Great Food and Turtle Races at La Jungla

FORMULA "T" RACING AT JUNGLA ON MONDAY AUGUST 20, 2012

THIS IS THE GRAN "T" OF TESTUDINE RACING

Racer viewing and interviews start at 12:00 Noon.     First race starts at 1:00 PM.

Turtle Racing is fun for the whole family.

Not sure where to begin on this one...The above announcement went out to the expat community three days ago regarding an event held to support Dorothy's wild life refuge, as well as to draw clientele to the re-opening of the restaurant under the management of Frank and Carolyn, new proprietors.  The event was a definite first in Boquete.   The weather cooperated, providing sunshine and moderate temperatures for most of the day.  A friendly crowd developed as the afternoon wore on.  After close scrutiny of the bio for each participant turtle, attendees placed bets on their selected competitor, and elimination rounds were initiated.   My contestant, Leatherback Larry, number 13, unfortunately failed to place.  I had to leave before the qualifying rounds were completed, but did manage to snap a photo of the main contender as he crossed the finish line.

More noteworthy than the reptile race, however, were the changes to the restaurant.  The tropical mural paintings have been completed, and the bar is tiled and spruced up.  The menu now features Thai, Caribbean, and local fare.  After enjoying two meals in the restaurant on two occasions in the last two days, I'd give the cook 100% on her satisfaction rating. Being a fussy diner, I seldom eat everything on my plate, but both times at this new La Jungla,  I barely left a fingerprint.   My first pleasure was Jerk Chicken, delightfully flavored with exotic spices, a hint of sweetness, and just the right amount of picante "kick" that kept my mouth tingling for a lingering time afterward.   My second experience was a Thai fish fillet that was also excellent.  A tender, moist, flaky white fillet was grilled to perfection and then topped with a coconut cream sauce and oh-so-pleasing Thai condiments.  Entrees come with a wonderfully-dressed fresh garden salad and your choice of either rice & beans or boiled, butter-herb potatoes.   All but one menu item was under $ 10, and the remaining item was just $10.  The bar serves local beers, well-drinks, and can also accommodate a variety of special orders.    They are open six days a week, from 11 am to 7 pm.  Closed Tuesdays.   I highly recommend La Jungla for an alternate dining experience and for the friendly ambiance.  Both indoor and outdoor dining available, but outdoor seems to be the preference as it allows customers to view the resident rescued animals and the grounds.



What a Lovely Day Today!

Boquete was unseasonably warm today, missing the typical afternoon rain or bajareque mist.  Spent most of the morning in the yard, tending to my garden.  The narajilla plants I started from seed are fruit bearing, but not yet ready to pick. 

Was told they need to turn yellow first...

Made fresh salsa with cilantro and chombo chili peppers from the garden.  Then picked fresh citrus, chayote squash, bananas,  and maracuya.  Had a surprise visit from a friend, which helped wile away the afternoon hours. 

What do you do with a yard full of mint, a lime tree, a friend who used to be a bartender, and an aging bottle of light rum?   You learn how to make and enjoy mojitos. I think I have a new favorite drink!   Can't see straight, but I learned they are just perfect for sitting on a shady deck in the hot, humid, tropical afternoon, while listening to light jazz,  staring up at Jaramillo, and contemplating absolutely nada!   Made a conscious decision to plant more mint tomorrow....Life's good.

As the night unfolds,  from my house to yours,  have a wonderful evening!

 

El Estero Beach, Veraguas, Panama

Escaped the mountains to accompany a friend to the beach in the final days of her much-needed vacation.   There is a well-known surfer's beach, called Santa Catalina beach, about an hour and a half outside Santiago going southwest.(?)  But heading a little more east upon reaching the Sona crossroad is a less populated locale called Playa El Estero.  That's where we went.  It's a less rocky-bottomed spot, with challenging albeit not treacherous waves, and provides a comfortable overall surfing experience.  (So I'm told, given I don't surf.)

While we were there, I observed a 3 yr old practicing his surfing skills and was suitably impressed.

Accommodations in the area are rustic, but we found lodging with air conditioning and private bathrooms right on the beachfront.   There is  an "eco" resort nearby that I passed up without hesitation.



