Is Panama The New America



Panama fun facts.
1 - Panama has NO hurricanes
2 - Panama has a thriving Metropolitan city in Panama City
3 - Panama has secure banking institutions
4 - Panama has a climate for everyone, city, beaches, mountains
5 - Panama uses the US Dollar as its currency
6 - Panama is a short flight from many major cities in the USA
7 - Panama has many English speaking folks, Spanish is the main language
8 - Panama welcomes foreigners to live and work.

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Monday, April 30, 2012

Sand fighting



Day 211 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

No matter where you live boys will be boys. These two kids come to the beach with a soccer ball, kick it around for a half hour or so, then decide to roll around in the sand and cover each other with it.

Ahhhhhhhh to be young again. I hate having sand all up in my shorts now, yes I am aging.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Public Holidays in Panama

Day 210 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

We are in the midst of another 3 day weekend here in Panama. Since Tuesday is May 1st (or May Day) it is considered Labor Day here in Panama and is a National Holiday, but since it falls on a Tuesday the government moves it to Monday so everyone can enjoy a 3 day weekend - how nice. Banks and Government Offices will be closed Monday.


Saturday, April 28, 2012

Happy Birthday to the Panama Woman

Day 209 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

My better half celebrated her birthday yesterday, her first in Panama.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER!!

As a celebration I had something very native for her for lunch. We always see this poor old guy walking around from work site to work site with breakfast and then lunch for all the workers in the area. I am not sure where this guy comes from or how far he walks, but it cannot be close. Our guess is Gorgona and he cuts through to Coronado.  Soooooo on Thursday I placed a lunch order for 2 with him (I think), for us to celebrate and eat a local meal on wheels at noon on Friday.

Well, we come around the corner and there is our guy, with 2 lunches on the side for us (Rice, Chicken, and Yuca) - total cost $8.00 and away we go. I was pleasantly surprised as my Spanish is not exactly great.

Besides the delicious lunch we had from our meal on wheel guy, we also had a nice homemade cappachino, courtesy of my wife with her new cappachino maker.




Friday, April 27, 2012

Mango Update

Day 208 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

The below was sent in from my blog of a few days ago. One of our followers was nice enough to pull this article from 2008 to share with all of you that may fall into my trap of Mango poisoning.

By the way, I am getting back to normal.



Written by Playacommunity.com   
Wednesday, 04 June 2008 05:54
mango_picture2.jpgWe are in the full of mango season! The trees are filled with tons of delicious, sweet mangos falling to the ground in the dozens. Did you know that mangos can cause a skin allergy if they are not properly washed? A number of people have already experienced this. The following is an article by Zenaida Serrano, that was published in the Honolulu Advertiser . It explains how this happens:
 File these under things that may give you a severe rash:
Poison ivy, poison oak and ... hold up ... mango?
Blame it on a chemical called urushiol, which is found in the oil of mango sap.
"That chemical is also found in poison oak and poison ivy, so people who have a history of reaction to poison oak and poison ivy would also react to this," said Dr. James Sweet of the Asthma, Allergy and Sinus Center of Hawai'i. "They should be cautious about handling mango."
While there are different types of reactions to mango, the most common is an itchy skin condition called allergic contact dermatitis, caused by an allergic reaction to material in contact with the skin, Sweet said.
But the good news about this type of allergy is that the fruit itself is still safe to eat. It's the oil in the sap found outside the fruit that causes allergic contact dermatitis among certain people, he said.
When those who are allergic come in contact with the sap — whether by touching a mango tree's leaves, bark or stems, or the skin of the fruit — it may result in itching, redness, blisters and/or hives. However, reaction is not immediate, often happening 12 to 24 hours after contact, even up to 48 hours later.
If left untreated, the condition can last one to three weeks before it resolves itself. The rash may be treated with an over-the-counter 1 percent cortisone cream, Sweet said.
If the rash spreads or becomes intolerable, see a doctor who could prescribe a potent steriod cream or cortisone pills, such as prednisone.
Sweet offers these tips to those who may be prone to mango allergies, specifically allergic contact dermatitis:
  • Avoid contact with the sap of a mango tree. Don't climb the tree, pick its fruits or prune its branches. Parents may also want to    watch their children around mango trees and branches.
  • To handle unpeeled mangoes, wear disposable plastic gloves. Better yet, have someone else clean and cut it for you.
  • If you get sap on you, quickly wash it off using dish detergent. Anecdotally, Sweet said, Joy works best. While he isn't exactly sure why this works, he suspects dish detergent rids the allergy-causing oil in the sap better than regular soap and water.
  • If you develop an allergic reaction to the sap, don't use benadryl cream, which can irritate the condition or make it worse. For an over-the-counter treatment, use cortisone cream.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

