Welcome to the Panama Man

Latin American Modern Art in Panama - The Opening

2012-10-12T05:41:00.002-07:00

This weekend October 11th thru the 14th is the Latin American Modern Art show at the EuroLife Design Furniture Store on Calle 74 in the San Francisco area of Panama City.

We hit the opening on Thursday at 7pm and it lasted until 11pm, what a night. Live paintings by each artist plus a ton of food,wine, and music was served. It was a great turn out and the main sponsor was Claro. And if you are a Claro customer you receive an additional 30% off each painting.

Check it out.....

Time to rest Panama

2012-10-03T05:18:00.001-07:00

Day 366 (Dia trescientos sesenta seis) - Wednesday (Miercoles)

This will be the last of the daily blogs as we have hit our ONE YEAR MARK as of yesterday. One year was always the goal to see if we could actually make stuff up every day (useful or not). And we did!!!!

And remember to Come To Panama and Turn Your Frown Upside Down.

Until next time

El Panama Man

I guess I need to learn better Spanish

2012-10-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

Day 365 (Dia trescientos sesenta cinco) - Tuesday (Martes)

So it was time for a haircut as my hair was getting quite lengthy, so off I go for a haircut. I was looking for a little off the top, a little off the length, and a little thinner as my hair is quite thick.

And here's what happened..................

October is Pink, even in Panama

2012-10-01T05:31:00.001-07:00

Day 364 (Dia trescientos sesenta cuatro) - Monday (Lunes)

All of us either know, are, or have been touched by someone with this awful disease. This blog is dedicated to all of the survivors and to those that could not make it thru - - God Bless You and Your Families.

Barbershop party in Panama...

2012-09-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

Day 363 (Dia trescientos sesenta tres) - Sunday (Domingo)

Walk out our building on Saturday night and what do you see? A party happening right across the street. All were welcome, food and drink is our specialty. They had a small band playing some tunes and Ron Abuelo was the sponsored liquor.

And what did Jimi Hendrix used to say, even in Panama?

2012-09-29T05:36:00.001-07:00

Day 362 (Dia trescientos sesenta dos) - Saturday (Sabado)

Courtesy of Hard Rock Panama

A trip to Casco Viejo Panama

2012-09-28T11:37:00.005-07:00

Day 361 (Dia trescientos sesenta uno) - Friday (Viernes)

The old city, as it is known in English. Casco Viejo is a great place to hang out, see the sights, have a meal, and enjoy the culture.

We opted for lunch this time as it has been awhile since we have been there. There is a distinct difference between the day life versus the night life, the night life actually has people, the day life - WELL - not so much

There's my girl

Presidential Palace

Entering Casco Viejo

Plaza De Cathedral

The Lunch Spot

Why I planted a tree in Panama

2012-09-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Day 360 (Dia trescientos sesenta) - Thursday (Jueves)

Not sure how we get into these things but we were roped into planting a tree the other day while we were exercising in the park. There was a joint Panama/Columbian Tree planting venture going on in Parque Omar and we turned it into a joint Panama/Columbian/USA tree planting venture. Not sure who these good folks were or why they were planting trees but they asked us in their best English if we would do the honors on one of them so WHY NOT. In total they planted 6 and we named ours Estaban ;)

Recycling in Panama, muy bueno

2012-09-26T06:06:00.001-07:00

Day 359 (Dia trescientos cincuenta nueve) - Wednesday (Miercoles)

Panama is trying, recycling is happening and on Sunday they held an environmental fair. Many were bringing their recyclables to Colegio La Salle in El Cangrejo, along with some recycled crafts, always some food, and live music, it turned out to be a pretty good afternoon.

New York, New York, in Panama?

2012-09-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Day 358 (Dia trescientos cincuenta ocho) - Tuesday (Martes)

As I have mentioned many times before in my little blog space, Panama is the next USA or trying to be. With all the American fast food chains (watch your waist lines Panama), to all of the American traits left over from the military bases (not that this is a bad thing) we have now seen a major ex-pat gathering spot. New York Bagels in El Congrejo.

Want to listen and speak English in Panama? Head to New York Bagels, this was a hot spot for English speaking Ex-Pats to gather, sure there were locals there also but it felt like little America. Anyways.....

LifeBridge Premiere hits Panama

2012-09-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

Day 357 (Dia trescientos cincuenta siete) - Monday (Lunes)

Have you ever been or participated in a newly commissioned church on day 1 of that church? Not me. Well yesterday that all changed, LifeBridge International Church in Panama had its world premiere and we were front and center for the event.

