The Butterfly Garden is in business!

One of the things I wanted in our garden is a “butterfly garden” that was specifically designed to attract butterflies.  So we planted a corner with flowers that are known to attract butterflies and . . . it works!  Mid-day when the sun is out we will have a couple of dozen butterflies fluttering around at any one time, and I’ve counted up to six different types at once.  My friend Shaun Valentine took these pictures and said I could share them with you.

 

 

Road To The Beach

Our friends and former neighbors in Ventura, CA are visiting with us this week, so we took them to the beach in Boca Chica.  Shaun took this picture of the “road to the beach” . . . that’s us in our pickup with they kayaks and dog up ahead.

“When it rains, it pours” . . . as it did last night, washing all the fertilizer I had just applied, and the seeds I had just planted, down the hill and into the river.  In addition to the Valentines, our friend Jubal is also in town this week, visiting from Madrid, Spain.  Jubal’s Panamanian, living and going to school in Madrid. 

Jubal is the reason why we have our coffee finca.  A couple of years ago he was visiting a mutual friend in Boquete and was helping me to find property.  We were going all over Boquete and to beach areas looking for property.  Jubal happened to be riding on the bus between Boquete and David and overhead a guy saying that he needed to sell his land in Palmira.  Jubal worked into the conversation, got the guy’s cell number, we looked, and here we are!

One of the best ways to find property in Panama is to find a Panamanian who will help you.  There still are Panamanian prices and gringo prices.  When I was out looking with Jubal, one old guy living in what most gringos would call a “shack” of a house, who happened to own about 15% of Boquete, pointed to me and said to Jubal, “If you want to get the best price, the next time leave the gringo at home.”

Panama Economics

The world wide financial crisis and economic slowdown is starting to have repercussions in Panama, although fairly moderate compared to what the rest of the world is experiencing..

According to LA ESTRELLA Canal traffic is down. 

The Panama Canal Authority ACP said that the transits of the Panama Canal slipped 1.4 percent . . . However, the Executive Vice-president of Operations , Manuel Benitez said that the results are better than expected, because the forecast was a diminution of 5 per cent.

“Our results for this quarter paint a favorable picture of how the Canal continues to weather the global economic crisis. [Fiscal] second quarter numbers remained steady and we do not expect to see major fluctuations,” said Benitez . . .A total of 3,914 ships passed through the Canal from January through March instead of 3971 vessels for the same period last year.

Fewer super size ships are using the inter-oceanic way and their transit numbers declined by 2.9 percent – to 1,815 transits from 1,869.

While the overall tonnage dropped 3.3 percent to 75.7 million tons from 78.4 million tons a year earlier.
The key segments such as general cargo, dry bulk and tanker transits increased, while refrigerated (reefers), container, vehicle carrier and passenger transits decreased.

According to THE VISITOR . . .

Panama’s economy grew only 2.5% in the first quarter of this year, it was reported by the Comptroller’s Office. That is the lowest rate in the last 22 quarters and reflects the significant economic slowdown that the country is experiencing, caused by the global crisis. Over the past five years, Panama grew at an average annual rate exceeding 8%. . . . The Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF), Hector Alexander, said this week that Panama will not fall into recession in the remainder of 2009. He said that the “last two indicators” for the first quarter, showed a growth of 3.2% and so far, “we are confident that this pace will be maintained throughout the period.”

The Colon Free Zone, second largest free zone in the world, second only to Hong Kong, has been increasing according to THE VISITOR.

But business of the Colon Free Zone in May amounted to $1,574 million, an improvement of 17.4% over the same month last year, when $1,340 million in merchandise was moved. Imports were $756.1 million (20%) and exports $818.4 million (15.2%). 

Not bad when you consider that some parts of the world are experiencing negative growth.

All of this, of course, impacts the real estate market in Panama, but by how much? Without any organized real estate – MLS, local real estate boards, etc. – there is no way to come up with accurate and meaningful numbers. According to NUWIRE, “The real estate market in Panama is being hit hard by the global economic downturn as foreign buyers become scarce. Since the luxury real estate market is extremely dependent upon foreign buyers, it is taking the brunt of the damage.”

