Larry's Central American Travels

Happenings In David, Panama

The Tranquility of David??

Pedregal is a quiet outer suburb of David whose main claim to fame is a nice marina on the Chirique river about 1/2 mile upstream from where the river flows into the Pacific.  Last week, the police confiscated over 1,500 kilos of cocaine hidden under false bottoms of containers prepared for land shipment.  In the days since, the authorities continue to find additional false-bottomed containers in the shipping facilities.  The total cocaine cache to date is 3,057 kilos, which equates to 6,740 pounds, over 3 tons!

Four people have been arrested, including a Mexican, Francisco Salazar, who has been identified as 'the owner' of the shipment.  Senor Salazar was captured in Pasa Canoa, with three different fake Mexican passports, attempting to sneak across the border into Costa Rica.  Two AK-47s were discovered hidden in his car.  These were in addition to the 'box-full' of AK-47s found in the shipping warehouse in Pedregal.

Panamanian officials are 'extremely upset' about the fact that Salazar had paperwork in his possession which granted customs inspection clearance for a  truck full of containers next week - out of Panama/into Costa Rica, out of Costa Rica/into Guatemala, and out of Guatemala/into Mexico.  You are probably wondering how a truck passes a customs inspection before it even arrives at customs?  No problem,  the paperwork is all complete, just drive, Senor Salazar.

A Measure Of Third World Countries

One of the factors which political scientists and economists use to evaluate countries is economic inequality.  The large economic gap between a country's rich and poor classes is a major factor in classifying countries as 'third world.' 

The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, made up of the world's 30 largest industrialized nations, recently released a report based on statistics gathered over a 20-year period.  The OECD report revealed that economic inequality had increased markedly in 27 of the 30 member countries as top earners' incomes soared while others' stagnated.  The United States was one of the worst, with one of the highest inequality and poverty rates in the OECD. Only Mexico and Turkey scored worse.

The report also noted that the governments of the countries that had continually reduced the gap over the years (France, Denmark, Sweden and Australia),  tended to concentrate on programs that "helped people get training, gain employment and increase income, rather than relying on social benefits."

Signs Of The Times

-  Divorce lawyers across the country report a marked increase in 'virtual wars' breaking out between divorcing couples.  The battle ground centers around that portion of the property settlement having to do with the family home. The newest problem focuses on which of the combatants 'has to' take the family home, not who 'gets to' retain it.  Complicating the issue, according to the attorneys, are the long term implications for both parties.  Regardless of who 'gets stuck with' the property, both people's credit ratings are tied to the mortgage for the duration.

-  Major retailers are reporting the revival of a consumer purchase option that had virtually disappeared in recent years. Widespread credit card woes have caused many consumers to return to what was previously considered an old standby.  Layaway purchases have boomed in recent months.

Most retailers phased out layaway programs starting in the late 1990s, due to the increased use of credit cards combined with the administrative costs of layaway programs.  K-Mart is now offering a 10% down, no interest plan.  Sears revived their layaway program after a 20-year hiatus.  There is even a booming on-line layaway site that services 1,200 retailers. The site, eLayaway.com, has seen it's membership explode from 10,000 earlier in the year, to over 75,000 now.

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida

 

 

It Is Not All Good News

An Unwanted U.S. Connection With Latin America

A new study by the United Nations Development Program ranks Central America as the world's region with the highest homicide rate, with several Caribbean and South American countries not far behind.  The study also notes that this violence is increasingly spreading into major U.S. cities.

El Salvador's homicide rate of 68 killings per 100,000 inhabitants is followed in the region by Guatemala (45), Columbia and Honduras (43), and Venezuela (41). [Note the absence of both Panama and Costa Rica in this list.]  By comparison the homicide rate in the U.S. is less than 6 per 100,000.

What is the U.S. connection?  Well, one example, 17,500 people - including 5,500 with criminal records - have been deported from the U.S. back to El Salvador this year.  Many of these people are gang members who, according to the Salvadorian Justice Minister, "immediately upon arrival, make some fast money through robberies or kidnappings, and go back to the U.S. to join their gangs, usually taking some new immigrants with them."

There are an estimated 300,000 gang members in Central America - in some countries they outnumber the police forces.  One of the biggest gangs, Mara Salvatrucha, originated in Los Angeles, and operates in several other U.S. cities.  Many security officials in the region feel that the U.S.'s Merida Initiative should be oriented more towards crime and violence in general, and less on anti-drug equipment, such as speedboats, only.

Add all of this to the mess in Mexico where drug cartel violence has made that country one of the most dangerous in the world for both residents and visitors.  As you might guess, that violence does spill over to the U.S. border towns.  And, you are probably aware of the recent Mexican drug cartel kidnapping of a little boy in Denver.  If you think that was an isolated incident, you haven't heard the latest out of Phoenix.  There have been 266 kidnappings and over 300 break-ins in Phoenix this year alone attributed to Mexican drug cartel activities.  Officials in Phoenix law enforcement, the FBI and the DEA all agree that this number of reported incidents represent only about a third of the actual cases.

In Mexico right now, news reporters writing about drug violence do not add their personal by-lines in an effort to retain their anonymity, as a result of the execution-style murders of over a hundred of their cohorts. So the gangs have now taken to just killing reporters indiscriminately. even at the large number of newspapers that now refuse to print any articles related to drugs or the drug cartels.  The 2,800 people who have been victims this year of drug war violence include hundreds of innocent by-standers, including school children.  And it is was not even considered unusual last month, when 13 people were killed at a family gathering that included several teenagers and two babies. Gangs even put up banner-type signs on freeway overpasses threatening people who show any support for the government's anti-drug measures.

So what is my point?  I will say again.  Our  neighbors to the south in this hemisphere, friends and foe alike, pose a serious threat, possibly the biggest threat to the American way of life, over the next few years.  The potential impact, if we don't get a handle on it is almost unimaginable.  Free trade legislation, immigration policies, anti-drug programs, poverty programs, joint educational improvements and cooperative anti-crime measures are not just philosophical concepts to be mulled endlessly in this part of the world.  The 'enemy within' could pose dangers that, though maybe not as dramatically 'headline grabbing', could make 9-11 impacts look like child's play by comparison. 

