tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934793363411382502024-03-12T19:17:33.794-07:00Veraguas PropertiesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-78673267921229307092010-04-07T15:54:00.000-07:002012-05-02T19:45:28.033-07:00Land for Sale in Veraguas, Panama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6maWxlSMSuXj6e4T9SuH3BK_Osl5R5D32Q7h7v-zknpXo6ps_UaAbsDdmzpi9y96JZb9sxUFTP-OdFFRET2Op0y3Mvfa55dbYA4ThljQKKxQWDghn2AkPWdnnQtDQ1oyzCUqMPyaX8EU/s1600/shefali2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602945756900918226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6maWxlSMSuXj6e4T9SuH3BK_Osl5R5D32Q7h7v-zknpXo6ps_UaAbsDdmzpi9y96JZb9sxUFTP-OdFFRET2Op0y3Mvfa55dbYA4ThljQKKxQWDghn2AkPWdnnQtDQ1oyzCUqMPyaX8EU/s320/shefali2.jpg" style="float: right; height: 244px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc6600;">Santa Maria Riverfront</span></strong></div>
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><br /></span>Two lots remaining of "hard to find" riverfront<br />
<br />property <span style="color: #cc6600;"><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2007/02/rio-del-monte.html">Chick Here</a></span><br />
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<strong><a href="mailto:breitbach22@yahoo.com"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457612686253464418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnZWkSlxOPTKaIWtx95D7ONEgb-ooK7N4srTtc7LQDYUfP9HKMKWiTUbifouVD9SCc4igA078l7CFgf8Xk1NHIju8WrBFIk5hX1FkXKkoX90KgWgX7QNKj3W3XYeUqCwjXEsMrgIoeTQ/s320/DSCF0181.JPG" style="float: left; height: 115px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 163px;" /></a></strong> <strong><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/396-hectares-on-road-to-santa-fe-390k.html"><span style="color: #cc6600;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">3</span></span></a><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/396-hectares-on-road-to-santa-fe-390k.html"><span style="color: #ff6600;">9.</span></a><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/396-hectares-on-road-to-santa-fe-390k.html"><span style="color: #ff6600;">6 Titled Hectares (100 acres)</span> </a></strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="color: black;">$399,000</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">A must see!</span><strong> </strong></span><strong>Contact: Steven Breitbach</strong> <strong>US Tel: 661/287-9420</strong> <strong>skype: breitbach22 </strong><strong>email: <a href="mailto:breitbach22@yahoo.com">breitbach22@yahoo.com</a> </strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-56627609673137293582010-03-21T20:12:00.000-07:002011-05-04T12:27:16.563-07:0039.6 Hectares on the Road to Santa Fe $399K<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHSyoqW27g4Wy3ENrh4iOCCw59DMPAR8T_kj9aozGivlAJAsUBI9Ij4hhO7gQWW_PR2B6wmckQO4w-bThb7e3f6B8LfCldFVpAtFzfZh2thzTeaIQQMtoujiaudPGUhbYf86ElCdZ1Wg/s1600/RT3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481310905244639298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHSyoqW27g4Wy3ENrh4iOCCw59DMPAR8T_kj9aozGivlAJAsUBI9Ij4hhO7gQWW_PR2B6wmckQO4w-bThb7e3f6B8LfCldFVpAtFzfZh2thzTeaIQQMtoujiaudPGUhbYf86ElCdZ1Wg/s320/RT3.