The music was right on and Pastor Glenn's sermon on the book of Mark hit a home run. This is the start of something big, you could just tell.

So we have now found a church home for our stay in Panama and from the crowd today, looks like many other folks have also.

Congratulations to Glenn and his wife Susan, and all of the LifeBridge Community.... God Bless.

Welcome to the Hotel California in Panama

2012-09-23T05:29:00.002-07:00

Day 356 (Dia trescientos cincuenta seis) - Sunday (Domingo)

Online discount challenge here in Panama

2012-09-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Day 355 (Dia trescientos cincuenta cinco) - Saturday (Sabado)

Well we have written about the different online organizations where you can get great discounts on food, to pedicures, to massages, to your car washed. Now there is yet another one hitting the web. We have been monitoring this site for a few months now to see what they are offering as they are the latest start-up coupon place in Panama and we have befriended one of the marketing gals so now it is time to AD for them.

The name is Maxi Cupon, just like the other three it is free to register and they will send daily emails to your inbox of the daily deals. We have noticed that many times the emails do go to spam so check there also.

So to recap the competitive online discount places here in Panama.

1... Maxi Cupon

2... Oferta Simple

3... Groupon

4... QuierOfertas

All of these places offer a minimum of 50% off upwards to 88% off. So what are you waiting for SAVE SOME MONEY

Live at the Hard Rock Panama!!!!!

2012-09-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Day 354 (Dia trescientos cincuenta cuatro) - Friday (Viernes)

Erika performed live at the Hard Rock here in Panama to a packed house. I think it was overflowing. The show was sponsored by Claro and 106.7 fm. And of course tickets were FREE...

Erika Ender (21 December 1974) is a singer-songwriter Panamanian Brazilian descent, known for writing hits for artists voices as Chayanne ,Gloria Trevi , Ednita Nazario , Ha-Ash and Gilberto Santa Rosa , among many other artists. Currently she has two studio albums on the market, open the door and Regardless, and one live, in concert.

Estatus Restaurante en Panama

2012-09-20T06:03:00.004-07:00

Day 353 (Dia trescientos cincuenta tres) - Thursday (Jueves)

The other night we went to a newer restaurant that opened in the El Congrejo section of Panama City called Estatus. This is a bistro/lounge that serves up a variety of entrees, appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Pricing was good and serving sizes were excellent.

Our rating is good value for the money, PLUS they have live music every night at 9pm

No they don't!!!

2012-09-19T04:44:00.002-07:00

Day 352 (Dia trescientos cincuenta dos) - Wednesday (Miercoles)

Never thought we would see this day in Panama, the grocery stores are starting to have coupons on items. Yikes, I guess they truly want to be the next America. Panama has always offered sale prices but now coupons on food items? Well it is true and here is the proof.

The Panama News

2012-09-18T06:32:00.003-07:00

Day 351 (Dia trescientos cincuenta uno) - Tuesday (Martes)

There is a newspaper in English (OK another newspaper in English) that comes out on the first and third weekends only that gives us up to date information that you can use. Here is their website http://www.thepanamanews.com. I like to share all of this so folks thinking about Panama can get all perspectives.

Enjoy...

O to be a tourist in Panama

2012-09-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

Day 350 (Dia trescientos cincuenta) - Monday (Lunes)

It was tourism day for us, off to Gamboa with an expedition to the Embera-Woonaan Indian Tribal area. Now we are not big on tourista things but what the hey, wanted to culture ourselves a little. This was a 3 hour tour (hmmmm sounds like a Gilligan redux) that took us through the Gamboa rain forest, pretty interesting stuff. First off we headed to the Panama Canal to cruise through the canal for a while and stop off to feed some monkeys. Plus, seeing those large container ships is something to behold, commerce at its finest.

Back through the Chagres River to the Indian village where we were greeted by the youngsters and entered their village and met the whole gang. Actually no Embera were around today, we were greeted by Woonaan's who actually hail from Columbia (made sense to me as Panama was once part of Columbia). Here's what Wikipedia says about the tribes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embera-Wounaan.

Here's our day in pictures...

Health & Beauty, tis for everyone

2012-09-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

Day 349 (Dia trescientos cuarenta nueve) - Sunday (Domingo)

The Sheraton in Panama City is hosting the Health & Beauty Spa show this weekend, so off we went for our adventure to see what it was all about. It was so-so, but they were having many booths with massage oils, hydrating creams, sugar free hershey chocolates (Can there be such a thing?), new technology for vains, stomachs, ass toning, etc.... Basically no one was at this thing, not sure why.

