Bud

Two comments. First a disclaimer. Neither Marcelyn nor I are attorneys. We are not legally trained. However, we have checked with several attorneys and suggest that you do some serious due diligence in your selection of counsel. Comment 1: Marcelyn and I were married in the USA. We have just recently successfully gotten our US marriage registered on the Registro Civil database. Have the certificate to prove it. This is important in legal matters as well as health matters. I will not go into any details here (partly because so many people have differing needs and viewpoints about how things work here). If you would like to discuss further or in detail, perhaps a telephone call or an eyeball meeting. Comment 2: Our understanding is that the only, repeat ONLY, way to avoid probate is for real property to be in a foundation. Having POAs or other legal documents while real property is in a corporation will not avoid the need for probate. And here I repeat: I will not go into any details here (partly because so many people have differing needs and viewpoints about how things work here). If you would like to discuss further or in detail, perhaps a telephone call or an eyeball meeting. Bottom line of the purpose of my reply: suggest that everyone do some serious due diligence in the selection of counsel. Also stay current because the rules change from time to time.

A bit of history into how the "Panama Papers" incident started:

For the uninitiated, the official name of what we are talking about is "amateur radio service", but we generally use the term "ham radio". Ham radio is one of the oldest communications hobbies in the world. In the Boquete area there is a monthly "gathering" that is managed by Hazel Bowling. Hazel is a member of CL Her Display Name is "Hazel Bowling", natch. The gatherings typically are the first Saturday of each month. The April gathering was at Mike's Global Grill. About 10 to 15 people show up. The conversation generally is more about life in our area rather than ham radio talk. I have been led to believe that there are quite a few (dozens?) of ham radio operators in the David area. I do not know how to contact any, however. And I am told that there is a sprinkling of ham radio operators in other areas such as Potrerillos, Volcan, Bugaba, etc. Amateur radio, worldwide by treaties, requires licenses. The process for getting a license varies by country. For instance, most western countries require an exam, which includes components about electricity and electronics, operating procedures, the laws governing the use of amateur frequencies, electromagnetic radiation, safety procedures, emergency communications, etc. But I've been to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas if you are Argentinian) a couple of times and there a license is (was?) simply a paperwork application thing. I got my Panama license based on reciprocity with the USA. I know a couple of people (one Canadian) who have taken the test in David and rather enjoyed it. It definitely helps if you speak Spanish to go through the local test. I am told it is not as onerous as some people believe. You might want to check out two documents by Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia: http://www.mingob.gob.pa/mingob/extras/enlineaad/801_0.pdf http://www.qsl.net/hp1rcp/manual.pdf Let me know if I can help any more. 73, (that is ham talk for goodbye) Bud, HP3EWH and K5EWH

Great post, JohnF13. Thanks. Isn't it rewarding (in a perverse sort of way) to be one of the 1%ers? Makes for an interesting life. I know a couple of people here in the Boquete area who live off-grid. One is by choice and the other is because there is no grid. I know it takes a lot of attention and nursing to keep things going. As I was typing this, Keith posted a reply. He stole part of my thunder (but that is okay, Keith). I was going to say that the most promising advances in battery storage of energy that I have read about over the past year+ is based on R&D work done by Elon Musk's companies. I believe it is being done in their California and Nevada facilities. I recall rather significant advances in the storage capacities in their batteries.I also hear that battery life spans going up dramatically, assuming proper maintenance. I likewise have some (admittedly minor) experience with being semi-off-grid. The electricity supply where we live is, well, let me say, not very dependable. Because of our security systems, communications systems, and computer systems, all of those components are effectively off-grid. I have a large investment in deep cycle batteries, gel technology (but I am also looking now at AGMs when replacements are necessary), inverters, and control mechanisms. The only thing missing is that the power source still is the grid. All of the electricity for those sensitive and critical systems is from the inverters, with switching from grid to batteries done with solid state circuitry rather than transfer switches. It has been a huge learning curve as to how to nurse those systems, but it is really reassuring that the electronics are totally protected from the power grid. Prior to transition, I was spending a huge amount of money either repairing, and more likely replacing computers, phones, DVRs and NVRs, etc. Would I do it again, probably, but in a different configuration than what I originally decided on.

