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

1 hour ago, Bud said:

An interesting sidebar piece of information. Now I am curious: if the national level government is funding sanitation projects in various parts of Panama, but specifically Chiriqui is mentioned nowhere on the list, then who is funding the project here in Boquete? The answer may be in the earlier postings in this thread, but if so that information escapes me.

http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Tender_Sanitation_Units_for_7_million

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.

11 hours ago, Pederhaney said:

I had one of the detained packages.  It was delivered Monday.  Intact.  eShop staff were nothing but sympathetic, courteous and professional in their responses to my inquiries.  Kudos to them for being calm and patient and informative throughout what must be an ongoing nightmare.

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.

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:

43 minutes ago, Bonnie said:

,In preparation for a meeting with my lawyer this afternoon, he sent me a list of the costs involved in obtaining an E Cedula (at least through office).

$300 ($375 per couple) lawyer fees

$18 Expenses (copies, couriers, parking)

$65 (per person) Government fee

$50 (optional) transportation and assistance with the final step in Panama City

 

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. 

5 hours ago, Penny said:

Steve Walker, owner of Alouatta monkey refuge and premier landscape designer will tell us about landscape design, choosing viable plants, and pest control in your yard and garden. The entry fee is still only a dollar and we use it to buy toilet paper for the bathrooms. Meeting starts at 10:30 in the BCP theater.

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.

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.

3 hours ago, Marcelyn said:

Has anyone visited La Casa del Cerdo (near Fletes Chavales) in Boquete? I remember good product but limited selections in their David location.

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.

On ‎5‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 11:03 AM, Keith Woolford said:

Thanks Roger. I enjoy watching current events and learning about the region where we live. A recent trip to Medellin provided some new opportunities.

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.

3 hours ago, JudyS said:

Has anybody seen Miguel near Romero lately?  It sounds like he might just be going to people's houses and to restaurants.

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:

6 minutes ago, Bonnie said:

Great idea. This will draw a crowd, I'll wager, so get there early to get your seats.

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.

11 hours ago, TwoSailors said:

Trying to find fresh or dried tarragon and red wine vinegar.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks

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.

28 minutes ago, JudyS said:

Good question.  They probably don't, and since the whole lot is stone and dirt/mud, it isn't good for wheelchairs.  I heard there is a paved area around the back.  Perhaps a part of this should be designated as parking for disabled people.

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.

1 hour ago, JudyS said:

It's on the main street.  I think it's roughly across from MBE, but I'm not sure.  The next time I see it, I will get the name and the exact location.

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

new name: El Viajero

Yes.  I took my sister to the Multibank ATM Tuesday and I was shocked to see it was $5.25 after I had told her it would be $4.  Don't know about other banks.

I bought one.