Panama Credit Unions

Day 123 Tuesday (Martes) Playa Coronado

Let's talk money today. In Panama there are many private banks which safeguard your money here (unlike US and Europe). Many of these banks earn you about 2.5-3% interest on your account balance, BUT Panama, like many places around the globe, also have credit unions. Credit Unions are member only setups and do not engage in the same silliness as the US and European Banks do. To be part of a credit union you need to be introduced by a member or affiliate, which is not hard to do.

Many Credit Unions in Panama are right now paying 5-5.5% on your money in Money Markets, if you want time deposits, such as CD's then you can go upward to 8.5% for a 5 year CD.  So who has this banking thing right? The US? I don't think so, Europe? Nope. Panama does!!!

So what are you waiting for, do you like earning zero on your hard earned money or better yet, playing the game of roulette in the stock market? Come to Panama and Turn Your Frown upside down.

For more information drop me a line.

New stores opening everyday

Day 122 Monday (Lunes) Playa Coronado

With every passing day it seems we are getting new stores to serve this great beach community. Today it was Felipe Motta's Wine Store.

This highly anticipated wine store opened its doors in the Las Pergolas Plaza along the Pan American Highway across the street from the Coronado Mall.

Although the upscale liquor stores's focus is its large selection if wines from all over the world, it also has a respectable selection of other alcohol and beer. The store also has a deli section. Everything you would need for an outing at the beach.

Something for everyone

Day 121 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Good morning, well there are many activities that always are keeping the country busy. Today actually wraps up the 10 day Jazz Heritage Fest that was taking place in Panama City and a few other locales throughout the country. All venues were free to the public and it was jam packed pretty much everyday and night. Remember this is summer here in Panama so kids are out of school until February 27th so families are on vacations.

Today also is the Air Show at the old Howard Air Force Base just outside Panama City, hold onto your hats as these jets go screaming by, and also arrive early to whichever viewing location you choose as traffic will be (well, a nightmare). The show starts at 9am and will go until 8pm.  ITS FREE

Back home communications

Day 120 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

As exciting as it can be to travel to offshore exotic places we all have the need and urge to communicate with friends and family back home, wherever that may be.  With today's technology it is real easy to stay up to date, Facebook, Email, Text, Skype, Viber, etc... But an old standby is MagicJack.  MagicJack has been around now for about 8 years and it still works as easy as picking up the phone and calling your neighbor.  Many times reaching out to family and friends back home keeps your adventure of living abroad so much easier.

Like many of you we have friends and family we like to stay in touch with, one way is through this blog, but it is always nice to hear a familiar voice and with Magic Jack talking on the phone is free and easy. For $29.95 a month, an Internet connection, and a telephone, you can make FREE calls to anyone's cell or landline.

So what are your waiting for, make the magic happen and make your transition overseas easy and communicate freely.

Bountiful Fruit

Day 119 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

It was fruit picking day today. Panama is so plentiful with fruit everyone has something growing. We were able to get 70 grapefruit, 2 dozen lemons, and get this 60+ lbs of plantains.

Plantains are the bananas cousin. They both grow and look the same on the tree, but once cut down the bananas as you know turn yellow.

All fruit is shared with friends and workers.

Salud

It was Radio Day

Day 118 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

On the radio today, another great show with plenty of ex-pat guests speaking out on how life is here in the Republic of Panama.  You know, no place is perfect, but here in Panama we are as close to perfection as you can get. So what are you waiting for, Come to Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down.  And listen to the weekly show, will ya????? Register Here - ITS FREE

Panama Canal Update

Day 117 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

Many things are happening here in Panama and it is no surprise that the Panama Canal is at the center of it all. The Canal is going through a massive widening process that will allow larger ships to cross through the Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans.  Along with the widening of this 7th wonder of the world, there is also new bridge construction that is needed.  The infamous "Bridge of the Americas" is getting old, needs repairs, and also it cannot accommodate the new taller cruise ships, sooooo this poor bridge will need to be demolished and a new higher bridge over the Canal needs to be constructed. All this plus the new Metro line being dug and built throughout the city is creating a 1st world transportation city down here in Panama.  With all these projects going on it has held unemployment at an incredibly low 2.5%.  Take note, Panama is growing and heading straight for the future.

