New Bed and Breakfast

In the hills above Penonome, capital city of Cocle province, in a little town called Pintada, famous for the “made in Panama” Panama hats, a brand new Bed and Breakfast has sprung into being.  They have a great web site, check it out below.

I love receiving emails like this one.

HI Mary

We have an 8 room B&B with at least one queen sized bed in every private
room, and of course a private bath. We also have a hostel type shared accommodation room with bunk beds.

The private rooms, with private bath, are $50 a night and include breakfast. The shared room
is $15 per person with access to the kitchen. Our website is www.NaturesInnPanama.com If you, or your friends want to come up and spend some time please feel free to give us a call and come. Phone from North America: 1- 647-476-5253; in Panama call 6539-6118 English or 983-0005 Spanish

We currently have weekly horseback trail rides coordinated with the Royal Decameron Hotel
and everyone has just loved our location and the lunch we arranged at our local Steak House Restaurant.

We are starting a wildlife and rehabilitation sanctuary which people will likely find really interesting!

Kindest Regards,
Jenny and Allen Madore (your hosts)

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Panama Construction

I am always amazed when I go past a Panamanian work site, as the sites swarm with people and the big machines are largely missing.  Trucks and cranes that have been around since the 1950’s  are everywhere.  Lots of men are pushing wheelbarrows and wielding shovels.  The site management is done from a tiny shed erected out of scraps and corrugated tin.

Yet once construction is completed these giant sky scrapers boast beautiful marble floors, dramatic floor to ceiling picture windows and lots of elegant finishing touches are apparent everywhere.  Since the construction is cement block full of reinforcing rods and then covered with bricks and finally finished with cement, these 50 storey and 75 storey condo towers  are very imposing structures once they are complete.

The contrast between the construction process and the finished product defies credibility.  But since it happens everywhere you eventually begin to accept that this is just their way of constructng fantastic buildings.

In every developing country the government is very anxious to get the people employed.  As a result the employers are encouraged to use methods of doing work that uses lots of poorly paid laborers, instead of expensive, efficient machines.  But with Panama’s boom the machines are beginning to show up.  The trucks are more modern or you may see one very modern crane working side by side with a very, very old one.  Still they rely much more on lots of manpower than what I was used to seeing in North America.

But truth be told if the result at the end of the day is good then the method of construction is not that important.  It is obvious that there are many more people employed than when I arrived here 4 years ago.  The improvement in the cars and trucks on the highway is testament to the improved financial circumstances of many of the Panamanians.  I think this is good news.  There are also a lot of new cranes and new front end loaders and a lot of new construction equipment beginning to show up.  So like so many other things in Panama, the times they are a changing.

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The Panama Canal Museum

The Panama Canal is a modern marvel.  Whenever  I take people to the locks at Miraflores and we see one of those ginat Panamamax ships that take up every apparent inch of the lock and they are full of containers, it is quite a sight.  “Wow” is about all there is to say.

But f this is imoressive today, imagine what it was like the first day those giant doors on the locks finally swung open to allow the passage of the first ship through the locks.  What had been impossible for so many suddenly became a reality.

I would highly recommend if you are in Panama that you go to Casco Viejo, take some time and go through the museum there.  However, if you are not in Panama, then go to the Canal Museum online.

www.canalmuseum.com (just cut and paste this into your browser if you have trouble opening it)

This is a fascinating way to spend an hour.  There are photos dating back well into the 19th century.  The machines that they used to create this huge project will amaze you.  They were tiny.  See the way they worked in 1886 and see the lives that were dedicated to this mammoth undertaking.  To think that this canal has now served the world for 95 years is phenomenal.

You can follow the building of the canal from the first unsuccessful attempt to build it, through the French period and finally to the  successful completion of the construction by the Americans. You can also see how it works today.

I love museums and this one is a good one.  I hope you will enjoy it.

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How strong is Panama’s economy in 2009?

According to “La Estrella” and “The Latin American Herald”, Panamanian President, Martin Torrijos, has unveiled a $1.1 billion stimulus plan to ensure that Panama will not be adversely affected by the financial crisis that is hitting the US and Europe so badly. This plan will boost banks’ ability to provide credit to people and businesses, without increasing public debt.

The Panamanian Economy

President Torrijos is quick to point out that Panama, unlike the rest of the world, is not suffering an economic crisis. Panama’s economy is very stable, the country has one of Latin America’s highest levels of growth (over 9%), over 50,000 new jobs have been created every year since 2005 and consumer confidence is high.

However, President Torrijos is realistic and knows that Central America’s close proximity and close ties to the US mean that Panama is bound to be affected in some way by America’s economic problems.

Although a survey by GFK Marketing Group showed that consumer confidence was high at the end of 2008 (above 100 points), this may be explained by the end of year spending spree that Panamanians enjoy with their extra pay, their 13th month pay packet. However, the survey also showed that there was a rise of 5 points, in December, in Panamanian consumers’ expectations about the improved financial situation of their homes. This is a sign of economic optimism.

