Let the Good Times Roll

Day 181 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

Let the good times roll, I remember that song in my youth, sung by THE CARS. I love it when a plan comes together. The move to Panama was a plan in the making for many years and once executed it became obvious to us that WHY did we wait so long to make this happen. The kids were grown, the extended family is all in good health, we were still young and healthy, so let's do this and see what happens.

Many things keep us from executing plans that seem out of the norm from our daily grinds, and moving overseas would certainly fit that category. Imagine giving up everything you are familiar with and taking 4 suitcases and your beloved pet and move to some other location where you do not even speak the local language. Most people cringe at the thought of doing this, we however find it exciting and adventurous, plus as we have been living here we realized all we actually are doing are exercising the freedoms we were born with. As US citizens we were born with liberty and freedom to pursue happiness, I always thought it meant I had to do that in the US only, but heck there is a very big world out here with many warm and welcoming people to embrace you and help you.

Maybe I got the bug back in the early 80's when I was stationed in Japan at such a young age. My wife and I lived in Japan for 3 years before going back to the states. Many of you that know us, also know that we moved and lived in many different parts of the US, so Panama to us was just another stop along life's highway. The exception for us in Panama is it is always warm/hot in the areas we live down here, which we like. We tried Texas and Florida, both got cold in the winter, maybe for only a few short weeks, but cold nonetheless - NO THANKS.

So here we are, letting the good times roll, blogging about it everyday, and trying to figure out why more people are not doing it. If not Panama, then maybe somewhere else suits your fancy, but I think many of you are not so different from us and others like us that have picked up and moved out.

I am no different than my friends or family, I was a regular guy, doing my best to make it in life, and to make sure my kids had a great beginning to adult life, heck we were living the American Dream, I thought???

Anyways, life is too short, we all know this, so let's make the best of every day we have on this god given earth.

truly yours
The Panama Man

O my, it's a recap

Day 180 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

We have been hitting on all cylinders these past few weeks as we have posted about many economic issues that hit home, health insurance, groceries, fruits & veggies, corporate taxes in Panama, and of course a credit union that pays upwards of 5.5% on our money.

We have had many folks telling us how important these topics have been to them, whether already here in Panama or thinking about coming here. It has been amazing to us that we have been able to reach so many folks throughout the globe that have the same interests that we do. Folks from USA, Canada, Brazil, Russia, The UK, Libia, China to name a few.

It is exciting for us to be able to bring information, sometimes useful and sometimes just plain nonsense, to all of you.

We have now ended our first 180 days living here in Panama and it is everything we anticipated. We look forward to seeing you here too.

One last note, check out the newly updated Overseas Radio website, it is awesome. Also our good friend, Rich Novak, is updating his show to Your Man in Panama.

see you tomorrow

That costs WHAAAAAAT?

Day 179 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

There have been many discussions on how much does it cost to live in Panama? Is it cheaper from where I live? How much does this or that cost. Well the answers to these questions are not so simple, it really all depends on how you live, what you eat, what you drink, etc.

If you are from the US and buy all brand name items, then I would say you are going to spend about the same if not more on those same items. I personally would question why would you move to a foreign country and buy what you bought in the states? What is the idea behind moving to a different place if you do not at least partake in what the native culture has to offer, sure we all want to improve our lifestyle, but it is also not very difficult to find local products that are just as good and tasty as those overpriced American products.

Here's a sampling of some of the easy to find products on the shelf here in Panama. OK not everyone will drink wine from a box, I never did either, but have you tried it? A blindfold test would certainly come in handy because I will tell you, it is a very good tasting red wine, o yes it costs $1.29/liter.

How about $0.56/lb hamburger? I know gross right? Well think again, this hamburger compares to the other 2 you will see in the picture below for far less money. Don't believe me? Well we are still alive and eat this stuff every week and it makes our homemade pasta sauce as good as it ever was.

Hey remember Kool-Aid? We all drank that as kids, maybe our kids also drank it. Well here is a version that does not require sugar (like crystal light) and hey it only costs $0.14 and makes 2 liters. What flavor do you like? You name it they make it.  And maybe the best part is the store with the best price on this item is a place called Riba Smith. Riba Smith is known here in Panama as the not so cheap grocery store, well if you look you will find everyday deals like this.