The best “guesstimate”, without any MLS or accurate way of keeping track, is that things are slow in Boquete.  The good news is that, unlike five years ago, when we came to Boquete, there is a good inventory of quality, “gringo-style” houses on the market, so you don’t have to go through the nightmare of building.  There is some softening of prices, but folks aren’t “giving away” properties to bottom feeders . . . “cheap”, indicated in Panama by tapping the bottom of your elbow.  Most people, myself included, believe that as the economy starts to rebound, and more importantly as people make a realistic assessment of their resources, that Boquete will bounce back with vigor.  So rather than give away property at distressed prices, if you don’t need the money, why not just wait it out?  If you did sell, where would you put the money?  Still not made when in many parts of the world their is negative growth.  Having your money “parked” in real estate in what still promises in many ways to be the Singapore or Dubai of the Americas, doesn’t seem such a bad idea.  I can stand on my land and I can see it and feel it, and, as Will Rodgers noted, “they aren’t making any more of it.”

Most of the Boquete market is aimed at expat retirees, the “war babies” and “baby boomers.” For many the crisis is more a psychological barrier to making a move, say, to Panama. These are folks who watched the papervalue of investments soar to ridiculous heights in the 90’s, but it was profit only on paper. Same thing with houses. They bought in many cases homes which were really quite tacky and intrinsically had little value. They fixed them up, made them nice and livable, and watched property values, again on paper, soar. So the house that was really worth about $70,000 that you bought for $200,000, that soared in value to $600,000, will now only bring $500,000 . . . so folks feel cheated, like they’ve lost money. But it wasn’t real value. Sell for $450,000, pay off a $60,000 mortgage, and you are still $390,000 ahead . . . which will buy a very nice home . . . the one I’m selling in Valle Escondido for example . . . for cash. No mortgage! No taxes for 15 years! And a cheaper, safer and better quality of life!

Folks think, “Well, I’m so poor right now, my house is worth $100,000 less than I thought it was worth, I can’t afford to live out my dreams right now. I need to wait a few years.”

But what is a year of your life worth?

If you can do it, why wait??? Things change. The older you get the less certain is your future. Why wait to enjoy life and live out your dreams based on the money you do have, not waiting or worrying about what you might have had?

The condo market in Panama City is something different. In my humble opinion it is, and has been for quite a while, a crap shoot. Next to Dubai, Panama probably has the second highest number of cranes in the world. Thankfully Venezuelans are snapping up a lot of Panama City properties, but many feel, and have felt for some time, that a bust is imminent in the Panama City market.

According to PROPERTY WIRE . . .

Property development in Panama is being affected by the global economic downturn with projects being scaled down and some halted.

A lack of buyers, especially at the luxury end of the real estate market, is affecting both developers and construction as it hits their spending power. But there is also support for a crackdown on corruption to make Panama more attractive to foreign investors.

According to housing minister Gabriel Diez the luxury condominium market has been affected the most because it relies more on foreign property investors than other parts of the real estate sector . . . According to Jesse Levin from Archers Group Investment an interesting phenomenon happened in Panama when the real estate boom exploded three years ago. “Many foreign speculators came to the country and bought on pre-sales several luxury units with the idea of selling them at a profit before they have to pay the rest of the money, but after the financial global crisis, they were unable to settle their debts or get rid off their properties at a profit,” he explained.

NUWIRE, discussing the “2009 Panama Real Estate Report” says . . .

“While it’s been projected now for over a year that Panama’s market is due to bust, there still exists, as of May of 2009, a dimension of incongruity between buyers and sellers: sellers want to sell high, buyers want to buy low, and no one really knows an appropriate price,” the report reads. “Unlike more developed markets where a sense of reality and facts preside, we believe Panama’s disparity between buyers and sellers to be attributed to one main liability and that is the inability to obtain real comparative selling data. In other words, buyers and sellers aren’t on the same page because…well, there’s no same page to be on.”

The report finds that over the past year, the average price for Panama City condos and houses in four major areas has fallen between 3 and 16 percent. In Panama City itself, average prices in May 2009 were $448,762, down 3.26 percent from 2008’s average of $463,875. The Coronado to San Carlos region saw an 11.76 percent drop, while the Boquete and Volan area had a 6.42 percent drop. The most significant drop was 15.96 percent in Bocas del Toro. The average price for all areas dropped 7.80 percent over the last year.

