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Hil J

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About this blog

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Entries in this blog

New Immigration Policy

The Policy Did Not Change For US Tourist. The information was very confusing until the Embassy got the correct information from the Panamanian Government and passed it on. Some countries will be effected by the new decree. Changes are frequent in Panama.   I hate to see this happen for the honest people using the old 180 days tourist visa (border hopping was LEGAL and still is) or the 90 days tourist visa with driving on a foriegn drivers license privalge and not working here

Hil

Hil

Christmas In Medellin; Parque Arvi, Zoo, Parque Pablado

We had a great time. Medellin is a nice, clean, and a modern city. Lots of things to see and great food. I was surprised this is a Very Cheap vacation in a 4 star hotel. Parque Arvi is amazing. Lot of arts and crafts for sale. The Hiking Trails are for serious hikers only. It's really cool up there and you can see all of Medellin while in the gondola. While going up the side of the mountain you will see how the poor people live. Lot of good history displayed in Medellin. Parque Pablado is a grea

Hil

Hil

Mini Vacation Costa Rica

Great little vacation to the Quepos area. I had been there before but never visited the tropical rain forest. Quite the adventure. All of the guides were talking about La Nino changing things 4 years out. They said the immediate transition would be felt the most. I believe them as they have first hand experience in the rain forest with La Nina and La Nino.

Hil

Hil

2016 USA Election For President

In all my years I have never seen this much anger with politicians and the voting public. While in the US last month, I had time to visit friends and the election always came up. I didn't engage the political conversations much and don't here much either. But, having said this; There are more questions but I will keep this short. Does it really matter which one is elected? Could it get any better in the US than it was before Bush or after? Can a new president make sufficient foreign policy

Hil

Hil

Florida Visit

I visited Florida the third week of September. My sister and I stayed in her beach house for a week. I retired from a college and had to visit my former coworkers. And, all my hunting and fishing buddies were glad to see me. This was a real treat. They had tons of questions about Panama and were shocked (in a positive way) at some of the answers I gave them.  Now, I'm greatful to be back in Boquete. The traffic, highway construction, crime, drugs, etc etc has not gotten any better in the US

Hil

Hil

Metro/Subway Panama City

Great experience for Panama. Buy the Metro card ($2) at a kiosk before entering the gates. Then add money to the card at the kiosk. Simple as that. We rode the Via Argentina Route (L1) to Albrook mall. 35 cent per person one way. Fast, Clean, and Professional. It is safe to take it during rush hours in the daylight but I would recommend the off hours. We tried peak and off hours. Both are good but it is really crowed during rush hours.

Hil

Hil

Volcan Flower Festival

Last year was great. They may have promoted this year beyond imagination. I'm thinking there was approx two thousand cars going in circles around town. Today was a nightmare. It appeared just as many were leaving as were arriving because of no parking. They did not plan on this many visitors/cars I'm sure of it. So, no parking and a lot of people left. I never got out of my car.  Maybe they'll figure out more parking next year. A few photos from last year; The table without the ho

Hil

Hil

Mexican Food Volcan

Burricos!! We go and eat there once a month whether we need it or not!!! Always a good experience. We ran into a horse parade leaving town.  Raquels Ark is a treat also. Rehab for wild animals.   https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g608647-d4560352-Reviews-Burricos-Volcan_Chiriqui_Province.html https://www.facebook.com/RaquelsArk/

Hil

Hil

Isla Boca Brava

Repost requested!! My original post was NOT meant for advertising or critical advice. Bud's wife ask about it out of curiosty. Another person did a critical overview of the project. That was NOT Necessary on my Blog. My blog is for information on things to do in Chiriqui. So, to stop any speculation on what this project is going to be I took the blog down. We had great visit to the island and that is ALL the Blog was about. We watched a ferry take cars across from Boca Chica landing across to Is

Hil

Hil

Zika

The U.S. always steps up to the plate. This article gives quick hope for prevention. And, hopefully a vaccine. http://www.newsherald.com/news/20160812/almost-900-innovators-submit-ideas-to-combat-zika

Hil

Hil

Healthy Dogs In Bouqete

There are a couple of groups in Boquete that do good work with dogs and cats. I couldn't resist this one enjoying his sidewalk downtown. He looks healthy. A lot of dogs are not well taken care in the area. The spay and nueter clinics seem to work well in Boquete.

