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Volume 14,
Number 24 |
Also in this
section: Kudos,
Christianity,
culture,
complaints
Fan mail Please thank José Ponce for the lovely (Urban scenes) pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words. They are a great inspiration for those of us who live outside Panama. You can almost feel the rhythm of the places that is in the pictures. God Bless. Fermin
Jamieson
How to report problems living in Panama ? I was wondering is there a site you can voice your opinion on life in Panama. I have lived here for three years off and on and cannot tell you how many times I have called to police to report loud music, drunks in the street and horses running loose in the streets all hours of the night and day. I just called last night about a disco that was over a mile away and the noise was thumping so loud that I never got to sleep till around 5 in the morning. We called the police and they said they had permission to play the music till 4 in the morning and they would not do nothing. Is there not any noise ordinance in Panama? Enough whining to you but if there is somewhere I can voice my concerns please let me know. Mike
Burnett
Editor's note: We do have noise laws here in Panama, and local governments and National Police that by and large refuse to enforce them. Note that the boom car industry has sufficient political influence to be included in the mayor's Christmas parades and that the insurance companies have an inside deal with the car alarm sellers to require these noisemakers that are absolutely ineffective at preventing crime. Maybe one of these days those who are annoyed at having their sleep disrupted will become a cohesive and powerful political force, but it hasn't happened yet. Panama Day in Brooklyn A
reader sent us this link to photos of the recent Panama Day
celebration in Brooklyn, New York:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ultraclay/sets/72157607963348679/detail/ Rediscovering the Christmas message At Christmas we pause to contemplate the nativity in the crib. There we find the Virgin Mother offering the baby Jesus --- the One who stripped himself of divine glory in order to become poor, driven by love for mankind. The beautiful initiative of the nativity is meant to reawaken in all Christians the desires to witness to the values of life, love and peace of which the solemnity of Christ’s birth reminds us. The tree is also a meaningful symbol of Christ’s birth because, with its evergreen leaves, it recalls a life that never dies. Commemorating the tree and the crib means passing on the history of popular piety and religiosity. It means rediscovering joy and the solidarity of friendship which we must preserve in contemporary society, where the consumeristic rush and the search for material goods alone sometimes seem to prevail. Christmas is a Christian feast and its symbols, the crib and the tree, hand down in time the true meaning of Christmas! The Creator of the universe, in making himself a Child, came among us to share in our human journey; he made himself little to enter the human heart and thereby to renew it with the almightiness of his love. Let us therefore prepare to welcome him with faith, enlivened by firm hope. Paul
Kokoski
Hamilton, Ontario Canada Crime in Bocas Del Toro As a concerned Panamanian citizen (born in the former Canal Zone), resident and business-owner of Bocas Del Toro, I would like to address the rash of burglaries in our beautiful community. The situation has fast gotten out of control and is hurting not only residents and tourists physically, emotionally and financially, but it is seriously driving away prospects for a healthy way of living in Bocas Del Toro, and the country of Panama in general, as well as turning away potential investors. I suspect that the reason for Bocas residents’ apathy and code of silence concerning the crime here is because we all want to keep up the image of “paradise” to the outside world, so it doesn’t hurt our businesses. But, the time to be quiet has long passed. We are now living in fear. I own a new yoga studio in Bocas Town, and I am putting bars on the windows --- not exactly the image of an oasis that I wanted to create with the studio, but it is absolutely necessary. I had big plans to bring in many tourists for yoga retreats. I advertise in the international magazine of Yoga Journal, appealing to a targeted audience worldwide, beckoning them to Panama. Clients here for a yoga retreat are willing to pay big money for the best hotels, restaurants, and other services. Now I have to think twice before bringing people here. I don’t even want my family from the United States visiting me here anymore, out of concern for their safety. The crime situation is going to hurt tourism on a big level, giving a bad name not only to Bocas Del Toro, but the whole country of Panama. The burglars are already targeting hotels on the islands. All visitors to Bocas Del Toro have to spend at least one night in Panama City too, so it will hurt tourism in the city as well. The
recent murder of Kim Crofts, during a burglary in Bocas del Toro,
seemed to have been an isolated incident, and thankfully the
perpetrators of that tragic crime are behind bars, however what
we’re
dealing with now is an issue of an organized group of juveniles
committing home-invasions in broad daylight, using any means
necessary to enact their crime, including beating
home-owners’
beloved pet dogs! It’s not the items which are stolen that
are
really a loss (although some have immense sentimental value).
It’s
really more a matter of it being a violation of privacy and security,
not to mention downright sadness when it comes to the innocent
animals being injured. I’m trying to remain positive, but
these
perpetrators are getting bolder by the day and it seems only a matter
of time before someone else ends up dead.
My
life-partner was injured seriously while chasing a 17-year old
burglar out of his home during the second of three break-ins at his
house. An expensive surgery was required (no health insurance),
multiple trips to David for medical care, and now months of intense
physical therapy to look forward to. While we were in the hospital,
we encountered another individual who was also seriously injured,
requiring surgery, chasing the same boy out of his house! Just how
much destruction is going to be left in this one boy’s wake?
