The 4th of July in Panama
The 4th of July is a big day of celebration in Panama for several reasons. Many Panamanians have a special connection to the U.S. An even bigger percentage of the population just loves festivals, and American Independence Day is as good a reason as any other.
But, the biggest motivator is that of all the U.S. citizens living abroad, the largest numbers of them are living here in Panama. There will be a big celebration down in Panama City where about 1/2 of the Americans in Panama live.
Good portions of the rest of the Americans in Panama are located in this area, Chiriquí Provence. A group of us here in David are going to a big bash down at the beach at Las Lajas, about an hour down the road from David.
The two Americans who own the small beachfront resort at Las Lajas are part of the 'regular crowd' at Peter's Bar, the gringo bar here on the park. Peter and Scott, who rotate 3-month shifts away from their pizza restaurant in San Rafael, California to manage the hotel here, shop at the Price Mart here in David a couple of times a week, so they have 'good reason' to visit Pete's Bar regularly. (Note: 'Pete' of Pete's Bar is a different Pete than 'Pete' of Las Lajas. Confusing isn't it?)
So a group of us are going to do our 'patriotic duty' and support an American business down at Playa Las Lajas on the 4th. Our duties that day will include exposure to hot dogs, hamburgers, sun, sand, surf, and bikinis and, at least some drinking of beer (but American beer only)
The festivities while be heightened by the attendance at the party by a group of about 25 of the area's U.S. Peace Corp group that are having a going away bash for one of their leaders who is finishing his tour here, and returning to the U.S. to attend grad school and his wedding. Most of them are visitors at Pete's Bar as well, although infrequent visitors. They are an amazing bunch of young people who, by both their demeanor and accomplishments, literally make you proud to be an American.
A group of us are also going to further our patriotic duties and stay over in the hotel for the night. Happy Fourth of July Everyone!
It's Official - Noriega Being Returned To Panama
The U.S. government gave a green light to their counterparts in France to allow the extradition of the former dictator of Panama, Manual Antonio Noriega. The United States had previously announced its decision to France on 24 May 2011. The former dictator will go to a prison cell to pay for the six criminal sentences against him, which total 67 years in prison.
U.S. has to give its approval because Noriega is in French territory on the basis of an extradition request issued by the Government of France, where he was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison for laundering drug money. Before being extradited to France, Noriega was imprisoned 20 years in the United States for drug trafficking. When he returns to Panama, according to Panamanian judicial authorities, he must serve six sentences (totaling 67 years in prison) for two murders, the slaughter of Albrook, the kidnapping of Humberto Macea, and for corruption cases.
Gay Pride Parade in Panama?
Don't think for a minute that Panama is some backward third-world place. According to the tourist publication El Visitante: Colorful floats, Panamanian celebrities, and drag queens representing Panama City's gay discos are among the sights to be seen in the Gay Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25. The parade’s theme is "Nada que Ocultar" (Nothing to Hide).
The purpose of this event, which coincides with Gay Pride Parades around the world, is to raise awareness about homosexuality and decrease homophobia. The private and public sector are supporting the cause and the parade will be attended by representatives of industry, political figures and national celebrities. The parade is being organized alongside a new gay awareness campaign called "I Have a Gay Friend"
The celebrities and personalities confirmed to participate including Panama’s famous World Champion boxer Roberto Durán, the Carnival Queens (no pun intended) of Las Tablas, and former Miss Panamas.
Latino Logic - Sometimes Baffling
I experienced another of those head-shaking incidents this week. My electric razor started chewing me up instead of my beard to let me now that I needed to replace the blades. I could not remember where I bought it, but I remembered that the Arrocha pharmacy chain carried some razors and they have just opened a monster new store, so I decided that I would start my search there.
When I went in the store I thought 'wow, turns out the store is really a monster - and that was before I found out there was an identical sized second floor. I wandered around and found shaving supplies, but no electric razors. And sure enough as often happens, when I started to ask one of the sales ladies for help, my mind went momentarily blank and I could not think of the Spanish word for 'razor' (navaja). So I had to do one of my infamous pantomimes of shaving. I was about half convinced that she was too tickled to understand my pantomime, but nonetheless took the escalator per her instructions to the camera department upstairs (cameras?)
Sure enough tucked off in a far corner of the camera department was a display of razors. Maybe I would be in luck and they would at least handle some razors from the same manufacturer as my razor (Remington), increasing the chances that they would carry replacement parts for same. Lucky again! Not only did they carry Remington razors, all the razors on display where Remington AND they were all slight variations of the same model as mine. And there they were about 15 feet away, a rack of replacement razor cutter heads on display. I went over and looked through the 5 or 6 choices and discovered none for my razor. As I went back through them again to double check, I realized that none of the replacement heads where even for Remington razors. Huh?
Luckily the young lady working the floor in cameras spoke good English, so I explained the dilemma to her. I found out she spoke good English but did not understand gringo logic. "You handle a line of Remington razors?" - "Si", she responds with a nod. "And your spare parts are not for Remington, they are for other razors", "Oh si" she answers with a proud smile. "But, why would you do that?" I ask. She just looks at me like I am a loon. "Why?" she finally responds. When I repeat the question slightly re-worded, she answered in that manner and tone of voice people use when talking to a child or mentally challenged person. "Sir, we try to handle a wide range of products and manufacturers to best serve our customers."
Ha! Thank you, dear. Needless to say, I continued looking for replacement razor parts. Yesterday, I ordered them from Pemington via the internet.
English Speakers
Learning English is important for Panamanians who wish to take part in the economic growth and globalization taking place in their country. So the credit union of the employees of the Panama social security system, has instituted free English language lessons for its employees.
The program allows employees to voluntarily enroll in classes given during working hours three times a week for two hours with a professional instructor hired by the credit union. Note that programs of this nature are encouraged by the Panamanian government which passed a law to promote learning English in the workplace.
The general manager of the credit union commented, "......We realize that in order for our employees to grow.........as Panama becomes a more important international destination, the ability to understand and speak English becomes a necessity.”
My Book
Judy Brown from Texas, sent me a nice review of my book. She also included this picture which is most appreciated and very clever. Thanks again Judy.
Good News - Amazon has now reduced the price of the E-book format (Kindle) of my book, putting it in line with the E-book market. At almost $10, the E-book was more expensive than some best sellers. It is now priced at less than $4.
The links below are for my book in two different formats - take your pick. I have also included a link to my website where you can read excerpts if you want.
Paperback from Publisher $9.95
Ebook (Kindle) from Amazon $3.95
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
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