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJmhkms1xwuYRQUOGxaovLhc0BsdjIfTZT4BtXIwA6YevR_N9UDGAUahZN9wHMyQhNlVQKrU0fH3tbhVSK3LMogSImwT-tcfVAvNYI0vROkzD_xEd9ZiLrkdyBrxACLeo-9NvxXaTymc/s1600/peak2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481310913863651874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJmhkms1xwuYRQUOGxaovLhc0BsdjIfTZT4BtXIwA6YevR_N9UDGAUahZN9wHMyQhNlVQKrU0fH3tbhVSK3LMogSImwT-tcfVAvNYI0vROkzD_xEd9ZiLrkdyBrxACLeo-9NvxXaTymc/s320/peak2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5EMfSAOdGw4tlReYjKDqcfHumreECoR6WIE-XrTCmyfKSZAPySKifRL34GnWuctzTwQANIUJ6tsHN443cGwdp3HpGDTbW95hdD1d-IrDEkXZh7yeN0kaS8iPnXzwo5WoyLwukC10Gk0/s1600/DSCF0181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457599793415923954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5EMfSAOdGw4tlReYjKDqcfHumreECoR6WIE-XrTCmyfKSZAPySKifRL34GnWuctzTwQANIUJ6tsHN443cGwdp3HpGDTbW95hdD1d-IrDEkXZh7yeN0kaS8iPnXzwo5WoyLwukC10Gk0/s320/DSCF0181.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>39.6 titled hectares</strong><br />This property offers incredible panoramic views, multiple cascading mountain creeks, a bubbling freshwater spring, mature mango trees and fertile soil to start your own organic farm. There is lots of additional room for sub-dividing to create a community of nature-loving neighbors.<br /><br />The entrance is on the main road for convenience, but the property sets back to form the northern face of Mt. Guarumo, a large pine covered mountain forest preserve and local landmark. The property offers secluded privacy and outstanding views of the surrounding area.<br /><br /><br />One fantastic feature is its border along the Guarumo Forest Preserve and El Nance, a picturesque tributary to The Santa Maria, allowing for broad recreational potential.<br /><br />This is truly one of the nicest properties available in the Santa Fe area. It's being offered for sale at $1.00/meter. A must see.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Click on images to enlarge</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmhzR1Hnrsfyu7YirmhIM0fO8po2MtVs0t9UIvXFaX693gvMILQYoxegoOYsjFcGy3ZBECdL3bfh6xqFMB0C_yOZ1TJEfRBpTQjmqzFnnzcuFvVAWId7TOjDM1DlkboRt759603ChYdo/s1600/SF028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457599806137710994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmhzR1Hnrsfyu7YirmhIM0fO8po2MtVs0t9UIvXFaX693gvMILQYoxegoOYsjFcGy3ZBECdL3bfh6xqFMB0C_yOZ1TJEfRBpTQjmqzFnnzcuFvVAWId7TOjDM1DlkboRt759603ChYdo/s320/SF028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>contact: Steven Breitbach</div><br /><div>US phone# 661/255-1858</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>email: <a href="mailto:breitbach22@yahoo.com">breitbach22@yahoo.com</a></div><br /><div>skype: breitbach22<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a08oLnS2nmFvdK52u6xhO81GTdBP393XcMH9DKVWF3_3ujF3m__uKASZvXUF5yGVCrBELIomR2EFGCsfxsB2OGDvM2fUkLDEVcwCW6E20fvdENqBOL_KV0vZQPvBmlv3p4KZVCKcUis/s1600/RT_satellite_image.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457599795460150242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a08oLnS2nmFvdK52u6xhO81GTdBP393XcMH9DKVWF3_3ujF3m__uKASZvXUF5yGVCrBELIomR2EFGCsfxsB2OGDvM2fUkLDEVcwCW6E20fvdENqBOL_KV0vZQPvBmlv3p4KZVCKcUis/s320/RT_satellite_image.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> <strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesgKZSf-2P6O9f_ENFI3l3FysCuR8L5EE3PDqYcLDrEethZmW4amsQelPGHMcSV3Fwwgxq4wfWZiOhyP2f7DFFQlaAbyR9T8XhT2bFuzSJkec69QuNJeZROaHJoGJ3-s0005PMWRkNNI/s1600/rt4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481310898498171458" style="WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesgKZSf-2P6O9f_ENFI3l3FysCuR8L5EE3PDqYcLDrEethZmW4amsQelPGHMcSV3Fwwgxq4wfWZiOhyP2f7DFFQlaAbyR9T8XhT2bFuzSJkec69QuNJeZROaHJoGJ3-s0005PMWRkNNI/s320/rt4.JPG" border="0" /></a></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post.html"><span style="color:#cc6600;">Link