This
violator was caught, red-handed, and the police say they are unable
to hold him because of his juvenile status. Everyone says
they’re
counting down the days until he turns 18, yet we already know of some
15 year-olds who are also committing these crimes along with him. Now
we are supposed to count down three more years until they turn 18?
When that time comes there will be another crop of them just waiting
to take their place as long as complacency remains the norm.
The
truth is, although the crimes are so completely nonsensical,
it’s
apparent that there is organization behind them. The manner in which
the goods are tried to be sold back to the victims is just
mind-boggling --- how many people are involved, with everyone getting
a cut, including people you thought were your friendly neighbors.
Everyone makes their own choices, but it’s my personal
decision not
to buy stolen items back from thieves, which acts as positive
reinforcement for their behavior, ensuring they’ll repeat it.
The
police are completely apathetic, unsympathetic and take no action.
It’s almost like we are living in anarchy here.
The
burglaries are not going to stop until the citizens of Bocas Del Toro
rally and insist an end to it. At the least we can get together for a
town-meeting to try to come up with solutions, inviting higher-ups in
the police force to attend, and perhaps the mayor. I don’t
have the
answer, but if we come together, I have faith we can find one. The
residents of Boquete are up in arms with what’s happening to
their
community, while we all simply shrug our shoulders and shake our
heads. The time is now for us to come together as the loving,
supportive community we all came here to be a part of.
About
a Panama UnClassified ad: the all around "FARM DOG"I have an adopted street dog that is an exact replica of what I've seen on the Internet as "Best of Show" for a Rhodesian Ridgeback --- except that my dog doesn't have the "ridge." Does that make my Mighty Dog "worthless?" Not in my opinion. He's a wonderful, gorgeous, loving dog. Does anyone want puppies from this wonderful dog? Oh wait... sorry, it's my practice to have every dog spayed or neutered as soon as they come to live with me. I do not understand why anyone in Panama would consider BUYING a dog. These over bred "purebreds" can't approach giving the love, devotion, and appreciation that an adopted street dog will give you --- plus, with a little care and good food, they are much healthier than the "breeds." I should know. I have 10 adopted street dogs that in the beginning were starving, sick, worm-ridden, some with considerable mange, etc. --- and with a little care they are now strong, healthy, joyful dogs. They bring much joy to my life as well. By
the way, Mr. Finca, dogs do not "make love" to each other.
It is a purely instinctual (hormone driven) act that often causes
brutal consequences to the female, including a painful
protracted uterus.
Sorry, but I get on my "high horse" when it comes to breeders when there are so many wonderful dogs that need loving homes. Dottie
Boquete - Chiriqui - Panama? Boquete is back on track and the town wants to put the spotlight where it belongs: on its beauty and its people. Boquete
was in the spotlight this past month, not for its natural beauty,
award-winning coffee and friendly people, but because of the damage
caused by the Caldera River. The dramatic footage and photos do not
tell the whole story: Boquete didn’t experience long-term
flooding.
The river grew quickly during a short period of time and affected
some structures in its immediate vicinity. The fact is, the majority
of Boquete, including the downtown, roads, tours and activity
businesses and most restaurants and hotels, were untouched. The
people of Boquete and the business community have come together to
invite the public to experience Boquete today.
“Boquete
is back on track,” says Charlie Collins, Owner and Executive
Chef,
Panamonte Inn and Spa. “Of course, it has been a difficult
week for
the people of Boquete and our hearts go out to the families affected.
My family has been in Boquete for three generations and some things
never change: the things that Boquete has always been known for ---
its natural beauty, relaxing environment, fresh air, friendly people
and welcoming spirit --- were 100% unaffected.”
Earlier in the week, media, websites and blogs were reporting on the situation in Boquete in Chiriqui. But the photos and footage was limited to a very small section of Boquete, the rest of the town was untouched. “Everybody
saw the photos and footage, but it’s important to remember:
the
story didn’t stop there,” continues Chef Collins.
“The Boquete
community rallied together to help the people in the areas affected
by the river. The speed at which those vulnerable points were fixed
was truly amazing. It speaks volumes about the character and spirit
of the people in Boquete.”
‘What’s up in Boquete?’
“All
of the traditional activities that Panamanian families have enjoyed
over the years never stopped,” says Lissette Ameglio, Fresas
Café.
“The gardens of Mi Jardin es Su Jardin and El Explorador.
Stopping
for a delicious strawberry batido. Enjoying a fresh brewed cup of
coffee. Relaxing with your family. Boquete is the perfect place to do
this. Now the sun is out and we want people to experience the beauty
of our special town today.”
Michael
www.espritliving.com www.ecowatch.ning.com
Also in this
section:
Make
the Executive Hotel your headquarters in Panama City --- http://ww.executivehotel-panama.com |
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©
2008 by Eric Jackson email: editor@thepanamanews.com or phone: (507) 6-632-6343 Mailing
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