Oh yes, a big definite YES!

Here is an interesting article about the generation of electricity at the Penonomé wind turbine electricity generation farm: http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Panama_Wind_Power_Blows_Strong. According to that article, that wind turbine generation farm produced 21.7% of the national requirement. That number seems unrealistic to me, but what do I know?

And another article by the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/05/world/panama-papers-explainer.html I am NOT trying to beat this to death, but my gut tells me that we small folk are going to suffer through more paperwork and government intrusion into our lives. I am not even a client of Mossack Fonseca, but fear that this "Panama Papers" episode is going to negatively impact many people. I am still looking for what the illegal acts might have been. So far all I see is emotional reaction. And what is happening to the hackers that broke into the law firm in the first place?

I know several people named Jere. Some are male and some are female. That is why I wrote my reply in the manner in which I did. At least I now know that the JM Jere here in Boquete is female. Really stunning photography regardless of gender.

France takes very quick punitive action: http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Back_on_French_List_of_Tax_Havens

I remember Bud Smith. We weren't close because we had different interests, but did cross paths in our small community here. I seem to recall that I arrived in Boquete a bit before he did, but then we ended being here at the same time for quite a while. I lost track of him after several years. An interesting chap, indeed. The name "Bud" (nickname in my case) for a grown man is moderately uncommon. That led to some confusion when people met me and started talking about things the "other Bud" was involved in. It got kinda cute at times. To distinguish between the two Buds of Boquete, I said he was the intelligent Bud and I was the good looking Bud. He was okay with that. Sorry to learn of his passing.

Dottie, Language Transfer is the "company" name. This is all free stuff, and available on the Internet through various channels. Here is their website (specifically for the Spanish courses): http://www.languagetransfer.org/#!complete-spanish/c1313 You can also find this series on YouTube, which is typically where I listen to the lessons. Even though it is on YouTube, which is a video medium, there is only audio and one static picture that displays. I don't want to say this series is the best thing since sliced bread, but it is really good for the way my mind processes information. I highly recommend it, but if it doesn't work for you, then look elsewhere. I will most likely repeat this course at least one more time, possibly two. It is that good. Phyllis also had a couple of other resources that she identified. Try looking at her blog entry at: http://www.chiriqui.life/blogs/entry/109-dont-be-afraid-learn-spanish/ Bud

Marcelyn and I did finally find this Blue Sky place. It is exactly as shown in the aerial photo (Google map photo?) above. Go one block off the Boquete-David road, turn right, go one block, turn left, go about 100 yards and look to the left. Here are some photos that we took so that you can see the ground level view.

To me, this blog is one of the joys of offering and administering CL. In my words, Twin Wolf is suggesting letting others experience life vicariously through the writings of someone else. That works for me as well. In fact, that was part of our vision about what CL could and hopefully would be. I also agree with NOT focusing on "selling" others on the value of moving here, but rather sharing of the ad hoc experiences that make this area so special, bordering on unique. Marcelyn and I have a [Canadian] friend who travels frequently, sometimes together with us, and who writes well. His blog entries make us feel like we are there traveling with him. The blogging is not long or tedious, but rather short with carefully chosen words, sprinkled with a few photographs. Hil is another CL blog owner who writes of his experiences. And then there are the activity announcements by JM regarding the periodic walks that he (assuming JM to be male) schedules. His photos are simply captivating to my way of thinking. There is a lot of bad stuff going on in our lives at this time, and these positives are definitely appreciated. Thank you Phyllis -- and Hil, and Twin Wolf, and JM, et al. P.S. For Phyllis, I am up to lesson 67 in the Language Transfer series that you brought to my attention. My Spanish language skills definitely are improving because of one of your blog posts.

I have a policy of not publicly disclosing private information. I know Michelle and know that she would want to hear from you. Look for a private message.

For Phyllis, Michelle Brewer is one of the two owners of this restaurant. Why not share your dining experience with her? I am confident she would like to know.

