It’s been three weeks since we got back and we have been settling in like we were never gone. Finding a place to rent, visiting with old friends, hiking, shopping, exercising, and of course relaxing, have been on the agenda. We wake up every morning to the songs of so many kinds of birds…¡PARAÍSO!
Valle Escondido
We have landed in the gated community of Valle Escondido in Bajo Boquete on this particular stay. Browsing through a short-term rental website gave me a lead in finding our small one bedroom, one bath apartment attached to a grand home (up twenty-nine stairs…very good exercise!) We rented this apartment for one month while we were searching for something longer term. It really has a splendid view on the terrace and is my favorite part of the apartment. As luck would have it, we were able to negotiate a great deal for four months on the house downstairs as it is currently vacant. In Panamá it really is about connections and word of mouth as little is actually advertised on the internet. After that rental we will probably return to the US for a while for some business matters, but we will go with the flow.
Banking
One major thing that we needed to do was go to our Banistmo bank office in David and straighten out a problem we were having with our “soft token”, which is a two-factor security authentication that is used to authorize the use of their service. I had been using my banking app to make payments and transfers while we were in the States without a hitch until about a month before we arrived. I was getting all kinds of error messages. I needed this to work as this is how a lot of banking and payments get done here. As part of the Covid protocol, only one of us was allowed in the bank, so I masked up and waited in a socially-distanced line for my turn to speak with a customer service representative while Craig went to Panafoto for a battery back-up and some other miscellaneous items at Do-It-Center. There were actually two lines at the bank, and I really hoped I was in the correct line. One was for customer service, and the other for teller business. When it was my turn, I spoke (in the best Spanish I could muster) to the rep about my issue. He had me replicate what was happening by doing a transfer from my checking to savings which did work, however the proof of its success was whether I could make a third-party transfer or pay a bill, which I did not try there as I had no one to pay. I was pretty flustered, and I guess satisfied at that point that the soft token was going to work. So, I thanked him for his help and out I went. This had taken quite a bit of time and Craig was done with his business, so he had walked to the TGI Fridays in the same strip mall and I met him there for a beer (which I really needed at this point)! I am happy to report that my soft token is working, and I can accomplish everything I need to, so it was not a waste of time.
Groceries were another big to-do and required visits to several different stores to stock up on supplies. You generally will not find everything you need at one store, and if you are looking for particular products, grab them when you see them because who knows when you will see them again. I had really missed the fruit and vegetable stalls at the public market in town. We stock up there about once a week with plenty of fruits and vegetables for less than $6!
We were also anxious to get back to the gym! We had a membership at The Haven before Covid hit last year and gyms were forced to close. The people there are so warm and friendly and they have good equipment for our needs. And, they recently purchased all new treadmills and ellipticals! They had put our membership on hold last year and let us use up the days we had previously paid for! They also have an exercise pool, hot tub, infrared sauna, steam sauna, various exercise classes and treatments including massage (which was one of Craig’s first priorities).
Hiking was another activity I was ready to get back into and we were able to hook up with a small group of people who meet every Wednesday, rain permitting. I had really missed the social aspect of this as well, catching up with people while enjoying nature. Today’s hike was cancelled due to rain, so Craig and I went out in the rain on our hike own close to home. The rainy season seems to have started early this year! It does make the landscape more beautiful with vibrant and lush greenery.
Boquete 110th Anniversary Concert
Last weekend we attended an outdoor concert in the town square with friends. It was part of the celebration of Boquete’s 110th anniversary. The band was comprised of some very talented local expats who performed some jazzy numbers. Of course it was drizzling, and as it got heavier, we headed out and grabbed some burgers at La Cuchilla (a nice new burger joint in town) then continued the festivities at Boquete Brewing Company where a live Panamanian band was playing both American and Spanish rock music. What a great night! It was so great to see things open and people going out and having a good time. They do take Covid seriously here and it is mandatory to wear a mask even while you are outside walking around town. We feel it is a small price to pay to get back to normalcy.
It’s amazingly beautiful, sounds like you are back in the groove and things are opening up.
Hi George, it certainly is! It’s been both a wonderful and eye opening experience. I came back to the states with a global view rather than one sided. My best to Barb!