About Jazzmann

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Education:

St. Louis University
  1966 to 1976

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Bocas Del Toro:

We were at los Islotes a few weeks ago. The views from the western coast of the Azuero, including Los Islotes, are some of most beautiful in Panama. Beaches are not near as nice as the east coast, for the most part. Check with whoever owns the place, but it looks like the utilities are in and roads and so forth do not appear to be too far behind. Apparently there are several phases. Several houses were under construction. My impression is that you will have to buy a lot and build your own home. Plan on traveling to Santiago for any serious shopping. With the condition of the roads that was be an hour and a half or so for us. It is beautiful though, and there are some very luxurious homes in the general area with breathtaking views. We are going to Bocas next week.

Panama: cable onda tv english speaking channels:

Cable Onda has an "English where available" option that we have been using for years. Not all channels have English programming and some have English language intermittently. For example: Ch. 89 had "007: Mañana Nunca Muerte (Tomorrow Never Dies") in English last Friday and in Spanish yesterday. There is much, perhaps enough, programming in English.

Panama: Are pet dogs allowed on beaches in Panama?:

When I walk the beach, I always carry a bag and pick up all the pieces broken glass that I find. (I do not bring glass containers to the beach myself) One would hope that dog owners would possess the responsibility, courtesy and dignity to clean up after their own pets; and perhaps help with the strays.

Panama: Heat-rash ?:

There is a cream in a tube called "Lamisil". It worked very well for me, but it took a week or so. It was "prescribed" by my doctor. As you may know, for the most part, prescriptions in Panama are notes from the doctor telling the pharmacist what you need and reminding you how to use it.

Panama: Housing SOS:

RICOBREEZE802MARK PM StanleySankey I am sure that he can fix you up with everything you want.

Panama: Panama Visa Papers - Stand in for Apostille?:

Our Jamaican Marriage Registry Certificate had to be "certified" (or something). Jamaica is not a signatory to the Hague convention on Apostles. Our Jamaican attorney handled it with the Panamanian consulate for us. At a very reasonable fee. Don't want to pay a lot (actually anything) for a lawyer? You're on your own son.

Panama: Wino needs info please!:

There are many inexpensive wine options starting with "Clos" a passable wine for $3.oo or so in a 1 liter box, and many good imports under $10.00. BTW, D'Malaga ($3.10+ITBMS @ Super Carnes in Las Tablas this morning) produced for Hermanos Varela (yes, the president is one of the Varela brothers) is a perfect substitute for Marsala wine if you are a fan of chicken or veal Marsala. I used the last of the previous bottle for dinner last night. I am told that it is from Chile, but it does not say on the label. I do not believe that there are any grape (uva) wines made in Panama. I would love to stand corrected. I am told that the fruit wines made in Panama are very good. Las Tablas is: the sweltering hot, perpetually dry or crushingly humid, bug infested, primitive, backwater of Panama; and we have a very respectable number of wine choices. The options in the first world parts of Panama like: Bouquete, Coronado or the City should be exceptional. Enjoy!

Panama: Panama modifies tourist visa:

Stanley, I agree. We are approaching the end of year three and have also accepted the wisdom of “rent before you buy”. We are happy with our place and our landlord. Although we are open to buying a good place (at a great price) we are in no hurry to stop renting. We have found good places but the sellers are dreaming of lottery winner prices. Dream on, we are not writing the check; and we do not have to (even though we can). With reasonable rents and crazy high asking prices, the cost/benefit analysis favors renting. We decided that permanent residency was the way to go for us and we had our Pensionado visas (permanent) in about 3 months. We had out one year visa and driver’s licenses in about 3 weeks. We had the prep work done before arriving here. The only difficulties were my wife’s fingerprints for the FBI report and getting a current copy of our Jamaican marriage registry. I know good people who are perpetual boarder jumpers. However, we do know at least one bad one don’t we? I see that Migration is cracking down more however, having a Cedula really helps. I know of a permanent resident who was alleged to be practicing a protected profession “under the table” and is now in Panama City awaiting deportation; or is already gone. I am not sure if it was that or something else. Our decision to come here was made after a great deal of research but only a short visit. I would like to see a way for people to “test drive” Panama for more than 90 days. However, it is their country and people who abuse the Panamanians’ hospitality make it difficult for everyone else. We get to Panama City once and a while and have a number of friends who live, or work, there. I hear almost nothing about any crime in Panama, let alone serious crime, from first hand sources. The only crime that we have personally experienced has been the theft of an umbrella that my wife left in the pew at church here in the boondocks. (I think it was “Mrs. Boone”). We do have the gates, grills on the windows, and chains, and our situational awareness to prevent crimes of opportunity. However, we feel safe, and hear very little of, even petty, crime. Our landlord and several of our neighbors are police officers so I am sure we would know if there was something going on.

Panama: Criminal history background check:

dpantle, Contact a Panamanian attorney.

Panama: coffee?:

Super Carnes in Las Tablas had several dozen Butterball turkeys (too late to thaw - not really things thaw very quickly here) this morning. Happy Thanksgiving!

Date Joined:

3/6/2015

Total Posts:

234

Posts/Day:

0.31