Larry's Central American Travels

The Holiday Festivities in Panama

Holiday Traditions Are Different In Panama

The festive holiday traditions are noticeably different in Panama - different than those in the U.S.  All the streets around the town center park are blocked off to vehicular traffic starting about the 15th of December, and the streets fill up with vendors.  And I do mean the streets, not just the sidewalks, the streets.  The only piece of land in sight not blanketed by vendor stands is the park itself, which remains sacrosanct throughout the celebration (you can't even walk your bicycle through El Parque Cervantes).

Some of the food vendor stands are large covered structures (like you would see at a county fair), complete with a seated dining area with plastic tables and chairs. A few feet away is an old man with a BBQ grill cooking God-only-knows-what.  Next to him is a lady with a cooler full of some type of fruit punch. And...and ... for blocks around the park.

There are stands where you can buy cell phones (all four cell phone service  providers have multiple stands).  Need packages gift wrapped?  There are probably a dozen stands to handle that for you. Fruit, vegetables, cerviche, snow cones, hot dogs, soft ice-cream, pastries and Christmas cakes are all readily available.  Half a dozen government agencies have big tents handing out brochures and 'how-to' guides. Handicraft items, toys, trinkets, artwork, figurines, T-shirts, hats, and lawn furniture is available as well.  There is even a roulette wheel at each end of the street.  Whew!

All evening the entire downtown area looks like the streets around a big sports stadium right after the big game is over.

The bars around town have a big night, more like New Years Eve in the U.S., and the bands are scheduled to play until 2AM.  All the revelers, in both the bars and the park, are waiting for midnight.  A two- hour fireworks displays starts promptly at midnight. Well, fireworks displays plural.  You can see in the distance that fireworks are going off all over town.

By contrast, on New Year's Eve most of the local bars will be closed because people celebrating quietly at home.  New Years Eve is a family celebration.

 

City Hall Suspends the Panama City Christmas Parade

Panama City mayor Bosco Vallarino canceled the annual Christmas Parade and instructed the Comptroller of the Republic to redirect the parade funds to the victims affected by the tragic flooding caused by unusually heavy rains. Even though the parade was canceled, there was free holiday entertainment for all at the “Christmas Villas”.

Carnival-style Christmas decorations adorn Panama City’s waterfront along the Cinta Costera. And, the Cinta Costera was all dressed up for the party, with “Christmas Villas” adorning both sides of Panama City’s coastal beltway.

Larger-than-life figures and holiday scenes have been built in the Carnival style that is typical of Panama’s floats. Live music, rides and other entertainment is being provided for free for anyone who wished to visit the big Christmas scene. It will be open to the public through the first weeks of the New Year.

 

And In Boquete, A Train Tour

The Chicky Train has become a Boquete tourist attraction since it began offering tours in the Chiriquí highland town last year. It is a children’s train that is fun for all ages, says operator Lorena Merlo.  Festive lights and music make the train fun for all.  Riders get to see the touristic sights of Boquete along the 15-minute ride. The route   includes seeing the Christmas lights at Valle Escondido, the town's fairgrounds and the Panamonte Hotel.

The Chicky Train also led the Boquete Christmas Parade on December 25, right behind the Boquete Mayor’s Office float.

 

My Book Is Still Available - Late Christmas Present?

 

 

Order Paperback Copy Here

 

  

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!  Till Next Time.  Pura Vida

 

 

Feliz Navidad From David Panama

Christmas in Panama

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose  ....."

Uhhh. Never mind.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

 

Panama Issues Sanitary Alert - Cholera. 

Panama's government Tuesday (Dec. 21) declared a sanitary alert to prevent the spread of cholera, which has been sweeping across Haiti since October. "Panama is not immune from this disease since it is a transit country," Panamanian Health Minister Franklin Vergara said when announcing the measure. Vergara said the measure includes the reinforcement of health checks at the main entry points into the country. "We have not relaxed (our vigilance), and we maintain checkpoints in ports and airports in the entire country," Vergara said. Vergara also urged people to maintain strict hygiene measures, especially in the zones affected by the flooding.