Can you even imagine your world when/if, right there in Hometown USA, you might be 'targeted for elimination' for standing up at the PTA meeting and voicing your concerns about drugs in the school, school security or police activities.  Neither could Jose Vizcarra, a Juarez attorney, as recently as just two years ago.  But now he added, "Even six months ago, I never thought I would ever be doing things like having chips inserted in my family members' arms so they can be tracked if kidnapped."

More From Panama

Meet A Character Named Tito!

Tito Jose is one of the street vendors that works the streets around the park square, but he is not just A Vendor. Tito is a real hustler - when you look the term up in Webster's, his picture is there.  For starters, you never can be sure which cart Tito will show up with tomorrow.  However, if you look out on the park early in the morning and only see one hot dog vendor, you can be sure that Tito will be along in a few minutes with his hot dog cart.  If you see two or three hot dog vendors, you know it will be Tito's orange juice day - bags of oranges turned to fresh-squeezed when ordered. Tito is also the only vendor that has multiple lines.  Lost your lighter, want a Panama ball cap, a handkerchief - all kinds of magic stuffed away in the bottoms of the cart.

Tito is also the expert, the contact man on almost any subject you can think of, any problem you need help with.  He is the only street vendor allowed to come up in the hotel - none of the others could ever get by the front desk.  That is because Tito is working with the guy in 214 on his passport, the couple in 244 trying to close on their new house, the guy in 220 looking for an apartment, the gal in 208 trying to get her car through customs, etc - you get the idea.

Tito never shuts up, you can hear him chattering all day long, and he also speaks excellent English - not good, excellent English.  Remember my rule, learned from years overseas, that the guy who speaks English too well bears watching?  The reason they speak really good English 9-times-out-of-10 involves a story you may not want to know.

Well here is Tito's story (got your salt shaker handy).  Tito is a Columbian, who years ago was an officer on a Columbian Navy ship that when they tied-up in Florida,  U.S. customs discovered a bunch of dope hidden below.  None of the ship's crew knew anything about it, so they all were sentenced to jail terms.  That is the reason that Tito spent seven years in a U.S. Federal prison.  That explains his good English.  Got that? 

Not sure that explains why he is not allowed back into Columbia?  Or why he is land-locked here in Panama, because he can no longer go back into Costa Rica where he lived for eight years?  Oh well, I'm sure that is another story, or three, and I didn't ask!

Democracy Venezuelan Style - Oh Boy!

This year's elections in Venezuela have taken on a special significance for President Hugo Chavez, especially after last year's rejection by the electorate of his attempts to amend the Constitution allowing him to be president for life.  Add to that the fact that Chavez's house-of-cards is crumbling due to the collapse of crude oil prices, resulting in inflation, interrupted funding of social and welfare programs, and rising unemployment.  It looks like the elections are going to be chaos - or worse.

Manuel Rosales, the opposition governor of Zuila state, who is leading in the campaign for mayor of Maracaibo, the nation's second-largest city, says that Chavez "wants to wipe out and criminalize all political opponents."  [Note that in much of Latin America, governments are structured such that mayors of major cities are much more powerful than the governors of the states or provinces.]

Chavez, on the other hand, threatened in a speech on Tuesday to shut down any TV station that broadcast election results, and said he had ordered secret police "to keep an eye on Rosales.  That criminal must go to prison,"  Chavez added. He also threatened to cut off national funds and send tanks into the streets of states that end up in the hands of the opposition party.  In addition, he ordered soldiers to seize the airport in a dispute with the opposition party governor of the state of Sucre.

Opposition leaders also continue to complain about bullying by pro-Chavez thugs, campaign-season criminal investigations, and repeated hours-long interrogations at airports.  Rosales, Chavez's leading opponent in the 2006 presidential race, gets really special attention.  In a speech last month, Chavez called for Rosales to be imprisoned for corruption.  The next day three formal investigations were opened, one each by the government's anti-corruption office, the attorney-general's office, and a committee of pro-Chavez lawmakers.  See bureaucracies do not always move slow! 

Come on now, let's join hands.  Isn't there a Spanish version of  Khum By Yah?

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida.

 

Happy Thanksgiving From Panama

A United Nation's Report Makes Some Sense Of The System (Sort Of)

There are certain aspects of the Panamanian society that are almost impossible for we ex-pats to comprehend.  The United Nation's Program for Development just released a multi-nation report entitled The National Human Development Report.   There findings shed some light on my confusion.  Now, I understand some things I didn't before - sort of.

First, here are some examples of the way things are commonly done here that you need to be aware of.  I can sit on the hotel balcony almost any time of day and watch the parking cop (he would be the 'meter maid', if they had meters) on his rounds.  When he walks up to an illegally parked car, he pulls out his ticket book and then starts stalling, just hanging around.  Sure enough, in a minute or two the car's owner comes rushing up. A conversation ensues.  If, the driver then shakes hands with the cop, you know there will be no ticket written.  The driver has palmed a dollar bill.  Case closed. (The parking fine is only $1, but you have to spend probably hours at city hall to pay it).  Everybody is happy.

A similar 'game' is played with seat belts.  It seems half the police force makes a living from suddenly popping out of nowhere to flag down cars.  This occurs all over town. The infraction?  No seat belt in use.  Then, the driver waits for the part of the lecture where the cop mentions the $100 fine.  That means it is time to shake hands with the officer, who will now become your best friend with the new $20 bill in his pocket.  In one case, when I was a passenger in the car, the stern officer then became our best friend, offered unsolicited directions to our destination.  By the way, the fine for a seat belt infraction is actually only $20.

Immigration is probably the mother lode.  To get 'permanent resident' status in Panama is a real administrative hassle (there are really significant advantages to residency status - that's another subject, another time).  If you proceed 'by the book', the process takes about a year, will require at least one trip back to the U.S. to retrieve documents, such as a notarized copy of your police report from your home town.  Then there are requirements for notarized documents verifying income, a physical exam, a statement from two Panamanian sponsors, a series of forms from the U.S. Embassy, etc., etc., etc.  You also have to pay to have all of the documents translated into Spanish and notarized.  To start the process, you put down an $800 deposit which is non-refundable if your application is denied for any reason.  Add in another $800 +/ for lawyers fees, and you are just about there.

