Electricity Rationing Possible
The lack of rain has forced the National Dispatch Center to declare a state of alert due to the possibility of a need for electricity rationing. Their analysis indicates a deficit of more than 5% over the next 15 weeks.
This warning appears in a note sent to the administrator of the National Authority of Public Services. Over 50% of the power generation system of Panama works through two hydroelectric plants, and run-of-river hydro power stations.
"The lack of rain, which affects the low hydrology and real power showed in the units linked to the run-by-river hydro power stations, leads to uncertainty regarding having full electric power generated by these plants," says the warning issued.
Free Health Insurance
Did you know: Panama gives free health insurance for 30 days to all who enter the country through Tocumen International Airport. Cards promoting this benefit are available at the airport. But carrying the card is not necessary to collect on the policy to cover medical expenses for emergencies that occur while in the country.
Visitors to the country who have a medical emergency must simply show the entrance stamp on their passport to the hospital staff and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) will cover the cost through a blanket policy.
Through this effort, Panama expects to capture a greater percentage of the tourism market by making visitors to our country feel safer through providing this free value-added service. There is even an exclusive hotline for questions and concerns regarding the coverage.
Coffee Is A Big Deal In Panama
Most of you aren't aware that the mountain village of Boquete (just up the road from
me) is home to Panama’s coffee production. The climate and soil in the area are ideal for designer coffees, especially when the right coffee agriculture expertise is added to the equation. The annual big coffee event is coming up that combines for the much anticipated annual online auction.
From May 6 to 8, a group of 16 international judges will choose 24 of 78 coffee samples from three categories: natural, traditional and geisha – evaluating aroma, acidity, body, fragrance, uniformity, sweetness, the crispness and the aftertaste of the cup.
So what does this all mean in the big scheme of things? Well last year Finca Los
Cantares took first place in the Geisha category with a score of 90.86 and was bought by Saza Coffee of Japan for $90.25 a pound. The Panacoffe Special from Finca La Milagrosa took a close second place with the judges and also sold for $90.25 a pound to Paul Dequidt Torrefacteur of France. Although the Kotowa Don K Geisha Natural came in 6th in the cupping competition, it earned the highest price at auction, selling for $93.25 a pound to Horiguchi Coffee and Saza Coffee of Japan.
Think about that. Can you imagine what that cup of coffee is going to cost when the wholesale price is $90 a pound, and you have to add the shipping cost and then the retail mark-up? Wow!
It Seems Nothing Is Easy In Panama
As recently reported in Panama's 'Visitante', the new metro buses changed the face of Panama City.
A visitor with a wry sense of humor once said there was no need for a doctor to give an electrocardiogram in Panama. "Just take a ride on a ‘Red Devil’ bus for the length of Via España and you will know your heart condition," he said.
As of March 15 this year the colorfully painted "Red Devils" (Diablos Rojo) –
condemned U.S. school buses resurrected in Panama with more powerful engines and loud trumpet exhausts – were finally laid to rest in Panama City at $25,000 a piece for their owners, and replaced by the Metro Bus.
The Devils were all privately owned and operated and were, therefore, extremely hard to control in terms of providing a meaningful, coordinated transportation system. In short, drivers all wanted to concentrate on main routes (where the people were), leaving significant portions of the city with sparse coverage at best. Plus the drivers were infamous for often drag racing to the next stop (the first guy gets the people waiting), which resulted in both accidents and pedestrian deaths. Proper maintenance of the Devils was always a big question, especially with vehicle safety operating systems.
Thus the opportunity to get a free electrocardiogram no longer exists. However the Metro Bus is now giving Panamanian commuters a stress test of a different type.
The New Deal
The new buses are made in Colombia by the Swedish company Volvo, and the bodies
provided by the Brazilian company Marcopolo. Very modern in construction, they have two double doors, two fire extinguishers, eight buttons to alert the driver for the next stop, and six hammers for breaking the panoramic windows in case of emergency. The buses are air-conditioned with 38 seats and two handicapped spaces.
To use the Metro Bus, it’s first necessary to buy a card with a deposit cost of $2.00 and then the amount the user feels needed. Most trips around the city area cost $0.25, but if using a bus on one of the two corridor expressways (North or South) the one-way trip is $1.25. These costs are heavily subsidized by the government along with the diesel fuel.
So that is the 'new'. Sounds simple and straightforward. But the proof is in the 'plan' to phase in the new and phase out the old. And then there is the implementation of that plan. And it appears that both parts of the equation were not up to snuff.
Troubles Abound
The Colombian operators of the Metro Bus system, the company known as Mi Bus, have come under strong criticism from public transport users for a host of problems in the system.
For starters, there were almost 3,000 "Red Devils" in service that were replaced on March 15 by only 1,200 Metro Buses. Simple arithmetic on the 38 seats on the new buses compared to the 70 or so seats (a low figure) on the "Red Devils" was an elementary indication that there would be trouble brewing from the users.
The new buses were originally introduced late in 2010 alongside the old "Red Devils," which tended to take some pressure off the system. However, once the "Red Devils" were finally removed in March this year, chaos descended on the streets of Panama City with long lines of passengers trying to jam into Metro Buses. Drivers did not stop or open doors for more passengers; adequate covered bus stops were and are still missing with the wet season returning; and even some routes were eliminated and then replaced.
And to make matters worse, passengers are having problems with the fare cards. The cards can be bought and reloaded at many points. According to the Chilean company, Sonda, in charge of the cards, they are making more points available to users such as in malls and supermarkets. But the company is way behind in installing these machines. And many commuters are extremely frustrated with just trying to find a place to re-charge a card.
Tourist Friendly?
Regardless of all the problems for local commuters, the Metro Bus can be very useful for visitors who are not limited to peak hours and can use these buses when there is less demand. Tourists can take a bus to the airport, with the help of hotel clerks at the front desks in obtaining a Metro Bus card.
Practically all buses circulate through the Gran Terminal at Albrook Mall and if they are going in that direction they show "Albrook" on their rotating destination signs. However, the problem is that they also show "Albrook" when they are going out of town, so it’s still a good idea to ask the driver and avoid surprises.
At the Albrook Gran Terminal, bus dispatchers can be spotted with their clip boards and, although not all are bi-lingual, they are generally courteous in helping visitors along with assistance from the drivers.
Just Hope For The Best
Despite all its deficiencies, the Metro Bus is the first effort in 30 years at modernizing the Panama City public transport system. The last attempt to upgrade the system was a fiasco that failed. The Spanish "Pegaso" buses, a project of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, resulted in little more than gigantic scrap graveyards due to bad management and a lack of maintenance and parts.
Did You Say A Tattoo Festival?
I had never heard of one, but what do I know? If you have a tattoo that you are particularly proud of, come down and bare your work of art for the judges at this year’s Panama City Ink Fest to be held in August.
Body art, which has been practiced for centuries in all parts of the world will be
celebrated in all its designs, colors and forms at the annual three day festival, now in its fifth year. It aims to provide the best convention for local artists, visitors and clients. There will be seminars for ink artists, live entertainment, international artists from more than 15 countries and competitions.
Check out this one on the right. Very interesting:
A special highlight is the Miss Ink Fest contest carried out for the third time on Saturday, August 17. Women, older than 18 years, who have a tattoo, that took at least five hours to insert, can participate. The Ink Fest will take place this August from Friday 16 until Sunday 18 at the Palacio Dorado.
Who knew?
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
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