Palo Alto Jo

Bonnie, thanks so much. The Embassy did call me an hour ago. They apologized for not answering the phone, said they have no idea what happened there. For anyone who is interested, the basic protocol in an emergency, such as this, is you do not need an appointment. Call the embassy (if you can), tell them the situation, and then proceed to the Embassy. They will issue an emergency passport within 24 hours or less. Our director is now in Panama, Maranatha arranged a taxi to pick him up and take him directly to the Embassy. Thanks for all you who were concerned, things are moving on as best as we can expect.

Thanks, I had no idea what BVF stood for. I might have figured it out eventually from context if I had had time. But, Penny, you saved me the time!!

That is one of the places they work, yes. I usually work helping the doctors, and haven't been to any of the construction sites. It is an organization called "Maranatha" that decides which volunteers go where. The local Maranatha group moves their coordinators/cooks/drivers about every 6-12 months throughout Central and South America. They are currently set up at Fundadores, and groups from all over the world pay for the privilege to come down and work in the blazing sun. There was a large group a month ago from Germany. Spring Break time in the U. S. brought a large groups of young people. Most of our doctors are graduates from Loma Linda Medical School. We have met some really interesting and fun new friends.

They have at least 15 different sites where construction is going on. Mostly, down near David. It depends on the size of the group as to which sites they work on. For a group this large they are probably working on the large school we are building on the main road into town, Los Anastacios, about 5 miles before the National Mall on the right. The doctors clinic at churches in David and change locations daily.

Penny, thanks so much , very sweet of you to offer. Today, our 10 doctors will be joined by 75 more people. They pretty much fill up the Fundadores hotel, which allows them full use of their kitchen facilities. Much as I'd like, none of us could handle a crowd like that! They prefer staying together as they all eat and catch their buses in one place. Last weekend we had 45 over for an ice cream social. I only did that because one in their group went to high school with me 50 years ago in Kenya. It was fun, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't handle the now 85!

Have needles, will travel! No end to helping others in this country if the spirit is willing and eyes are open to opportunities to help others.

I do have one good piece of news that I should have reported earlier. None of the medicines or free eyeglasses they brought were stolen. Another group last week, 3 doctors and 35 construction workers who built classrooms , saw 150-200 patients a day and gave out nearly 500 prescription eye-glasses. So, this mission can continue as far as the work they were doing. They had already purchased their food at PriceSmart, and pre-paid the hotel before the robbery. The money was to be used to purchase additional medicines and things for the local Panamanians, not the doctors themselves. We do pay a local doctor approximately $200 daily to oversee us, but the theft mostly hurt local citizens and the poor doctor who lost his passport. Doug and I have put up a few folks in our house to defray expenses. I guess I'm more embarrassed and afraid Panama will be thought of as a dangerous place. These people went to Rawanda and Kenya recently with no incidents.

Thanks so much Bonnie!! I will keep my ears tuned for any phone call or whatsapp text. They called the number Doug and I gave them off the U.S. Embassy website. I do hope they keep the website up to date. We appreciate any help we can get. I was afraid it would take 3 weeks to get a new one, as all passports must be printed in the U.S. But, it seems there is a temporary one that can be procured in 1-2 days in an emergency. Hopefully, contact with a human will answer all our questions. I'll let CL folks know how it all came out.

Just to be clear, I was not with the group in David. We have a local coordinator in Boquete, staying at the Fundadores , who arranged for our bus driver to pick them up and take them where they requested. I found out about it when they got to the police station to make their report. The doctors proceeded to hold educational clinics today, and are trusting a few of us to set up the necessary appointments, flights, to Panama City, while they continue to offer their free help to the good people of Panama.

The director , who had his backpack with money and passport stolen, is American. There may be a few Canadians in the group, as someone needed to exchange currencies. There were no guns involved. The missing money was collected by people in the States donating money to them to be able to make the trip, and no doubt some was the doctor's own money. They have not asked for any help, but I'm sure they'd accept donations if someone were interested. The one big problem we've had all day is that no one answers the phone at the U.S. embassy so we can make an appointment. The director doctor is going to have to fly to PC to get a temporary passport, and that will take at least one night in PC. We just now gave them a website where they can write for an appointment, but it would be nice if the embassy answered their phone!!! Thanks for your thoughts and concern. I think we should all be concerned when something like this happens. Prayers the police get our perpetrators.