The alternative method?  If you get connected to the right person who knows the right person in the Immigration Office, there is an 'easy way.'  For about $800, under the table, you can get residency status in about 3-4 days.  You end up being issued a replacement Panamanian resident ID card, to replace the one you lost.  At the same time, there are three notarized statements signed by an immigration official placed in your file in immigration.  One is back-dated confirming that all of the documents for granting residency status are in the file, that your residency is approved, and an ID card has been issued.  The second document specifies that a second card was issued by immigration to replace a lost card.  The third document specifies that immigration has misplaced the original supporting documentation that was in this file (see Document #1), and a search for the missing documents is on-going.  Questions anyone?

What does the U.N. report have to do with this?  Panama got very low scores in the survey which was conducted with hundreds of people 'on the street'.  Over 65% of Panamanians say they "always make decisions based on personal interest rather than on principles and mores, often disregarding what is commonly recognized as correct behavior."  Over 69% admit they are convinced that breaking the rules makes life easier, and 86% say they no longer trusted their fellow citizens.  Even more alarming, 78% say they "have little interest in seeking collective solutions to societal issues."  The report concludes, "The average person has accepted juego vivo (corruption) as part of everyday life."

Justice Latino Style

An Argentine opposition leader, Elisa Carrio, asked a federal court to order a corruption probe of former President Nestor Kirchner.  Carrio asserts that boxes of documents submitted to the court prove that Kirchner and two others personally profited from government contracts, laundered money and evaded taxes.  The government's Interior Minister complained that an  investigation of this type "would hinder the advancement of democracy by bogging the country down."

A federal judge will exam the complaint to determine if an official investigation should be opened.  According to a court spokesman, the initial review could take months, and, based on history, an investigation could extend for years.  In addition, if warranted by the investigation, a trial "could extend even longer."  In other words, actuarial tables are going to come into play before this is over.

Oh, and to further complicate things, the former president is the husband of Argentina's current president,  Christina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Till Next Time. Pura Vida.

 

The Latest From Central America

A Rude Awakening

Last Tuesday night I had had just dozed off when my airplane hit some really severe turbulence.  As I jerked awake I realized that the armrests I had a death grip on where on my TV-watching chair in my hotel room and the noise was pictures thrown off the wall hitting the floor.  I spent the next 30 seconds (that seemed like an eternity) riding out an earthquake that measure 6.2 on the Richter scale. The only thoughts that kept going through my head (that I can remember) where "How old is this hotel?" and worrying that I was on the third floor and there were two stories of hotel above me.

I had been in earthquakes before in Japan, Okinawa and, when I lived in Southern California they were fairly common.  In California it was fairly common to be awakened at night by the sliding windows throughout the house rattling due to tremors, or to be driving down the street and realize there was a quake going on by the way that the suspended traffic signals were gyrating.  Now I am not suggesting that you get used to earthquakes after you have been through a few of them, unless you are a complete idiot.  But, prior to this, the one that scared me the most was in Okinawa, when the quake noise as it came rolling up the canyon sounded like an approaching freight train, and sound and tremors washed over us simultaneously.  But, let me tell ya, 6.2 is no fun. It does not get your attention, it scares the Be-Jesus out of ya. I don't want to have a do-over, thank you.

After I checked over my room, I walked out on the balcony and realized that many of the hotel guests were standing out in the street.  Several of them started chiding me for not being out there with them in a safe zone.  When I suggested that an aftershock might result in the balcony I was standing on ending up piled up right where they were standing, I discovered that many people's sense of humor does not extend to earthquakes, at least not while aftershocks are a possibility.  Oops!

Best Pay Attention When You Fill Out Your Customs Form.

So far this year, over $4 million (U.S. dollar equivalent) in undeclared money has been seized by customs at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.  The total involves 105 people from a variety of countries. Just last week, an undeclared $25,700 was seized from a Columbian who was boarding a flight to return to his home country.  The traveler insisted that he had 'forgotten all about the money.'  Gee, given his bad memory, I wished he had decided to leave it with me before he left.

Pirated CDs and DVDs Are Big Business - And A Bigger Problem

Pirated music CDs and movie DVDs are common here in David.  There are three 'sales stands' right in the area of the Central Park.  And, the vendors do not even pretend the copies are legit.  The cover art is so bleached out it is hardly readable.  Twice the police have taken off, in handcuffs, the two young guys who normally set up shop in front of the hotel.  The next morning they are right back. Go figure.

The police just busted large pirating facilities in three different cities, seizing equipment and over 2,000 illegal copies.  In a two-month period earlier in the year, authorities confiscated over 200,000 CDs, which represented an estimated $1.8 million in lost royalties to artists.  The police estimate that Margarita Henriques, who just won the Latin American Idol contest last month, has already lost thousands of dollars in royalties due to pirating of her very popular CDs.

To make a bad situation even worse, yesterday the senior prosecutor for investigating crimes involving intellectual property says that he now has hard evidence that organized crime is using funds coming from pirated music and movies to finance local gangs engaged in drug traffic, kidnapping and robbery. (For your information, that language is local code for 'Colombians gangsters')  As a result, those people detained by investigators for pirating are hesitant to divulge information for fear of retaliation, even if their reticence results in they themselves remaining in detention.

Anybody want the latest CD, cheap?

What is Transparency You Ask?

As part of negotiations surrounding Free Trade Agreements, the U.S. requires that future trading partner countries either have or establish measures to insure 'transparency of government.'  These measures are basically anti-corruption in government measures.  Over two years ago Panama passed the Transparency of Government Act which created a cabinet level Secretary of Transparency.  One of the most important requirements established by the legislation was that all (ALL) government institutions' web sites (the sites were already in existence due to previous legislation) had to list, for public consumption,  full information on payroll, contracts awarded and payment of all employees travel expenses.

An independent watch-dog group, the National Council of Transparency Against Corruption, just finished a review of  government agencies' web sites.  Of the 44 sites reviewed, 35 were not in compliance with the law.  Those not in compliance included the Tourism Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Minister of Government and Minister of Justice.  All of these agencies, as you might guess, are big dollar components of the national government.  All agency spokespeople blamed computer programming problems for the over two-year delay.

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida.

 

Hola From David Panama

Panama - A Great Place To Retire

Panama won third place in the 2008 ranking of the "World's Best Places To Retire", published by the magazine International Living.  Panama was ranked #1 for six consecutive years (2001-2006), slipping to second in 2007 behind Ecuador.  In 2008,  Ecuador and Mexico slipped in ahead of Panama. 