I find this topic fascinating for several reasons. One reason is that I see some really fantastic posts by intelligent and articulate people having an interesting dialog about one aspect of life in our part of the world. Another reason is that this topic is about an aspect of human nature, a subject that I freely admit still baffles me at times even though I have passed the 70+ years marker. In a conversation yesterday, I was challenged about my stance against border hoppers. I was not prepared for that question, simply because I am not opposed to border hoppers. It seems that some have interpreted my prior postings, especially the above one suggesting a trip through immigration procedures to get legal residency, meant that I was opposed to border hoppers. For the record, I am not opposed to border hopping -- for others; I am opposed to it for my wife and myself, but only because that is how we choose to live our lives. Here I refer to reducing complications in our lives. I believe in free choice, and given my personal set of priorities for my life, legal residency works best for us. Others get to have their own set of priorities, and I am totally okay -- nay, quite pleased -- that such is the case. One example of how it works better for us is regarding the recently successful registration of our US marriage on the Registro Civil here in Panama. Marcelyn has wanted that from the time she arrived here, and it turned out to be relatively simple given that we both have cedulas, albeit E-cedulas. We understand it to be more complicated without such status.

An interesting BBC News website article about a large Panamanian law firm having an "oops" moment. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35918844 Mind-boggling implications.

Keith, Not trying to be picky here, but your assertion that "every traveler has to return to his country of origin or residence..." is not correct. For the vast majority of the people in the world that is a correct statement -- probably more than 99.999%, yes. However, there is a very small category of people who are, primarily by choice, "nomadic" in nature. I actually know three such individuals. I never could live a life like that. I need roots and some quiet time. But for three whom I do know, they spend three or four months here, and then four to six months there, and the cycle never ends. Yes, they have citizenship in at least one country and legal passports to document such; and they have legal residence in at least one country other than their country of citizenship. They have to go back to their citizenship country or the closest consular office for passport renewals every so many years. It is a lifestyle they choose. Few, but they do exist. Two of the three I know work through the Internet. The third is essentially independently wealthy and doesn't worry about creating revenue. Again, not for me.

No "ouch" intended, unless someone has an issue that would stop them from formally applying for residency. Bonnie, I think you have misinterpreted my reply. I had no thought of any consular staff involvement in my writings. My suggestions was plain and simple: go through the formal process of applying for residency and avoid the border hopping excursions. Another way to say this is to "play by the rules". I understand that some may feel that these recent changes are unwarranted and/or overly burdensome, but that draws little sympathy from me unless that process is abused according to the published law. The above are my views on this subject. Everyone has the right to make their own choices and do what they believe is best for them.

Your last sentence was an interesting question that actually provides the solution to their self-inflicted problem. I suggest that there are several government "connections" who can end this idiocy. They are called employees in the immigration department. Approach them with a packet of the required documents and tell them (via an attorney) that the packet is being submitted for legal residency. It might help to end the request for residency with a "Thank you, sir."

For the record, neither Marcelyn nor I are totally anti-gecko people. However, there are two serious issues with the gecko(s) in our home. First is that they poop all over, including on our heads. Second is that they are extremely loud, so loud that he/she/they can wake us up from sound sleep. No cat would be of use in controlling the gecko population in our home. Our gecko(s) are ceiling gecko(s), and our ceilings are 20 plus feet high. I have yet to see a cat be able to jump that high. Further, I don't think we could (or even would try) to throw a cat (which we do not own) up to the ceiling and have the cat's claws stick there.

Just a bit of clarification here. The new U.S. Warden for the Boquete area is Hank Landis.

Penny, Good catch. I missed that little nuance in the spelling. Yes, indeedy, a paper thin bowel would be a difficult health challenge. Come to think about it a bit more, a paper thin bowl would be a different kind of challenge, but less risky to good health.

Being paper thin and hard to describe never were on my list of traits or characteristics that I aspired to before I retired. Maybe I led a sheltered life or was overly naive. On the other hand, Penny tells me I need to get thicker skin. (Just playing wit ya here. ) Those are beautiful works of wood art. Al Mills also crafted great wood items. I assume he is still active in this field. Even the photographic skills used to display those items is of high quality. Note the black backdrop, the soft lighting, the absence of harsh shadows, and the arrangement, etc. Done by someone who knows and cares. Above the average skill level. There seems to be a large number of artisans here in Boquete, not just woodworks, but also music, the display arts, jewelry, etc. Aren't we lucky.