Everyday Life In Panama

Call Out The Security Guys.

I have been in this hotel for 16 months and security was never a concern.  The front desk controls access to the 'room floors' (so there are no 'non-guests' roaming around), and there had never been a room burglarized (at least that I was aware of).  Security was not something you even gave a second thought.

Last week, a room was broken into and a laptop computer and a camera were stolen.  Ouch.  It also appeared (and the police inspectors agreed) that the lock in the door handle had been 'jimmyed', e.g., it was not a 'forced entry'.  So, since my room is one of the only rooms in the hotel that has a second lock, I decided it was time to get a key made for the never-used dead-bolt lock installed in my door.

Directed to a locksmith on the other side of town, I was able to explain my problem to the owner using my expansive(?) Spanglish and considerable hand/sign language.  Mr Cortez then rounded up his number #1 man, Jose, loaded us all in his personal car and back across town we went to my hotel.  Cortez parked his car directly in front of the hotel (a 'no-parking' zone), and put two items under his windshield wipers before we went into the hotel - a red tag that said something about 'security emergency' in big letters, and, (as a backup, I guess) a parking ticket he had been issued previously.

After they looked at the lock is when I realized that they had not come just to see what was needed.  The little black bag that Jose was carrying (see photo) was, in fact his repair tool kit.  Jose went through numerous driver bits and Allen wrenches until he found the right ones to take the deadbolt out of the door. He dis-assembled it on the table to make sure everything was working properly.  He then searched through a ring that had a couple hundred key blanks on it until he found the right two.  Jose then hand-cut two new keys, using a rat-tailed file (no power tools) before re-assembling the lock and re-installing it.

Just like that!  Total elapsed time from the time I walked into Cortez's shop until the job was done? 65 minutes.  Total cost?  $12 (and, no charge for the ride across town)

Come Share Christmas in Panama.

Turn on your sound and enjoy.

Traffic Problems In Panama?

Panama's director of traffic operations, Juan Herrera, confirmed that 430 people lost their lives in traffic-related incidents in 2009.  That is eight more deaths than experienced the previous year.  Only 142 of the total fatalities were a result of vehicle collisions.  Single car accidents accounted for 61 deaths, and 171 were "vehicle-pedestrian collisions".

The rising number of pedestrian deaths in recent years has resulted in several law changes.  A Presidential Executive Order issued in May of 2008 requires that pedestrians involved in traffic accidents be administered alcohol and drug tests the same as the automobile drivers.  The Order was expanded in September allowing for testing of pedestrians who were not involved in an accident, but are walking in designated 'high- or dangerous-traffic areas'.  So, it is obvious that Walking While Intoxicated (WWI) is a no-no.  Ditto, I suppose WUI.

Till Next Time. Pura Vida.

Mommy, when are we going home?