to More photos</span> </a></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Additional Information</strong></div><br /><div><strong>on this property:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2009/06/rancho-tranquilo-information-61209.html">Visitor Information and Directions<br /></a></span></strong><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-48818431741462128712010-02-09T10:18:00.000-08:002011-05-18T12:23:42.028-07:001.7 Hectares Santa Maria Riverfront Near Santa Fe, Veraguas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArbQmfi0R_HXafHAwx6v4j4_zYvFdoH3_5GKI25h9zoaNjhvY5vFS4J_BnGjlgSoXa6wG8uoOPDXM8uhcQhEwosG0VrqcSjpSCgtSzpAtLtal6zgs-5qCgN2IFXE3uczbH_7_H1hn6fs/s1600-h/DSCF0137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305693812670912066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArbQmfi0R_HXafHAwx6v4j4_zYvFdoH3_5GKI25h9zoaNjhvY5vFS4J_BnGjlgSoXa6wG8uoOPDXM8uhcQhEwosG0VrqcSjpSCgtSzpAtLtal6zgs-5qCgN2IFXE3uczbH_7_H1hn6fs/s200/DSCF0137.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>Rio Del Monte is a 1.7 hectare parcel located about 15 km south of the Santa Fe town center and 25km north of Santiago.</strong> Situated directly on the main road, this property has both road and river frontage. The property slopes gently upward from the river, then flattens out toward the road. Numerous mature trees on the property provide ample shade. The property is fully titled and held in a Panamanian Corporation for ease of transfer. The property has been surveyed in three separate lots for easy subdivision.<br />(click images to view enlargement)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREFLlRAdhZRYx0Lbf2e3o2z39nXvB_fTwYnwcJmWBLYFe1HQaGLmv5CHt3JUj9OO5O_VjoBs-I9VDbwNznBE_QTaxcU_Z2RHjfxCScXw87ImI7uk8pPdpRE4QT1dB_8qwvqeViSeQ4NA/s1600-h/scan0004b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305691730437893714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREFLlRAdhZRYx0Lbf2e3o2z39nXvB_fTwYnwcJmWBLYFe1HQaGLmv5CHt3JUj9OO5O_VjoBs-I9VDbwNznBE_QTaxcU_Z2RHjfxCScXw87ImI7uk8pPdpRE4QT1dB_8qwvqeViSeQ4NA/s200/scan0004b.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJqQamHIgZZBJ7E7xgZD1R4ZXGW8QvbVuHwdxwTzKkrz0dFAEfa4SREfpkbxbMTv2JSLGFbMGiKE64UvPYPqZs8HEX9wC1Vs89XrTtBB3cG34IpdjbcDm51elfTruz1EUesdehnmrJug/s1600-h/RDM1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436335129210941490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJqQamHIgZZBJ7E7xgZD1R4ZXGW8QvbVuHwdxwTzKkrz0dFAEfa4SREfpkbxbMTv2JSLGFbMGiKE64UvPYPqZs8HEX9wC1Vs89XrTtBB3cG34IpdjbcDm51elfTruz1EUesdehnmrJug/s200/RDM1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Due to Rio Del Monte's desirable location directly on the main road and ample river frontage, the property offers tremendous commercial potential. As this road nears completion to the Caribbean Coast, Santa Fe can expect a major increase in tourism. This roadside parcel is a perfect location for a boutique hotel, restaurant, rental cabins and/or spa. Potential tourism venues on this property are numerous, including fishing or kayak rental, etc. The property boasts panoramic mountain views and a significant level portion also ideal for building homes or a small farm.