The report calls out the Boquete and Volan submarket as a microcosm of Panama City as a whole. “Sales have come to a halt because of the vast gulf between buyer expectations and seller flexibility,” it notes.

Price decreases in Panama can be considered mild compared to many United States markets, including those in Florida. The report notes that the Florida Association of Realtors reported median condo sales price of $108,700 this spring, down 37 percent from $172,300 a year ago. Panama City, for its part, saw median condo listing prices of $450,200 in May, down a far more reasonable 3.5 percent from $466,400 in July 2008.

Panama City, which has become popular for foreign investment in recent years, appears poised to continue across-the-board declines in listing prices. However, real estate professional Paul McBride, who works in the Boquete market, says in the report that it will remain an expensive destination for investor dollars.

“(Property discounts) are no longer the case,” he says. “Property in Panama – city, beach, mountains – has become more expensive than property in the US, Canada, and Europe.”

Living the dream!

Back from the sea, back home to our little farm in Palmira, just above Boquete in the Chiriqui highlands in Panama, where I’m enjoying life on the farm! I’ve been finishing up details on the house, sitting in my spa reading, landscaping and gardening, and playing with the dogs. It’s a great life . . . living in Panama, growing coffee, and spending time on luxury cruise ships! As Kelli, our Party Planner on the ZUIDERDAM said to me one morning at breakfast, “Richard, we’re living the dream!”

People were asking, “So where do you go next?” Truth is, I have no idea! For now I’m going to catch up on things in Panama. We’ll see what, if anything, Holland America or some other cruise line wants me to do, and what, if anything I want to do, and see where it all goes. But for now, I’m enjoying being at home!

From my office I look out, over the coffee and flowers . . . and this morning’s sunrise was spectacular! From the first glimmers of light onward . . . today, like every day, is a great day full of adventures and opportunities!

Thanks for checking out and following my blog! Over 150,000 folks have visited and from all over the world . . . so thank you and have a fantastic day!

It was a beautiful day!

Yesterday we took our friends, the Valentines, to Boca Chica, and spent the day at Playa Grande.  When we left Boquete, and even driving out the – NOW PAVED (!!!) all the way – road to Boca Chica, the weather was questionable.  We stopped at our property, between two resorts – Gone Fishing Panama and Sea Gull Cove Resort – picked up our sit-on-top kayaks, and took the adventurous drive to Playa Grande. 

Nobody was there and the weather was beautiful!  Not even any afternoon rain!  We drove home and without rain the ride home was beautiful as well.  The Valentine boys picked up tons of shells and sand dollars.  Our Dalmatian, Spot, went along and played endlessly riding the waves, and slept all the way home.  It was a good day!!  Paradise the way it is supposed to be!

* * * *

Cinta Costera a major improvement for downtown Panama City . . .

It’s taken 3,000 workers working round the clock for 20 months and $189 million to build Cinta Costera . According to project manager, engineer Héctor Castillo, of the Panamanian Ministry of Public Works,

The land reclaimed from the sea is about 35 hectares, and has accommodated a six-lane track, parks, six multi-purpose courts, and a playground, as well as 1,200 parking spaces, space for small businesses, modern lighting and the yacht club that was moved to a new point of 3 hectares where the dealers will raise their buildings only if they comply with the architectural specifications that the government has established to be harmonious with the environment . . .”

Cinta Costera not only provides a beautiful promenade and park, but it unscrambles a major traffic mess on Avenida Balboa which has more than 70,000 vehicles daily at a rate of 49 cars per minute.

The historic statue of Balboa was scheduled to be moved, but workers discovered it was too fragile to be moved, so the road was built around the famous statue. In the process it was discovered that the head is of a different metal than the rest of the statue, and someone, over the years, presumably with some kind of real or imagined grudge, put a bullet in Balboa’s balls.

You can read all about it at The Panama Post.

Off to the beach

We’re enjoying having our former neighbors from Ventura, CA, Shaun and Julie Valentine and kids, visiting with us. 

Snorkeling in the hot tub really doesn’t cut it, so today we are off to the beach!  We’re headed down to Boca Chica to show Shaun and Julie the property we have there, and hopefully on out to Playa Grande, if the gate is open.  This is a great beach that usually has cattle, washed up sand dollars, and lots of shells.  There have been a couple of development efforts there, but so far all have either stalled or collapsed. 