How about some beer? You can get all the regular imports here as you can anywhere, Heineken, Amstel, Corona, Miller Light, Bud, etc... But have you tried the National Beers? Panama, Balboa, Atlas, Soberana?  Well a case of 24 bottles of Balboa will run you $9.49 - do the math, OK I will for you that is $0.395 per bottle. And it is a good medium to light bodied beer. Forget those imports.

Coffee? well most people drink it and you can spend anywhere from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars for a lb. We lived on Dunkin Donuts coffee all of our lives while living in the US. Grew up in Boston area and Dunkin D's was it when it came to coffee. Hey you can get Dunkin Donuts coffee here in Panama also, but they grow so much of their own locally that why or why not try it out.  We have tried 6 different kinds and settled for the brand below, smooth taste, not too dark, not to bold, and CHEAP as heck. 1 lb of this coffee costs us $2.69

You be the judge.

$0.14 makes 2 liters

$2.69 per lb

$1.99 for 18oz (And I am sure Kelloggs makes this, just guessing )

$1.29 - The evil boxed wine

Whole loaf of fresh baked Bread called Flauta - $0.52

The infamous hamburger

A case of 24 bottles of Balboa - $9.49

Fruit day shopping

Day 178 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

Wednesday is a great day to shop for your store bought fruits and vegetables. One local grocery store gives you a 17% discount on all their fruits and vegetables, El Machetazo.

Here is a snapshot of what we picked up today.

Total price $3.86.

Come to Panama and Turn your Frown Upside Down.

On the lighter side

Day 177 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

Wanted to share some shelling pic today. It is always a fun pasttime strolling the beach searching for that perfect shell. We now have a nice collection to share so each time we walk the beach it gets more challenging to find something unique.

Enjoy the shells

New season, new fruits

Day 176 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

As dry season comes close to an end we turn our attention to different trees that grow different things. Now we are seeing an abundance of Cashew tree's and Mango tree's.

Here is our picks for the day. I mean literally picked them.

Just picked Mango's

Cashews

Cashews again

The Mango's still have some ripen to do as they usually are sweetest when they turn a reddish orange.

The cashews when Red are ready to go. The top of the cashew you make a juice from, the bottom of the cashew is the nut we all know and love. Very special preparation needs to be adhered to for the cashew nut as the little sac they are in is poisonous.

Cops and Robbers

Day 175 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

OK, so I know what you are thinking, we got pulled over in the golf cart, how funny. Well actually the police just happen to park behind us when we were in the store and yes we took the golf cart to the store as we sometimes do. So have a good laugh...

On a more serious note, I have included a picture of my International Driving Permit. Why do I need one of these? Well, the law states that you can be here as a tourist for 180 days, BUT your valid drivers license from whatever country you are from is only good for 90 days, so how do you drive legally for the other 90 days? Well, if you are an American you get your International Drivers License as I did for $15.00 from any AAA office. AAA is the only authorized place to get an official International Permit.  It remains to be seen if the thing works but at least under the law somewhere, if I happen to get pulled over, I am just to show my active stateside license along with this International License and I should be OK.

A bigger issue besides the driving is Auto Insurance, supposedly, and again I do not want to find out, once your 90 days of official driving are up so is your insurance, even though you may have bought a full year of coverage. Sooooo with the International Driving Permit you should be legal for Insurance also, again I do not want to have an accident to find out but I believe a good lawyer and your proper Licenses you should win every time.  So those are the auto facts for today.

Panama in famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Day 174 Saturday (Sabado) - Pedasi

Hold onto your hats boys and girls, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition hit news stands a few weeks ago and guess where they did their photo shoots?  O Yea, Panama Baby.

Check it out.

Click here for a Video from SI on the shoot 

Well the secret location for the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition is out and guess where it is – PANAMA.  This in from the Visitor

Earlier this week on The Late Show with David Letterman, Sports Illustrated magazine debuted its Swimsuit Issue shooting locations: Bocas del Toro, San Blas and Casco Viejo. The issue hit newsstands in the U.S. and Canada the following morning with American supermodel Kate Upton on the cover.

Panama is prominently featured inside the edition with 17 pages; another coup for Panama. Filming locations included Bocas del Toro, San Blas Islands and Casco Viejo.

