About tharin4prez

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Panama, Panama

Citizen Of:

United States

About tharin4prez

Retired USAF / Disabled Vet

Favorite Websites:

http://http://forums.military.com/eve/forums

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: which car brand ?:

You can still get those makes repaired. Although it's much more difficult to find a capable machanic outside of the dealerships. And just like in North America, dealership repairs cost more.

Panama: U.S Marine Senior:

Marine ... if you retired and still keep tricare, you can always be seen in Panama out of pocket, but keep the receipt, then file it through your tricare office. If you have VA medical benefits, you can do the same. With each program, and before leaving the US, register with tricare as tricare international and with the VA as VA foreign care. I submit my larger medical receipts and it takes between 90-120 days for reimbursement. Most of my doctor visits I simply PT out of pocket and not worry about filing the receipt. Most doctor visits, depending on where you will call home, range between $5-30 bucks a visit. My doc charges $7 bucks. USAF Ret 84-09 Disabled Vet

Panama: cedula with birth certificate:

I've had two friends do this in the past several years without problems. They each took their Canal Zone, Gorgas Hosp birth certificate & another form of ID and had them notorized and translated. They then took it all to the Chorrera cedilla office and dropped it off. It took approx 10 days for that office to research it ... and when they went back, they were able to get their cedilla. No need for a lawyer and it only cost the fees for stamps and cedula issue cost. BTW ... their new cedula's aren't an E-Cedule either. Once they get their cedula, they can then choose to get a Panamanian passport as well. Having said all that ... now that the new big cedula office in the city is finally in full operation, your wife should start there. Many out of the city small cedula offices won't take on new out of the ordinary tasks and will send her there anyway.

Panama: Non-US residents, visitors/tourists, etc........any problems at the borders?:

I know I'm going to kick myself for jumping in here, but .... First, I was curious why you chose to post here your specific question about crossing in/out of the U.S when this forum has always been about being in panama. Though there is the all too often thread about boarder hopping in/out of CR to stay legal here. Then it hit me ... the post had to be for attention! The liberal media has skewed our new president to a point I'm not sure there will be a return. That said, these are his accomplishments thus far, and I'm sure there's more, but I've been away from the news recently ... 1. More than 700k jobs in 1 month secured. 2. Billion dollar companies coming back to US. Foreign companies investing in US business. 3. Dow Jones at its highest in history. 4. Our borders becoming secure from terrorist threats. 5. Postponed WW3 with russia. 6. On his way to building a better health insurance system than ACA. 7. Created open dialogue with business CEOs no other POTUS ever has within the walls of the WH. 8. Cut billions from Gov spending and unnecessary contracts I'm sure the list goes on, and he accomplished all of this within 1 month of his presidency.. "ONE MONTH." When was the last time you saw a president or PM that managed to get all of that done in 8 years??? I know he's not readily liked by a lot of people, but even a blind man can see his accomplishments have surpassed Obama and I believe they will continue to surprise Americans as time goes on. Stay away from the media for a few weeks and try reading whitehouse.gov and other Gov web sights for political news.

Panama: BP meds:

If you'll need a forever supply of a narc/morphine, then you'll probably be hopping from doctor to doctor for a script. The docs down here will only supply those for a short term healing process ... typically 7-14 day supplies. Some years ago I was eating Vicodin and Percocet like flintstones vitimins due to an Iraqi injury. I've since learned to do without and only take the occasional Motrin for the real bad days. American docs are quick to give the heavy stuff out for fear of complaints and legal action, and your doc down here will be quick to tell you pain is in your mind and you need to learn to live with it. The docs down here won't care if you complain. Their only concern is for your true health.

Panama: cable onda tv english speaking channels:

It's the same with cable here. You can use you remote, go to options (or something of the like) and select English. Or even English subtitle. Doesn't work for all channels or all shows, but you'll be surprised how much English is coming through your cable after changing it.

Panama: Does carne de residente permanente have expiration date?:

It's just the expiration of the card itself. You'll simply have to renew the card, not your residency. It's like a drivers lisence, ever so often, the ID must be renewed. Even a cedilla has an expiration of the card.

Panama: Arra Hijan:

Arraijan is a small area I know of no North Americans that live in the area. Nuevo Arraijan on the other hand, which is just east of Chorrera has quite a few expats ... me included. It has its petty crime, but it's not a dangerous area. I would gladly live here than in most beach areas. Having said that, my wife and I have maintained a home in Nuevo Arraijan since 1990. Much of that time I was still in the military, so we only came back here and there. In the late 90's I got my residency and decided we would come back perminately once I retired. I retired in '09 and did move back. Although these days I find myself in the states more than in Panama working to pay for my two sons' college tuition! On the upside, they both graduate this year!! Once I see their diploma, I'll tender my resignation the very next day! The plan after that will be to sell our Arraijan home and build a new home on some land we own in Penonome. Not selling because of crime, but because the house just isn't big enough these days with a mother in law, sister in law, and her two kids living under the same roof. And then there's me ... I have a giant ego which demands my own space away from others' nonsense and women chatter. Besides, the yard isn't beg enough for more than just a couple chickens. The other property will support a poultry farm. I intend to give Melo a little sting on profit.

Panama: Date line Panama:

The way I see it ... that just gave a snapshot of a Typical December here in paradise.

Panama: Therapist in Panama City:

I was going to mention my sister in law ... but then I read further and you would prefer fluent English. Although she's very good at what she does, her English is rudimentary.

Date Joined:

12/3/2007

Total Posts:

572

Posts/Day:

0.17