My apologies to the proprietors, but I want screens and plumbing if I am going to pay to sleep somewhere.  And my needs are not all that demanding, really.  We settled for a funky place right at the road's end and on the waterfront.  Private baths, window screens, and air conditioning made the difference.  It turned out to have the best restaurant and bar in town, as well.     Stuffed my face to the point of shame.   I highly recommend the coconut shrimp curry or fried fish fillet with an ice cold Atlas.  And they also have excellent salads.

Around and Above Boquete

 

Thought I'd share a few additional photos of familiar Boquete scenery...

TVN Special--President Martinelli's 3 years of Governance

This evening I watched the TVN Channel 2 's special program evaluating "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" of President Martinelli's first three years in office.   TVN has a reputation for being negative toward this president, and so I was curious regarding what would be  presented as well as how it would be done. 

I lost track of the time, but the show was at least 60 minutes long, probably more.  I think the station did a reasonable job of presenting both sides, and found myself actually more sympathetic to President Martinelli than previously. 

Negative criticism had to do  with allegations of corruption by family of the president or cabinet members in the president's administration; ie, ---the alleged money laundering in Mexico by a cousin of the President, the selling of Panamanian visas to person's of questionable foreign citizenry and the irregular release of persons suspected of narcotrafficking by the minister of immigration---(this under investigation since March) and the free adjudication of lands worth 12 million dollars to a florist represented by an attorney affiliated with allies of Martinelli.  This apparently was quickly questioned and the land has since been returned, with a lawsuit pending against Anabel Villamonte, the head of the agency that issues land titles, ANATI.   Shortly after this came to light, Ms. Villamonte apparently gifted 54 hectares of protected beachfront property at Juan Hombron to 14 individual corporations, some of which are run by the family of the Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu.  There was also a scandal involving the provision of contracts for the construction of new Panamanian prisons to an Italian company.

During the program, representatives of the Martinelli administration---Frank De Lima, minister of economy & finance and Alma Cortes, minister of work (labor?) convincingly defended the charges regarding the Italian contracts. However nothing was discussed regarding the other issues mentioned.  At one point, Panama's ex-controller, Alvin Weeden, stated that Panama's supreme court judges  ruled according to President Martinelli's  wishes---something both De Lima and Cortes vehemently denied.  Mr. Weeden lacked credibility, in my humble opinion. 

On a more positive note, President Martinelli and administration were credited with accomplishing many beneficial projects, including the governmental distribution of  a $100 monthly income to persons over 70 years of age, the implementation of the new metro buses to replace the Diablos Rojos, the breaking of ground on the Panama City railway system, the provision of universal scholarships to Panamanian students, the implementation of roadway amplification in many parts of the country, the development of governmental housing projects in Curundu [a destitute area of Panama City], an increase in the minimum wage, the yellow color identification and regulation of taxis thoughout the country, and additional income and improvement in work conditions for the police.    Raul Mendez, with the Chamber of Commerce, also mentioned the positive influence created by economic growth as a result of  increased investment and improved infrastructure in the country's interior regions. Mr. De Lima mentioned that President Martinelli has also increased the amount of investment dedicated to public improvements over prior administrations---from 4 billion  to 13 billion.  He also commented on President Martinelli's strong work ethic and stated the president works 7 days a week non-stop.

From that point the program degenerated, in my opinion, into political posturing by both sides of the discussion table.  Alvin Weeden, ex-controller, and Ana Matilda Gomez, ex-procurator,  representing the opposition and Alma Cortes and Frank De Lima representing the President.  Mr. Mendez and the two television announcers presented as more neutral.  The opposition attacked the President's manner, personality and management style, bringing up personal issues that made them seem petty and less professional.   

At the end of the program, I was more impressed with the accomplishments of the President and his administration, while at the same time possessing a better understanding of why his popularity has taken such a strong dip and why he will continue to be under attack by opposition parties.  His management style---that of a successful business entrepreneur accustomed to doing things his way---has forcefully collided with what is considered appropriate for public administrators and bureaucrats.  Ms. Gomez suggested that she resigned after being told not to present President Martinelli with "technicisms".  She mentioned that what he referred to as "technicisms" were actually laws regarding governance procedures and process.   Her feeling was that he tended to run roughshod over the laws of the land in his eagerness to accomplish all the goals of his administration in his 5 year term.  This is a feeling that the opposition has been able to successfully convey to the Panamanian populace in these first 3 years of the President's administration.  Perhaps it has stuck so well because of the massive changes the country has been obliged to undergo in the first half of Martinelli's presidency.

