Deborah

Need a recommendation for someone who can try to fix (or at least diagnose) an on demand gas water heater that won't ignite. Worked for a few minutes after replacing a loose regulator but not working again. Maybe has something to do with air getting into the line from the old regulator? This is for the shop and we can't wash away chocolate with cold water! Tried Luis Cotte, but no response.

hmmm... my bet is on the chef using the best chocolate

At a meeting last week with the mayor Santa Lucia (which will benefit from a portion of the funds), we were told that the national government is funding the Boquete project. It is probably not listed in the above tender because it is no longer out for bid; it has been approved already. We were told that Santa Lucia will be tacked on to the potable water treatment project and that we will have new lines, giving us water that should meet WHO guidelines for drinking water. Finally. Santa Lucia will not, however, be a part of the sewer system.

I haven't been there since it opened, but saw the beautiful mural being painted a few weeks ago. It was done by the incredibly talented Alvaro Miranda (who also did the one in CHOX). If the food is as nice as the atmosphere, it should be a welcome addition to Alto Boquete.

I have two packages that were part of the detained shipment and have recently given Karinthia the purchase receipts and tracking numbers. She plans to take this information with her to Panama next week and I am hopeful I, too, will receive my packages soon. Fortunately, these were not some of the many packages I require for my business. Although I have yet to receive my packages, I have found Karinthia and Kent to be very understanding, very communicative and very professional. Karinthia has made a few trips to Panama City to deal with the problem and plans to continue to do so until all legal packages have been released. I can't imagine that her usual profit comes anywhere close to meeting her expenses (including travel, lawyer's fees, etc.). I agree with Pederhaney, that despite the nightmare this must be for her, Karinthia remains patient, informative and courteous.

His name is Jack and he very much enjoys being petted. Word has it he actually has a human and a house, but he likes to hang out on our street during the day.

I was in David today and stopped at Rey. No onions in sight; not red, not yellow. I just left the veggie place across the street from Senor Gyros and CHOX, and while they had the regular supply of small yellow onions, they also had a large bag of these:

Bonnie, I paid a $65 fee for the Registro and $100 attorney fee (plus a trip to PC), although that was 3 years ago. That was the going rate, at least at the time. I used Mayra Lamboglia, who had also handled my Friendly Nations visa.

Actually, it would help if you could collect enough for paper towels too. Ladies' room rarely has any.

He has already returned and is currently training staff and getting ready.

I don't believe the Rescue Remedy has any safety issues. It worked for my dog when we first moved here, but I save it for when nothing else works because it made her REALLY mellow and I felt a little guilty about it. I had also bought a Thundershirt and found that it works very well. She almost asks to have me put it on her when the thunder becomes frightening. It's like swaddling a baby.

Yup. Calle Primera is about the only unmarked calle left in the main part of town. It's the street with the best chocolate and gyros, among other great vendors. Hopefully they will get to us soon.

Thanks, Dan. I, for one, do not follow security scams and tricks, so I appreciate your sharing things like this.

Dav, I couldn't help but notice that you often offer products and services for $9.99 Balboas (http://www.chiriqui.life/search/?type=all&q=%249.99+Balboas ). Most people automatically round that up to $10 instead of falling for the 1cent change. You might make more sales at say, for instance, $9.25. Just my 74 cents.

I was there yesterday and he had a little of everything. I got some shoulder and pork belly, but he also had chops, ribs, etc. Just like with the David location, you can call and order what you want and he will bring it up here. I think he is limited to a nice knife up here and doesn't have the back room like David for all of the "inventory", but he will accommodate you.

I, for one, appreciate both you, Roger, and you, Keith for your immensely informative posts. Although I don't participate much here, I do read and "lurk" a lot as I formerly did on the old ning site, and you both have contributed considerably to my knowledge and understanding of the country that has been my home for 3 years now. I can get by for the most part with my limited conversational Spanish, but truly appreciate the English synopsis and translations you both provide of news and current events, as well as your expositions of cultural matters. One day when I retire and have more time on my hands, I hope to increase my ability to read and comprehend Spanish. In the interim, I'm just so content to be here and benefit from your knowledge. When and if you do come up here, Roger, I will not only join you for a cup of coffee (as you mentioned in another thread), but I will gladly bring you some delicious Panamanian chocolate.

It is indeed in the building Pederhaney mentioned, on the corner in the little teeny restaurant spot (formerly the Corner Cafe or something like that). They do have a table or two with an umbrella and chairs outside, which is fortunate because the inside is very hot and cramped. The arepas are very good and I particularly enjoy the warm chicken salad one with their house made garlic sauce drizzled on it. That is a special treat when I allow myself some carbs.

I saw him Wednesday or Thursday in front of Romero, but he is not there very consistently and certainly not every day as he used to be.

CHOX Artisan Chocolate - Boquete's own fine chocolate crafted from 100% Panamanian organic cacao -is proud to be a part of the BCP "foodie" market this Saturday. In addition to a selection of our regular milk, dark and special dark chocolate bars, CHOX2 will have the following items for your pleasure while they last: Coffee bars (made with gourmet Pacamara coffee beans in place of cacao; a way to have your coffee and eat it too) Toasted coconut bars (we are becoming famous for these: toasted coconut in white chocolate, dipped in dark chocolate. Very rich!) Chocolate ganache tart slice (normally reserved for parties, this decadent dessert is made with our own exquisite chocolate ganache in a flaky buttery crust. And you don't even have to invite us to a party to get it!) Although we won't be offering our truffles at the market, the chocolateria will also be open to satisfy your truffle addiction. Looking forward to seeing you Saturday May 21!

It would be nice if Bernie could find a way (with the assistance of some who could temporarily volunteer equipment) to video talks like this and post podcasts on the BCP website for the benefit of the vendors who are renting space and the rest of the community who miss out on highly attended events.

Fresh tarragon is available from the hydroponics place next door to CHOX (the right side as you face us from the street). You can sometimes also get it as a small plant from the vendor on the corner near Romero on the weekend. It is called estragon. They might have it dried in the Spice Islands bottles at Deli Baru.

Judy, the entire back parking lot has been designated for disabled parking, at least during the market hours.

I am very interested in trying a product that has no distributor in the US or Panama. As far as I can tell, it's only available for delivery to places in the EU and Canada. It's a form of concentrated food coloring for cocoa butter and white chocolate and there are no legality issues - just availability. I have located a source online that will ship to anywhere in Canada and that takes Visa and MasterCard. I can pay for the product and shipping to Canada and I am hoping to find a person returning from Canada or someone here with a relative coming to visit who can take possession of the product and bring it to me. Alternatively, someone who would be willing to repackage it and send it to my MBE address in Miami. The product weight is under a pound (about 300 grams). I will pay a reasonable sum for the assistance if anyone can help.

La Viuda del Café (the Coffee Widow)? It's on the same block as Deli Baru, same side, a few doors south.