Also in attendance was our friend Stephanie from OfertaSimple.com and we ran into a gal from Beverly, IL that is working for the Peace Corp here in Panama, twas interesting.

Also, the 1st edition of a new magazine here in Panama called Encuentro, this magazine is not being offered anywhere yet until after the show. The magazine will highlight restaurants and things to do here in Panama. Look for it at your local supermarkets and pharmacies.

The Panama Canal Treaty - Updated

2012-09-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

Day 348 (Dia trescientos cuarenta ocho) - Saturday (Sabado)

We have a correction to the below information, Omar Torrijos was NOT a President of Panama he was a Commander of the Panamanian and National Guard and the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981.

Thanks goes out to one of our blog readers...

The treaty to turn the full operation over to Panama was signed by President Jimmy Carter and President Omar Torrijos in 1977. The treaty relinquished control by the US to Panama on Dec 31st 1999. As with anything in life there are many opinions on this treaty, many say it made sense as the canal is on Panama soil and belongs to them. Others say, wait a minute, the US poured blood, sweat, tears, and money into the building and operation of the canal, so why just give it back. And somewhere in between many believe it should still be a joint operation and both countries sharing in the billions of dollars that it takes in annually.

No matter what side you fall on the debate, the canal now belongs solely to Panama and it has helped this country soar financially, and it seems once again America gave up billions in annual revenue, but who needs that money anyways?

Yes it happens

2012-09-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

Day 347 (Dia trescientos cuarenta siete) - Friday (Viernes)

The week started off with no water beginning on Tuesday throughout Panama City. First, there was a pipe break that served the main water location for the whole city, that took a day to get fixed, then when we were reading that 85% of the city was back online we still did not have water.

Well of course we didn't have water, our section of the city also had a broken valve so they could not turn on our water until that got fixed, that was an additional day. It was no big deal not having water for a couple of days, but as we all know that could have turned into weeks as that is exactly what happened a couple of years back when Panama City was without water supply for 3 months. WE WERE LUCKY!!

The beautiful Amador Causeway

2012-09-13T06:33:00.004-07:00

Day 346 (Dia trescientos cuarenta seis) - Thursday (Jueves)

A definite tourist destination and a great place for locals to come on a Sunday and walk around, explore, and grab a bite to eat.

The Amador has a lot to offer. If you like to walk, ride, run, eat, or shop, the Amador can accommodate. I would personally recommend going to the Amador later in the afternoon or early evening so the sun doesn't wipe you out, as there is no escaping it. Check it out...

New English Speaking Church in Panama

2012-09-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

Day 345 (Dia trescientos cuarenta cinco) - Wednesday (Miercoles)

In a Spanish speaking country it can be a good challenge to find a place of worship that speaks English during the service. Well we came across a brand new church that is starting to lay their roots here in Panama City - Life Bridge International Church.

They literally have started 3 weeks ago with their service at 9:30am on Sundays, get this, at the local Movie Theatre at the Multi-Plaza Mall. We missed weeks 1 and 2 but were on hand for a very relaxing, good service put on by Pastor Glenn Herschberger a native of Wisconsin.

It is always a blessing being able to be involved with planting something new and Glenn is ready for the challenge, who wouldn't be, the service was in the movie theatre, did I mention that already?

All are invited to the service every Sunday now at 9:30 and let's help Glenn grow is ministry.

Lest we forget

2012-09-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Day 344 (Dia trescientos cuarenta cuatro) - Tuesday (Martes)

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Its all about the food

2012-09-10T05:41:00.001-07:00

Day 343 (Dia trescientos cuarenta tres) - Monday (Lunes)

The supermarkets here are terrific, they have chefs on hand a couple nights a week to cook up some food for whatever theme they are promoting that week. This past week it has been Mexico, so of course Mexican food has been the hot spicy taste. Here is Chef Miguel in Riba Smith preparing a little snack using Avocado, bacon, ham, cream cheese, fried tortilla's, and salsa. Chef Ruben (Our favorite) works the Riba Smith at the Multi-Plaza Mall and also has his own catering business, so if you need some good cooking visit Ruben and hire him. We started noticing Riba doing this a few weeks back when Health Week started and they have continued ever since, good for them and good for us.