Hopefully the momentum will continue to focus on the positive work to be done and there will be less attempts at corruption and personal gain by the party's politicians in the two remaining years.

July 3rd addendum:  Just read Don Winner's blog re: the three year benchmark for the present administration.  He, of course, sang the Cambio Democratico's praises, then ended his post with the following remark:

"And I should say I consider a certain degree of corruption to be a common denominator between all Panamanian politicians, so it get's eliminated when solving for "x". " 

How sad!    Perhaps it's true, I don't know and wouldn't venture to guess. But to address the assumption that it is true,  I would only say that this administration has been very unsympathetic to environmental issues.  Many of the transgressions have had to do with violation of the environment and protected lands.  I'd rather see business corruption than destruction of the country's lands and natural beauty.  Whenever there's the chance to choose between development and construction of resorts, parking lots, open pit mines, ---you name it, over protecting natural resources, it's a done deal that the CD will go with corporate interests unless stopped in their tracks by other people and processes.   That's my chief complaint with the current administration.  Otherwise, they've accomplished a lot.  My second criticism is the fact that life has not improved for the ordinary Panamanian.  Other than rare $100 governmental handouts, the average Panamanian wage-earner is being squeezed with record high tax and cost of living increases to pay for the "accomplishments".  

Affordable Care Act Upheld by Supreme Court

Wahoo!   This news just made my day.   Today the Supreme court declared in a 5-4 vote that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is constitutional.   The individual mandate was the primary issue in a lawsuit filed against the act by 26 states and a business group.  Twenty five of the 26 states were Republican.   The argument was that the individual mandate violated the Constitution's interstate commerce clause, which empowers Congress to regulate interstate commerce.  The basis of the arguement was that although healthcare is a form of interstate commerce, individuals who do not engage in commerce cannot be compelled to participate.  The fear was this act could open the door to further eroding of personal liberty. 

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals foregoing insurance coverage still actively participate in the healthcare marketplace because they will eventually require medical attention.  The decision not to get healthcare coverage affects everyone else because the cost of their free or subsidized care is passed on to the rest via higher insurance premiums and healthcare provider costs.    In addition, it leave the existing risk pool of insured Americans smaller and sicker, thus increasing premiums even more.

The justices also upheld the constitutionality of the expansion of the Medicaid program and declared that a penalty applied to individuals who don't obtain health insurance coverage beginning in 2014 does not prohibit consideration of the case beforehand.   This addresses the Anti-Injunction Act which prohibits anyone from challenging a tax in court until it has been paid.

Chalk another one up for Obama!!!

Panama Politics are a Pain

Recently I commented on a post written by Lee Zeltzer in his Boquete-based blog.  Lee was writing about incidences of political unrest that erupted in Panama City during National Assembly sessions.  If you were to watch TV footage of the incident, what you would see are suited politicians getting physical with each other, pushing, shoving, posturing. One man even wielded a police baton at his colleague(s).  In addition to that,  demonstrators tore down plastic partitions when the public observation area was closed off.  Riot police were involved in controlling the situation.  The session eventually was postponed a day or two.

In Lee's last post regarding "Political Unrest in Panama", he danced around the issue of an increasingly apparent political animosity toward current Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli.  What Lee basically said about the political unrest was that there are pros and cons to the activities of the current administration, and  there are allegations of corruption, but the most glaring problem is the national cost for the numerous infrastructure projects the Martinelli administration has implemented, and that “someone” has to pay for it.

 

After reading the article,  I decided to play devil’s advocate. I typed off a comment that if I were in a position to vote in the 2014 election, that I would vote for the current Panamanian Vice President, Juan Carlos Varela,  [an outspoken opponent of the current President].  I liked the way Varela responded publically during the indigenous mining protests, and in general I like his political presence from interviews I’ve watched on TV.  He is the leader of the Panamenista political party and not a member of President Martinelli’s Cambio Democratico party.    And he was instrumental in the formation, on June 15^th,  of the Front for Democracy, which is a coalition of Panama’s three other political parties.
 