By far, the Swimsuit Issue is Sports Illustrated’s most successful product, read by nearly one in three Americans, with some estimates at 70 million readers for this issue. It reaches more American men age 18-34 than the Super Bowl.

Top secret

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is a multi-million-dollar secret kept under wraps each year until it hits newsstands. Everything from the cover model to the exotic locales of the shoots to even the names of the women that grace its pages, remains top secret.

Get ready, Bocas del Toro

When the issue is finally revealed, it’s a global sensation. As a multimedia franchise that debuted in 1964, the Swimsuit Issue has made more than $1 billion for parent company Time Inc. Even in today’s tough economy, it continues to print its own profits.

Beach walking

Day 173 Friday (Viernes) - Pedasi

Always nice walking the beach as you never know what you will come across. Today we saw this colorful snail walking out of its shell and just waiting for a photo op.

The weather has been perfect here as we are fast approaching wet season, so strolling the beach in a new area has been fun while we still have all day of sun. Once the rains come we will have to shorten our long beach walks.

Health insurance in Panama: What you need to know about it

Day 172 Thursday (Jueves) - Pedasi

Always an important topic when living or just traveling to other countries. I actually use BUPA Latin America for our Health Insurance needs. It is a catastrophic plan that covers the big stuff (heart attacks, cancer, liver, etc..) yet is only costing both of us $120/month) so in essence we are self-insured for the day to day stuff, but come on when blood work costs you 8-10 dollars, Mammograms are under 30???

You decide what is best for you, your age, and your health. Don't let the government, any government decide for you.


By Pricilla McLeod Sosa

Health insurance in Panama is essential, unless you are a gambler. But what's available? What's it cost? What, if any, are the restrictions? And what's medical care like in Panama? All questions for which people considering a move to Panama need answers.

Let me deal with the last question first, and then I'll get to the others.

Panama is a modern country and has excellent doctors in all the different specialties. The quality of the hospital care is not only excellent, it is drastically less expensive than it is in the U.S. This has a positive impact on the cost of the health insurance in Panama.

First class private hospitals

There are both public and private hospitals in Panama. Most ex-pats attend the first class private hospitals which, in Panama City alone, include:

• Johns Hopkins Hospitals (Punta Paitilla)
• Clinica Hospital San Fernando (operating since 1948)
• Hospital Paitilla
• Hospital Nacional
• Hospital Santa Fe, and
• Hospital Bella Vista.

An extension of the Johns Hopkins Hospital has been completed since 2006. And there are two private hospitals in David, close to popular Boquete and Volcan, Hospital Chiriqui & Hospital Mae Lewis. Most doctors are bilingual, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with doctors and hospitals here.

Most doctors are bilingual, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with doctors and hospitals here.

Health insurance in Panama has been an important industry for about 100 years. The first company here was Pan American Life Insurance Company (Palic) & afterwards, Cia. Internacional de Seguros, S.A. Perhaps a more familiar name to ex-pats, Mutual of Omaha has been well established here for many years. They provided health insurance in Panama for Canal employees for a long time, but now its portfolio of clients was acquired by Aseguradora Mundial de Panama.

Familiar names.
Gradually, more companies- both Panamanian and international started to provide health insurance in Panama. They include: Palic Alico (part of the AIG group, which offers only group coverage) International Health Insurance Denmark a/s (Danish) Sagicor and World Wide Medical Assurance (mavor medical coverage only) (Dominican Republic)

Among leading Panamanian companies: ASSA
Compañia Internacional de Seguros, S. A.
Aseguradora Mundial de Panama, S. A. (who bought the Mutual's portfolio), and
Aseguradora Ancon.

Your Donation Dollars at Work in Panama

Day 171 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

We live in a society here in Panama where many folks pull together to do many things to help. One thing that takes place is a thing called Spay the Strays. This volunteer group, only through donations, works with local vets to spay the dogs and cats in and around Panama to keep the population under control.

What a great thing these folks are doing. Here is an excerpt from the article on www.playacommunity.com and I wanted to make sure it got more legs.

This past weekend in San Jose, the Spay the Strays Group worked in conjunction with Spay Panama for our annual Blitz. It ran from about 4:30pm on Saturday to 8:00 and then on Sunday from 7:30am until 5:00pm. In those 13 hours we operated on 307 dogs and cats. Although we received $830 in donations (average $2.70 per animal) from pet owners, our total bill is $7,142.00. A huge undertaking like this could not have been paid for without the sponsor of the donor match last year as well as all of our valued supporters who contributed so generously!