Panama is still ranked #1 in the world in the categories of both Safety/Security and Political Stability.  A rising cost of living attributed to Panama's slipping ratings in 2007-2008.

Free At Last, Free At Last.  Thank God Almighty .......

The past week the European Union (EU) rescinded the 20-year old ban on the sale of 26 different fruits and vegetables that are mis-shaped or have 'odd curves'.  The ban applied to everything from apricots to hazelnuts (in shell only) to chicory.  Over the years, the ban on 'ugly' had triggered considerable ridicule, critics citing the ban as proof positive that the EU, and the member governments, desired to 'regulate every nook and cranny of Europeans' lives."

However, that was not the reason the ban was lifted.  According to the EU Agricultural Minister, the ban was outdated, and enforcement and reporting had become "a red-tape nightmare."  But, be not dismayed, the "pretty food standards" still applies to 10 types of fruits and vegetables, including apples, strawberries and tomatoes.  However, the EU left it to the member governments who may allow the "uglier" versions to be sold if they wish.  Phew!

Lifting of the ban was resisted by Italy, Spain, France and Hungary.  Those government felt that lifting the ban "might scare customers away."  So at least in those four countries, citizens can go to sleep at night without the danger of having nightmares about ugly ribbed celery.  Maybe if the U.S. government had regulated banks, investment house, Fannie Mae, etc. the way the EU oversees the appearance of eggplants and Brussels sprouts ....  Oh well, never mind.

Just When You Think You've Heard It All??

-  An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence for a journalism student, sentencing him to 20 years in prison instead.  Parwez Kambakhsh, aged 24, was convicted of blasphemy for asking questions in a university class about women's rights under Islam. Just so you don't have to go look it up, yes, Afghaniistan is one of our allies.

- The government of Panama has undertaken a major program to replace all the light bulbs in the country with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs.  Phase One of Operation Bombillo (Operation Light bulb) will replace 3 million bulbs at a cost of $6.4 million dollars.  The cost of the total program, to be accomplished over five years in three phases, is budgeted at $14 million.  One 'clever devil pundit' suggested that the same goals could be achieved in approximately the same amount of time by restricting the sale of replacement bulbs to the fluorescent bulbs only.  A government spokesman responded that "an attrition approach would be too expensive."  Huh?

-  Cuba's foreign minister announced at a business forum in Mexico City that Cuba was undertaking a salary reform in an effort to resolve the contradiction resulting in bellboys in  hotels, and waiters in restaurants earning more than the country's top surgeons.  However, he cautioned that the measures would have to be handled carefully, and probably be implemented in phases.  He explained, "There will be inflation and damage to our currency if we just start throwing money around."  Reportedly his comments were made straight-faced.

-  Speaking of Cuba, Panama contracted-out the Operation Bombillo program, mentioned above, to three Cuban companies who will provide the bulbs, manage logistic, and insure proper bulb installation.  Critics of the program insist that the government's statement that "none of the Cuban workers will receive compensation for their participation" is untrue.  The Panamanian government clarified that the workers will "only receive airfare, accommodations, local transportation, cellular phones, Internet access and a daily expense allowance of $25."  Oh, I see.  The workers, coming from Cuba where a surgeon doesn't make $25 a week, will just have to get by on that?  Thank goodness Cuba has a bunch of technical experts who can install a light bulb. Where do I sign up for training?

Oh Boy, Is This One A Doozy!

At the urging of the Panamanian version of the American Medical Association, along with several other health-related organizations, there is a bill presently under consideration in the Nacional Aseamble establishing guidelines for "sexual and reproductive health education in the schools."  Do you suppose there is some controversy surrounding this legislation?  Rather than give you the blow-by-blow, this little blurb about a recent Aseamble committee hearing summarizes it well:

"Amid shouts, booing, insults and some serious complaints, the Health Committee of the Nacional Aseamble launched the consultation period of the draft law on sexual and reproductive health. Emotions were heated from the start, but exacerbated when evangelical deputy, Vladimir Herrera said that those who support the measure 'are a group of homosexuals'.  Health Minister Rosario Turner countered that it was obvious from the criticism that opponents had not even read the bill.  She suggested that people should read before critiquing.  She went on to add 'for most of you, you should be able to find someone to read it to you.'"

Ouch. Well. That's all I have.  Questions?

Great T-Shirts Seen In Town

I see some great T-shirts in this town, although sometimes I am not sure whether the wearer understands English all that well.  Other times I am not sure whether a subtle Americano humor fully translates. To wit:

 - This rather large women was coming my way, and I could see from a distance the first line in big print of her shirt said, "Once is Enough."  As she got closer the 2nd line became readable, "Don't Press Your Luck."  The last line, in small print, cautioned, "An Encore Could Kill You!" 

-  A young teen-aged girl's T-shirt said in flowery script, "OK, I'm Here."  And on the next line, "What's Your Other Two Wishes?"

-  But, my all time favorite, which I'll bet anything the wearer didn't really understand, "OK, You Are Not Happy", and the line below asked, "So, Which One Are You?"

Want To Do Business in Panama?  Know The System!

As I have mentioned before, the crime rate in Panama is very low, particularly by U.S. standards.  And, what little crime there is, is concentrated in Panama City and the port city of Colon. I have also noted in previous posting on this blog that here is a big presence of police and security personnel here in David.  Not only are there police seemingly everywhere, almost all businesses, including the pharmacies and grocery stores, employed armed security guards. In high-value establishments like pawn shops, jewelry shops and stereo gear stores, the security people actually buzz you in and scan your body with a wand.  And, even open-air shoe stores have security cameras.  No store owner takes his receipts to the bank, even the stores located next door to the bank.  Brink trucks make the rounds all day and most of the night. This security presence is not oppressive, and gives considerable credence to the theory that a police presence is a deterrent to crime.

Last week, in Panama City, an armed robbery was stopped by the chance passing of a motorcycle policeman.  An armed teenager had taken about $12,000 cash at gunpoint from a Kentucky Fried Chicken moments before it was due to open.  He was apprehended, after some shots were exchanged, by the officer in the parking lot. 

The police investigators later revealed that KFC stores in Panama City had been robbed nine times this year, and more than $40,000 has been stolen.  This is the third time this particular store has been robbed.  The police investigator speculated that KFCs have been targeted because they do not have security cameras. Duh!  And, he added, "The security guards are not schedlued to start work until just before dark."  Hello, KFC.   ¡Dé la bienvenida a Panamá!  Double Duh!

