Comments on: About http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com Retirement in Boquete, Panama and on Holland America's ZUIDERDAM Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:38:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Caryl Farkas http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-925 Caryl Farkas Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:17:51 +0000 #comment-925 Hi Richard, Just home to Wisconsin from the 10 day Zuiderdam New Year's cruise. Your talks and commentary made this a very special vacation for our family. Below is a shot of you that I found in my digital files - don't know if it will fit in this format but here goes: FYI: The name of the show about pirate Grace O'Malley was The Pirate Queen. Here's a link to a rare good review of it. http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/pi_queen.html Also, in your pirate talk you wondered about the pronunciation of Quing. Western spelling is so un-phonetic. It is: Ching. Go figure. Thanks again for making our trip richer. Caryl Farkas Hi Richard,
Just home to Wisconsin from the 10 day Zuiderdam New Year’s cruise. Your talks and commentary made this a very special vacation for our family.
Below is a shot of you that I found in my digital files – don’t know if it will fit in this format but here goes:

FYI: The name of the show about pirate Grace O’Malley was The Pirate Queen. Here’s a link to a rare good review of it.
http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/pi_queen.html
Also, in your pirate talk you wondered about the pronunciation of Quing. Western spelling is so un-phonetic. It is: Ching. Go figure.
Thanks again for making our trip richer.
Caryl Farkas

]]> By: Jan Rouse http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-668 Jan Rouse Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:03:18 +0000 #comment-668 Four of us are traveling together on the cruise ship, Veendam. Our ship will be in Fuerte Amador for two days, from May 2 at 8 P.M. to and May 3 departing at 5 P.M. We thought we might take the Panama Railroad and Motorcoach tour of the Panama Canal & Its living history; but I have been reading quite a bit about the Embera Village tours. Since we will be going through the canal all day on May 2 that we will get the feel of the Panama Canal and should then take the Embera Village tour? Will we have enough time on May 3 to even do this tour? What would be good to do the evening of May 2? Is it safe to walk about the town at night? Thank you for your time. <em>Jan, Holland America, good choice. And I like the VEENDAM! If you can swing it, I would do the Embera Village tour. This is a unique opportunity to meet some folks who are truly indigenous and who are struggling to preserve a lifestyle. The Embera tour, if it's a good one, is usually 7 to 8 hours long, so it pretty much takes a full day. If you talk to someone like Anne Gordon maybe she can work out something for the four of you which would be a little more personal perhaps than the ship tour. Her husband's family are from the Embera Puru village of San Juan de Pequini, and it is, in my opinion, one of the best villages to visit. Sometimes the ships use it, sometimes not. The Embera chiefs divide up the business, so with the ship you never know which village you will visit. Having already gone through the Canal on the ship, which is by far the best way to see it, I don't think the rail trip would offer much additional unless you are a railroad fan. Besides, there really isn't anything on the railroad that's very original or old. Hope that helps! You should have a great trip! Regards, Richard</em> Four of us are traveling together on the cruise ship, Veendam. Our ship will be in Fuerte Amador for two days, from May 2 at 8 P.M. to and May 3 departing at 5 P.M. We thought we might take the Panama Railroad and Motorcoach tour of the Panama Canal & Its living history; but I have been reading quite a bit about the Embera Village tours. Since we will be going through the canal all day on May 2 that we will get the feel of the Panama Canal and should then take the Embera Village tour? Will we have enough time on May 3 to even do this tour? What would be good to do the evening of May 2?
Is it safe to walk about the town at night?
Thank you for your time.

Jan, Holland America, good choice. And I like the VEENDAM! If you can swing it, I would do the Embera Village tour. This is a unique opportunity to meet some folks who are truly indigenous and who are struggling to preserve a lifestyle. The Embera tour, if it’s a good one, is usually 7 to 8 hours long, so it pretty much takes a full day. If you talk to someone like Anne Gordon maybe she can work out something for the four of you which would be a little more personal perhaps than the ship tour. Her husband’s family are from the Embera Puru village of San Juan de Pequini, and it is, in my opinion, one of the best villages to visit. Sometimes the ships use it, sometimes not. The Embera chiefs divide up the business, so with the ship you never know which village you will visit. Having already gone through the Canal on the ship, which is by far the best way to see it, I don’t think the rail trip would offer much additional unless you are a railroad fan. Besides, there really isn’t anything on the railroad that’s very original or old. Hope that helps! You should have a great trip! Regards, Richard

]]> By: dave and mary http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-602 dave and mary Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:56:15 +0000 #comment-602 I just discovered your site while trying to find an English speaking traditional church here in Boquete. We are Pres., but will be ok with reformed Baptist, or other reformed church. Are there others looking for the same thing here? We would like to hear from others who are seeking a church. <em>I would be interested as well. Anyone else? Regards, Richard</em> I just discovered your site while trying to find an English speaking traditional church here in Boquete. We are Pres., but will be ok with reformed Baptist, or other reformed church. Are there others looking for the same thing here? We would like to hear from others who are seeking a church.

