Panama Notes http://blog.panamanotes.com Most recent posts at Panama Notes posterous.com posterous/ilbIhttp://feedburner.google.com Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:24:57 -0800 Casco's Steeples http://blog.panamanotes.com/cascos-steeples http://blog.panamanotes.com/cascos-steeples

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:20:49 -0800 mariscos mercado http://blog.panamanotes.com/fish-2 http://blog.panamanotes.com/fish-2

Img_0191

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:05:51 -0800 Big Bouga http://blog.panamanotes.com/big-bouga http://blog.panamanotes.com/big-bouga

Bouga

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:36:00 -0800 Jazz in Casco Viejo http://blog.panamanotes.com/jazz-in-casco-viejo http://blog.panamanotes.com/jazz-in-casco-viejo

 

Casco was closed to vehicles yesterday as it hosted the 9th edition of the Panama Jazz Festival and its grand finale concert. A big crowd gathered in Cathedral Plaza and it certainly looked like everyone was having a good time.

Jazz2012

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:01:09 -0800 Casco sunset http://blog.panamanotes.com/casco-sunset http://blog.panamanotes.com/casco-sunset

Sunset1

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:19:41 -0800 Promoción http://blog.panamanotes.com/promocion http://blog.panamanotes.com/promocion

Jane's doctor wanted her to have an MRI to check on her sinuses. So today she stopped by Punta Pacifica to make an appointment and check on the cost. The nurse was very helpful and said that a MRI would normally cost $300, BUT . . . we're having a special promotion and the cost will only be $140. Now, we've not had many dealings with hospitals in the US - but I can't ever remember them having "blue light specials" on services. Life in Panama - it's just a little bit different.

Hospital

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:43:53 -0800 Random pics from 2011 http://blog.panamanotes.com/random-pics-from-2011 http://blog.panamanotes.com/random-pics-from-2011

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:43:25 -0800 Merry Christmas http://blog.panamanotes.com/merry-christmas http://blog.panamanotes.com/merry-christmas

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:20:12 -0800 Just a little color! http://blog.panamanotes.com/just-a-little-color http://blog.panamanotes.com/just-a-little-color

Photo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:08:00 -0800 Here's something unusual http://blog.panamanotes.com/hi-res-test http://blog.panamanotes.com/hi-res-test
We were out and around with some vistors and at the Pedro Miguel Locks we saw something unusual. While it's fairly common for cruise ships to transit the Canal - this is the first time we've seen one following another. In the lead is the Celebrity Century followed by Carnival's Inspiration.

Diptic

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:39:28 -0800 City Hall http://blog.panamanotes.com/city-hall http://blog.panamanotes.com/city-hall

City_hall

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:52:36 -0800 The Amazing Race http://blog.panamanotes.com/the-amazing-race http://blog.panamanotes.com/the-amazing-race

Just a heads up. If you're not a fan of the CBS program The Amazing Race you might still be interested in this Sunday's show (Dec 4th) as the contestants next stop on their race around the world is - PANAMA.

Race

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:52:50 -0800 danza y música http://blog.panamanotes.com/danza-y-musica http://blog.panamanotes.com/danza-y-musica

A couple of nights at the theater this last week. First it was a short walk to the National Theater for a folklore dance spectacular. The group you see in this short clip is one of a dozen dance groups that performed dances from half a dozen countries. This dance is típico Panama.

 


Later in the week we attended a music concert that was anything but "típico" - from Cuba, the a-cappela group Vocal Sampling, in concert as part of the World Music Festival. One of the best concerts we have see anywhere!


An added bonus -

Not one of mine, but this video was shot here in Panama at the MultiPlaza Mall and on the streets of Casco Viejo.

 

Take care.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:29:00 -0800 Lake to table http://blog.panamanotes.com/lake-to-table http://blog.panamanotes.com/lake-to-table

Diptic

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:07:02 -0800 On the lake http://blog.panamanotes.com/on-the-lake http://blog.panamanotes.com/on-the-lake

On_the_lake

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:20:11 -0700 Boo! http://blog.panamanotes.com/boo http://blog.panamanotes.com/boo

Pumkin

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:15:54 -0700 Steeple on a grey day http://blog.panamanotes.com/steeple-on-a-grey-day http://blog.panamanotes.com/steeple-on-a-grey-day

Steeple

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:25:00 -0700 The new "un Balboa" coin http://blog.panamanotes.com/the-new-balboa http://blog.panamanotes.com/the-new-balboa
Un_balboa
Back in July the Banco Nacional de Panamá began introducing a new "un Balboa" coin (equal to $1) in an effort to reduce the governments cost related to the replacement of damaged, worn or dirty US One Dollar banknotes. The new coin was minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and has a bi-metallic Nickel plated steel center surrounded by a Nickel-brass plated steel outer ring. It's only slightly larger than the US 25¢ coin and it's Panamanian counterpart the "Un Cuarto de Balboa" and could easily be mistaken for those lessor denomination coins were it not for it's distinctive bi-metallic design. That bi-metallic look, however, is causing some problems of it's own - it looks more like a "token," making Panamanians suspicious with some even refusing to accept the new coin.

If you are traveling to Panama, just remember - the US one dollar bill ($1) is still legal tender here, but in that mix of coins (US and Panama) you have in your pocket or purse may be a "Un Balboa" that is worth US $1.

Some bonus facts and history. The balboa is the currency of Panama. The balboa replaced the Colombian peso in 1904 following the country's independence and has always been tied to the United States dollar (which is legal tender in Panama) at an exchange rate of 1:1 and is circulated alongside US banknotes and coins in Panama. This new Un Balboa coin is not the first such coin in Panama - it's predecessors, however, have been recalled (most melted for their silver or gold content) and are no longer legal tender. Similarly, Panama does not currently have it's own banknotes (only US banknotes are legal tender in Panama) - a very few old Panama banknotes are in the possession of collectors but most were recalled and burned.

Take care, and remember - you can't take it with you.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:27:45 -0700 Saturday Night Football http://blog.panamanotes.com/saturday-night-football http://blog.panamanotes.com/saturday-night-football

The stands at the old Balboa High School were packed and the fans were going wild.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:16:35 -0700 Dinner with friends http://blog.panamanotes.com/dinner-with-friends http://blog.panamanotes.com/dinner-with-friends

Joan and Nancy treated us to a great dinner at Manolo Caracol last night. We first meet Joan back in January on her first trip to Panama - she's back, looking at the possibility of moving here and brought Nancy along to see the sights. We had somewhere north of ten courses, some good wine and lots of interesting conversation.

Manolo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/966144/profile.jpg http://posterous.com/users/YC2lmi1wjoR Steve Steve Steve