS systems keep me in internet access for several hours, my water is gravity fed, I have lots of 12 volt lamps and flashlights. What more does a boy need ? So you can't see the latest episode of real housewives, but maybe that's a good thing.

Steve, we are from Eastern Ontario and lived much the same as you - we had to rely on ourselves for everything from policing to water to electricity (21 days without in January during the 1998 ice storm). We moved from a property that we had been in for 25 years and have never looked back. We did everthing wrong (according to the experts), bought cars and a house within three months of getting here for tge first time. As long as you are used to social deprivation (as you seem to be) then you will get aling fine here. Yes, the little towns and villages can be a bit depressing, but that is Canada 30-40 years ago. You will need to get used to bars on windows and being aware of your surroundings, but those are small things. Don't restrict yourself to Boquete, it is a love or hate relationship town, I don't live there but go a couple of times a week to get stuff. Let me know if you want to talk or meet when you come for the next visit, I will be happy to give you the good and the bad. Last comment, buy health insurance, wayyyyyy too many folks don't because "we were healthy and it was a waste of money".....

If these messages are "personal", why is this discussion in public? Seems to me all Bud did was to correct a misconception.

We have been out of the dog game for a few years now but now are looking at the possibility of getting another dane, my wife's favourite dog after, of course, Irish Wolfhounds. Obviously a Wolfie wouldn't do well here, too much fur, so a dane is the choice. Anyone know of one in Panama? Kris, if yiu read this, any contacts maybe further out?

Well, after following the local crime spree news that has now settled down I found I have no more use for .ning, I am now a former .ningbat. I can get all the info I need at alternate sites such as this one and Chiriqui Chatter.

Please state the scientific proofs for your claims. Also, please provide the double blind studies that prove your assertions.

Hmmm, I find myself agreeing with Chica. Bad, bad me. I, along with my wife, have lived in a few countries, so a move to Panama was, well, just another move. We didEVERYTHING wrong according to the "experts", arrived for a check it out trip and never left. Also, we bought a house within three months knowing that resales are a problem. But, a couple of things. We are independent and do not rely on others for help. We didn't buy a McMansion, instead improved a house with good bones as we saw fit. We can both do carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing and even welding, so we don't need much from others - and that, to me, is the trick here. If you arrive and are dependent on others you are going to either get gringo'd or the work will be shoddy. Are we happy here? Absolutely. Will we ever move again - never say never, but it is unlikely. Chica is right, it takes a special kind of person to accept the limitations and frustrations of life in Panama but if you are that kind of person, you will love it here. Those trying to stretch their pension income and the permanent tourists will likely never feel completely at home - in their background mind will always be the thought that they can go home again if things get tough. That is no way to feel comfortable here. Many countries ago I hailed fron the U.K., have lots of family there. Would I go back? Nah, been there, done that. Now, Thailand? Hmmmm, interesting! But I am getting older and this place is everything I have ever wanted, so likely here I stay. People, make arrangements for health insurance, wills and everything else. Don't ever forget, there is only one way out of life, be prepared.

Unfortunately, the long term answer is simple - spend the money and get good insurance. Your homr government isn't going to send a medivac plane to take you back for treatment, no matter how much you wish it so.