You Think 'No Child Left Behind' Has Problems?

The Council for Education in Latin America just released the results of a study they conducted throughout the region, evaluating the existing education systems.  This survey was the first step in a 4-year initiative by the multi-national organization aimed at improving education systems in Latin America.

In Panama 30,00 students were evaluated all over the country.  The results in Panama were summarized by this observation, "High school students are graduating with the equivalent of a seventh grade education."  Wow!  And, the survey showed there was no statistically significant differences between the progress of students attending private versus public schools.

The study also emphasized that an immediate focus needed to be placed on math and Spanish for students in the first three grades of grade school. The National Minster of Education noted that, "Students do not have the ability to interpret a text they have just read."  The director of curriculum for the Universidad de Panama added that the majority of students who passed the entrance exams and were admitted to the university, "face a process of strengthening basic skills before they can enter into the core courses of their chosen career cirriculum." 

Adding to this gloomy picture,  the Comptroller's Office latest census report reveals that 142,085 people, mainly in the indigenous Indian regions are illiterate, can neither read or write.  This figure is particularly disappointing in that a major program to eliminate illiteracy launched in 2000, after the problem was highlighted by a similar census report, has resulted in reducing the illiterate population by less than 3,000 people.

So, identifying and quantifying the problems is the first step in forming solutions.  These are problems that can be fixed, particularly if an informed population applies some pressure on the politicians.  Right? Whoops, not so fast.  A study by the Inter-American Development Bank shows that, in spite of all the studies and reports to the contrary,  73% of Panamanians say they are happy with the public educations system. What?  Even worse, the IAB says that the responses in Panama where consistent with responses throughout Latin America. "The majority of Latin Americans are satisfied with the state of the educations systems despite the fact that students are being left behind their peers in developed nations."  Their report went on to say, "..half the 15-19 year-aged group in Latin America lacks the education required to obtain a well-paying job."  The bank's report concluded that the impetus to improve educational systems would have to come from governments.  Oh, right.  Good luck!

Is Obama The Modern Version Of Jackson?

Andrew Jackson became the nation's seventh president after a long and hard campaign.  (It is speculated that the rigors of the campaign were the stimulus of his wife's fatal heart attack shortly after his inauguration.)  Jackson replaced an unpopular president who was the son of a former president. He came to the office promising "an agenda of change, a new America."

Jackson was convinced that the power of the presidency was not sourced from political parties, interest groups or power bases.  Rather, Jackson insisted that the real power of the office was the intellect of the president himself.  He also surrounded himself with some of the best minds available from a wide variety of disciplines within the society, several of whom where of significantly different political persuasions than he.

So, yes, there are some rather striking similarities between Obama and Jackson, at least at this juncture.  Let's hope that Obama also adopts another of Jackson's basic tenets of the presidency. Jackson is said to have on many occasion reminded advisors that, "The president's number one responsibility is to look out for 'the little guy'.  That large group of people whose voices are not heard."  Hmm?

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida!

The only remaining golden altar in Panama.  All the others were plundered by the infamous Captain Morgan
 

A ´little place´at the lake near Los Santos.  No, it is not a hotel.

In the running for ´leading man´?

The U.S. Elections As Seen Through A Prism From Panama

This is a special one-subject posting on the U.S. elections.

The U.S. Presidential Race got a lot of attention in Panama, an interest level that intensified noticeably as November the 4th approached.  It would be an understatement to say that the U.S. elections got more attention than the upcoming Panamanian presidential election.  In retrospect, it is not too surprising that the U.S. elections got a lot of press, both in the form of news stories and editorial comment, since Panama as a nation, like the rest of Latin America, has a vested interest in the the policies and actions (or lack of same) taken by the U.S.  The policies of the U.S.on immigration, free trade agreements, financial recovery, energy, and anti-drug measures, just to name the 'hot' issues, are not just theoretical concepts and 'talking points' to the Panamanians.  They see real life and predictable impacts of all these programs on daily lifes in this nation of only 3.3 million people.

Panama, in some ways, is more symbiotically entwined with the U.S. than some of its neighbors in the region.  First off, a large portion of the population has a special warm spot for the Americanos, viewing the U.S. as their liberators from the tyrannical military dictatorship of Manuel Noriega. This is especially evident with older people.

The fact that the national currency is the U.S. dollar is also an important factor.  This is nice at the micro level for me personally .  Unlike some of my friends and acquaintances in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Columbia, I am personally insulated from the dollar's fluctuations on world markets when I go to the ATM machine.  However, in a macro sense, obviously Panama fortunes fluctuates along with the U.S.'s fortunes with dollar's fluctuations.

Keep in mind, also, that over 35% of Panama's economy is derived from tourism, and the vast majority of the tourist traffic is from the U.S.  According to the Panamanian Tourism Minister, even though Panama's prices for everything are much cheaper than other popular tourist destinations around the world, the average tourist spends almost 30% more in Panama than in the other popular destinations.  And, it is not due to just shopping sprees in Panama's Free Trade Zones.  The average tourist stay longer in Panama than the other destinations, thus spreading more money into the hands of the 'common man' - hotels, restaurants, tour companies, cab drivers, waiters/waitresses, street vendors, etc.

One additional item that is often overlooked - just floats by under the radar screen.  Mexico and Central American economies depend heavily on remittances to families from family members who have immigrated to, and are working in, the U.S.  As a result, the on-going immigration and legalization debate in the U.S. has a special meaning to these countries.  This is not as big a factor in Panama as in the other countries, but estimates still place those remittances at approximately 12-14% of the Panamanian economy. It is illuminating to note that every year many  Panamanians living in the U.S hold a special 'home-coming' party in Panama City as part of Panama's mega Independence Day celebration.  This year there were 1,700 people who trekked down from the U.S. to join the party.  The two Panamanian airlines had to add extra flights. The 1,700 attendees represent "only the tip of the iceberg" of Panamanians working in the U.S. according to the newspaper, La Prenza.

OK, so none of this is too surprising especially if one is following events closely, or is some kind of political wonk.  What was surprising to me, astonishing even, was the interest in our elections by the 'man on the street' here in David. As the elections neared, all of a sudden people were questioning me about how I was going to vote.  And not just friends and acquaintances, but just people I come in contact with on a daily basis.  They wanted to talk about my vote - the hot dog vendor, the lottery ticket vendors, the 'make a telephone call for 15 cents/minute' guys, the clerks in the pharmacy and grocery stores, the janitors and maids in the hotel. 