I would be interested as well. Anyone else? Regards, Richard

]]> By: Johann Sebastian http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-555 Johann Sebastian Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:50:14 +0000 #comment-555 Hey again, Richard.... my God, Balboa Union sounds like a Bach church just waiting to happen -- and the article mentions others in that boat, too! Thank you -- so much interesting history in that link. "We're the Golden Altar church of Protestantism" -- what would that mean? "Its reputation as an exclusively Zonian congregation is 'a very difficult image to live down'" -- so, there's a lot of revulsion toward America's meddling down there generally? "We're a little bit on the liberal side" -- hopefully not meaning totally sold out to political correctness like most of 'em. Any chance you can identify the "conservative Protestant congregation in Corozal". I said pipe organ, but it of course doesn't have to be as long as it's built for Bach et al. You're right, of course -- some climates kill organs. Again, thanks. Hey again, Richard…. my God, Balboa Union sounds like a Bach church just waiting to happen — and the article mentions others in that boat, too! Thank you — so much interesting history in that link.

“We’re the Golden Altar church of Protestantism” — what would that mean?

“Its reputation as an exclusively Zonian congregation is ‘a very difficult image to live down’” — so, there’s a lot of revulsion toward America’s meddling down there generally?

“We’re a little bit on the liberal side” — hopefully not meaning totally sold out to political correctness like most of ‘em.

Any chance you can identify the “conservative Protestant congregation in Corozal”.

I said pipe organ, but it of course doesn’t have to be as long as it’s built for Bach et al. You’re right, of course — some climates kill organs.

Again, thanks.

]]> By: Johann Sebastian http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-536 Johann Sebastian Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:18:01 +0000 #comment-536 Thank you, Richard. May I leave contact info for anybody wanting to contact me directly? I'd be asking via email but don't see any contact info. If anybody even find themselves passing a "likely"-looking church, I'd like to know. Regards -- JS <em> JS, I have your email on your comment, it's just not visible to the public, but if anyone responds, I will definitely pass it on. We do have a choral group that has been formed in Boquete and I asked my wife to ask around. Her comment? "If I ask if anyone knows of a church around here with a pipe organ they will fall all over themselves laughing." There is a big traditional, I think, church in the old Canal area in Panama City called <a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_07/issue_13/community_02.html" rel="nofollow">Balboa Union Church</a>. It may have, or at one time have had, a pipe organ. I suspect a pipe organ would be hard to keep up in Panama. Question: do you have any audition-type vid on YouTube? Regards, Richard.</em> Thank you, Richard. May I leave contact info for anybody wanting to contact me directly? I’d be asking via email but don’t see any contact info.
If anybody even find themselves passing a “likely”-looking church, I’d like to know. Regards — JS

JS, I have your email on your comment, it’s just not visible to the public, but if anyone responds, I will definitely pass it on. We do have a choral group that has been formed in Boquete and I asked my wife to ask around. Her comment? “If I ask if anyone knows of a church around here with a pipe organ they will fall all over themselves laughing.” There is a big traditional, I think, church in the old Canal area in Panama City called Balboa Union Church. It may have, or at one time have had, a pipe organ. I suspect a pipe organ would be hard to keep up in Panama. Question: do you have any audition-type vid on YouTube?

Regards, Richard.

]]> By: Johann Sebastian http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-531 Johann Sebastian Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:14:58 +0000 #comment-531 Greetings. Thanks for your site -- in many ways it's the "missing link" I've been looking for. You're a churchman and the only commentator I've come across who addresses the need for a "traditional church" (TC) in Latin America. I am a church musician in search of an escape from this hellacious smoking hulk of a republic (the USSA). OK, there are no TCs in Boquete, but do any exist in larger cities -- a church (Anglican, Presbyterian, what have you) where one could play Bach, Mendelssohn, and lighter stuff et al on a passably normal organ for even $100 per week? I know it's a long shot, but this seems to be the case in Argentina even though the organist is lower in the social pecking order than the garbageman. I don't want to go quite that far South. I want to share great worship music -- maybe even with like a small choir of fellow expats -- for people who'll enjoy it. Latin America seems to have absolutely everything to offer -- except that! Cordially -- JS PS OK with me if you don't choose to post this -- it's rather specialized. <em>Oh, for Bach on a good organ . . . or even a not so good organ! Let's run with this and see if it gets any response . . . Regards, Richard</em> Greetings. Thanks for your site — in many ways it’s the “missing link” I’ve been looking for. You’re a churchman and the only commentator I’ve come across who addresses the need for a “traditional church” (TC) in Latin America. I am a church musician in search of an escape from this hellacious smoking hulk of a republic (the USSA). OK, there are no TCs in Boquete, but do any exist in larger cities — a church (Anglican, Presbyterian, what have you) where one could play Bach, Mendelssohn, and lighter stuff et al on a passably normal organ for even $100 per week? I know it’s a long shot, but this seems to be the case in Argentina even though the organist is lower in the social pecking order than the garbageman. I don’t want to go quite that far South.
I want to share great worship music — maybe even with like a small choir of fellow expats — for people who’ll enjoy it. Latin America seems to have absolutely everything to offer — except that! Cordially — JS

