My Chinese Cell Phone with a TV in it

Yep, I'm too cheap to buy a Blackberry.  I refuse to play over $300 for a phone or sign up for a plan I don't need.   

All I wanted was a phone with a full keyboard (so I can send text messages easily) and a camera.  I don't care about internet and Facebook and all the extra stuff that I already have on my laptop.  I looked at all the major stores and they only had Blackberrys or phones over $200. 

So I decide to check out the Chinese electronic stores (you can find them in El Dorado or on Via Veneto).  Sure enough, they had a Chinese fake version of the Nokia E71.  The phone has a full keyboard, camera, video recorder, FM radio and bunch of other things I don't really need.  It even has a TV in it.  I can push a button and raise the antenna (yes it has a TV antenna) and watch TV.  The phone also has dual sim card capabilities, meaning I can add a completely different number to the same phone.  Pretty cool.

Problem solved.  Thank you my Chinese friends!

No Car in Panama? - Can You Run Like Usain Bolt?

I was walking down Via Espana last Friday to pick up a rental car when it started to drizzle very lightly. I was about 4 blocks away from my destination. I was in my work clothes and in the beginning it wasn't bad, but I've experienced this before and knew what was coming...

Literally 2 minutes later, it turned into the Apocalypse. The rain was coming down so hard it didn't even seem real. And of course, I was no where near any type of coverage to stand under, so I turned into Usain Bolt and did a full sprint for 2 blocks.

If I would not have ran, I would've been completely soaked in a minute.

Lesson #1: Unless you have a car, ALWAYS have your umbrella (which may not be enough).

Lesson #2: When it starts to drizzle, worst case scenario, you will have 1 minute before it becomes a monsoon.

Lesson #3: Don't be in a rush when it rains. You have 3 options: Wait it out, run like fugitive or get soaked.

Lesson #4: Even though it is bright and sunny, in less than 1 hour it can turn to a complete downpour.

*** That's NOT ME in the photo*** I don't look like a black "Dr. Evil" (from the Austin Powers movies)

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.