By the first of November, that curiosity had spread to complete strangers.  You could see it coming as people approached you in the park, for instance.  The had a visual lock-on and would walk up smiling, and I already knew what the question was going to be.  Even with my limited Spanish, all I had to do was listen for the keywords, "McCain or Obama?"   Originally, rather than encouraging a conversation that would go nowhere (Spanish, remember?), I would laugh it off with a, "Es un secreto voto."  But for the persistent questioner, I could always cut off the conversation by whispering my choice, "Balbina." (Balbina Herrera is the majority party's candidate in the up-coming Panamanian presidential elections.)

At the national level, the election of Obama, while universally seen as a step up for the U.S. by electing a minority president, is not too surprisingly getting mixed initial reviews, responses which cover the political spectrum. Panamanian political journalist, Pedro Sanchez, gushes, "There will be a tremendous change economically, socially and politically around the world."   Senator Alfredo Munez, however, suggests, "The election of a black president in the U.S. is not a solution to the problems of people all over the world." 

More vocal than others, Antonio Portez, a senior statesman and former ambassador turned political philosopher, says, "Latin America often tends to behave a bit like an unwanted orphan who suddenly discovers a famous uncle, who will hopefully wipe away the tears and provide a protective arm.  It doesn't work that way.  The U.S. will act in their own best interests. And, a new president will define those 'best interests' in his, and his party's, own terms.  McCain's history at least made him somewhat predictable. Obama is an unknown with practically no history.  In this case, before we embrace him as a 'famous uncle', we should determine what he is famous for.  He could turn out to be infamous."  Ouch!

The Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. is a BIG issue in Panama. Many leaders have expressed fears that Obama favors protectionists measures to rescue American jobs.  I guarantee you that it is impossible to go far enough back into the boondocks of Panama's farm country to find a farmer who can not recite to you the legend (true or false) of the the American government pay millionaire farmers not to grow crops in a time of worldwide hunger.  And it is no mere coincidence that Panama is knee-deep in brand new foreign (non-U.S.) automobiles, including some manufacturers and models I have never heard of.  That $3,000-4,000 per car cost add-on by Detroit automakers to cover worker benefits and retirement programs is a deal buster here.

Although the reaction to the election was not surprising at the national level, the reaction at the street level was amazement.  The 'Joe the Plumbers' of Panama can not believe we elected a black president.  Days later, they still can't stop talking about it and asking questions about it.  I was totally caught off guard by this reaction.  I now speak enough Spanish, and my friend Jorge speaks enough English that we can carry on a pretty good conversation in Spanglish.  And we have waxed philosophic on occasion on a variety of subjects, albeit usually about 'last call' time.  Jorge was able to shed some light on this subject for me. Jorge's explanation (theory) about why Panamanians are so surprised about the election makes sense to me based on my personal observations over the last nearly two years in Central America.

The latest report estimates over 10% of U.S. citizens reside outside of the U.S.- and Panama is one of the biggest overseas retirement locations in the world for U.S. retirees. So, Gringos are not a rarity in Panama.  Many of the expatriates here are retired couples clustered in retirement communities such as Boquete up the road from David, and they are not the problem.  But, there are also a lot of  U.S. vagabonds in Central America, most of whom are 50+ year-old men.  I try to stay clear of them because, sad to say, most of  them are nut cases of some variety. (A friend says they are all either wanted or unwanted in the States.)   They run the whole goof ball gambit - drunks, druggies, 70 year-olds proud to squire around their 20 year-old Panamanian girl friends, etc. - you get the idea. And this group seems to share a common trait - they are all also 'wack jobs' of some variety.  Until I learned to avoid them, I was privy to every conspiracy theory about what was going on in the world you could ever imagine. For instance, I met a guy who has scientific proof that hurricanes are individually orchestrated by the U.S. to thin out the population in the Caribbean and certain parts of the U.S where minorities are clustered.  That is why hurricanes hit different places and can't be predicted by the forecasters. It has nothing to do with weather and atmospheric factors. Understand?

All of these clowns also seem to be unaware that profanity and racial slurs are not acceptable in this country, and that everyone within earshot, regardless of their English proficiency, understands such phrases. Jorge suggests that since most 'normal' Americans just ignore them and do not call these clowns down on that type of language/behavior, that the Panamanians assume that all Gringos are, at best, closet racists.  Jorge used as proof of this theory the way that the people of David, seemingly of all walks of life, have taken to me (Which they have. They treat me like family).  He says that after I called people down on racial comments (on more than one occasion), and after I also assisted him as mediator/bouncer with a couple of obnoxious drunken Gringos in his bar, the word spread all over town like wildfire. "This Matthews guy is not your normal gringo," is the word on the street.

God, it is sad to think that a few bad apples can implant that stigma as an image of the American population.  Forty years after the book, and the resultant movie "The Ugly American," the image is still alive and well in Panama.  Jorge thinks that the Obama election has caused a lot of Panamanians to reflect on their perceptions and images of the typical American, and it will now all go away.  I would like to think that were true.  But, equally sad to say,  I figure it will not be very long until I have to bust another set of chops.  Another in a long line of nut jobs will take it upon himself to walk right up to me, a complete stranger, and explain that one of the reasons he likes David is that there "are not very many 'f..ing N-word ' here."  And if history is any indicator, the idiot will not originate this conversation in private, or at a low volume level.  "These [Latino racial slur] don't speak English anyway," will be his next response.  How in the world can some bozo who has a racial bias against Latinos decide to pack up and come to Central America?  Probably for the same reason some people can come down here and get ugly with a local because they don't speak English. I am getting too old for this insanity!!

Live And In Color From Panama

Now This Is A Real Holiday Celebration.

In Panama the Independence Day holiday actually becomes more of a holiday month.  Check out this schedule of holiday celebrations.