PS OK with me if you don’t choose to post this — it’s rather specialized.

Oh, for Bach on a good organ . . . or even a not so good organ! Let’s run with this and see if it gets any response . . . Regards, Richard

]]> By: Daniel http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-411 Daniel Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:44:25 +0000 #comment-411 Richard, You may want to take a look at the panoramic Panama Canal photos on the library of congress website. I think the link is http://lcweb2.loc.go/pp/panabt.html/. They are amazing. See you at www.bentpage.wordpress.com. Richard,

You may want to take a look at the panoramic Panama Canal photos on the library of congress website. I think the link is http://lcweb2.loc.go/pp/panabt.html/. They are amazing. See you at http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com.

]]> By: Pat http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-381 Pat Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:26:37 +0000 #comment-381 I just read your 12/31/07 post and wanted to let you know about your expired printer cartridges. There is a battery in your printer that keeps track of the date. If you pull out the battery, your printer cartridge will work. This happened to me and after I pulled the battery, my cartridges worked. Search the web for more details. Good luck. I just read your 12/31/07 post and wanted to let you know about your expired printer cartridges. There is a battery in your printer that keeps track of the date. If you pull out the battery, your printer cartridge will work. This happened to me and after I pulled the battery, my cartridges worked. Search the web for more details. Good luck.

]]> By: David Virel http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-200 David Virel Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:43:42 +0000 #comment-200 Hello Richard, I enjoy very much reading your blog and perhaps you can help me out with an inquiry that a US visitor ask me the other day where to eat in Boquete/David? Where would you recomend you readers to eat , taking under consideration that safety, location some might not have a car etc? any good restaurants that you can suggest? Thanks, David V Hello Richard, I enjoy very much reading your blog and perhaps you can help me out with an inquiry that a US visitor ask me the other day where to eat in Boquete/David? Where would you recomend you readers to eat , taking under consideration that safety, location some might not have a car etc? any good restaurants that you can suggest?
Thanks,

David V

]]> By: Cindee http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/about/#comment-109 Cindee Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:11:42 +0000 #comment-109 Hi, I feel like I should have been reading your site a month ago instead of 36 hours before I sail on carnivals 8 day Western cruise. We will be in Colon for about 9 hours and I am still trying to decide between all the excursions which one is right for one day of my life with my 18 yr daughter. They do offer a 3 hr trip to see the Indians with a motorized canoe. it doesn't say if it is the demo area or not. If you are able to see the choices Carnival offers I would love your advice on what to do for the day. thank you, Cindee <em>Hi Cindee! Just back from the VOLENDAM. I don't know what Carnival's program is, although it takes at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours to drive from the Colon 2000 pier, which is Carnival's pier, to where you board the boat for the Indian village many programs use . . . so doubt if that's the 3 hour trip. There are a number of Embera villages that are used, some are more touristy than others. Whatever you do, enjoy!! Regards, Richard</em> Hi,
I feel like I should have been reading your site a month ago instead of 36 hours before I sail on carnivals 8 day Western cruise. We will be in Colon for about 9 hours and I am still trying to decide between all the excursions which one is right for one day of my life with my 18 yr daughter. They do offer a 3 hr trip to see the Indians with a motorized canoe. it doesn’t say if it is the demo area or not. If you are able to see the choices Carnival offers I would love your advice on what to do for the day.
thank you,
Cindee

Hi Cindee! Just back from the VOLENDAM. I don’t know what Carnival’s program is, although it takes at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours to drive from the Colon 2000 pier, which is Carnival’s pier, to where you board the boat for the Indian village many programs use . . . so doubt if that’s the 3 hour trip. There are a number of Embera villages that are used, some are more touristy than others. Whatever you do, enjoy!! Regards, Richard

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