The Plan

The Financial Stimulus Program is to be administered by the Banco Nacional de Panama (BNP), through a trust, and executed by an advisory board who will make recommendations on how it is to be used. The funds will come from BNP, the Andean Development Corporation and the Inter-American Development Bank.

The aim of the program is to make loans to financial institutions which will then use the money to provide credit to businesses, entrepreneurs, home-buyers and the general Panamanian population. Everyone will benefit and the trust will recover its costs from the returns on the loans.

President Torrijos says that the program’s aim is to “ensure stability and growth with the aim of maintaining the employment and economic activity achieved in recent years” rather than “a program of subsidies or financial bailouts”.

Torrijos also said:  “Panama is better prepared than at any other time in its history to face a situation of this nature: there are ample and growing reserves in the BNP; the liquidity levels in the banking system are beyond what is required by law; there has been a budget surplus for the last three years; there are many public and private investment projects that will be implemented in the coming months, including the canal expansion, and there is greater income in the hands of the people helping out the Panamanian consumer.”

It is said that many people feel that this plan is actually Torrijos’ attempt to cover up the fact that Panama is not immune from this global crisis and that, in fact it is already suffering. Certainly there are some cracks showing in the real estate area, especially in Panama City, but there are also signs of strength and lots of new purchasers and investors arrive in Panama daily.

We shall have to wait and see how this plays out.

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Summer 2009

In Panama summer runs from mid December to mid April. The kids are out of school starting just before Christmas and return mid-March and of course it is dry and generally hot. Of course it varies with your location in Panama and the mountainous regions are never so hot. They also continue to be humid and if not outright raining during the day you are likely to see mist in the morning in places like Boquete and El Valle de Anton.

On the Pacific beaches it is normally hot and dry but this year we have had the occasional shower and it is cooler than normal and the breeze is definitely cooler. Is this climate change? How can it be global warming if it is cooler?

My understanding is that as the glaciers and deep arctic ice melts it sends cooler water south causing those oceans to be cooler than normal. So the nearby land masses are cooler than normal, hence the snows that you see in northern US, southern Canada, and through parts of Europe. So I guess that cooler than normal water could come down into the Pacific by Panama or the Caribbean, and the winds would then be cooled in passing over the water.

I am no climatologist, but I am happy with the temperature in the high 70’s F and the mid 70’sF at night rather than the mid eighties. A little tiny bit of range keeps the country side from gettig too parched o so if this change is a constant it will be OK by me. Of course it could have nothing to do with that at all.

Anyway I will enjoy it while it is slightly cooler.

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Boquete is hopping

I just sent some friends up to Boquete to take a look at another part of this beautiful country.  That is one of the amazing things about Panama, you can travel short distances and be in a completely different environment.  We are on the beach, in a dry area of the country and Boquete is a mountainous, garden paradise.  It is so high they can grow fantastic coffee that wins awards for best coffee in the world, around them much of the local produce is grown and it is much cooler.  When you choose to live in Panama you can choose to live in one of two seasons, Spring or Summer.  Boquete is spring as the temperatures never get much above 75 F

Turns out a lot of people like spring as the area was so full they had an extremely tough time finding accommodation.  The town is quickly recovering from the damage caused by the unusually heavy rains at the end of November, 2008.  The coffee crop is ripening nicely. There is lots and lots of construction happening and from the overflowing tourist traffic it appears there are still lots of  people looking to move here.

In some ways the down turn in the economies of the older more established countries like those of Europe and North America has been good for Panama.  People are taking their smaller nest eggs and running to somewhere  that is still affordable, where you can live a high quality life on a reasonable income.

Real estate still costs far, far less than it does in most established countries, and for the amenities of the location there is just no comparison.  Dream homes on golf courses can still be had for $400,000.00.  where else is that possible?  Beach homes, are 1/5th the cost of Costa Del Sol in Spain or Santa Barbera in the US.

So while condos in the city are definitely decreasing in price, and deals may be found, for those looking for a more tranquil setting, the beaches and the mountainous retreats are still very popular and lots of people are looking for their piece of paradise.

I just spoke to a realtor in Coronado, a beach area, one hour from Panama City.  She has sold 3 hones in the past week and has two sales pending.  This is just one realtor.

You be the judge.  Come and see for yourself what all the excitement is about in Panama.

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Training for Carnival

One of the great things about living in the neighborhood of El Cangrejo (the crab) is the safety of the streets. I don’t mean from cars but from street crime and petty theft and many other crimes. This is a neighborhood where people look out for one another. If you want to buy an apartment or find a home in which to live I would recommend El Cangrejo and it is affordable.

Although it is not close to the waterfront there are many, many condo towers where you get a great view of the ocean. For the English speaking expat it is perfect as there are lots of great shops, Cheese Cheese where you get fine cheese and sausage from around the world and almost anything you would want in a deli you will find it here. Luc, the proprietor hails form Montreal, Canada where he was a highly successful realtor and now he and his partner offer delicious food, cooke fresh daily and are highly sought after as caterers for parties through out Panama. Petit Paris the French Bakery is here, New York Bagels and Angie Bakx, with Dolce you will also find here.  You may remember Angie from our December magazine.