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3x6OxA7xGpB5c_MnIGUgsYkHCslFnuYFLSr68Tf-t8tPwDptzpXbMCjCMXTyiIZCu15uFrJA1hCLU4L2TaIe92kgS43Miro3XH0hIC1awWVbNAIA2JSwWZ4KdoJ61QxwSu4HA_kIhWA/s1600-h/RDM2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436331428698252914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3x6OxA7xGpB5c_MnIGUgsYkHCslFnuYFLSr68Tf-t8tPwDptzpXbMCjCMXTyiIZCu15uFrJA1hCLU4L2TaIe92kgS43Miro3XH0hIC1awWVbNAIA2JSwWZ4KdoJ61QxwSu4HA_kIhWA/s200/RDM2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZv8OeYhkDVqhMDuY-LenuW5Xb99DKKVxxt4pUMg2H8lnpaKjWZlQDwau-wa2t8FDyPMKTho-OuEnAFiHcAU6zavrBZg_7-rY9mKdJGIdkr1QC-0K0p-btttg9MZSByN7EhII9zs03PM/s1600/shefali2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602943676096265234" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZv8OeYhkDVqhMDuY-LenuW5Xb99DKKVxxt4pUMg2H8lnpaKjWZlQDwau-wa2t8FDyPMKTho-OuEnAFiHcAU6zavrBZg_7-rY9mKdJGIdkr1QC-0K0p-btttg9MZSByN7EhII9zs03PM/s320/shefali2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">Update: 5/11:</span> </span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">As of May 2011, the smallest of the three lots is under contract for sale. </span><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305690808779766610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nTHLuTjwtwHnnzfNeaVLvwHiB-70JVcCQJQHwuPOV9PHCErtA_Au79Wx191lCIA8FSWkhrwzHrL94XrAQae_VD_wqnBTuGiVKzMv122ipVSFHQ_PFaaUiHtYUx0vGZL9YYrOs3kxrZE/s200/scan0005.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlo1o4i0d0AFEY-yzJatfDB4M-gDR2JUJlrOozg7s4Se63qrl3hPusyKPYMdVP8Vy5D27qRWsNVx22nZRlpdeBP0MCbEiH1erAubfPP-FrQSXi5n1dOv2ekzS_Uumd6V6Ahue_vHAaSo/s1600-h/scan0007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305691324276741122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlo1o4i0d0AFEY-yzJatfDB4M-gDR2JUJlrOozg7s4Se63qrl3hPusyKPYMdVP8Vy5D27qRWsNVx22nZRlpdeBP0MCbEiH1erAubfPP-FrQSXi5n1dOv2ekzS_Uumd6V6Ahue_vHAaSo/s200/scan0007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y8JoxLg0lufGjvOujUIqKimyJyExntw0GMetroI1OVTi-0jWxkQWa_O3EyGOlF6SlI9EnQxi9qWpxcFEUc1qqLzWVKoYApPmC6ylAStS4T6JGmL1OXo6hU6co21_6uY0cHpJjDHv9cY/s1600-h/scan0006.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFzOnXphSBzeK7TvI6PTlUzhjE3FfRaf2604BiPK5Nz3JdvzGtGy7I9-Z8DWwLqggf_0LUOJSY8rcvisr8ojKWtXLUYyCY38Fq77fJYW89-7GwnGUpJQCnng0IoKC8kN7p5Lc9u5o654/s1600-h/DSCF0086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305693830620580802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFzOnXphSBzeK7TvI6PTlUzhjE3FfRaf2604BiPK5Nz3JdvzGtGy7I9-Z8DWwLqggf_0LUOJSY8rcvisr8ojKWtXLUYyCY38Fq77fJYW89-7GwnGUpJQCnng0IoKC8kN7p5Lc9u5o654/s200/DSCF0086.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw6nfcgGVc14NrdC0JIWIUqooVWzEytNaW7pdjA8ZIQ1Ir-qkoYjOsm7TvQcD4B8StFXWuDyiBhIh0GYbL0kN24Tio0yIamSdREmy4wsT-lw4wT-PEMpU54VnElZ07sIm9LUuAvn094I/s1600-h/DSCF0088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305693834357356978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw6nfcgGVc14NrdC0JIWIUqooVWzEytNaW7pdjA8ZIQ1Ir-qkoYjOsm7TvQcD4B8StFXWuDyiBhIh0GYbL0kN24Tio0yIamSdREmy4wsT-lw4wT-PEMpU54VnElZ07sIm9LUuAvn094I/s200/DSCF0088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Contact: Steven Breitbach<br />US Tel: 661/255-1858<br />skype: breitbach22<br />email: breitbach22@yahoo.com</strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-18978248014271990742010-01-09T17:13:00.000-08:002010-04-09T17:55:51.997-07:00Maps<span style="font-size:78%;">Click on image to enlarge</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9Z_voX2jca6UPcBrrdPa2IH4zJM7KIoDbhr8bwByFT4_y6i8zX96zxdMk7Rl0eiXgCZl3YmvRSpjnb1Gr9c-FqxXriHk4ZGeAgvJdOR-hQbpe80VZEy0fTNSsIXQmWl1u76yJXA2KCU/s1600/americamap.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458297330521781810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9Z_voX2jca6UPcBrrdPa2IH4zJM7KIoDbhr8bwByFT4_y6i8zX96zxdMk7Rl0eiXgCZl3YmvRSpjnb1Gr9c-FqxXriHk4ZGeAgvJdOR-hQbpe80VZEy0fTNSsIXQmWl1u76yJXA2KCU/s320/americamap.