According to the latest reports, the cholera epidemic in Haiti has so far killed 2,535 people, with some cases also found in countries like the Dominican Republic and the United States.   

Continued Fall-Out From The Torrential Rains

Record setting rainfall.  Heavy rains started falling in Panama two weeks ago, on Tuesday, 7 December 2010. (Note: This was after record setting rainfalls in November). The rains lasted for three solid days, and the amount of rainfall has been described as "historic" and "unprecedented." In fact, records were broken all over the country during that period but the heaviest amounts of rain fell on the Eastern part of the province of Panama, as well as in the province of the Darien which borders with Colombia, and in the province of Colon.

Problems with Drinking Water.  The tremendous amounts of rainfall caused mudslides all over the country. Massive amounts of mud and debris were washed into Lake Alajuela, which provides drinking water for the capital of Panama City through the water purification plant in Chilibre. Officials advised that people can use the water coming from the taps to bathe, wash clothes, or flush toilets, but it should be boiled first before drinking it or using it to cook with.  Officials have been trying to "ration" water service around Panama City, however there are some neighborhoods located in higher elevations where the pressure in the "system" never gets high enough to bring water up to their residences. The net result is that thousands of people have been going without water service for weeks. And those who do have water have seen the water come and go as the service is supposedly "spread around" town on a kind of distribution schedule. Only those who have large water tanks on the roofs of their buildings have been spared.

More Than 225,000 Domestic Animals Killed by Flooding. The Panamanian government reports that about 225,000 animals died in three provinces, resulting from the floods in Panama last week. Panamanian Minister of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Emilio Kieswetter, presented a preliminary report at a press conference detailing the affects of the heavy rains. He said as of 15 December 2010, about 222,000 birds (poultry), 2,000 head of cattle, and 350 pigs were killed in the district of Chepo, in the eastern province of Panama, and there were another 600 head of cattle killed in the Darien. As for the Caribbean province of Colon, in addition to incurring losses of animals in as yet unspecified amounts, the entire planting of agricultural production was destroyed. However, Kieswetter noted that in Chepo, more than 100,000 birds (poultry) survived, which meet the requirements for human consumption.

The Ministry of Health established a sanitary cordon in the affected communities of Chepo to prevent epidemics and diseases, as well as in the Darien, in the border areas with Colombia. The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers began earlier this week a temporary program of potable water rationing because the water treatment plants in the Panama City area were affected by sedimentation. According to the Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) rains in these areas left at least 10 dead, 2,720 homeless, 13,071 people and 2,586 homes affected, as well as bridges and roads destroyed.    

Centennial Bridge Completely Closed Due To Erosion and Mudslides. Panama's Ministry of Public Works (MOP) announced that the Centennial Bridge, affected by  heavy rains, will be completely closed as of Friday, 17 December 2010.  In a city that already has traffic problems this closure restricts traffic moving from Panama City to the Western sector of the province of Panama was suspended. It is going to take a lot of work to repair the damage done to the approach to the Centennial Bridge.

 

Drug Problem Is Not Going Away

More Than 2,900 Kilos of Cocaine Seized in Two Days.  The Naval Air Service of Panama (SENAN) over the past two days seized in raids a total of 2,750 kilos of cocaine hidden in different locations that were awaiting to be transported. Authorities discovered the whereabouts of 31 large bags of cocaine which were hidden in the town of Palmilla in the province of Colon. That seizure led authorities to another 79 large bags hidden in a nearby cove, a hideaway used by drug traffickers who take advantage of the many beaches, rivers and mountainous areas in different parts of the country to hide drugs.  So far there have been no arrests related to this seizure.

In the same operation, along the Atlantic coast, authorities seized 30 assault rifles, 28 of which are AK-47's. One Panamanian was arrested who is being questioned to see if there might be a possibility of making other arrests.  The authorities also announced on Friday the seizure of another 200 kilos of cocaine in another police operation, which amounts to nearly three tons of drugs seized during the last few days. This year Panama seized more drugs than at any other time in the nation's history. Before these busts they had already passed more than 70 tons seized in 2010, compared to about 50 tons in all of 2009.  