FREE OVERSEAS RADIO

Day 116 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

OK so the folks at the Overseas Radio Network have decided that this is too good so everyone can signup and listen for FRRE. Just follow the link below and sign up.  Hey our show airs on Thursdays from 4-6pm eastern time. So come on give a listen. ITS FREE

 Listen for free here 

Under Warranty and dust flying everywhere

Day 115 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

Action photo of our panamanian contractor sanding the wood counter and cabinets. This stuff was all hand and custom made and we had a few blemishes that needed fixing.....soooo lets create a dust storm and get her fixed.

Its a dogs life

Day 115 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado.

Panama dog has found a most convenient way to eat from bed.  I think she is enjoying Panama as much as we are.

When life hands you sour oranges, what do you make?

Day 114 Sabado (Saturday) - Playa Coronado

And the answer is - marmalade. That's right, a specialty of latin america and we are having our first go around with them.  They look like regular oranges and smell like regular oranges, but what a sour taste they have.

It's a CASA Chicken BBQ

Day 113 - Friday (Viernes) - Costa Esmeralda

A summer get together formed by the CASA group of Playa Community got over 100 Ex-Pats together for a Friday afternoon picnic at the beautiful Costa Esmeralda Gated Community Social Area.  What a feast we had and the BBQ chicken was the best.

This is a twice a year event with the next one coming in June/July.  For more information see www.playacommunity.com

Enjoy.

TIme for the weekly Radio Show

Day 112 Thursday (Jueves) - Panama City

This week the show was broadcast live from the Mail Box Etc. Offices in Marbella, Panama City. We had three studio guests and one call in from Canada.  This was week three of this new venture and so far it has been fun and informative for all.

Here are some photo shots of our show.

Is that a Banana in your tailpipe?

Day 111 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

OK, to take a page from our friend Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop 1, as the title suggests, we did some Banana cutting today. OK the other day actually but here is the end result, delicious big and yellow bananas.

They are growing in abundance here in Panama. 100% organic. growing in the wild, in peoples yards, everywhere.

Enjoy

Lunch in Coronado

Day 110 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

Everything you can imagine is real

In the heart of Coronado, Picasso is the favorite hangout for Panama's Pacific beach community, with a relaxed, anything-goes atmosphere, great food & drink, live music, a late night bar and much more!
http://picassobarcoronado.com

 

Something simple and easy

Day 109 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

Sometimes we all need to stop and look at the simple things in life.  We saw this interesting colored creature walking along the roadside and thought, hmmmm, we need to share him (or her) with the world.

So here it is: 

Come to Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down.

New York Times ranks Panama as #1 destination

Day 108 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Click on the link below to see why the New York Times is raving about Panama.

Panama is at the top.

Maybe it is time for you to look at Panama Real Estate

Are you ready for some American Football?

Day 107 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

OK need to switch hats today. No Panama just Patriots as in New England Patriots.

Tailgate party starts at 6pm. Kickoff at 8pm in the cold New England night air.

Tebow vs. Brady. Should be a good one and of course being a Bostonian - GO PATS!!!

Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious?

Day 106 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado.

Excellent story on the origins of Friday the 13th superstitions. Check out the link below.

 Friday the 13th origins. 

Radio show day

Day 105 - Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado.

What a great show we had today on the Overseas Radio Network. The guests included folks from Canada and Scotland and different perspectives from all. And of course yours truly got to wrap it up with some gibberish.

Click the banner above to listen in. You will have no regrets.

Day 104 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

As the elections are getting hot and heavy in the USA, we have our own elections going on here in the playa community area of Panama. The Panama Woman is running for Vice President of the CASA Group.

The CASA Group is a collection of expats who join together for a small membership fee of $5.00/year and hold social events throughout the year and help the local community.

Vote early and vote often (as they do in Chicago) for the Panama Woman. Voting is held on February 7th at the CASA meeting or vote electronically via the playa community website.

Day 103 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

Nothing like fresh coconut meat from the coconut you picked off the tree yourself

The 'Day of the Martyrs' - January 9, 1964

Day 102 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado
Remembered 48 years later, Respect. Respect. Respect.