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Panama: Crossroads to the World Economy</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjil8oIXwVJ4jFof98OCtMRmRCdNN-noHIf6kKgq-AhdiaC9Ig7C64Mq6Tk9QtyLtE3Ii6oglHcnhnk5ZTyIlif3HH-O-TVICwIROpgP9ZHNyzBarlw6IaL8OkzcsNWgPPqYcaAL5NiLPE/s1600/americamap.jpg"></a><div>The Republic of Panama represents the geographic center of the entire Western Hemisphere. Panama is also the most narrow point in the Central American isthmus that connects two continents. When viewed from this perspective, Panama looks tiny and insignificant, but this is deceptive. Panama, at ground level, is a large geographical area with rugged uninhabited tropical terrain and hundreds of miles of pristine beaches. It takes 6 hours to drive from Panama City, the capital, to David, the country's second largest city. </div><div></div><div>Most famous for the Panama Canal, which is a critical component to global trade, Panama's other attributes are often over-looked. </div><div>Panama also is home to an international banking and financial services center which attracts business from all over the world. </div><div></div><div>When you combine global trade, global banking and the geographic center of the Western Hemisphere, Panama's unique position in the global ecomomy begins to emerge. Panama city is equal distance from both Los Angeles, California and Rio de Janero, Brazil. Panama's airport receives direct flight daily from Europe, Asia, North America and South America, making Panama the literal crossroads of the world. A role that continues to increase in stature into the future.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PQohdhaoUxK1iA8I-pcK-lQhyt8K6cS9rBydSRvF-6UdXc8x1uIU6CeCT_ji7_v292wkio5SOnPMrhu_wWu_MQjOCsv7oX9eJANWj8R-8I29MzlYbwukBnBbQnA1_HGzIYCMjtrvI7M/s1600/panama%2520relief%2520map1995.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458296022110578274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 453px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PQohdhaoUxK1iA8I-pcK-lQhyt8K6cS9rBydSRvF-6UdXc8x1uIU6CeCT_ji7_v292wkio5SOnPMrhu_wWu_MQjOCsv7oX9eJANWj8R-8I29MzlYbwukBnBbQnA1_HGzIYCMjtrvI7M/s320/panama%2520relief%2520map1995.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaGBmhblVDJe-igM7cGqPpdWyWNGToi6n1eUDFDLXdtI6CilSuz7Ltm2uYHet2KZo5AaPari_82h03ZpRyzBo7YC1fGaWs2NN8M1hGjPkZ6selc1vFwMfPe7NZi3FORzyTrgPZ3o9ia0/s1600/z.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458296028280044450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaGBmhblVDJe-igM7cGqPpdWyWNGToi6n1eUDFDLXdtI6CilSuz7Ltm2uYHet2KZo5AaPari_82h03ZpRyzBo7YC1fGaWs2NN8M1hGjPkZ6selc1vFwMfPe7NZi3FORzyTrgPZ3o9ia0/s320/z.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-47187415894025548082009-06-12T01:10:00.001-07:002009-11-24T19:14:23.864-08:00Rancho Tranquilo: Visitor Information(click on image for larger, printable images)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRNM2Sxm8crOTRl3jYMOqJR5svfRMiM7L4-sJ5YOlNsiAxXE3VhE6dxPQw4ML4ETV2_eu-WfpzqTGZ8APhPYq4SA7nvHfYjsRlVcM0jZkkC8nlJorn24RGT8WH8AjIEKG2BLkRUhbyac/s1600-h/peak1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346396189231524098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRNM2Sxm8crOTRl3jYMOqJR5svfRMiM7L4-sJ5YOlNsiAxXE3VhE6dxPQw4ML4ETV2_eu-WfpzqTGZ8APhPYq4SA7nvHfYjsRlVcM0jZkkC8nlJorn24RGT8WH8AjIEKG2BLkRUhbyac/s200/peak1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYi_QQr4kuQO3TsjrYILhiXcQq3_rI8mOp0-WCXvNpogJvfMBwXgcZ5siXU2cQA-hVzD4a-RP-O3eDi6iSTVm6FGJxmDmFGa_0jSC1K8TdICiyJlHsd5y6lsAdVSNPfAnLax3Ijfh0Nw/s1600-h/survey+map1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346363648303970978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYi_QQr4kuQO3TsjrYILhiXcQq3_rI8mOp0-WCXvNpogJvfMBwXgcZ5siXU2cQA-hVzD4a-RP-O3eDi6iSTVm6FGJxmDmFGa_0jSC1K8TdICiyJlHsd5y6lsAdVSNPfAnLax3Ijfh0Nw/s320/survey+map1.jpg" /></a> </div><div><strong>This map is from the survey</strong>. Note that the property is on the road at the point where Rio El Nance intersects the road.