This is a family community; witness our junior band no doubt warming up for Carnival which happens at the end of February.  Did someone say this was “fun”?

For some people the idea of new sterile apartments leaves them cold and you can find big funky apartments here which, with a little remodeling become dream homes. You can also find lots of “ready to move into” luxury suites. So if you want real estate and a great neighborhood,check out El Cangrejo.

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Things to do in Panama

What is it you love to do? If it is fun especially if there is sun, Panama has that in spades. Waking, swimming and playing in bright sunshine is wonderful and rains, when they come, usually pass quickly.

Are you a bird watcher? There is an active Audobon Society, and many established birding trails around Panama City. Here is a King Bird There are more bird species in Panama than in Costa Rica so come and see how many firsts you can have.

For boaters and fishermen, this is Paradise. Want more adventure… try spear fishing.

Snorkeling and Diving are well established fun sports and if you do it one day in the Pacific and one day in the Atlantic you will be amazed at the differences you will find. There are many little coral islands both in the Pacific, check out the Contadora islands and the Atlantic, from Isla Grande to the Bocas Del Toro archipelago. Even better you wil never be cold as both oceans are warm, unless you go very deep.

There is a spot in Panama City where you can take target pracise with air rifle or bow and arrow and an active Archery Club. There is Paint Ball and bowling, move theaters all over the city and most of the movies are in English with sub titles for the Spanish. If you miss the cold go to Albrook and go skating. whie there you may want to spend some time shopping. it is easy to buy everything you need for back to school for the whole family for under $500. Ladies you are going to love the shopping Designer clothes for peanuts. Come and enjoy.

Dining and dancing Panama does in Spades. In Panama City head for Calle Urugauy in Bella Vista and you will be out until dawn. Even the smaller towns out of Panama City all have a discotheque and dancing is a well loved form of fun and entertainment. Get your salsa shoes on.

Of course for sun worshipers you have found heaven, just be careful. Panama is only 9 degrees from the equator so the UV rating is extreme, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. I have seen many red, red bodies on what once were white people.

Gardeners you too have found Paradise. Flowers grow everywhere. Imagine treating Impatiens as weeds, but when they wrap themselves around the coffee bushes m making picking difficult, the farmers want then gone.

There are bridge clubs and book clubs and even mahjong clubs. There are plays and symphonies and opera. The music scene is extraordinary, and as my friend Luis Palomo said, “You don’t join the Friends of the Opera, you start it”. Panama is young, but vibrant and growing in the arts world. and with Teatro National, what a venue there is. Jazz is available nightly and in January there is a wonderful Jazz Festival at many city venues, many of them Free. The event in Casco Viejo on the Saturday is wonderful with lots of different bands

There are fantastic art galleries and several famous artists got their start in Panama.

So what do you like to do? With the exception of snow skiing you can likely do it well here in Panama

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Historical New President in the US

It is January 20th, 2009. Barack Obama is being sworn in as the President of the United States. Here in Panama there is just no getting away from this news as it is compelling here as it is to people the world over.

What does his Presidency portend? While there is a lot of hope and there is no question for the black movement in the United States, and perhaps in other countries where there is a black minority, there is now no going back. A black man is the President of the United States.

But the question which holds the world’s rapt attention is the financial crisis. Can Obama somehow get the economy in the US moving again? Can he somehow stem the flow of red ink that is overwhelming the financial sector.

For Panama one of the important questions is world wide trade as the traffic through the canal yields substantial fees which definitely help support the economy of Panama. In addition, Panama has a huge expansion planned for the canal. Can they get all the money they need to complete that and does it make sense in the current economic climate?

In addition there are a lot of developers in Panama who are concerned about the sale of their projects. It was reported in the press this past weekend that some of the developers who have luxury-high-end condos to sell may be having trouble finding buyers for those units. If that is true, is there any chance of that slowdown spreading generally throughout Panama’s burgeoning real estate market?

While only time will tell what really is true with respect to all those questions, the promise of Obama plays a big role in so many of those answers. And so a new era with Barack Obama at the helm in the White House starts today.

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Budding Artists?

I was always able to read and write.  It’s true  I could read at age 2 but art.. the word terrified me.  Teachers told me how terrible my art was.  Since I always liked to excel at everything I did that was a little hard to hear so of course I hated “art!”

So I looked at these budding artists with such envy.  No one is telling them that they have no talent or that they are hopeless in art.

I think that if we can look at these children as all having unique gifts and convey that message to them that they are all children of God and very precious, than we will have a lot more artists. Can that be all bad?

I was told Panama was a third world country but this jazz festival and art auction was excellent. Maybe there could have been more bands and more artists, but would anyone have enjoyed it anymore? Bigge is not necessarily better.

Come and enjoy Panama as it is. Don’t compare this to where you came from. Panama is unique and like artists, that is good.

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