My Book

This link is for the paperback version, presntly available only from the publisher, Publish America.  The book should be available in e-book form in the next 30 days from both Amazon (Kindle version) and from Google books.

Order Paperback Here

 

 

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida!

  

 Yes, the Christmas tree is the park is blue!

 

As Seen From Panama!

A Photography Class?

A friend suggested I should sign up for a photography class here in David to take advantage of all the features designed into my new camera. I countered with the argument that the camera had an ‘automatic’ setting so there was little reason for me to sit in a class for several hours to learn about features I would not use.  I am the guy that thinks ‘F-stop’ is some kind of vulgar abbreviation.

 

Well yesterday I met the instructor of the class. She convinced me to sign up, and I researched the various courses that were being offered.  I signed up for the advanced class. It is only about six weeks long.  What did she say to change my mind about the photo instruction?  She said, “Hi.” 

 

 

Culture Shock?

You pick up some habits living in a foreign country that are culturally unique. And I found out on my last trip that those habits can cause problems when I return to the States.

For instance, it is very common here in Panama for people to casually ask me where I am from.  And, 'the U.S.' is not the right answer - they assume that you are American (much to the chagrin of Anglo Canadians, Aussies, Europeans, etc., I might add). And when I tell the cab driver or waitress that I am from Carolina Norte, a conversation ensues about their brother who is living in Florida, or uncle in California or whatever. A great ice-breaker I guess.

Well one morning in November I am in a 7-11 in the Charlotte suburbs and, as it is every morning, the place is a beehive of activity. The majority of the traffic is made up of construction workers on the way to work. I am standing in line to pay for my coffee and morning paper, behind three Latino construction laborers who are also stopping for coffee.  At the head of the line a gringo woman is holding things up as she keeps remembering 'one more thing' every time the clerk gets her rung up.  The fellow in front of me in line turns and looks at me and rolls his eyes.  We share a silent grin.

The lady at the register digs around in her purse, after all of this, and determines she doesn't have enough cash and starts a new search for her credit card. The guy turns to me again and grins while shaking his head.  As he turns back, without thinking I more or less automatically ask, "Where are you guys from?"  Oh my, you would have thought I farted!

All three guys' heads snapped around like they were on swivels and they just stared at me with that 'deer/headlights look'.  I still didn't realize what was happening until one of them mumbled something about California. They looked like they were about to bolt. Then, BOOM, it hit me. I quickly added in my 'best' Spanish that I lived in Panama, and the guy reminded me of a Panamanian friend and I thought he might be related, or some such thing  Whew!  They all started talking at once at that point.  And even though my Spanish is not that good, I faked my way through a short exchange and a crisis was avoided. Phew!

Note to self - Be careful what you ask strangers in the U.S.

 

You Think The U.S. Has Economic Problems?

In early December, Spanish air traffic controllers conducted a weekend-long wildcat strike to protest the government efforts to cut their pay and increase the normal work hours. The Spanish government is struggling with huge budget problems that threaten the country's very existence - some say problems that are even more severe than those in Greece.

But the controllers had to call off the strike that shut down all the country's airports, due to a backlash from the Spanish public.  What? The public lashed out?  Well in a country where unemployment exceeds 20% and is facing severe (very severe) austerity measures, the public had no sympathy for the controllers when it became public knowledge that the average pay for the nation's 1,900 controllers was $463,000 a year.  That is not a typo - the AVERAGE salary is 463 thousand dollars a year, and some make as much as $1.29 million.

Several years ago the union negotiated a new contract that reduced the work week and placed a big pay premium on controllers who worked extra shifts. The theory was that these measures would light a fire under the government agencies to train and hire new controllers to maintain the force at the proper level of 2,400 controllers, something the government had not done consistently in the past.

Due to government mis-management, tight budgets and long training lead-times (3 years), the normal staffing level of 2,400 controllers has shrunk to 1,900.  In addition, a large number of controllers are due to retire in the near future.  Fly the Friendly Skys of ....?

