Brundageba

Hugs to you too Don ! When Marion is recovered and strong again we will ALL celebrate. I do hope we can have a Boquete bash in her honor to as well raise some funds to help her with those hospital bills.

Once you leave Kansas don't expect life will be as it was there....we ain't there anymore ! Look around you. How many local homes have window bars on them? I'd say ( a guess 85-90% of middle class to affluent local homes have bars and a fence..probably more) Poor homes?...their windows are decorative brick...and, there's nothing to steal there. OK so why do we who have left Kansas think we can live as we did there? " Oh...I don't want to live in a jail!" they say. That's the definition of self deception if you believe you are immune to theft because..lets say...you live in a gated community. Please..many if not most of these child thugs are on foot and can enter through the perimeter and escape being seen in a hippidy hop ! They are kids without conscience coached by adult criminals and rewarded well...and...they are getting away with it! It? Well, why not break in to grandma Marion's house and plug her with a few bullets for her available cash a/o laptop? Cool! They commit the crime and do NO TIME....and have the cash ! Who cares about grandma? ....not them. Protect yourselves and do it now. Don't just say...we don't have any crime in OUR neighborhood. Delusion...it's a matter of time.

Deposit into your Panama bank off your USA bank by writing a check. Soc Sec check we have direct deposited to the USA bank. Multibank has your $$ in 5 work days. We have a pre paid account for recurring monthly charges and use at Pricesmart..use it like a credit card. Generally we avoid the machines and bank inside the bank and make an attempt to be discrete and not flash bills. A wad of bills and credit cards: ...minimize how much you carry around. No point in flashy jewelry here. Give it to your heirs now.

Used recumbent stationary bicycle. $75.00 Ask for Alison 6827-0064

I have not a clue how you can give someone a reputation...like Wryawary. His reputation speaks for itself, and eloquently I might add. Anyway I suppose I will figure it out in time. Alison PS. I just added that comment to up the ante on my posts so as that some day I will become a legit "member" and not just a mere newbie. ( kiddin). Oh look ( I'm editing my post ) I graduated to a "novice" !...wow, I'm stoked

There is not a forum that can call itself complete without wryawary . Glad you are here. Alison

Bill and I could not have said it better. Dav has communicated all of our thoughts, our ponderings and hopes...our dismay, as well steadfast support. This entire community does not go one day without thoughts of you Marion, and as well your family. We send you our love with a hug.

In these difficult times when crime and discontent seems to be rising, the more splintered our community becomes in our communications, the weaker we become as well. There was an enormous value to a pretty much central information/dialogue source. I guess the best thing to do is to carry on ...here and there. Some that are either here or there may miss out on something.

There was NO representation from Ministry of Justice nor the powers that be...as far as I saw to speak to that matter ( child criminals let loose...or not, and if so why) . The Dolega District government and the Municipal police force seemed "let-down" that they were the only ones there to speak. Keep in mind this was a fairly last minute meeting and the other officials they hoped to see there may have had prior obligations. My sense was that they were there to speak to their difficulties in retention of the juvenile criminals, their sympathy/empathy with the populace. My hunch (merely a hunch) is that were they to announce to the people there that YES the kids are now out there free as birds would have been something that would increase the fear of the populace. From what I heard, it was left unknown ( we left before it got too dark to walk to our car parked at the Zap). We will learn more from Diane I am sure. They made every attempt to reassure and set some goals for future security....but that was not going to happen this year. They do have a police car donated to them by Athena....a start .

Change in the law. Athena said it will definitely be a battle. The "rights of the child" was an obstacle that needs to be re-visited. I sense attitudes across this republic are changing as every sector is being increasingly impacted by juvenile criminals committing heinous crimes. A recent poll taken across the nation evidenced that the primary complaint the public has, is an increase in crime and a sense that something has to change. That was #1 over the concern over the rising cost of living !!...consider that. Gangs are shifting around...youth led by adult criminals. Vulnerable populous in the interior districts need the same protection as that of the more dense and affluent ones. One policeman for 1200 people 24/7 is a draw to the criminal. That was stressed. This was a meeting. Now we must protest, protest and protest some more. We heard the voice of the local municipality who are equally as concerned with regard to their sense of helplessness as we are as citizens. Consider that.

Keith.....that WAS a huge concern among every official that spoke and the drive to keep in custody youth offenders was their strong desire. The fact that there is no support there from the National Police was central concern ...and that will change. The more pressure from our voices the easier the task will be to push this forward. Now, whether the alleged perps of the latest crime are still detained I am not certain. Athena will move quickly in the legislature to introduce bills to change the law...she assured the crowd of that. That got a standing ovation. She is serious. The entire community is determined. Personal protection and a plan is certainly important, and that is up to each one of us. That was NOT discussed. We all have to continue to meet, to shout and to demand that all of Chiriqui has the police protection that the people deserve. The new road through Potrerillos on to Rio Serena is now present. Their sense is that this location in Potrerillos at that crossroad needs a serious police force ( that was stressed). More of these gatherings WITH television and press will help !!!!.

Meeting was moved to the basketball court down the street from the Zapadora. There was a mixed crowd of local and expats of about 250. Focus was Porerillos security which is sorely lacking. Encouraging that 300 more policemen will be added to the Chiriqui forces. A real police station needs to be built over there and that was discussed. When that happens they will have National Police support ( it was not clear to me why that building was essential...but right now all they have is a small hut) Athena the Deputada of Dolega District donated today her personal vehicle so now the policemen will have a car. She said she was going to do her best to encourage legislation for the conviction of juvenile criminals as adults when they conduct serious crime. They feel that when the pinch is on to catch these youths in certain areas, they move to others less protected as Potrerillos is. Serious meeting. I saw no TV nor news cameras. Those people over there need support.

If you are into skin diving, fishing or an excursion to Coiba this would be your place. Connection for these activities can be arranged through Hotel Santa Catalina. For beginner surfing there is a long sandy beach not far from the hotel. Soft boards, kayaks, bicycles are all available for free at the hotel. Within the next couple of months Hotel Santa Catalina will have a full service restaurant and as well a swimming pool. Look up Hotel Santa Catalina on Trip Adviser.

This photo was taken in September at the break Santa Catalina, Veraguas. Took us 4 1/2 hours to get back home ...which is pretty good time considering the road construction. Road is improving rapidly. Take a right at Guabala' to Sona' then on to Sta Catalina This location is very consistent. Surf is over rock and you really only have 3 hours before and three after the high tide. Wind tends to be on-shore making it choppy in the afternoon. We use MagicSeaweed surf forecast site for swells and tides. Posted under that location (Santa Catalina) there are pages of great surf photos to look through. Hotel Santa Catalina has AC, refrig, and Tempurpedic mattresses !

It seems having the right attorney is part and parcel of moving it along. That said you will have to go to Panama City to finalize the process. We had an attorney here in David do the paper work. We were not happy with how that went. We finished the process and got another attorney firm to do all our future legal work. We use Panama Offshore Legal. Check out their web page for information and FAQs. http://www.panama-offshore-services.com/