Will let you know tomorrow how the day goes!

* * * *

My youngest daughter, Rebecca, is on vacation spending some time with her sister, Noelle, in Seattle.  They sent this picture of them clowning around with my grandson Rian.

“Why People Leave Boquete”

When I was a Pastor in growing churches we had two concerns: the front door and the back door. The concern with the front door was that it be open and welcoming to everyone, churched and unchurched. The front door involved publicity, promotion, greeting, welcoming, making people feel at home, getting them involved, having them attend membership classes and become active and involved members of the church. But a church can take hordes of people in the front door, and not grow if other people are going out the back door. People tend to leave churches when they don’t feel a meaningful part of the church family and when their needs are not being met, be it day care, spiritual nurture, parking, whatever. So to build a growing church you needed to keep the front door open and the back door closed as much as possible.

Lots of people are deciding to pick up and move to Panama, and specifically to Boquete. But, just like church, not all of these people stay. While many are coming in the front door, some are leaving out the back door. So it has always interested me to know not only what brings folks to Boquete, but why they leave. I wish someone would do a study on this! But here are some of my own pondering . . .

There are the Perpetual Adventurers- Let’s face it, picking up and moving to a foreign country requires a certain sense of adventure! Some folks we know have left Boquete and moved elsewhere because that’s just the kind of people they are. They are always looking for another place . . . maybe another spot of the world that hasn’t yet been “discovered” and where property is still ridiculously low priced. There are some folks who the moment they move to Boquete are already scouring International Living and the Net and looking for the next “hot” place to move.

There are those whose relationship is already on the rocks – Moving is always a high stress event, and moving to a new country with a new language, new customs, new mores is even more high stress. Folks who thought that making a new start in a new country might “fix” things soon find out it doesn’t work that way. The stress is greater so, like a tiny crack in the windshield, the cracks in the relationship are soon going in multiple directions. Plus, for a lot of folks, moving to Panama is breaking out of the mold, or rut if you will, of the traditional commute, 9 to 5 job, social obligations, family expectations – whatever. Suddenly feeling free, and frequently knowing that this is the last big adventure of life . . . folks break loose . . . one stays, one heads back to the states, or they both move on in elsewhere in different directions.

There are those who didn’t do their homework in the first place- If you came to Panama looking to shop every other day at the Galleria, or expect museums, openings, Broadway, and symphonies in Boquete, or want a tennis club, US-style country club, shopping at Pavillions or Bristol Farms, or a 30-screen cineplex . . . well you ain’t going to find it in Boquete! So why are you surprised? Didn’t you do your homework?

There are those for whom the novelty wears off- Let’s face it: you chuck off everything in the States and move to Panama! It has a certain excitement and novelty to live in a new country where everything seems different. But after two, or three, or four years the novelty wears off, and you begin to miss the familiar and the comfortable feel of wherever “home” used to be. You get homesick for Home Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wal Mart and even the bureaucracy of the DMV where at least they – usually – speak English.

There are those who came to make a killing . . . and don’t – For some Panama was seen as an opportunity to get rich quick as the world’s attention focused here and real estate and condo speculation was manic. Everyone saw the opportunity for instant cash: just buy a farm cheap, throw in a road and sell lots to unsuspecting foreigners like yourself. Well things rarely work out that way. There is still great opportunity in Panama, but the day of the “fast buck” is disappearing quickly. Scam artists are gradually being sent back home, either by being rooted out by Panamanian authorities or being extradited back to authorities in their own countries.

There are those who don’t like the weather- Some folks never bothered to check the weather. Living in a rain forest is incredibly beautiful, but, guess what? It rains! A lot! Particularly at certain times of the year. And that isn’t for everyone. There have been a lot of friends for whom Boquete is too cool and too wet and so they have left, not to go back to the States, but for beach areas where its a lot hotter and there is a lot less rain.