Hil

Hil

Adios El Nino Y Bienvenido La Nina

Some say the rains have started early this year. Going into my third rain season here I agree. Looks like La Nina could be very wet this cycle (possibly serious flooding and land slides) and have other consequences also. Seems like too much rain causes disease with coffee plants. La Nina appears more benificial than droughts. They both have their postives and negatives. IICA always has good information because they depend on rain for agriculture---the main source of substance for the popula

Hil

Hil

Water Buffalo?

I had seen these animals on my way to Volcan before taking the short cut to Volcan (Potreros road). This trip for Mexican food, I told the girl friend if I see them I'm stopping for pics. And, there they were in the same place last time I seen them. They are in the huge orange grove. I'm not sure if they are pure bred or crossed with cows. But, you can see the water buffalo in them for sure.

Hil

Hil

Win 10 Update

I committed to June 4th for the upgrade. Not a lot of difference with the interface. A few minor cosmetic changes. It does run faster. But, it defaults to window's new browser. I changed that back to my google chrome browser as my default browser. If enough people tells me microsoft browser has out done Google then I'll switch to windows browser. Right now I'm happy with google. Now we wait for the bugs to show up.  This is normal with windows upgrades and any other platform.    

Hil

Hil

Vietnam

Vietnam 45 years and 20 days ago I came home. Would I do it again? NO WHY? This war had nothing to do with our national interest or in defense of our nation. Unjustified wars kill innocent soldiers and civilians. Are there justified wars? Yes. 45 years and 20 days ago I came home to the USA. Too many sleepless nights with nightmares in the past 45 years. Have a nice memorial day everyone.    

Hil

Hil

25 Months In Panama

Panama never ceases to amaze me. I mostly focus on how the country has treated me and how I can reciprocate instead of focusing on how I can change the country and the expat population. Panama has been good to me and I will continue being good to it. I am not new to countries outside of the USA so I haven't had culture shock since I was in combat in Vietnam. I've visited 13 countries and enjoyed everyone of them. Panama was first on my list to retire to because of the location, culture, weather 

Hil

Hil

Panama Papers search engine released

Interesting searches locally and in David. The USA and many other countries and thousands of individuals listed. Legal in some countries and not in others.   https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/#_ga=1.72650774.467971681.1462812105

Hil

Hil

Dr. Harminio Carrizo

Rest in peace good Doctor. We attended a small service for him yesterday. All five of his daughters were here. Four of them live in the USA. Very beautiful family.

Hil

Hil

David Feria

We went today, Sunday, around noon. Not many people there at all. That's why we went at noon. We bought a few things. I got a belt and she bought a purse. I love the beautifull live stock show. They grow some fine animals in Chiriqui. Lot of condo sales, gated community sales, and property sales inside the cool buildings. I was more interested in history and the live stock than anything else. And, there was a shooting in the fair last night. I went at night last year and I'm convinced we are a m

Hil

Hil

Cubanos At Paso Canoas

The cubanos that left out on a plane to Mexico have been replaced with new ones coming from Ecuador and Columbia. My understanding is there are a few hundred more in Paso Canoas now. I was at the Frontera last weekend and the warehouse before the InterAmericana Hwy Check Point was empty and now it is full. Also, the highway check point was checking ever vehicle and documents in both directions. The traffic line through the check point took me 30 minutes. It is full of cubanos today, Saturday, Ma

Hil

Hil

Oldest Catholic Church On Pacific Coast---not verified but believable

Nata, Panama is a few minutes before Penonome traveling East. Very interesting church. Couple blocks off of the InterAmericana Hwy to the right in Nata. Serious history here. The Church was established in 1520 and has never closed it's doors. All structual inside is original and pews are original.

Hil

Hil

Jazz/Blues Kick Off Park Central

Great way to spend the afternoon with my Panamanian Friends. The Tipico Music, Dance And Cultural Attire amazes me. These kids were great. Editing a video and will upload later.     JazzBluePark1.wlmp

Hil

Hil

Panamanian Mail

I have used the David post office many times for packages going to the USA. Nothing has gotten lost so far. In David, you are required to wrap the package onsite for inspection purposes, use brown paper, and glue. No string or tape allowed. Also, in David you have to put a copy of your passport in the package. My last package with three pair of sandals got to Florida in less than 21 days. If you need info about Boquete I suggest visiting the post office. I would assume the rules are the same. Le

Hil

Hil

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