The Front for Democracy was formed  to show opposition to the current administration’s actions pertaining to approval of bills allowing for the sale of government shares in electric and telecommunications utilities, and for extension of the Supreme Court from 9 to 12 members via creation of a Fifth Chamber.  (The law regarding establishment of the Fifth Chamber was conceived during the administration of a prior president, then later repealed by his successor.  The current political administration was trying to revive the Fifth Chamber and President Martinelli actually named three judges and alternates to this entity.  Apparently their function was to deal with analysis and interpretation of constitutionality matters.)

Vice President Varela commented on the union of the three opposition parties to form the Front for Democracy, stating  that "Democracy belongs to three million Panamanians, not to political parties…. the Fifth Chamber is the beginning of disrespect for democracy."   Other criticisms by other party leaders expressed that the President and his government  "is destroying the country's institutions, acting against the law; they are trying to give continuity to his government to continue in a dance of millions and extract  [the state] resources for their own interest. “   The opinion was that Ricardo Martinelli wants to build the Fifth Chamber as a structure of constitutional interpretation and analysis and do it in his own way for his party’s future electoral intentions.  Other comments included the belief that in addition to destroying institutions the government is auctioning off the national heritage, by selling the shares of the telephone and electricity companies, and the lands of the Colon Free Zone. "What is happening is that it seems they want to buy the goods of the Panamanian state cheaply.”  On the issue of appointment of judges of the Fifth Chamber, the leader of the Popular Party said the president is making an institution as he sees fit because he wants to open a path in his project to remain in power. "What is at stake is whether there will be elections, if there will be democracy, if there will be freedom of expression.”   The Panamanian  people were urged  “to defend our liberties from a person who was elected democratically but does not govern democratically."

I'm getting off subject, but thought the background info might be helpful….In any event, I impulsively posted my comment re: Varela  on Lee's blog to see what others would think or say about this particular politician who I sort of favor. 

A Panamanian responded to say he was undecided, but essentially believed most Panamanians vote not so much in favor of one party or politician as they vote against a particular party or politician.  His comments suggested that Panamanians often became disenchanted with the party in power and tended to vote to replace that party in subsequent elections.
 

The rest of the comments were from expats who very nastily and closed-mindedly told me I was inappropriate in expressing a political opinion and that I was NOT to get involved.    Expats are advised not to engage in political demonstrations or become active in grassroots movements.  I believe this is appropriate and good advice.  However, I think a lot of people are going overboard when they believe it is not okay to become informed of local issues or engage in political discussions with Panamanian nationals.   If the tables were turned, how silly would it sound to tell a US resident alien or foreign student or tourist that they are NOT to engage in political discussions or form a personal opinion regarding our government and / or an upcoming election?  When that becomes the rule, then democracy has definitely been disrespected. 

Below is a link to a Wall Street Journal article regarding the current situation in Panama.  A local expat, who is well-informed regarding Panama politics and very sympathetic to the current President and his administration, criticized the article as biased and misleading.  But despite his knowledge base, I frequently find myself at odds with his opinions.  I thought the Wall Street Journal article was informative.  There is also a video interview with the author on the same web page.  Ms. O'Grady's comments during the interview do seem a bit alarmist, though.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303734204577471082594621986.html

Below is a link to Don Winner's rebuttal of Ms. O'Grady's article. His bias is apparent. He strongly leans to the right in almost all his opinions,  and I'm told has a background in Air Force Intelligence.  This man is a strong proponent of open pit mining in Panama, which I have a rough time accepting.  But he does give a strong argument in favor of the current administration and feels the Wall Street Journal author didn't do adequate research before writing the article. He presents a different perspective.

 

Since I’ve been coming to Panama, I’ve seen the cost of living jump exponentially, and the public be taxed more and more to pay for infrastructure projects that are of questionable need.  I’ve seen little compassion for the environment.  I've been told of blatant attempts to seize control of lands and resources for sale to foreign corporate interests with little recompense to the Panamanian people.  Whether this is true and /or characteristic only of the current administration is something I have no way of knowing.  I only know the change has been very dramatic.   And interestingly enough, the President  renegged on the establishment of the Fifth Chamber.  The sale of government lands and shares of public utilities has also been halted.  The President reportedly has decided to cancel government subsidies for electricity,  and Panamanians are being warned their bills will increase and probably double in the coming months.