To handle this Blitz, Spay Panama brought 25 persons from the City who slept in sleeping bags on site. Our own 34 volunteers supplemented them in three long, hot, dirty shifts proving that it really does take a village! We owe all of them a debt of gratitude.

Let the party continue

Day 170 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

The Panama Woman just can't get enough. From her days working the farm carnival in Illionis she couldn't wait to get her hands on that cotton candy machine.

Look at that expert twirl.

Barbie and Ken

Day 169 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

Is that the Panama Man with Barbie? Panama Barbie made her appearance at the party we were at on Saturday so I could not resist a picture.

So what that it was a little kids party, I was a guest.

You've got mail

Day 168 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Well, typically in the area we live we have no delivery of bills. Today was the exception. Our internet bill was waiting for us at the security guard office. The funny thing was it was a bill already paid a month ago, but hey they were trying.

All bills, including tax bills you usually need to go to the place or a bill pay location and ask for your monthly bill. It is a unique concept but hey atleast we do not have to bailout a debt ridden post office.

Day 167 Saturday (Sabado) - Panama City

Ventured into the city today for a friends birthday party. We love coming into the city as it is always full of life and activity (OK traffic too).

The drive from Coronado to Panama is just a bit over an hour and it is a nice drive through a couple of mountain passes. The final spot right before the city is the Canal a must see and do.

What are these two up to?

Day 166 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

We were cruising in the golf cart today and saw these two ladies and we were wondering, what are they up to? A lady with a cane and the other with a rake. I don't know, maybe our minds are turning to mush when we put too much thought into this, or more so blogged about it.

Life is good.

Glad to be back

Day 165 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

Hola amigos, it is good to be back in Panama. Jumped right back into routine.

Cut down some coconuts, picked some fresh mangos, picked up a pineapple for a buck. Ahhhhhh its good to be home.

OK, some quick travel advice. If you only have a one way ticket coming to Panama and you are a citizen of another country (namely the US), then you better pick up a bus ticket for $35 to Costa Rica before you leave Panama. WHY? Because the airline (Spirit in my case) will try to force you to buy a return trip ticket at some outrageous cost. So be prepared, I was.

Let's do a do over

Day 164 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Grayslake IL

Travel day once again. Let's see how far I get tonight. Same bat time, same bat channel for you Batman fans out there.

However, today is reaching my kind of temps in IL, 80 degrees. So I am betting because it got real warm that I will for sure be out of here.

Missing Panama for sure at this point, not sure how all of you do the few months in Panama and the rest wherever you come from, Panama is such a special place that I hated to leave it, Now I need to go back.

Stay tuned, just in case I am stuck in the US again.

Panama's Economy in 2012

Day 163, part 2. Items of interest.

The expectation is that GDP will increase by 8.3%, a slight cooling off from the nearly 11% in 2011.

Monday, March 12, 2012

inShare

Panama has maintained a remarkable record of economic growth in recent years, despite the effects of the global economic crisis which began in 2008.

In 2011, the GDP growth rate reached 10.9%, driven by the construction sector, which grew by 18.5%, along with mining (18.4%), trade (15.9%), transport and communications (13.7%), financial intermediation (7.6%) and hotels and restaurants (7.6%).

In terms of composition, 24.1% of GDP is contributed to by the transport and communications sector, followed by commerce with 15.2%, financial intermediation and construction.

For 2012 expectations are that it will grow by 8.3%, a slowdown of two and a half percentage points compared to 2011. According to economist Adolfo Quintero, this will force the country to review its high levels of investment and public debt, to match future revenue streams.

In addition to indebtedness, Quintero identified as worrisome the stagnation of manufacturing and agriculture, which have been declining steadily in terms of contributing to GDP since 2007. Some activities such as fishing have shown negative figures since 2009.

"Within the state policy there should be efficient and effective use of available resources in order to avoid macrofiscal difficulties that might endanger our country's investment grade. It is important to note that productive activities are reducing their participation in the generation of product GDP", said Quintero.