Panama isn’t the “tax haven” people thought it was – Yes, Panama, like every place in the world has taxes! The taxes may come in different forms, like fees, etc., but they are there none-the-less. Almost everything from the states is MORE expensive here because it has to be shipped in and is charged duty and tax (on the value of the item plus the cost of shipping). As Panama moves from being a second world country to a first world country the government is becoming more computerized making it harder for those who would seek to avoid taxes illegally. But, as anywhere, there are ways to legally minimize your taxes, but there are taxes. Panama does not tax on income earned outside Panama. But, guess what, the long arm of the IRS reaches into Panama. US citizens are taxed on everything, anywhere in the world. But, if your permanent residence is outside the US, and your income is earned outside the US, and presumably outside Panama if you want to avoid Panamanian tax, the IRS does give you a generous break.

“I’m not ready to retire . . . what I really needed was a Sabbatical”- My wife helped me define this after talking with a friend who was returning to Atlanta saying, “I still have ten years that I could be working!” Nikki has sometimes said, “I feel guilty . . . like I should be doing something . . . like I should be contributing.” I find myself scouring potential cruise jobs, not that I want to leave Boquete, but I sometimes want to be back in “the action” for a few months of the year. This isn’t anything unique to living in Boquete, it’s just a challenge of retirement. Perhaps more of a challenge to boomers than it was to past generations.

“S*** Happens!” Life changes- Some people’s lives change dramatically. Aging parents back in the states suddenly require more direct attention and involvement. Properties back home don’t sell as expected. Businesses you thought you left in good hands suddenly need direct involvement. Spouses die and what was once your dream of a life together in Panama now rings hollow. One or another partner develops a medical condition best faced in the company of family and familiar medical resources and/or Medicare assistance.
Our new house in Palmira is on the road to the tiny cemetary in Palmira. My wife has informed me that she is “not moving again!” She has made it clear that her next move will be in a pine box, where she doesn’t have to pack anything, to the cemetery down the road. Well, that’s our plan . . . now. But, as Heraclitus pointed out, “We are living in a world of constant change.” Things do change. People change. Plans change. And because of that, not everybody will stay in Boquete.

Since I first posted this I’ve received some interesting reflections from other ex-pats living in Boquete.

From Scott and Belinda . . .

Richard- Excellent observations. The North American’s that I know personally who left Panama, came here with little or no money and little to no continuing retirement income. They typically had exagerated expectations of earning a living in Panama (bad idea, in my opinion). When that didn’t work out, they had no choice, but to go back to their former jobs in the U.S. If someone wants to have a business to keep them occupied or for fun or to employ locals, fine…But don’t count on making a living or getting rich. Come to Panama with sufficient income or assets to pay your bills, which may be higher than you expect. Scott and Belinda McAda

From Diana . . .

From my observation, it is not until you have made the move and experienced the lifestyle, experienced the differences (more than a few months) and the real challenges, that any individual can judge and accept or reject the way of life here in Panama.

Boquete (if considered as a separate entity) (which I think it should be) seems to be on the surface, the paradise that so many retirees are looking for. The climate cooler and the views of Volcan Baru and surrounding landscape is stunning. Boquete is marketed as “the place to be” It is where so many have invested a lot of money, time and Patience!!! It is where so many have made it their home, or invested for the future. It is the place that boasts many housing developments, hotels, sporting and leisure activities and is one of the biggest tourist destinations here in Latin America.

It is a place where people have chosen to live in the safety of numbers, behind bars and security gates, in gated communities and advertised that they were not wanting to integrate and had something the local people could only dream of. Many have fallen victim of the common “Gringo Bingo” where they have been charged greater sums of money for products or services than others. Many local people see us as an opportunity and feel there is much money to be made or just a little to supplement a pitiful income, as rich Americans/Europeans flaunt their previous lifestyle expectations in their faces.

Many come here with the thought that they can have their cake and eat it but we will not change this 3rd world country to the one we left behind and why should we? We are actually responsible for how things progress and should realise that before we try to change this country into the one we have escaped from, we need to take stock of what there is here and how we should preserve that which we love about it. There is without doubt the need for patience here and I think that many are so used to the fast pace they have left behind, that the exceedingly slow pace here is intolerable. I think the weather has little to do with it as there are so many climates to be found within a few short miles of each other and this is a common excuse for a reason to leave.

I think in reality, for many of us, it is way out from our comfort zone and the old rules no longer apply. Diana Boase

From Roger . . .