LIFE  Magazine 1/24/1964 Excerpts from the Editorial on p. 4:  That President Johnson's first international crisis has occurred in Latin America  ought to come as no surprise, if only because Latin America is Castro's stalking  ground. But Panama need not have been the trouble spot. Crisis there had been  forecast for years, by observers and by events. [...]  As owner and operator of the Canal Company, the U.S. government has blindly  allowed the Canal Zone to turn into a pretty fair imitation of a colony, complete with a colonial mentality. In the Zone, discrimination against Panamanians  has existed since the beginning, backed up by wage differentials, special  privileges for Americans and all the paraphernalia of extra-territoriality.  Isolated and pampered, permitted to stay on as settlers instead of being rotated  back to the states, the few thousand Zonians developed a misplaced sense of  patriotism which made them roundly disliked and which -- as expressed by  the high school kids and their flag -- touched off the latest anti-American demonstrations.

Two flags

LIFE Magazine: "It all began because there was one vacant flagpole at Balboa High School."

In 1960, after a series of riots in Panama, President Eisenhower ordered that Panama's flag should fly side by side with the Stars and Stripes at the U.S. Canal Zone building. President Kennedy later extended the order to the rest of the enclave. Since the chief objections to this broadened directive came from American students, with parental encouragement, zone officials ordered that, as of Jan. 1, no flags should be flown in front of schools. Outraged, Zonian teenagers saw the empty flagpoles as a challenge not to be ignored. On Jan. 7 and 8, amid rising tensions, students at Balboa High School ran up a U.S. flag. On the third day, demonstrating Panamanian students entered the school grounds and sang their national anthem, but the Balboa students blocked them from raising their flag. there was a scuffle -- and the Panamanians retreated in outrage, claiming that their flag had been ripped by the Zonians.   Irate Panamanian, holding flag which he claims Americans desecrated, shows it to President Roberto Chiari. James Jenkins, 17-year-old senior at Balboa High: "I guess you could say I'm the guy that started this whole thing. I'm sort of the ringleader. I circulated the petition to keep our flag flying. Then me and the others raised the flag. The school authorities left it up because they knew we'd walk out."

On January 9, 1964, at 4:50 PM, around 200 male and female students exited the Instituto Nacional heading to the Balboa High School to hoist the Panamanian flag. During the walk, students stopped singing the national anthem to pay respect to the sick at the Gorgas Hospital. Two police cars headed the peaceful manifestation. Guevara Paz and Francisco Diaz made a deal with the Zonian officials to accept a six-student delegation, among them the Instituto Nacional flag bearer, and a classmate who was carrying a banner which read: "Panama is sovereign in the Canal Zone". The delegation arrived close to the flagpole area to sing the national anthem and raise the Panamanian flag at the Balboa High School, where mainly zonian students attended.
On the balconies and at the entrance of the high school was a hostile crowd of approximately 2000 zonians. Suddenly, the six-student delegation from the Instituto Nacional was surrounded by hundreds of students and adult zonians.
What really occured?
The Instituto Nacional flag bearer named Carranza describes it as follows:
"They slowly gathered around us. One shouted, then another one, then everybody. They started pushing us, and tried to take away the flag violently, while they insulted us".
The feeling of patriotism fogged the "Instituto Nacional" students eyes when a policeman from the "Canal Zone" ripped apart the Panamanian flag by using a stick. During the commotion, multiple hands pulled and tore the flag.
In the middle of "raining sticks", the students ran to protect the flag.
Somebody pointed at the United States flag on top of the Administration building, with the intention of getting back at the offense, however, zonian patrol cars and police had already taken their weapons out, and from the civil population homes, guns were already showing. 
 