Source: laestrella.com.pa

stuck in a no-fly zone

Day 163 Tuesday (Martes) - USA

Well yesterday was time to leave the Chicagoland area, and of course that did not happen as the high winds prevented the plane from leaving ontime so I was going to miss my connection in Florida. So here I am still playing hooky in the USA.

Tomorrow night we will give it another try :))))

Back to the future

Day 162 Monday (Lunes) - Grayslake IL

Travel day today. Since I am on a Tourist Visa I needed to leave Panama for at least 72 hours, then I can head back to Panama for the next 180 days. Well, that time has come.

I will now leave the chilly Chicagoland area and be back in the warmth early Tuesday morning and be with the Panama Woman and Panama Dog once again.

The visit was great being with our youngest daughter, but it is time again for life to move forward.  On to new adventures once again in Panama.

Salud

It's a birthday celebration

Day 161 Sunday (Domingo) - Grayslake, IL

So the Panama Man celebrates his birthday today with a couple of Woodchucks. When you drink anything with a name containing Woodchuck, you know you are someplace on the cold side. But I will say it was pretty darn tasty.

2 more days then back to the warmth of Panama.

Visiting the USA

Day 161 Saturday (Sabado) - Grayslake, IL

Living overseas has many positives but a negative can be being away from family. We love living in Panama and we encourage all to explore your options when it comes to living overseas. We are all human so missing family is all part of the adventure.

I am visiting my youngest daughter in Illinois and it is a lot of fun.  freezing cold, but a lot of fun. My suggestion is to invite your family and friends to visit you in the warmth versus heading North where it is cold, isnt this why we mainly moved to Panama? The warmth?

Remember to Come To Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Freezing to death

Day 160 Friday (Viernes) - Grayslake Il

I am spending my 72 hours out of Panama in the great state of Illinois with my youngest daughter and her guy.

OK, lets be honest, it is 35 and I dont mean celcius so the Panama Man is freezing his &%#@*/ off. Now I know why I live in the beautiful country of Panama. Summer weather year round for me.

Enjoy the pic.

A trip back

Day 159 Thursday (Jueves) - Tocumen Airport

My time to leave Panama for a few days and visit the Windy City. I do have a website of interest for all if you to enjoy,  www.visitpanama.com  this is the country's tourism site.

Well have to board for Houston now.

Over and out

Gratis means free and who doesn't like that?

Day 158 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

So even in Panama McDonalds comes through with freebies.

The Panama Man and Panama Woman will be enjoying free coffee every morning until March 20th, hope to see you there.

Canadian Ambassador visits the beaches.

Day 157 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado


Canadian Embassy Visits Coronado
Written by Jamuna Burry
Wednesday, 29 February 2012

With the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement currently being ratified, Canada's Ambassador to Panama, Sylvia Cesaratto made an outreach call to Canadians living in Panama's Pacific beaches. Ambassador Cesaratto and her staff, hosted a Meet and Greet affair at El Rincon del Chef in Coronado. Canadians from around the beach areas gathered with short notice to meet the Ambassador. Meeting Canadians in Panama is a strategic priority of the Canadian Embassy. They want Canadians outside Canada to register with the Embassy. This allows the Embassy to know where Canadians are in case of an emergency. Should an emergency situation arise, the Embassy works to get the word out through area 'Wardens'. Keith and Susana Cheng, owners of HIM Home Improvements and More are Wardens in the Coronado area. With more flights bringing Canadians to live, visit and do business in Panama, the Embassy knows there are many Canadians at the beaches and they want Canadians to know they are there to assist.

To register with the Embassy and for more information on how the Embassy assists Canadians in Panama, visit: www.panamagc.ca

A relaxing Monday

Day 156 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

Not much to report today. The Panama Woman will be on her way back to Panama later tonight, so we get to take a trip to Tocumen Airport to pick her up. Tocumen is about 1 hour and 45 minutes drive time from the beach are of Coronado, and of course a lot of that depends on making it in and through the city with minimal traffic.

I did however snap a few shots along the highway the other day, to me these are some of the best views as you can see mountains and ocean all in one shot as cars zoom by you on the Pan-American Highway. It is dry season now so things might be a bit brownish as we have not had any rain for about 2.5 months, this is normal as it is summer. Wet season will be here soon enough and everything will turn back to lush green
Take a peek.