“I’ve observed is that many come here with little or no knowledge of what to expect, assuming it’ll be like it was from whence they came. Sometimes they try to recreate their ‘comfort zone’ here, but eventually give up. Most make little or no effort to learn Spanish, understand the people, customs and how things work here, or involve themselves into (not onto) the Panamanian community. Sometimes they retreat into their homes, like a turtle into its shell and, after they get bored doing nothing (there’s much to do here), they leave. A foreigner here has to be proactive and friendly to be accepted and make a new life for themself. Sometimes, too, it’s a matter of culture shock and lack of commitment . . . Roger Imerman”

Flying Air Panama

Three strikes and you are OUT!

I always flew Aeroperlas between David and Panama City.  Then a new airline came into the market with nicer, newer planes . . . supposedly better service on board.  So I thought I’d give them a try.  I tried on three or four different occasions to make a reservation on line.  Each time I’d finish the reservation, input all the information, wait, and wait . . . only to find out they couldn’t process my credit card.  Aeroperlas: no problem!  No hassle, no fuss.  STRIKE ONE!

But when I’d be waiting in David for the first Aeroperlas flight of the day I’d see all my friends boarding the sleek-looking, red-tailed Air Panama plane which left 15 minutes earlier, getting you into Panama City 15 minutes earlier.  So I thought I would try again.  I called via phone, waited forever, but did get a reservation.  Showed up at the airport and was told, “That flight has been cancelled.  You’ll have to wait an hour for the next flight.”   STRIKE TWO!

Oh yea, you need to know the Air Panama Web site has a cute URL: www.flyairpanama.com – cute, but cute isn’t necessarily what you are looking for 12,000 feet above the jungle!

That was last year.  So I thought I’d try one more time.  Actually this time their system took my credit card and I had a reservation!  Wow!  Things are looking up.   But then I needed to change the date of the flight.  There is no way on Air Panama’s site to pull up or change your reservation.  I tried emailing to the email on the eticket and Website, but got no response.  I tried the number on the eticket and 4 other numbers on the Air Panama Website and finally got through to one number where I talked to 6 different people and was put on hold 7 times before being disconnected.  I tried calling the two numbers listed on the Website for Air Panama in David, and neither was a working number.  Finally, in desperation I emailed lcaballero@flyairpanama.com . . .

I have been trying to change the date of my reservation [055469] FROM 24-June TO tomorrow 23-JUNE without success.  I tried 5 numbers listed on your Web site and was able to get through to one.  I talked to 6 different people, was put on hold 7 times before being disconnected.  Neither of the two numbers the Web site lists for David are in service.  Please help me make the change and confirm via email.  Thank you.

Well I never heard back from anyone. So I went to the David airport yesterday prepared for more Air Panama hassle. Surprisingly someone, nobody knew who, but someone did change my reservation, so I finally got to fly Air Panama. Tiny, dry cheese finger sandwich. OK, but not much different than Aeroperlas. They do fly a different route, flying over the mountain ridge rather than along the ocean which was interesting.

So . . . BALL ONE!

Two strikes, one ball . . . I MAY try it again.

From The “I Kid You Not” File

This is not a joke, but a real product  . . .

How would these folks handle rest rooms in Latin America where the toilet paper usually just goes into the open trash can next to the toilet . . . or heaven forbid, “third world” stand up hole in the floor toilets??

The picture was taken in Ephesus at the remains of the public outhouse. In addition to being a place to take care of business, it was a place to take a load off and sit and chat. There was a nice fountain in the open center, creating a lovely ambiance, certainly nicer than public rest rooms today. Water flowed underneat the open holes carrying waste through pipes outside the city to the sanitation department of the day. Clean water flowed in the trough at your feet as well, so instead of worrying about toilet paper, you just reached down and scooped up some water, and of course remembered to wash your hands and Purell afterward!

The guy sitting there was posing for his wife. Turns out he is a pastor from the States. Not sure if this picture made the weekly church newsletter or not.

Just when I was feeling homesick for life back in the good ‘ole USA . . .

“Really, it’s the same!”

Obama and family have to be the most photogenic and “genuine” folks to occupy the White House in many years.  US NEWS & WORLD REPORT has a series of “behind the scenes” shots of the President taken by the official White House photographer, Pete Souza.  This one is my favorite, captioned, “President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office. The young boy wanted to see if the president’s hair felt like his own. (May 8, 2009)”:

“Water, water everywhere and not a . . . “

It’s the rainy season.  And we’re getting lots of rain . . . BUT . . .

