The Weather - I Love It

Its always warm.  Rain, sun, night or day...its always warm.  I love it.

No REAL Apple Stores in Panama

Here in Panama, the Apple store does not exist.  Here, they only have authorized Apple resellers.  Sounds good right...wrong!  If you wanna buy an apple product here, expect to pay a lot more for some products. 

I needed a to by a power cord for my Macbook.  In the US, the retail price is $79.00 (which is still high because I found it online for only $39.00).  I went to 2 different Apple resellers, the price at one was $94.00 and $99.00 at the other one.

If you live in Panama City and have no other options, expect to pay a much higher price for some Apple products.  If you are fortunate enough, just buy the products in the US. 

*Note:  Some things in Panama are sold at low or reasonable prices.  However, based on lack of competition...some things are a rip off!

Dance Classes - Finally We Found You!

My girlfriend has been looking for a good dance class since we got here.  Of all the places she found, they were either for kids only OR they were in the midst of preparing for a performance so they were not accepting new students.  Ironically, my gf has danced in a number of PROFESSIONAL shows, so if they gave her a chance, she'd probably fit right in instantly.

Anyways, last Sunday, she found a dance class at the University of Panama Curundu.  It was an open class that mainly consisted of serious dancers or dance students.  The instructor/choreographer was impressive and really knew her stuff.  It was just the class that my gf was looking for...a dance class for serious dancers!  It took 3 months of searching, but she found it...thanks God!

Holes on the Sidewalk - Don't Fall In

My brother asked for a photo of an actual hole in the sidewalk.  Here it is.  I took this in El Dorado.  The hole was at least 6 feet deep and there was another just like it no more than 5 feet away.  This might be one of the reasons you don't see people just casually walking or biking down the street.  Just the other day, an  acquaintance of mine said a woman fell it one just outside his building!

The More Artsy Side of Panama City - La Musa de Chai

I like this place!!!!  Its got soul!

Its a cool artsy spot in El Cangrejo on Via Argentina.  The night we were there, they had a great DJ named "A Long Days Journey".  The crowd was mellow and chill.  Panama city can sometimes be a place where people can be a little superficial...this place is nothing like that.  There's "good" graffitti on the walls, and lots of cool art all around.  They sell drinks and Puerto Rican food.  This is the perfect place to meet up with friends for a relaxed good time.

If you wanna a little art and soul, then go to this place.  I'll definitly be back!  I gotta find more spots like this.  This is the side of Panama city that I wanna get to know more about.

The Gamboa Rainforest - A Quick Getaway From the City

Gamboa Rainforest and hotel.

This place is about 25 mins (or less) away from Panama City.  We got lost on our way there, but I'll take full responsibility for that.  We stayed one night at the hotel because we got a good low season deal.

Word to the wise: get exact directions BEFORE going to Gamboa.  Its easy to get lost.  Thank God we had a GPS.

My review:

-->Pool was very nice, but a little cold.

-->Free canoe trip was very low key and casual.  Not a whole lot of canoeing or adventure.  Apparently crocodiles were in the water, but we didn't see any.   Our guide didn't seem to be worried, since she dangled her leg in the water for quite some time!

-->Hotel was good.  Facilities were very nice.

-->Room was quite comfortable.  

-->The spa was okay.  The men and women's spas our seperate, so my lady and I were in the hot tubs alone.  :(  They also have a (seperate) sauna and steam room.  I liked the steam room, but it took a WHILE to get it to work.  My gf could NOT get her steam room to work.  The hot tub jets were terrible.

-->Massage at the spa.  According to my gf, it was not impressive and NOT worth the price.

-->Tours: Free ones: Canoe, Bike, and Night Truck Ride.  Pay ones: Monkey, Bird Watching, and others.   Can't comment, didn't go on any except the canoe tour.  HEADS UP, sign up for the tours early, because once they are full, you are outta luck.

-->Hotel restaurants were good.  We might have got sick from the food, it was hard to tell cuz it happened when we got back home.  The restaurant by the lake is the ONLY place we saw any crocodiles.  I was told they just hang out there because people toss them food from the balcony.

My recommendation:

1. This place is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city and its very close.
   
2. Come here if you want an easy, quick getaway from the city.
3. Come during off season and try to get a good rate.
   
4. Get there early.  It seems like the best part of the place is enjoying the scenery during the day.  Give yourself enough time to explore the area.
   
5. Venture out and explore the area...its pretty big.
   
6. Skip the massage.
   
7. Keep in mind that couples can not enjoy the hot tub, sauna and steam room together.

  

Do NOT Leave Uncovered Food Out!!!

I'm in the kitchen today and I notice a bunch of rice on the counter near my empty container of protein powder.  I thought that was kinda of odd, so I take a closer look and notice that THE  RICE IS MOVING!!!!  Turns out that that wasn't rice...it was maggots!!!! Not Cool!!!!  

After more investigation, I remember that 3 days back, I used that container to hold some extra oil that I poured out while cooking.  Apparently, I didn't close the lid all the way, flies came in and laid some eggs and BOOM...maggots!  Again NOT COOL!!!

Lesson learned:  Its easy for flies to get in your house through and open window.  In panama, lots of building have windows that do NOT have screens.  So, do not leave any food out, or any food uncovered.  Also, do not leave dirty dishes in the sink!  If you do, get ready for some "rice that moves!".