 

The U.S. Budget Problems

Did you know that the U.S. Defense budget (664 Billion) is equal to the rest of the world's nations combined?  And all the perennial problems still exist.  The uniformed services still tend to design and procure expensive weapon systems aimed to fight the last war.  And Congress insisting on buying weapon systems the services don't want because it provides employment in their districts.  Add to that equation the fact that we are still fighting wars on two fronts, that seem to have no end in sight.

These observations come from a retired military man, so these comments are in no way anti-military.  But the people who are getting hurt are always the same - the folks on the ground in one of these s**t-hole countries. How we continue to recruit and retain these young people, who leave their families for repeated tours in these war zones, baffles me.  I am convinced that the 'cost' to many of them will only be visible in coming years.

 

The TSA - Continuing To Keep Us Safe

In early December Meera Shankar, 60, was selected for a 'feel-up' (er, 'enhanced pat-down') by TSA screeners at Jackson-Evers International Airport in Jackson, Mississippi.

Since this was the second time in a month Shakar had been singled out for pat-down, she knew to request that the search be conducted in private. That request was denied and the 'enhanced pat-down' was conducted in a clear glass box in the security processing area - a 'very humiliating experience' according to research associates from Mississippi State University traveling with her.

The fact that her request for privacy was not honored is not too surprising when you realize that the TSA agents were also not impressed by the fact that her diplomatic passport clearly confirmed the fact that Ms. Shankar is India's Ambassador to the U.S. (The broad is Bass oder to what?)

On the surface it would be easy to make jokes about 'red-neck Bubba who got him a job with 'T' somethin'-or-other out at the airport last week'. However, true to form, TSA officials maintained that "personnel followed TSA guidelines in the processing of the Ambassador".  Oh!

 

MY Book

I am still involved in a struggle with my book's publisher.  Even though the paperback version is available and in print, the publisher has still not gotten it listed on Amazon, Borders, etc. So on Amazon, for example, the only option is the $29.95 soft cover version (versus $12.95 for the paperback).  So I am no longer posting the more expensive option.  If for some reazon you prefer the soft cover, you can do a search on Amazon or Borders.

 Order Paperback from Publisher

 

 

Till Next Time.  Pura Vida.

    

Crises In Panama

I discussed in an earlier posting the travel problems I encountered when I returned to Panama in early November.  Well, in mid-December Panama continues to be battered by heavy and persistent rain systems.  Government officials report that this year is the most rain since the government first started recording such information 73 years ago. 

The items below are merely an overview of the impact on the country:

-  Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli has decreed a "state of national emergency"  to expedite aid to target the different areas of the country that have been affected by floods, overflowing rivers and landslides.  The situation in the eastern provinces of Panama, Colon, and Darien is especially critical where the security sectors reported the death of 10 people, more than 4,000 affected and 962 houses with total or partial damage.

-  The President also admitted that the dam at the Bayano Lake was about to give way, due to the amount of water that had accumulating. He indicated that the information was not revealed earlier so as not to alarm the community.  However, Martinelli said the water company, AES Panama, would have to answer for any damages, saying that the emergency discharge of water could have been done sooner.

-  The Panama Canal had to be closed for only the third time in its storied 96-year history. Officials closed the canal after heavy rain in the Chagres River area, caused water behind the Gatun Dam -- which creates Lake Gatun, a significant part of the canal -- to rise. The canal was reopened 17 hours later. The last time the canal closed was in 1989, after the United States invaded Panama to topple strongman Manuel Noriega.

-  Access roads to the province of Colon have collapsed due to the bad weather that has prevailed in recent days. One of the main points on Via Transístmica, collapsed completely, as the result of a mudslide. Also, a bridge that links the community of Nueva Italia and the Residencial Los Lagos collapsed, when a nearby hill suffered a mudslide.