Let’s talk about reverse osmosis systems . . . not wells, at least right now.  Wells (plural) are a deep and disturbing subject, since after much frustration and money, none of them work.  But reverse osmosis systems . . . yeah, we have one, by the same water expert who did our wells.  My problem is he’s a nice guy and I happen to like him personally.  He’s been here so much tweaking things (unsuccessfully) and trying to get them to work that I almost feel like offering him a room. 

We’ve never had a RO system, so I’m ignorant about what to expect.  All my expert gives me is a Wikipedia-type education on more than I ever wanted to know about water and water processing, but doesn’t answer my simple question: why won’t the damn thing work?

My wife has no problem drinking the water anywhere in Boquete.  I do.  Maybe it’s that I’ve consumed too much highly clorinated ship water, but I need to boil the water first . . . Valle Escondido or Palmira.  Maybe I just have a tender tummy.

So when we planned water for our new house in Palmira we invested in a well . . . now two wells, neither of which work, but that’s another story . . . so we could have an independent supply of our own, backed up by the town water supply.  And to purify the water we ordered a RO system from the well guy.  It was either to produce 40 gallons a day, or 35, or 30 . . . he kept bouncing around, and I’m still not sure what we paid for . . . or what we got.  I know there was no paperwork with the unit, so I don’t know if it was used, reconditioned or new.  No directions.  No warranty.  But here in Panama, even if you’re dealing with gringos, you kind of end up taking what you can get.

When I try and look up www.aquasafecanada.comall I get is old information about a fish tank purification system . . . that looks suspiciously like my RO . . . and from the Internet Web site, the company would appear to be out of business.  Was my RO some closeout special being dumped on eBay?

So what do I get?  Well, this being Panama, and me being what seems at times to me like “another gringo sucker building a house” . . .

Maybe it’s me. I posted this on Boquete.org, admitting my ignorance when it comes to RO systems.

I’d be interested in knowing other folks experience using reverse osmosis under the sink systems. We had one installed by a local guy. I’m not sure if it was new (he couldn’t provide us with any manual, etc), used, or reconditioned . . . although he didn’t indicate such. We have had nothing but problems with this. It hasn’t performed as the water guy who installed it promised. My impression is I could get as much water from a life raft emergency condensation water unit, but I don’t know. I turn it on and get maybe 1/2 cup of water . . . hardly enough to keep one person hydrated. He’s been back several times to work on it, change filters, give me one excuse or another . . . and it’s always like Wikipedia water information-verbal-diarrhea telling me tons of stuff about water I don’t want to know, but not telling me or fixing what is wrong, I think trying to impress me that he knows what he’s talking about . . . but I don’t know. I feel like I’m being “snowed” in Boquete. I don’t know if I’m expecting something RO units don’t do, or if the unit just doesn’t work . . . I’ve never had a RO unit before and have no idea what to expect. Very frustrating . . . as has been everything about building in Panama!”

Don was good enough to give me this advice,

“HI, Ive owned several RO systems, all of which worked pretty well. As a general rule you get about 2 gallons of water a day. What is key to the systems is the basic water pressure of your system. they use a membrane which requires about 35 psi water pressure to work. They filter the water into a tank then backwash themselves. I have had membranes last as long as five years without changing, but if you have really bad water they will last a much shorter period of time. If you have inline filters with the unit be sure they are clear of debris. good luck, don”

Thanks Don! That’s interesting. Although the guy who put in my RO told me we’d have enough water for drinking AND making ice . . . in 24 hours our RO produced a little over 1 quart of water! Since Mayo Clinic recommends drinking 2 quarts of water per day, our RO unit isn’t even producing enough water for ONE person! Further my RO guy has us switching filters, and backwashing . . . and I thought the backwashing was supposed to be automatic!

I’d get a whole lot more water if I just drank the water from my dehumidifier.  And, by the way, one of my readers sent me an email while I was on the ship about a system to produce drinking water using dehumidification.  If you’re out there and reading this, please resend . . . and I’ll share all about it on my blog!

Living in Boquete is living in “paradise” in many ways, but it is not a paradise without frustrations . . . but then neither is anyplace else.  I just get tired bending over: it’s not my choice and not my lifestyle.