Day 155 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

I actually cannot believe 6 months is fast approaching for our new life here in Panama. So much we have gone through to get here, and for some reason the days seem to go by pretty fast. Not complaining, just saying.

I came across a couple of great tour ideas for all of us when you visit Panama. Take a read.

The 2 Best Day Trips from Panama City
By Jessica Ramesch

From Panama City, no island is easier to get to than tiny (and often overlooked) Taboga. The best island in Panama for true local flavor, it’s just 12 miles off Panama’s Pacific coast.

Locals call Taboga "the Island of Flowers." You’ll see why as you walk the 500-year-old Spanish Cross trail across "the hump," a low hill rising from the center of the island. Flowers blossom everywhere and the smell of jasmine pervades. You’ll have breathtaking views of the clear waters, where divers still find centuries-old gold coins. It’s no wonder French artist Paul Gauguin went to Taboga in 1887 in search of a small plot of land to call his own.

From Panama City, Taboga is just $10 round-trip and less than an hour each way by ferry.

Just an hour west of Panama City, on the Pacific Coast, is a string of pretty beaches near towns like Farallón, San Carlos and Santa Clara. What most day-trippers in these parts miss, though, is the Campana National Park.

The cloud forest that is Campana drapes volcanic mountains in shades of green. With altitudes ranging from 1,300 to just over 3,000 feet, Campana is cool and quiet. Here you can see some of the best of Panama’s flora and fauna, including the nation’s emblematic golden frog.

Most Panamanians make day trips here. They bring small picnics to the lookout point near the park’s administration office to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys and mountains all the way to the Pacific Coast.

This is a good place to hike or take a horseback ride. But to make the most of Campana, stay at least one night. Posada Loma Grande is a little gem you’re unlikely to discover unless you drive past it on the way up the Campana Park road. A remodeled country home, the inn boasts some of the country’s most dramatic views from staggered mountain terraces.

Tour Day

Day 154 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

Today was tour day, not for me but with me. There was a Real Estate buying group in from the USA consisting of 8 people. Our friend The Sovereign Lady was the tour leader.

One of their stops was here in Coronado and yours truly had the opportunity to show them a great condo on the beach. Now I very rarely, yet occassionally spout off about my real estate doings here in Panama, so today will be one of those days.

RE/MAX Beaches & City! has a listing well under market in a building called Coronado Bay. This condo sits right on the beach with beautiful ocean and mountain views.  While most condo's in this building go for well over 200,000 this one is listed at 196,500.  It needs appliances and furniture but wait until you go to the link above and see those views. I Am Speechless.

I spent about one hour with the group, then off to El Valle they went. For more information about the Sovereign Lady and what she does contact me and I can make it happen.

As I told the folks on the tour, Come To Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Pay $8 for a complete package of medical exams at Testlab Laboratorio Clinico ($18 Value)

Day 153 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

Check out this OFERTA SIMPLE special
A complete hemogram is the most important blood test that you can get. This type of blood test works as a prevention tool to identify any risk of illness that you may suffer. With the information you get from the blood test, your doctor can be sure that your health is in perfect condition and give you recommendations on what can you do to keep your health that way.
Urinalysis is another excellent diagnostic tool included in this offer. It can help you detect any type of irregularities in other parts of your body like the kidneys or the liver even before you present any symptoms.
The last exam is the general stool test that is ideal to find any type of parasite or bacteria in your body. With this complete exams package, you and your family can be sure that your health is always in good condition.

Are you kidding me? $8 bucks for all this medical check? 18 bucks full price? I must say health and welfare is alive and well down here in Panama. I would bet, even with medical insurance where ever you live, you cannot touch these prices.

Come To Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Its a Fruits and Vegetable day

Day 152 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

Let's talk food. The country of Panama has plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your lifestyle healthy. Besides all the writing I do about climbing tree's to get fruit, we really do have stores that you can buy these things also. So for the more conventional folks, all major grocery stores have fresh fruits and vegetables. But one has started to offer a 17% discount (descuente) on all fruits and vegetables on Wednesdays only. Let's plug them - El Machetazo (or The Machete)

How do these prices compare. 7 bananas, 5 oranges, 2 cucumbers, 3 carrots, and 1/4 lb of green beans all for $1.89. I think you can get 1 orange in Florida for $1.89.