Nov 2 - Dia de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased).  Similar to Memorial Day in the U.S.
Nov 3 - Independence Day from Colombia (1903)
Nov 4 - Flag Day
Nov 5 - Colon Recognition Day.  On this day in 1903, officials in the province of Colon convinced Colombian forces not to march to Panama City in response to the declaration of independence made by officials in Panama City on the 3rd.  Instead the troops laid down there arms in exchange for a reported $8,000.
Nov 6 - El Día de Libertad (The Day of Freedom)
Nov 10 - "The First Cry for Independence from Spain Day."  The province of Los Santos was the first to declare independence from Spain in 1821.  When Jose Murgeon, the then Spanish governor, was chartered by his superiors in Spain to go to Equador to defeat the liberator Simon Bolivar, he left his assistant, Panamanian Jose de Fabrega, in charge of the interior of Panama. Murgeon was barely out of sight when Fabrega, incensed by the Spaniard's taxing of Panamanians to support the expedition, declared the interior province's independence from Spain.
Nov 28 - Independence from Spain (1821).  The rest of the country followed the Los Santos province's lead, proclaiming independence from Spain and forming a voluntary union with Colombia.

The calendar is rather daunting if you are trying to run a business.  All of the days listed, since they are national holidays, require that employees be paid holiday pay if they are required to work. Also, note that all the banks were closed from their normal closing time of noon on Saturday (the 1st) until 9AM on Thursday the 6th.  Needless to say, most ATM machines were empty by the evening of November 3rd. And, the lines to get in the Banco National (many people do not have ATM cards [Thank God]) on Thursday morning ran down the block and around the corner all morning.

You Don't Want To Scratch Paradise's Surface

The Economic Commission for Latin America just released an in-depth report on economic conditions in the region conducted in 2007.  According to the report, 28.6 percent of the population of  Panama made less than $95 a month in the city, and $64 a month in rural areas.  The report notes that this is a marked improvement from a similar report in 2001, when the figure was 36.7 percent. (For a reference point, the minimum wage for domestic help in Panama for a 10 hour-day, six day work week is $300.)

The report notes, however, that "the magnitude of the problem remains alarming."  While 2 out of 10 people living in metropolitan areas are poor, the percentage of poverty increases to 80 percent in the indigenous tribal areas.  More than half of the population in the indigenous regions are classified as living in extreme poverty, making less than $36 a month.

The Panama Chamber of Commerce President, Jose Varela, says that overcoming this level of poverty is highly dependent on improving the quality of the educational systems in the rural and indigenous areas.  According to the 2008 Global Competitiveness Index prepared by the World Economic Forum, the educational system in Panama is among the worst in the world, ranking 108th out of 132 countries that were evaluated.  Senor Varela states that, "Children in the indigenous and rural areas are not educated or prepared to escape the poverty cycle or the regional (rural) area."

As I noted in a previous posting on this blog, there is also an almost 20 year difference in life expectancy between the residents of Panama's urban versus rural areas.

Speaking Of Education

This was a recent headline in the Panamanian issue of the Miami Herald. "Children today are less likely to finish high school than their parents, according to a recent study."  Wow.  That got my attention.  What country are they talking about?  The study report notes that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation where young people are less likely to earn a diploma than their parents.  One in four kids is dropping out of school, a rate that hasn't budged for at least five years.  The purpose of the study, conducted by The Education Trust, which advocates on behalf of minority and poor children, was to review the progress of, among other things, the 2002 No Child Left Behind Law. 

I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of said law is pretty much limited to only an awareness of the legislation's name, and I can only partly blame my ignorance on the fact that I did not have school aged children since it was implemented. I guess we are probably all aware that the law requires all high schools to meet graduation targets every year. But, did you know that the targets, both the overall, long-term graduation rate target and the yearly progress, are set by the states.  So, whether a child is or is not being 'left behind' is a function of what state the child lives in.

-  In North Carolina, schools must improve their graduation rate each year by 0.1% (yes, that is one-tenth of one percent). At that rate it would take nearly a century to raise the graduation rate, now 72%, to the state established goal of 80%.
-  In Maryland, the annual graduation rate increase goal is even worse - 0.01%. It will take a millennium for the graduation rate for black students to reach the goal of 90% from the present 72%.
-  In both Delaware and New Mexico the state goal is to merely maintain the present graduation rate.  The present graduation rates are 76% and 67%, respectively.

Realizing that I possess only a 'layman's' knowledge about educational systems, I nonetheless find this whole subject baffling.  I realize that setting a 100% graduation rate may be unrealistic and ultimately unreachable.  But, setting a success rate goal at anything less than 100%, to me implies an acceptable 'program failure goal.'  'No (NO) Child Left Behind'?  Hello!  The program starts off with an 'acceptable' percentage left behind.  Does the term 'self-fulfilling prophecy' ring a bell?  Unbelievable!  And, let me guess.  Was there a new federal office established in the big bureaucracy in the sky when this law was passed?

I am certain that some of my readers are more familiar with this subject than I.  I know that several of my friends are in, or were in, the education profession.  I invite comments from any, and all of you on this subject.  I will, with your permission, be more than happy to publish them here.

Another Amazing Study Results

Health official say that bedbugs, the small roachy-looking bloodsuckers have been spreading through out the country's homes and hotels at such a pace that by next year they are expected to displace cockroaches and termites as the leading domestic pest insect.  The national health officials issuing the warning to their nation was the U.S. Health Department.  So, "Sleep Tight and Don't  Let the ......"  Well, never mind.  Sweet dreams!

Things You Will Seldom, If Ever, See/Hear In David, Panama

1.  A weather report on TV or radio
2.  Cats. And there are not that many Chinese restaurants. So, where are they??
3.  Lemons. But, the country is knee-deep in limes. Go figure.  Maybe it is a language problem.  The Spanish word for lemon is limon (pronounced lee moan).  Maybe they don't even realize they don't have lemons??
4. Any parent being 'tough' with a little kid in public (neither verbally or physically).
5. Panamanians arguing.  Raised voices and wild gestures usually are associated with a soccer debate.
6.  Profanity.  And, I would recognize it.  That was the only Spanish my Mexican high school classmates and teammates taught me.
7.  A traffic report.
8.  Country/Western music, even in the music stores  (deprivation!)
9.  American BBQ  (now this is getting serious!)
10.  Any kind of blended Canadian whiskey. Everything else under the sun is readily available, both in the bars and the grocery stores.  But, Seagram's 7, VO, Crown Royal, etc.,  Nada. (really serious problem)

And, If You Believe That .. I Have A Bridge For Sale, Cheap

As you may know, former Panamanian dictator Noreiga is still in U.S. custody, fighting extradition to France where he faces money laundering charges.  He insists that he wants to return to Panama.  What you may not know is that Noriega was convicted in absentia in Panama on eight different federal convictions.  He still faces sentencing from those convictions because Panamanian law does not allow sentencing in absentia. The crimes he was convicted of range from murder (three separate cases), extortion, money laundering, and assorted drug charges.  Approximately 40 other charges where not prosecuted after the Panamanian Supreme Court ruled several years ago that "further court proceedings would be a waste of taxpayers' money, and would amount to judicial overkill."  Nice guy wants to come home?  Sure, welcome home.  (Picture below is of Noriega with his DEA agent ´tour guide´embarking on a long vacation in the U.S. as a guest of the government.)