Truth be told, it’s really hard to determine truth from political propaganda in Panama, and I’m honestly glad I don’t have the added responsibility of voting in this country’s next election.  I just hope all ends well for this country that I have grown to love.

Documentary on Mining Conflict in Panama

A local expat recently shared this link to a documentary regarding the indigenous struggle against Canadian mining interests in Panama. The film covers the protests I reported on a few months ago and presents both sides to an old, but increasingly common story.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV%20Shows/The%20National/ID/2247454134/

Avocados are in Season

These were three for a dollar.  The smallest was the size of a softball.  Tried a new recipe suggested by a friend.  Avocados and  ripe pineapple in a plain yogurt and cayenne dressing.   YUMM !

More Panama City Photos

The first photo above is of El Cangrejo by day, taken from the same rooftop as previously.  The second photo is of the F & F Tower, an office building named after the real estate developer,  F & F Properties.  It previously was known as Revolution Tower, but the name has since been changed.  The architect is Pinzon Lozano.  It has 45 floors beneath the spire containing office suites of varying square footage.  Apparently the base of the tower is a regular-looking building not so much to the liking of many Panamanians.   Thinking that the next time I find myself in PC with time on my hands I may try to visit and see what I can see.  Here's a photo taken from the realtor's website.  Apparently there are a total of 52 floors, counting the base.



El Cangrejo at Night

Panama City can be very charming at night from certain vantage points.  Some of my favorite include the mezzanine level of the Metro Mall, the Amador Causeway, Casco Viejo, and the new Costera Sur.  The above photos were taken from a rooftop in El Cangrejo close to the Veneto Casino.  One of the drawbacks of having two equally favorite places is missing whichever one you aren't in.

San Francisco Revisited

Returned stateside a week ago and have been very busy.  Not much time to write.  Just wanted to post some new photos of old familiar stomping grounds.  The Bay Bridge is getting upgraded. They are adding a new curved section with suspension cables where that one dangerous section currently exists.  (Remember the truck that crashed and caught fire several years ago?)  Anyway, I'm not up on all the details, but snapped a quick photo of the new section.  Very different! 

 

Also visited the Palace of Fine Arts a few days ago, and am ashamed to say I wasn't clear on the reason for it's cosntruction until then.  I always thought it was built for a World Fair in the early 1900's.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was actually built in 1915 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal!    It took four years to construct and was part of the 635 acre Panama-Pacific International Exhibition that ran from 2/20/1915 to 12/4/1915.  It drew 19 million visitors during that time.  It now houses the San Francisco Exploratorium.  The building and ground were being renovated when I lived in the city in the late 1960's.  It's quite nice to stroll though the grounds at this time....

 

I took this last photo as a professional photographer was setting up for wedding photos.  It was a gay marriage.  I love San Francisco!

My [Panama] Neighborhood Revisited

I posted photos of my Panamanian neighborhood on a previous blog, and really wanted to transfer that post over. But I didn't save the photos, and trying to add a copy of the photos from a copy of the post isn't working for some odd reason. One of these days I'll do another walk about and update my prior post with new photos. Some of the houses I photographed six months ago have undergone new ownership and significant changes in appearance, anyway.

I did want to mention a neighbor just 2-3 doors down, however. He's in the house next to the guitar player, and is busy sculpting away at some stones recently dumped on the roadside near the edge of his yard. Here are some of the projects he's working on...

The house itself is a virtual shack, but it's made so much more picturesque by the art pieces just sitting around for passers by to enjoy. It's been a lot of fun watching these figures evolve out of the raw stones originally placed there. I've spoken to him a few times about selling the pieces. He may eventually do so, but isn't so motivated at the present time. Their market value is out of my price range, in any event. Probably still a bargain by stateside prices... Ah well, for now, I can enjoy them for free as they just sit out there unfenced, unguarded, unprotected and unassuming.