I'm betting Steve can stick up for himself, but If I were you, I'd be grateful for the "learning" experience you found here. Not only about food poisoning, but the legal jeopardy you were entering by continuing to insist it was caused by XXX restaurant. No one wants to attack anyone personally, it is just that some "newbies" are not aware of the slander laws here. In some ways, we were all trying to protect YOU. I know it may feel as if you were ganged up on, but I feel we need to get the "no slandering in Panama" message out. Even if it is a"true statement" in Panama, unlike in the U. S., you are not protected by being "right", you simply cannot publish negative things about a person or business here.

I have been working with several groups of medical missionaries this last month. Yesterday morning we picked up a group of ten doctors at the David airport in our large van (we have a school bus, a large touring bus, and vans). They asked to stop at a bank to cash traveler's checks and to exchange some foreign currencies. After leaving the bank, they went to Pricesmart to get supplies for their stay here. Around 1 p.m. our hired Panamanian bus driver, a professional who drives even our huge touring bus, was tapped on the back bumper by a car. When they opened the door to inspect the damage, their van was rushed by the passengers from the car that had just rear-ended them. Our doctors were robbed of $8,000 in cash and one passport. We were able to get a license number (photo), and vehicle description, and gave the police the information (a "mere" 4 hour process of paperwork/interviews). I hope they catch the thugs. Crime is indeed rising here, and I hate that. One bad experience like this hurts the reputation of the entire country. I hate to think it, but it is possible it was an "inside job" , that someone from the bank knew we had the cash. Or perhaps the thieves merely watched them go to the bank and took their chances that it might be an amount worth going after. Who knows? But, I will now not open my door if involved in an accident until I am in a safe area, or the police are present.

What???? You were feeling bad moments after you finished eating? Now you REALLY, REALLY owe the restaurant owners a HUGE apology and a retraction. What you are saying means that they could not possibly, scientifically, absolutely, be the culprit. They are the one place on the planet that is exempt!!! You need to stop and remember where and what you ate 2-72 hours before. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE IT WAS ACQUIRED AT CHOPSTIX, no matter how much you "feel" it is. Otherwise, you are a medical miracle, where in your stomach the bacteria was able to multiply to the level able to make you sick in only a few minutes. It takes each bacteria 5 minutes or so to split, and it takes 100s of thousands in your gut to make you ill.

I agree. This is so irresponsible to blame the last place they ate. The biggest Shigella outbreak in the U. S. was caused by raw lettuce, and that same lettuce was delivered to 5 different restaurants... The CDC was able to figure out the source, but even they took days to do so, and certainly didn't just say "don't eat at "Tio's Taco Casa". It is very, very unlikely that Chopstix WAS the culprit, if there is a culprit at all, because most if not all their items are served hot... It could have happened in these people's own kitchen for all they know.

Just curious how long after you ate until you got "deathly ill". Do you know what the "Classic Salmonella" incubation rate period is? It's generallly 2-72 hours, but could be up to 6 weeks.... To be accurately identified the actually food should be cultured in the lab... I have a feeling you ate from lots and lots of sources during a 6 week period. Why pick on the last place you ate? Do you know it could be Shigella? Or Campylobacter? The symptoms from those 2 are more severe than Salmonella. Was there blood in your stools? Hot food is very, very unlikely to be the culprit, it is much more likely in unwashed vegetables/fruits. Undercooked meat yes, but otherwise proper cooking kills most pathogens. I think perhaps you should share your SYMPTOMS here, rather than just your "feelings" on what you have. And never point to "who" or "where" in a public forum, as this can get you into huge legal jeopardy. I suggest you take the time in this same forum to "unpoint" your finger and possibly undo some damages. A trip to a physician/lab would have helped all of us. I feel so badly for any restaurant to be blamed based on mere assumptions. People often invest their life savings into their restaurants and have a right to not be devastated over some wild guessing.