Last week, the daily newspaper, Le Preza, published a story to squelch a rumor that had engulfed the country.  The rumor had it that Noriega was living high in a fancy resort in the U.S.  This rumor was triggered by film clips on TV that showed Noeiga lounging around in what appeared to be a big multi-room suite, complete with big screen TV and a high-end stereo system.  Turns out, according to Le Prenza, those pictures were merely Noeirga's room in the federal correction facility where he has been retained for a number of years.  There folks, don't you feel better now that you know the real story?

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida.

Is this the most precious face you have ever seen?

This priest gets around in style, huh?

 

Another little princess.  Note that the men of the tribe do not wear traditional tribal clothing.

More News From Panama

The Mother Of All Fiestas - Just For Me?

I thought I had seen all there was to see in the Panamanian festival realm, but they outdid themselves in El Parque Cervantes (the town square park across from the hotel) on Saturday, October 18th.  For starters, as a deviation from the normal Saturday morning 10 o'clock start time,  the parade had already concluded and the first band had started playing by 8:30AM.  And it was off to the races - one stage show after another, each seemingly louder than the one before. High school bands, mariachis, dance troupes, jugglers, rock bands, gymnasts, rap singers, a string quartet, a flamenco guitarist, and two different groups of gospel singers (guess they are not all Catholics).   The park was jammed with people right through until the last band quit at 10:00 that night.  There were so many people I began to think they were importing spectators from Costa Rica.

I was really touched that morning when I looked at my watch and realized it was my birthday. "Isn't this nice of these folks," I thought.  So I embraced the celebration and had a good time.  It wasn't until late afternoon that someone informed me that all the hullabaloo was actually a province-wide fund raiser to help defray the costs of a little girl's medical expenses.  She is scheduled for a major operation in on the the big specialty medical centers in the U.S.  Well, I had a good time anyway.  But, I had never suffered a hangover from a benefit fund raiser before. Phew!

My Latest Video Is Special

I finally took the time and plowed through literally the thousands of photos(aren't digital cameras great) that I have snapped in my 21+ months in Costa Rica and Panama.  After a lot of shifting and reschuffling, I have put them together in this 'Best Of ..' video.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together and reflecting on the experiences.  Turn on the sound and put your feet up.

The Pink Ribbons Are All Over Town.

This month Panama puts its best foot forward and a lot of effort into "The Mother's Battle Against Breast Cancer."  Panama's first lady is the national chairperson.  Traffic signs on the Pan-American highway have ribbons attached, and nearly all of the business store-fronts in downtown have a big pink ribbon sign of some kind.  Romero's department store repaints the entire front of their store for the campaign, adding story-high pink ribbons.  And, this year there is even a huge neon pink ribbon on the front of the Banco National which casts that entire end of the park in a pink glow all night.

Things I Don't Understand Are Not Confined To Panama

A sexual assault conviction was overturned by the Nebraska Supreme Court because of a screen that was set up in the trial courtroom to prevent the defendant from attempting to 'stare down'  his 11-year-old accuser when she testified, as he had done to previous witnesses. (The girl was assaulted in 2003 when she was 7.)  The high court said the screen separation could have suggested to the jury that the court believed the accuser, thus violating the accused's right to a fair trial. ?? YGBSM! ???

Everything Is Not Cheap In Panama

The Kenny G concert in Panama City's Convention Center on October 30th has been sold out for a couple of months. Part of the reason is that the artist's latest album, recently released in Latin America, is a collection of Spanish songs.  "The Latin Album", featuring the classic romantic song "Besame Mucho", has been a big seller in Panama. The tickets, were available only through the city's Blockbuster stores, ranged in price from $30 to $150.  Ouch!

Panama's Biggest Religious Festival

The Festival de Nazareno, commonly referred to as The Black Christ of Portobelo Celebration, has been held on October the 21st for over 300 years.  This colonial legacy is is one of the most revered and attended religious celebrations in the country.  Thousands of worshipers travel to the Caribbean port city of Potobelo each year, each person wearing a violet colored article of some type.

As legend has it, the huge figure of Christ bearing a cross arrived at Potobelo, which was considered one of the most important ports in the commercial structure of the Spanish Empire, on a Spanish galleon that was blown off course by a storm.  The arrival of the Black Christ calmed a terrible cholera epidemic, so the residents insisted that it remain and constructed a huge alter as a permanent home for it. 

The legend varies past that point depending on who is telling the story.  One version contends that the Black Christ was a result of, and a tribute to, the black Congo slaves being brought here.  A second version says that the Christ was originally white, but turned black as a result of all the worship candles placed around it.

The major event of the festival is the Black Christ Procession.  The Christ is removed from its alter and placed on a special procession altar, wrapped in a lavish violet tunic and carried through the town.  Observers vie for, and take turns carrying the statute.  The procession takes considerable time to traverse the town as the entire procession proceeds by taking three steps forward, followed by two steps back.  All of this to the accompaniment of singers doing a traditional chant praising the Black Christ.

An interesting sidelight of this celebration concerns the many improvised barbers along the procession route. Many of the male worshipers have allowed their hair and beards to grow long for this celebration, and have them cut by the 'barbers' as the procession approaches.  The clippings are then offered to the Christ as it passes.

Just For Your Information

Many bars and restaurants are advertising heavily on all the special events they are offering for the upcoming holiday, one of the most festive of all Panamanian holidays.  Special menus, live entertainment, evening-long Happy Hours, raffles, door prizes, raffle drawings and best costume contests are all being featured as each establishment tries to outdo the competition on one of the country's major party nights.  That's right, Friday, October 31st is the holiday in Panama known as Halloween..

Till Next Time!  Pura Vida.