What a gas


Day 207 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

We have been here now for 207 days and we finally ran out of gas in our tank. In the place we live, like most, we use a gas tank similar to what many folks use to attach a grill to.

Here's the kick. Our gas tank is 25 pounds and cost $4.85 to fill. If I remember correctly a 10-12 pound tank in the USA costs no less than $19.95.

I love this stuff. No wonder we can retire early, live in paradise, and not worry about our day to day expenses like we used to.

Come To Panama And Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Beware the poisonous Mango

Day 206 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

So we have been picking and eating Mangoes now for about 3 weeks. Mango trees are everywhere as it is their time to produce fruit. Well about 4 days ago I started to get a rash here and then there and then over here. It was not one big rash but one that would pop up on my hand, then my arm, etc.. etc..  Then 2 days ago I awoke and my eyes were swollen shut, low and behold I am allergic to the darn things.

The mucus fluid that spills out of them are in the poison sumac family and I have just discovered I am allergic so now I am battling this as I write - what fun. I guess that is what I get for trampling through the woods looking for food like a cave man :)))))

I will live of course and did go to the pharmacy to get some meds to kill the itch and reduce the swells, now it just needs to run its course and I need to stay away from Mangoes.

I can't wait for coconuts to grow again - good grief.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Arco Seco effect

Day 205 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

Maybe, just maybe the Dry Arch (Arco Seco) we live in here in Coronado may start to see our daily rainfall as wet season has begun all around us.  We had a few days of rain over 2 weeks ago, but not much. then yesterday afternoon it came, and it came hard and loud. This morning we have not seen the sun yet as it approaches 9am.

Not complaining as we really need rain out this way and the sun has been pretty hot these past few weeks. The temp hasn't changed much but the sun has been searing.  The mountains and the city on the other hand have been getting their fair share of rain already, so maybe, just maybe, we will start to see greenery around here instead of dusty brown. Green is much prettier!!! Besides, we are tanned enough and could use some cloudy days on our walks.


Monday, April 23, 2012

Do you like movies?


Day 204 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

The first annual International Film Festival is coming to Panama's National Theatre. The festival runs from April 26th through May 2nd.

All films in English will have Spanish subtitles and likewise all Spanish films will have English subtitles.

As a festival goer you will be able to vote for your favorite flicks. You will also have the opportunity to walk the red carpet along side dignitaries, actors, and filmmakers.

What an exciting time for Panama. What are you waiting for Come To Panama And Turn Your Frown Upside Down.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Boyz and their Toyz

Day 203 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Up, up, and away. We were out and about today and decided to go to the hand control airplane show. OK not much of a show as it was basically this guy with this awesome plane. There were a few smaller planes and some helicopters, BUT this guy stole the show.

Word is the guy that owns this plane is in the top 100 world-wide of remote control plane guys.









Saturday, April 21, 2012

Surf's Up, and lunch too.