-  The Ministry of the Interior issued an order which prohibits any movement by air, land, or sea in the disaster area in the district of Chepo.  This measure was taken because the airspace is being used to deliver humanitarian assistance to the affected areas. And, the suspension of movement via ground and sea is aimed at safeguarding the lives of citizens, because the release of water from the Bayano dam continues to generate strong currents.

-  The secretary general of the Association of Educators Veragüenses called for help from the government authorities, because many calls have been received  from teachers who remain isolated in the areas of Kuna Yala and Yavisa in the Darien. He said teachers have stated there is no water or electricity and that the community is running out of food. According to the teachers' union leader there are more than 200 teachers who have not yet been evacuated. (Larry notes: The labor agreement between the teachers union and the government specifies that teachers who volunteer to teach in Panama's remote interior will be evacuated from those areas in case of fire, flood, earthquake, civil unrest, etc.  This is a classic example of a disparity between the government’s intentions and their actual capabilities.)

-  A major roadway leading to the Centennial Bridge near downtown Panama City  collapsed earlier in the week. The underlying cement slab gave way due to water running under the roadway, according to reports. Traffic police continue a special operation in the area after one lane was closed and the passage of heavy trucks and equipment was suspended.

-  Several children and adults were rescued from the Bayano area, after the National Air Service made several evacuations. The people were worried because they had gone for several days without eating. Once rescued, they were treated by ambulance paramedics who were in the community and then transferred to the regional center at the Chepo University, where a temporary shelter has been established. The Rio de los Indios is one of those that has overflowed its banks onto the roadway, preventing access to several communities where there are still people waiting to be rescued.

-  On a sadder and more personal note, Canadian Greg Coy, who is well known in the area as the owner of a popular restaurant, is in the hospital recovering from serious injuries, the result of a devastating mudslide in Portobelo. His wife Susanna Murell, his wife's adult son Pablo, Pablo's wife Corvacho, and the couple's three-month-old baby girl were all killed in the mudslide. Greg's pelvis was shattered, broken in three places, and it's a miracle he's still alive. The mudslide destroyed his family, his home, his business, and wiped out all of his belongings. Greg's adult children from an earlier marriage are making arrangements to fly down to Panama to be with their father. The Prime Minister of Canada is organizing fundraising efforts there to help Greg's children fly to Panama.

 

I plan to make my normal weekly blog posting on Friday, 17 December.

My Thanks to Don Winner @ Panama Guide for Providing Current Information

Till Next Time. Pura Vida!

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The Holiday Month Is Over!

  

Dorthy, I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore!

There are some interesting sites throughout Costa Rica, some of which are not in the guide books. Pictured here is a crocodile resting on a river bank in the province of Puntarenas. This picture was taken from a bridge where the highway crosses the Tarcoles River just 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of the country's capitol city, San Jose.

The Tarcoles River has a big crocodile population. On the weekends many people in this part of Costa Rica visit this (and other bridges) bearing buckets of chicken parts to feed the crocs.

　

My Big Night At The Hotel National

Last Thursday night one of the big hotels in David, Gran Hotel National, kicked off their third, and final Karaoke Bonanza of the year. Each Thursday for the next eight weeks contestants will compete in their big ballroom/night club. The winners of each weekly competition face off in the finals in January.

Each weekly competition is 'sponsored' by a company, usually either one of the country's beer companies or one of the premium rum makers. The sponsors 'freebies' only add to the enjoyment and the delight of the audience.

As I have mentioned previously, karaoke audiences here are not passive. They tend to respond more like a soccer game crowd than recital attendees. And on the finals night, the normal weekly crowd of 200-250 people swells to a standing-room only crowd about twice that size. A good time had by all.

Well guess what? I won! I was surprised, if for no other reason, unlike several of the other contestants, I do not have an entourage in attendance. So there was no core to cheer and hoot when the judge holds his hand over my head when it comes time to vote. (Yes, it is a 'noise' vote that decides the winner). So, in addition to a spot in the finals, I won a dinner certificate in the hotel dining room and a quart of premium 15-year old Ron Abuelo rum. Yahoo!

