News and events

05/02/2012

Have you ever had a real barber shop shave? My business partner has had one every time he has visited Panama in the past number of months and he finally convinced Alan & me to not shave for a few days and join him for a "real shave". It was what I expected from seeing movies of guys sitting in barbershop chairs with their faces covered in warm towels before the barber whips it off and starts shaving. Thanks Ted. I am not sure I will do it often but maybe once in a while.

This week in Panama the big news is the road closures in the interior of Panama. It even affected one of our staff members wanting to go home to David over the weekend using the bus - she ended up having to take a plane - at almost 10 x the cost.

The reason for the road closure is the anger of the native Ngäbe-Buglé over the governments decision to allow mining within their lands and to give permission to create more dams for hydro electric power. From what I read the road closure has been getting nastier and there will be violence and I don't doubt some people will get hurt. Reminds me sometimes of the native road closures in Canada back a few decades ago. Hopefully this will get resolved and both sides will find a way of making it a win-win. We were commenting yesterday over dinner that it was odd that Riba didn't have any papaya - well it didn't dawn us that the road closure means no more fruit or vegetables from the interior.

Unlike last year, this is a true dry season - everything is brown, dry and they are having to send water trucks around to keep some of the plants and trees alive until the rains start again.

Great to hear that Royal Caribbean Cruise lines confirmed their 2013 presence in Colon - means we will booking our new cruise this year for 2013.

Around Costa del Este it was nice to see the sign for a new commercial mall next to the new Westin Hotel - our little area has grown up in the five years we've been here. We've seen more restaurants, shops, and of course more commercial buildings. Considering I want to keep walking to our office I am happy there is more selection. When we first set up our first office there was a choice of the industrial park or the Motta building.

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We've seen Papa Johns, Il Grillo, Sushi House and  soon to be Tres Scalini. Interesting that there have not been tons of fast food restaurants, yes, there is a Subway and a Tamburrelli pizza but you have to go outside CdeE for McD's or KFC. I suspect these will come as the population grows. The other new thing is a brand new automated car wash - really odd, why when the cost of labour is so low would you risk your car going through wildly spinning cloths.

Did I tell you about a service available at the Tocumen airport in Panama City - the ability to have someone meet you or your guest at the gate when they arrive, take them through customs and immigration, to a waiting area until their bags arrive and then to their waiting driver - how cool.

I know so many of the locals here in Panama believe that spaying and neutering is "cruel". well they should have to look after the little kittens that get run over on the street or care for the dogs that are so emaciated that you wonder how they can even function. Everywhere we drive outside of CdeE we see so many strays and starving animals that no one seems to care for -- it is why we try and give often to Mari's shelter in Arraijan - she has such a huge heart - I can't figure out how she juggles her full time professional career with running the shelters and raising money or finding food. Imagine having to feed more than 200 mouths every month and care for their infirmities - each dog or cat can easily cost 20 per month - so that's 4000 per month - she has lots of faithful friends that help out but they don't add up to what's needed.

If you think you can help in some small way we have set up a site where you can donate either using PayPal or your credit card - every dollar we receive from the site we try and match when we get it to the shelter. so think of how much you are really giving. go to www.theyneedyourlove.org and donate  - please.

Our next big time will be our cruise with our friends Alan & Geri - we have two one week cruises booked back to back. My sister and her husband are coming to Panama to babysit our little furry child (Cricket) :} I know they will have a blast - I have them scheduled to do a 1/2 day visit to Gamboa rainforest and lots of other visits.

If you haven't been reading the site for a while you may not not why we have this site - it is to help other expats  thinking about WhyPanama -- if you have considering Panama - feel free to email us. 

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