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Hil

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Blog Entries posted by Hil

  1. Hil
    In all my years I have never seen this much anger with politicians and the voting public. While in the US last month, I had time to visit friends and the election always came up. I didn't engage the political conversations much and don't here much either. But, having said this;
    There are more questions but I will keep this short. Does it really matter which one is elected? Could it get any better in the US than it was before Bush or after? Can a new president make sufficient foreign policy to keep the US out of wars? Can the Tax loop holes for the rich be changed? Can the infrastructure of the US be upgraded to modern times without taxes (federal highways/electrical grids)? Can regulations in general be changed to benifit everyone? Is the President's cabinet too large? Who benifits the most with Global Economy? Can the US be protected more from terrorist? Will a wall be built on both borders---North and South? Can Education and Child Care be improved in the US? Why not spend more on Elderly Health Care by the Government? This Election will  come to an end soon and we can take day to day assesments of the new leadership. And, we that decided to move here can observe the results. Some issues in the USA are important to me like my family that live there and are affected by the out come.
    I'm not taking sides in the election merely asking questions.
     
    My answer to all of the above questions is NO to a degree. The reason; 4 years in office and a slow acting congress can't fix anything important (unless it's paid for under the table or benifits some greedy politician)
    Now, I could go on and on but I didn't retire here because of the state of the nation in the US nor am I searching for the hole grail nor are the cops after me!! I just found  a place I love and respect.
    (Please remember my friends This Is A Blog monitored by the owner/administration). And if THEY disapprove I will take it down. Please use the ignore feature If you do not like my post or blog. I won't be offened you'll just be better off.
    Have a good day folks.
  2. Hil

    25 Months In Panama

    By Hil,

    Panama never ceases to amaze me. I mostly focus on how the country has treated me and how I can reciprocate instead of focusing on how I can change the country and the expat population. Panama has been good to me and I will continue being good to it. I am not new to countries outside of the USA so I haven't had culture shock since I was in combat in Vietnam. I've visited 13 countries and enjoyed everyone of them. Panama was first on my list to retire to because of the location, culture, weather and food. If a person came to Panama and is disappointed well that is not a bad thing. They tend to move on without disparaging people and the country. I don't compete with other people on "how long" I've lived here in conversation and knowledge. It's a great place to be yourself and enjoy the people and the culture. I usaully don't ask questions about what to do or how to do it in Panama because that would take the fun out of the journey. If I have a serious issue with NOT knowing what to do I usually ask a local or an expat that has been here a long time. Again, I do NOT soley rely on expats for information or advice. I am in "their" country and should seek their advice most of the time. I speak enough spanish now to have good Panamanian friends and it works well in the stores, etc. I tell myself all of the time-----This beats Vietnam or the Pine Box or being here in Dec. 1989.
     
    The Comarca---Tole, Panama

  3. Hil
    Some say the rains have started early this year. Going into my third rain season here I agree. Looks like La Nina could be very wet this cycle (possibly serious flooding and land slides) and have other consequences also. Seems like too much rain causes disease with coffee plants. La Nina appears more benificial than droughts. They both have their postives and negatives.
    IICA always has good information because they depend on rain for agriculture---the main source of substance for the populations and income in central america.
    http://www.iica.int/en/press/news/impending-emergence-la-niña-will-impact-agricultural-sector-central-america-and-dominican
     
  5. Hil

    Animal Cruelty

    By Hil,

    Never have I seen anything like this. 
    Thankfully, animal activist from all over the USA came in to resuce these beautiful dogs. 
    Hopefully this will not happen in Boquete.
    The concerned animal groups here in Boquete do a great job. 
    click on the link below;
    http://www.waltonsun.com/news/20170628/72-great-pyrenees-dogs-rescued-in-vernon-hoarding-case-photos
  7. Hil

    Attitude Is Everything

    By Hil,

    I've been here a few times. If i'm over in Volcan I drop in on the animals in the rehabilitation center. She told me she has dropped off the coyote in the jungles many miles east towards Panama City and it always come back. This beats setting around worrying about who is wrong and who is wright and who has been in Panama the longest!!!!






  8. Hil

    Baseball

    By Hil,

    The Royals are out playing the Mets. Go Royals!!
    Baseball in Chiriquí isn't far away!
    If anyone has the website for Chiriquí baseball please post it.
    There are many things to do in Chiriquí. (some of the constant complainers should get out more)
    Unhappy in Panama...............WHY WHY WHY?
    I find being unhappy is in your shoes. They take you where ever you go.
    Oh, And Volcan was nice yesterday afternoon.
  9. Hil

    Big Day In David

    By Hil,

    Breakfast and then hit the ground in search of another adventure in Panama. First, watch some ninos practice soccer. Then maybe some lunch in town. Tonight the American Style Football with Panamanians playing dressed out in full pads. I've watched them before. They are new to this rough sport and you can see too much  compassion lol. That is changing!!!! The do hustle though. As always some shopping for fresh vegetables.
  11. Hil

    Block Feature

    By Hil,

    "The only permenant thing in life is "Change".-----never happens for some people.
    I use the block feature only for the last option and give most people the benifit of doubt. Some people just take life too seriously, were born jerks or enjoy being jerks, or are unhappy with the decision they made to move to Panama and most of all,-------(The Know It All). So, thanks for the "Peace Of Mind Button."
  13. Hil

