First Family Members to Visit

Had a great time hitting all the local bars and beaches--let alone the various restaurants.

Our next visitors are from Huntley, IL on May 3.

We Have PINEAPPLES!!!

One of our plants has now produced a pineapple!!

So far we have managed to grow watermelons from seeds that were planted in my flower box by birds. Our banana plants have now also started producing and we have gotten 2 bunches.

January 31, 2009

Water Commission 2008 Xmas Party

There were 17 girls (ninas) and 18 boys (ninos) all under the age of 10. Each child received 2 gifts plus a bag of candy. This is the 2nd year that we have done this. For the most part these are all the gifts these children get at Xmas.

I then paid everyone's water bill for the month of December - a total of $96. This is the 3rd year we have done this. We are the only one of means in our water district, where most people don't even have cement tiled floors.

This is Matt's and my way of helping our local community.

Yahoo Group - Americans_In_Panama Post on Mayra Ruzzi

We used Mayra in 2003 to get our pensionado visas and I have been recommending her ever since that time. Mayra was recommended to us in 2002 when we first discovered PANAMA and were looking into retiring here. The recommendation came from Tammy Lu of Panoramic Panama (www.panoramicpanama.com)--they are a tour company located in the city and also have a great bed and breakfast in Ancon.

I have also recommended Mayra to so many people that I have lost count! Never once have I had a complaint or a dissatisfied "friend". So far this year we have had over 280,000 hits to our website. Matt & Mary Strociek

--- In americans_in_panama@yahoogroups.com Clyde Jenkins" wrote: Over the years these Yahoo Groups have provided a wealth of information for people living in or considering living in Panama. Not only have they provided specific answers to questions, but they have also given an indication of what is happening here, the changes, the trends, etc.

Five years ago the main topic of discussion was what was required to obtain a pensionado visa in Panama. That topic was all shrouded in mystery and the attorneys who were members of these groups were very reluctant to spell that out in clear simple language, making it sound like it was extremely complicated and difficult and expensive, around $2,000 and up. After months of frustration, I was finally able to piece together, from emails with attorneys, telephone conversations with the Panamanian Embassy in Washington D.C. and other sources, enough information which made it clear that is was laughably simple. With that information I then wrote the definitive paper on obtaining a Pensionado Visa in Panama and posted it in the files of Viviendo en Panama. As a result of knowing the simplicity of obtaining a visa the cost fell to $750 to $1,000. Needless to say that there were many attorneys here who were not exactly happy with me.

The next main topic of discussion then became "Who are the best attorneys for getting your visa?", with the main emphasis being on cost. It was my opinion that while cost was an important element in choosing an attorney it should not be the sole determining factor as many later found out. Four or five names kept popping up and I selected Mayra di Ruzzi as my attorney. I have since referred about 80 or so people to her and have not had one complaint. I find that rather remarkable.

Now to the present. I cannot recall the last time someone asked the question on this group as to what is required to get their visa. And few, if any, requests for recommendations for attorneys. This raises the question in my mind as to why. Is it possible that the information is so well disseminated that no one need ask or is it because the number of people wanting, or able, to move to Panama has come to a halt? If the latter, this could portend some dire consequences for the condo market here. Whatever the reason it is an interesting phenomena. Clyde