Day 202 Saturday (Sabado) - El Palmar

A great little surfing village just a short ride west of Coronado called El Palmar also boasts a nice little hotel and restaurant. We spent our late afternoon at the Bay View Hotel/Restaurant with some friends enjoying a late Friday afternoon lunch.

If you've been to Bay View then you understand the location is just fantastic, if you have never been we recommend it here, to go at least once, enjoy the food, the views, the surfers.

If you are a surfer, this is one of the places to come in Panama, on the road in there is a surf school, and from my layman eyes saw that the surf seemed pretty good when we were there.

Check it out

 







Friday, April 20, 2012

Where am I?



Day 201 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

I always thought that this was one of, if not the best location views on the Pacific Beach area. I know I have posted it before but it never gets boring seeing what beauty God has created for us to enjoy. So I am sharing it now with you.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

My O My, US government at its finest

Day 200 Thursday (Jueves) - Playa Coronado

As an American citizen it never ceases to amaze me how our government continues down the path of revoking liberties right before our very eyes, and the issue doesn't even raise an eyebrow to MOST Americans because they never leave the states.

A friend of mine shared the below link with me so it was time to share, if you travel outside the US and have a passport this is very disturbing news that I am about to share. Not the part that the government is trying to get tax cheats, thats good, but it is what they are going to do if they THINK, not prosecute, just THINK you are a tax cheat.

read the article and formulate your own opinion on whether this is a further erosion of freedom and liberty, from where I sit why not just build a huge fence around the North American continent and keep us all inside as slaves. Good grief man.

http://www.infowars.com/irs-travel-ban-revoking-citizenship-by-stealth/

Happy reading

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A not so typical Wednesday.


Day 199 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

Private piano classes today. I certainly do not play but our friend certainly had a great way to express herself on the keyboard. She was expressing herself playing on a Galaleo digital and it was awesome. She played as we all sat, listened, drank wine, and watched the tide roll in. Our friend Silvard was the host - visit Silvard at www.silvard.com.

After we went to an open house and continued our Wednesday afternoon wine drinking with plenty of snacks. Hey life is tough here in Panama but we are willing to rough it.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

It was a Happy Anniversary

Day 198 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

So yesterday was our 29th anniversary. Time certainly has flown as we have made this long journey together and it is funny but we both feel more exciting things are ahead of us.

I have spent more than half my life with the Panama Woman and we still get along just fine, O sure we have our moments, but it always works its way out of our systems and we move on together.

We spent our day in Panama City conducting business at 3 banks and an insurance company, then we had lunch with friends at AZURE, a Mediterranean restaurant, IT WAS REAL GOOD. As a matter of fact we used our OFERTA Simple coupons (see other posts about Oferta Simple).  I know, not your typical anniversary, but hey when you are together that long you mix it up - constantly LOL.

Just when you thought the anniversary was over, my lovely wife sent Gerry D an email (Gerry D is a daily English radio broadcast here in Panama) and gave him a message that he read on the air and dedicated a song to us - how sweet, now I know why everyone calls her my better half.

Onward we go.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Interesting statistics

Day 197 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

We started blogging when we arrived here in Panama to initially keep track of what we were doing here. Then we said, let's put on some information that we have learned from others and make it somewhat informative. To our surprise we have been seeing a nice increase in views to the blog, even when we have nothing to say. It is a great mechanism to get information out to interested folks, plus we can still keep track of our daily life down here. Check out the info below, this blows me away when I see folks reading this stuff from all over the globe. Hopefully I will not feel the pressure from all the eyes upon us (yes there are even  Irish eyes watching also :)))))


United States
3,911
Panama
781
Russia
336
United Kingdom
163
Germany
126
Canada
78
Latvia
41
France
30
Ireland
26
Brazil
18
Japan
14
Costa Rica
12

Sunday, April 15, 2012

What is missing from this picture

Day 196 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado



YOU

Come to Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Getting shelled by the sea

Day 195 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Corona

I bet the title got you here to read today's blog! No I am not talking about drinking. I am talking about walking the beach and rocks at low tide to find many living creatures of the sea.