I loved the location and ambiance of Sr. Gyros. I think it would be perfect for a Mongolian BBQ (You select your own mix of raw veggies and meat from a buffet, place in a bowl and then the chefs stir fry and return it to you with rice). It's the best food ever, and you can adjust the spices so you always end up with it made to your exact personal preference. Just my dream restaurant, as I miss spicy food here. Hoping someone reads this and makes my dream come true!!! haha

That is the part about this whole story that makes me the saddest. No matter what the truth is here, it hurts all of us ex-pats. One stinker can make us all look bad. From the lady who screams for paper bags at the little clerks in Romero, to people who take advantage of locals, I feel like I have to remind my Panamanian friends that we are not ALL rotten, and there is no country full of angels. I think we are often held to a high standard, and are definitely observed constantly by the locals. It reminds me to be overly kind to those I interact with to try and counter some prior experience they have had dealing with one of our ruder ex-pats.

Bonnie, about 3 months ago I saw a drone one night late, with a red light on it, between your house and mine, over the coffee field. I have no idea what it was doing, but perhaps they can scope out what is in or around a house for a future robbery. I will say, it was late enough at night that I doubt it was kids playing, and I doubt they were filming to market a house. If I see it again, I am going to alert my neighbors to be extra vigilant just in case it is malientes. I don't remember a robbery near us since the evening that I spotted it, so I guess it could have been benign, or they didn't see anything they thought worth the risk to steal. Hopefully, their drone sees my security cameras.

I've seen some inefficiencies that seem very cultural, rather than simply mismanagement. I'm sure you've all noticed the same things. For example, cars stopping on the road to chat to a pedestrian, or my favorite..... at the cash registers in the grocery store when the clerk asks "how are you?" and the customer replies they can't find "x-product". They stop everything and send someone off to look for the item... and the stores are full of employees in the aisles who will help you find items if you don't see them. Why ask at the cash register with 10 people behind you holding items in their arms? Patience indeed!!! I've decided to try to read the newspaper and decipher new Spanish words as a way to not go nuts. Watching the procedure ahead of me is too painful. I love living here, but one needs patience and a good sense of humor sometimes. It also helps to be retired....

Il Pianista (at the top of Alto LIno loop, near Palo Alto) is great for vegetarians. They have excellent pastas and pizzas for vegetarians. My favorite item on the menu is the artichoke calzone, the medium is bigger than one's head, I've never seen the large calzone, must be the size of one's leg. They also have vegan appetizers. I hope the Oasis is saved by someone. It has such a great atmosphere and is centrally located.

If only I were disciplined enough to keep my phone and pad charged. I COULD have had Internet, maybe, if I hadn't been running on fumes with the power was l lost. I'm still sick of seeing these rainbows every morning. Hearing the wind howl all night... Will it ever stop? I have 35 friends visiting mid March. It's getting closer, and closer to D-Day for me.

I think there were more hermit crabs than Iguanas, but I relaxed on that beach last week in Isla Iguana, and never knew it was a former bombing practice sight. It is beautiful. Guess if I'm going to die by bomb blast, that would be the place I'd choose.

I'd take it once every year or so. If others are like me, they will get 20 people a day on the train. Are there people dying to get to PC faster than the bus? Lower than the plane fare? Those two choices, available now, have empty seats on both buses and airplanes currently. They both carry a lot less people than a train of any length, don't they?

I just spoke to a man from Colombia who was telling me how lucrative it is to buy shoes here and re-sell in Colombia. They evidently cost twice as much in Colombia as Panama. I'm sure the same is true of every item involved in this trade war. It helps no one because the items end up on the black market, protecting no one, and bringing in no government revenue. But, there is always some politician trying to be popular by protecting some industry, and ends up hurting the common citizens who can't afford to fly to Allbrook to buy tennis shoes for their kids. Is there even a shoe manufacturer to be protected in Colombia? A good read of history shows it never works out well for anyone.

I'm no doubt late to this conversation, but just paid Omar of Boquete Online services for my dishwasher repair. He's alive, grateful to be alive, and has crutches for a slightly injured ankle. His airbag did not deploy, even though he hit the pole head on. He said the high winds blew his little Chevy Aveo off the road and into the pole. Sparks flew, and I'm sure that was terrifying.