What is in that drink?

Day 225 Monday (Lunes) - Panama City


You find yourself with many things to do in Panama if you choose to do them, but you can also relax by a pool, or sit on your balcony/terrace and just enjoy a nice cocktail or two. O sure we have beer and wine and all the regular named favorites that you would normally think of (Rum, whisky, scotch etc...) but I like to drink natively so we have chosen the local SECO and Maracuya juice.


We made a pitcher of this stuff last night and man it was good, not to mention a pretty healthy alternative to other things you can put into your body.


Maracuya is the passion fruit and mix that with some alcohol, well, you get the picture.


Seco Herrerano is considered the national alcoholic beverage of Panama, Triple distilled from sugarcane, it is traditionally used straight or in mixed drinks as a replacement for rum or vodka. It is a clear liquor that is sold at seventy proof.

   

Happy Mothers Day - are you a Jubilado?

Day 224 Sunday (Domingo) - Panama City

First off Happy Mother's Day to my mother back in the States and to my lovely wife here in Panama and Happy Mother's Day to all of you ladies out there wherever you may be that had to put up with kids like me!!!

Speaking about mom's, let's take a look at a program here in Panama that is called the Jubilado. A Jubilado is a lady 55 and over and a man 60 and over here in Panama. As a Jubilado you get (or should get) moved to the head of the line or somewhat special treatment in doing business within the country. Panama respects its elders and this little Jubilado program helps show that by allowing you to move to the head of the line when performing different errands such as banking, and receiving discounts off of most everything you do here.

Maybe this is similar to AARP in the USA but no membership fee is required and no political propaganda gets sent to you. At a restaurant you just say "La Cuenta Por Favor con descuento de jubilado" and your discount shall arrive usually in the amount of 15-25%.  By the way, this is the LAW for all Panamanians and foreigners alike.


So Come To Panama And Turn Your Frown Upside Down

The Media, even in Panama is funny

Day 223 Saturday (Sabado) - Panama City

An opinion piece published in Martesfinanciero.com by Gustavo Chelew is blunt in pointing out, under the title "What we are doing?", - the damage that constant criticism and inflaming public opinion against President Ricardo Martinelli and his governing actions causes to Panama.

This constant criticism expressed in major news media produces results like the ones in a poll asking "In general would you say that the current Government acts by thinking about the benefit of a few or of everyone?". The answer was that 77% said, "thinking about a few" and only 21.8% said "thinking about everyone".

This popular perception is amazing, because, as listed in Chelew’s article -there are numerous facts which show that the Martinelli government does not "rule for a few", and that Panama is experiencing a time of economic splendor and development- which one way or another- is poured over most of its population.

Just some facts:

- Growth of the economy by almost 10% a year in recent years.
- Unemployment rate is 4.5%
- Annual revenues of the Social Security Department is $457 million
- Decrease in income tax for natural persons
- Subsidies for hundreds of millions of dollars for consumption of electricity, gas and public transport.
- Increase to the cap on preferential rates for housing.
- Universal Scholarship for study

As a media for regional business information-not living in Panama and being quite independent, at CentralAmericaData.COM we recommend investing in Panama, but we also personally recommend the country for the opportunities today and tomorrow it offers to its inhabitants.

Of course not everything is rosey in Panama, but the media must be very careful in exercising the right to report, combining this law with the duty to do so fairly.

View source article "What are we doing"

Source: CentralAmericaData.COM

It's a Party

Day 222 Friday (Viernes) - Panama City

We spent our first night in the city at a party in the social area of the Decapolis (Radisson Hotel) on Balboa Avenue. The event was sponsored by AngloInfo. AngloInfo is an English speaking website that offers ex-pats the opportunity to see what is happening in their neck of the woods in many different countries and now they have come to Panama.

The event had many folks attend as you learn that when there is a party with free food and drink for 4 hours - YOU GO!!!  Went with some friends we already knew in Panama, met some new folks, and ran into some folks from the beach area that we already knew also.  It was fun for all.

Walked home from the event and stopped off at Niko's 24 hour cafe for a little snack and then to the Fruta Ice Cream stand for a nice and refreshing ice cream.

Panama's version of extreme shelling

Day 221 Thursday (Jueves) - Panama City

Our last day at the beaches for awhile brought us a treasure of uniqueness along the shore

God truly blessed our find - check it out.

This is it

Day 220 - Wednesday (Miercoles) - Playa Coronado

Our last official day in the beach area for a while. Off to the city of Panama to get a more in depth look at the craziness that goes on in there. We have spent many years in various big cities throughout our lives, NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, so Panama City will be no big deal as far as noise and traffic is concerned.

Leaving the seclusion of the beach area after almost 8 months though will be a challenge. PLUS it rains a lot more in the city than where we are in Coronado, but we are well positioned within walking distance (of course) of everything and a work-out gym in our condo building. We love having the flexibility to pick up and go and tomorrow morning we will exercise that.

Next blog, dateline Panama City, Panama

A Spanish Speaking Bird

Day 219 Tuesday(Martes) - Playa Coroando

Just coming off an unexpected 3 day weekend as the country was mourning the death of one of its past Presidents. So we will keep things light today.

This bird was speaking better Spanish than I. How embarrassing!!!