But the best part of the evening was yet to come. With flashbulbs going off by the two event  photographers, my prize was presented by Diana Patricia Broce, Miss Panama 2009. What a sweetheart, and as you can see, a real stunner.

I wanted to include a picture of her on this posting, so she gave me her website URL. I intentionally avoided the beauty queen shots (bikinis and formal gowns), just so I could highlight her beautiful face. Breathtaking!

I don't know what prizes are being given for the final winner. I did confirm that Senorita Broce is not included in the package. Whew! The pressure is off. Ha!

　

Panama's Continuing Drug War.

The National Police seized a total of 2,030 kilos of cocaine recently at a checkpoint in Guabala, in the province of Chiriqui, about an hour outside of David. The authorities said three people were arrested as part of this case, a Panamanian, a Mexican and a Honduran. The drugs were hidden in the rear compartment of a white van that was transporting the illegal substance to Central America. Several firearms were also seized.

By the way, 2,030 kilos equates to 4,475 pounds of cocaine, or more than 2.23 tons. Officials estimates the Chicago street value at more than $249.6 million dollars. A quarter of a billion dollars, in one van...

The National Police director, Gustavo Perez, confirmed to local media that they continue to work together with anti-drug prosecutors to fight against drug trafficking.

　

My Book

　

Christmas gift possibility?  You can order in paperback or the larger softcover.  Yes The paper back is cheaper.　

　Paperback from Publisher

Softcover from Amazon

 

 

 

Till Next Time. Pura Vida.

　

　

 

A Month Of Festivals In Panama

 

November 28 was the last of the 13 or 14 November holidays (depending on who is  counting) in Panama. This one was Independence Day from Spain (different than the November 3rd Independence Day from Spain).

Sunday (the 27th) is Independence Day Parade Day in David. The first parade, however, came down the street on Saturday night about 10PM. Then, bright and early Sunday morning (at 7:45 AM) the first marching band came down the street accompanied by a police drill team. The parades lasted all day, with only about 20 minute breaks, until the last one passed the hotel at 4PM.

Whew! John Phillip Sousa overload.

 

Inventive Advertising

You have to experience it to fully appreciate some of the advertising in Panama. And the seemimgly over-the-top stuff is not confined to any specific advertisers or advertising medium. This photo is the graphic that accompanied the news announcement (below) in a newspaper about electricity rates.

"The new rates for electricity in Panama that will take effect starting from January 2011, will remain the same as they are now, said the administrator of the National Authority of Public Services, Dennis Moreno on Tuesday."

  I swear to you, I did not make this up!

 　

Panama and U.S. Accords

The Secretary of Homeland Security United States, Janet Napolitano, and the vice president and foreign minister, Juan Carlos Varela, yesterday signed a cooperation  agreement, a core part of which includes the establishment of a database and access to US intelligence information on individuals who have been identified as being drug traffickers, terrorists, or involved in the trafficking of human beings.

"The government of President Ricardo Martinelli is focused on protecting and preserving our logistics platforms: the Free Zone, airports and borders," said Varela. According to the memorandum of understanding, the exchange of information will allow for the identification of persons dangerous to aviation safety.

"This agreement will allow Panama to access information about people who may pose a threat on flights departing from the Tocumen International Airport," said the chancellor. Varela reaffirmed Panama's commitment as a strategic ally of the United States in the region to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.

　

Are Women Better Financial Planners Than Men?

Meet my new financial planner. This little story explains my selection.

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed to find a wife with whom to share his fortune.

One evening, at an investment meeting, he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. "I may look like just an ordinary guy," he said to her, "but in just a few years, my father will die and I will inherit $200 million." Impressed, the woman asked for his business card.

Three days later, she became Dan's new stepmother.

See, women are so much better at financial planning than men. Case closed!

　

My Book

 Christmas is coming. Here's an idea for you. Order a copy of my book for someone you don't like.  Serves them right. 

As you might expect, the paperback is cheaper

　Order Softcover from Amazon

　Order Paperback from Publisher

　

 

Till Next Time. Pura Vida

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

How's this for a hideaway?　

Oh my!