There was a bunch of us that went out with a Marine Biologist yesterday in Playa Corona to explore and learn about sea life. It was a 2 1/2 hour adventure and learning experience.  For those of you that read this blog a lot, we walk the beach everyday and we have a nice collection of shells already, but now we will be overturning rocks and checking out some unique things we never thought possible, or better put, scared to do. LOL.

Our adventure in pictures






















Friday, April 13, 2012

The Radio Show - featuring Silvard

Day 194 Friday (Viernes) - Playa Coronado

We once again were broadcasting live from the Coronado Beach & Golf Resort in Coronado. We had a number of guests and our largest in studio audience to date, it was a great time for all involved. Check out the archived broadcast at http://overseasradio.com/the-man-in-panama/

I also want to broadcast Silvards website and his music as he is a concert level Pianist. Check out a tasting of his work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ-RCfdWp9w. And of course he was playing for all of us live on the radio show so listen in, will ya!!!!

Also check out www.silvard.com






Thursday, April 12, 2012

Check out this deal - Whatcha waiting for?

Day 193 Thursday(Jueves) - Playa Coronado




You have to take a look closely at this deal that is being offered by our good friends at Re/Max Beaches & City! Panama in conjunction with Bern Developer. This deal is for everyone interested in taking a look at Panama as a place to live and/or invest.  This is a limited time offer so LET'S TAKE ACTION.
You will be staying in 4 and 5 star hotels. You will have the opportunity to look at different Bern Buildings to evaluate their quality and locations. Talk to the developer about financing, if needed. This is a can't miss opportunity - So Come To Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down.



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Where is the rain?

Day 192 Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

The season it is a changing down here in Panama. OK so it is still nice and toasty warm (HOT) but you can actually feel the humidity creeping in more as the rains have been falling. Actually wet season has started off kind of slow this year, we are now mid-April and we have seen only a few days of rain and not very much at that. But all of us down here know, when it kicks into high gear we will be quite wet.

Actually, the little bit of rain we have received has made a noticeable difference in the landscape, grass is turning greener, the mountainsides are blooming, so it is starting.  Many folks we talk to say they like rainy season better than dry season, as the country becomes much more beautiful with the greenery versus the dry dusty brown look we all have been looking at for months now.  The rain by the way usually will NOT wipe out your full day down here, it will rain most days in mid to late afternoon and give you a good washing for a few hours and then go away. I say usually this happens but you never know when that will change.  Plus it is kind of nice to see clouds blocking the sun on and off, although we love the sun it can be quite burning when you are 9 degrees north of the equator.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

It's a 60's revolution, or more?

Day 191 Tuesday (Martes) - Playa Coronado

As we look at what is going on in the world, especially economically, you start to wonder WTF, OK we have all been wondering WTF for a very long time. With no disrespect for generations before us and our generation, but we seem to be in a constant state of war and financial upheaval.

How can a country, as powerful and rich(supposedly) as the US, always be at war with some other place and be so far in debt?  I am 49 years old and remember slightly what went on in the 60's with the protests as I was just a youngest, and as you age you look back and say, maybe they had it right!!!!  Why on earth are we always at war with someone else? Why on earth do we have a system of taxation that rewards bad behavior? Wasn't America founded by some individuals who had the balls to snub their noses at their government to create a better life for them and their families? Of course they were also called Unpatriotic for leaving the mother ship, but then they created a whole new system based on smaller government and LIMITED taxation. I think this is what the good folks in the Tea Party are looking for!

Since the beginning of this great earth many empires have been created and ALL of them have fallen, the Romans, The Mayans, The Mings, on and on and on, Now maybe the US has gotten us into a similar spiral. I know, I know, it can't happen to us, were America. Home of the free and the brave but we need to pay attention better.