The massacre

On the way back, Guillermo Guevara Paz and Rogelio Hilton, president of the association for the senior class at the Instituto Nacional, and classmates destroyed a construction scaffolding from the Gorgas Hospital and threw it on the streets in an attempt to deter the ferocity of their followers.
They started hearing similar noises to firecrackers, but since it was not the 4th of July, the US independence holiday, they realized they were gun shots.
They did not come from police patrols, but from the houses next to the Episcopal church, where numerous adult zonians were.
It was around 6:30 pm when they crossed the "4th of July" avenue and arrived at the "Calle J" bus stop. News spread along the city and canal zone limits.
Hundreds of students and people, indignant about the offense to the Panamanian flag, started throwing rocks at the students and adult zonians.
The first wounded began to appear; Ascanio Arosemena's shoulders were bloody from all the wounded he had carried, but a bullet from a caliber-22 rifle made him the first martyr.

Ascanio Arosemena
A high school student who was shot and killed while trying to help the wounded to safety, the first of 22 Panamanian dead.

Points of view

No U.S. sources refer to the civilian 'Zonians' doing any shooting. A report by Captain Gaddis Wall of the Canal Zone Police said "Since there was scuffling, pushing, and physical struggle between the Canal Zone police and the Panamanian students, the four Panama students holding the flag apparently tore it themselves during the scuffle." The LIFE magazine reported, "When rumors spread that their flag had been desecrated, a mob, spurred on by Castro agents, gathered in the streets and snipers began to attack U.S.-owned buildings." Fears of Cuban influence were apparently strong. Another article from La Prensa by Betty Brannan Jaén indicated President Lyndon Johnson was convinced the disturbances were 'inspired by Communists.'  LIFE: "The fighting, which resulted in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers and 19 Panamanians [actually 22], began after U.S. and Panamanian students clashed over whose flags would fly in the U.S.-administered zone. But it was fed by years of Panamanian discontent over the canal, by troublesome Castro agents, and by the presence of patriotic but misguided Americans who did not realize that they were away from home."
The LIFE reporters interviewed other U.S. 'Zonians' - "There were other interviews - many of them. These Zonians scattered the blame widely among Latin American politicians, Communists, Castroites, hoodlums, hot-tempered Panamanian students, irresponsible Panamanian radio broadcasts. None accepted any responsibility whatever for the shedding of blood."

A Panamanian friend  remembers, "I was 8 years old on January 9, 1964. Up to this date, I can still hear the shots from the US army against the Panamanian nationals. Those of us that lived those years will always remember that, as well as the apartheid-driven canal zone." He also said, "I lived about one mile from the site, and remember hearing the shots as it was yesterday. I also remember crawling in the floor, in case a bullet went thru a window. Most of the killing was done by snipers that were strategically housed in the Tivoli Hotel, which doesn't exist anymore. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute now stands at that site. The fellows in the Tivoli really had a ball shooting at anything that moved. Being a kid, that really had an impact on me."

The Tivoli Hotel 

Rubén Blades:
"Something snapped [in me]. I couldn't justify this. They [the U.S.] were supposed to be the good guys."

(New York Magazine 8/18/85

"They turned friends into enemies. Even today, that's the pity of U.S. policy in Latin America."

(People 8/13/84)       Three more days of riots

"Rioters rescue a comrade shot trying  to enter the U.S. zone. The man was  not shot by U.S. troops. [...] In the  early stages of the rioting, before  the Army took over, the Canal Zone U.S. police were in charge. Using tougher tactics, they were reported to  have fired directly into the mob." (LIFE) From the Latin American Data Base : "Riots ensued, street fighting  between U.S. military personnel and Panamanians, resulting in $2 million  in property burned or otherwise destroyed (mainly US), 28 dead,  300 wounded and 500 arrested. Panama broke relations with the US for  several days. From Historical Text Archive :  President Chiari demanded an OAS and United Nations investigation of what he called US aggression  and suspended diplomatic relations.  Shortly thereafter, negotiations on a new treaty began.

A Not so typical day at the beach

Day 101 Sunday (Domingo) - Nueva Gorgona

Many things going on at the beach today.  Check it out in pics.

Had to have one for the Panama Woman. And no that is NOT the Panama Man.

Beach sites

Day 100 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

More of you don't see this everyday.

Is that a monkey in a cage? Can I pet your monkey?

No, she is not going bottomless, just a thong guys.

Cattle Crossing

Day 99 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

So we had an appointment today and we were late. This is why.