    Boquete Rail Service History

    By Hil,

    The rail car in front of the post office has intriqued me for sometime. So, I did a little searching around. Very interesting article I found.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Panama
    Ferrocarril de Chiriquí[edit]
    At the end of the nineteenth century, the government of Panama studied the feasibility of additional railroads. In 1910, Panama Railway was commissioned to estimate cost of a railroad from Panama City to David, Chiriquí with branches to Antón (Coclé Province) and Los Santos. The costs were however too high and the government decided to construct additional network in Chiriquí Province only. In 1914, a contract was signed for construction of a railroad David - Boquete - Concepción with a branch Dolega - Potrerillos and another short one to Puerto Pedregal. The railroad was inaugurated on April 23, 1916 with the first train from David to Boquete. (Dr. Alonso Roy)
    Edwards Rail Car company reports an undated acknowledgment of their three railcars, which were delivered to Ferrocarril de Chiriquí probably in the 1920s.
    In the 1930s and 1940s, the railroads are mentioned in connection with Chiriquí Land Co., a United Fruit company, involved in banana growing and real estate management in Panama. The railroad used General Electric engines ([1]).
    In Bocas del Toro Province, Chiriqui Land Co. also operated a railroad system that covered Almirante, Changuinola, Guabito and parts of Sixaola. This railroad was removed in 1999, leaving only the bridge over Changuinola River.
    After 1974, the infrastructure of Chiriquí Railroads has been transferred to Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas) and operations were stopped. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the tracks of the defunct railroads are being dismantled and reused for construction of bridges in rural areas La Prensa February 21, 2003.
  14. Hil

    Buena Ventura

    By Hil,

    Very nice country club and facilities. Played golf there the second week in June. Jack Nickaulas course. The beaches there are nicer than up toward Las Lajas and Las Olas and the undertow in much less. I visited Playa Blanca and was not impressed. I'll do Bijao next trip. We stayed in Anton Valle up in the mountains. Anton Valle is actually the only city on earth built directly in the caldera of a volcano.
    Cheers
  15. Hil

    Caldera Horse Riding

    By Hil,

    Very nice trip. Reasonably priced. $35
    Small break at the top of the hills before returning. Approx 3 hours round trip. That's enough time on a horse at my age. Bring your own water and snacks. "Franklin's Horse Rentals". Good guide with good English.
























  16. Hil

    Cartegena, Colombia

    By Hil,

    Not a bad vacation. A little warm but the carribean breezes makes it ok. San Felipe Castle was the most interesting site there. The walled city is unique and has good shopping and restaurants. Snorkeling trip was a bust. High winds, huge waves and strong undercurrents had the bottom and coral reefs less visibile. Don't know the next vacation spot YET!


























  17. Hil

    Chiquita Banana

    By Hil,

    I have a friend in David (Panamanian) that once lived in chiquita country. His dad retired from chiquita as the mail man. This new truck I spotted today. Looks like prep work might be picking up.
    .
  19. Hil

    Chiriqui Baseball

    By Hil,

    Chiriqui Baseball team is using the Dolega field. I've been to a couple of the the games. They won last night beating Los Santos 3-1.
    Maybe the new stadium in David will be finished for next year. It's looking good too.
    Schedule and standings;
    http://www.rpctv.com/beisbolnacional/calendario.html
  20. Hil

    Christmas Commercialized

    By Hil,

    For years I didn't like the early (November) commercializations of christmas in the USA. My first christmas here changed my mind and it's acceptable now. ConWay starts their christmas displays in October!!!!! Life changing experience. lolololol
  21. Hil
    We had a great time. Medellin is a nice, clean, and a modern city. Lots of things to see and great food. I was surprised this is a Very Cheap vacation in a 4 star hotel. Parque Arvi is amazing. Lot of arts and crafts for sale. The Hiking Trails are for serious hikers only. It's really cool up there and you can see all of Medellin while in the gondola. While going up the side of the mountain you will see how the poor people live. Lot of good history displayed in Medellin. Parque Pablado is a great park also and it is in centro Medellin. I was suprised at the art in the city also. Highly recommend the trip. Planning another trip soon;  Cuba, Peru---Machu Picchu, Ecuador and Galapagos. Think we will do the paper with names in a basket and draw one out!! All of the dogs on Parque Arvi were healthy pets and would walk with you if you snapped your fingers other wise they eat and sleep!


























































  24. Hil

    Cubanos At Paso Canoas

    By Hil,

    The cubanos that left out on a plane to Mexico have been replaced with new ones coming from Ecuador and Columbia. My understanding is there are a few hundred more in Paso Canoas now. I was at the Frontera last weekend and the warehouse before the InterAmericana Hwy Check Point was empty and now it is full. Also, the highway check point was checking ever vehicle and documents in both directions. The traffic line through the check point took me 30 minutes. It is full of cubanos today, Saturday, March 19th. I had to return items to City Mall.
    The HOAFI MOTOR, SA bldg, just a few hundred yards before the immigration check point, is full and they have the side walk in front of it full of people and tents. Some are sleeping on cardboard boxes.





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