I had this discussion the other night with a Canadian friend of mine and funny, he is 15 years older than me, from a completely different country than I, and WOW we had the exact, I mean exact thought process on these topics. So we determined that there are many more of us out there that think alike but are stuck not knowing how to remove themselves from the situation, we say, talk with us or someone else you know that did this. I am not only talking about moving to a place like Panama, I am talking about finding your place and  removing yourself from the controlling governments who know what is best for you!!!!!

I implore you to listen to the Overseas Radio Network, try it for a few days, listen to what people are saying. I know many folks that listen to Rush, watch Beck and O'Reilly, I did. They have it part right, they are on the right path, especially Beck, looked what happened to him - he upset the powers that be and they removed him. I say pay attention to Beck and what these folks on the overseas radio network are saying.

Until tomorrow

Monday, April 9, 2012

A Global Network of like minded individuals

Day 190 Monday (Lunes) - Playa Coronado

We spent some time sitting out back on the patio talking with friends from various backgrounds. Panamanian, American, and Canadian. The discussions are very similar to others we also talk with. WHY are you here and what do you see going on back in your home country.  We all come from different walks of life yet we all have a common thread, Americanism is destroying the very fabric that was originally created and we don't even see it happening (well some of us do ;))

A big election is going to happen in the US this year and from where we sit we see the same things going on that will have no impact in making America right. In Panama, away from the government where the real people live, we see free markets happening all day long. You have something I need and I have something you need, so we trade and/or share it, no money changes hands, what for? Now I know this seems antiquated, but isn't that how free markets work? Now capitalism, we talk about all the time, not free markets anymore, well to us capitalism works very similar to free markets, EXCEPT, profit needs to be made on the trade/sharing that takes place and government needs to control and regulate the deal. So if I have a chicken and give you a dozen eggs and you have a cow and give me some milk - that's free markets, but the same exchange in capitalism will be (well my milk is more expensive than your eggs so you give me the eggs plus something else for the milk) O, (and the government will say, wait you can't sell or trade that milk or eggs until we check it out).
GET MY POINT.

So here we are today in huge amounts of debt and it is looking like we have no place to go but down, further in debt until the whole system gets a reset. Anyone have one of those big red EASY buttons from the staples commercials?

OK, off to some local rum and coconut water

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter

Day 189 Sunday (Domingo) - Playa Coronado

Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Kind of interesting here in Panama on this day. It seems most locals are more interested in getting in their cars and heading back to the city before the big traffic jam rush later on. Last night was big party night here in the beach area, music, drinks, etc... Made for an interesting Easter Eve.

The country here is mainly Catholic, like most Latin American countries, but Easter also coincides with the last long weekend of the summer as we discussed in yesterdays blog, so it is more partying than praying.

We will be with friends tonight for our Easter dinner, hope you are enjoying your family and friends today also.

Salud

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Last weekend of summer


Day 188 Saturday (Sabado) - Playa Coronado

Here in Panama we are officially at the end of the summer or dry season, and this year we are also right in the middle of Easter.

This is the last long weekend for many months and the folks started flooding the interior of the country on Thursday, especially along the beaches.

Friday was one of 3 days throughout the year that no one can purchase alcohol anywhere legally in the country as it was Good Friday. Yet it did not stop folks from stocking up on Thursday.

The scene in Coronado where we live is as expected, all three grocery stores are packed with people and traffic is just plain bad. Police are everywhere to keep us all safe.

Since banks are all closed Friday and Saturday; the lines on Thursday were 50 people deep at times, just to get in the bank. Yours truly wanted to capture a picture of the banking scene for my blog, but as soon as I snapped the photo, bam, police were on me to give them my camara to delete it. I guess that was a no-no.

Tomorrow should be pretty interesting trying to get back into the city as everyone will head back at once. Kind of like Thanksgiving in the states. As for us, we will watch it all unfold.

Happy Easter or ¡Felices Pascuas