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb1oPOS19tVYVdGpHotuqRjN2oc2DPfdKRppkQFyAtfYd3BACGoG1HCSyj9Nd5wHHgvsXyIQT1BBlBBg8K-WjNyNd0G-oZngIAYLX1EdrX30krrjXjAHDVSSYBplEUyX7_5bPYYRhKMY/s1600-h/PICT0013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346358590325198722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb1oPOS19tVYVdGpHotuqRjN2oc2DPfdKRppkQFyAtfYd3BACGoG1HCSyj9Nd5wHHgvsXyIQT1BBlBBg8K-WjNyNd0G-oZngIAYLX1EdrX30krrjXjAHDVSSYBplEUyX7_5bPYYRhKMY/s320/PICT0013.jpg" /></a> </div><div><strong>Watch for this sign on the right hand side of the road.</strong> This is the entrance to the property. Note the bridge. You will park your car directly behind this sign. This river makes up the boundary of the property for about 1km. Enter through a primative gate at this point. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80HR4ZkTHZRQ4dvRMn_XfL0nhAGljxwI4X9c1oh9MuhrIiTrWygRFhSEUoKBfIe7sBwZOs0qFU6iLiwtVnvFrZaqFA5lckpu1TMzPJqYn0TGTHc0TgX9NxgPZju-duIlFXY_0WhM5oRg/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346356822490319282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80HR4ZkTHZRQ4dvRMn_XfL0nhAGljxwI4X9c1oh9MuhrIiTrWygRFhSEUoKBfIe7sBwZOs0qFU6iLiwtVnvFrZaqFA5lckpu1TMzPJqYn0TGTHc0TgX9NxgPZju-duIlFXY_0WhM5oRg/s320/scan0004.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br /><div><strong>This is the survey map of the entire 39.6 hects.</strong> Note the road frontage in the upper left corner. The gate is located at the north end of the frontage, just before the bridge. When you enter the property,you will be in the section of the property called <strong>"Globo C"</strong> (6 hects) This is the Section that contains flat pasture, bordered by a creek that flows into El Nance. This section also slopes dramatically, creating fantastic views of the entire area. (See photos) Notice there is a leveled plateau which is a former logging road.<br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Globo C</span></strong></div></div></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTNRsZv0gfatxuUFxMxnqFvAJhxrgESPswj664EYgvQKyRm4Xo1URnaoTkvDdFMFbL_gq6Q3ITmFrLbxu2_mL26acbltbxhMk5FOPHxp07daJq35HM3ubkzXZDq5AAEnH9Vglom4p7Lk/s1600-h/SF028.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346352713106204802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTNRsZv0gfatxuUFxMxnqFvAJhxrgESPswj664EYgvQKyRm4Xo1URnaoTkvDdFMFbL_gq6Q3ITmFrLbxu2_mL26acbltbxhMk5FOPHxp07daJq35HM3ubkzXZDq5AAEnH9Vglom4p7Lk/s320/SF028.jpg" /></a> <strong>This is the view from the gate.</strong> The property extends all the way to the peak in the distance. </div><br /><div>From here, you can pick up a path that follows the river, or you can gain elevation and find another path following the plateau. (click on photos for larger image)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUBCenR05j31SNKGmx-c92xrCPtkTmqTZLaLrauRc5rjwfwN7amy09zpATY7elBGe-zVdFFASSUMw7XmhWEjlIG5NLFeD394w8eKtKxuEvWW1ei7tuQAwMHmniJLWU05G4A4-uXXjBQY/s1600-h/Globo+C+Map.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 272px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346381234072071682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUBCenR05j31SNKGmx-c92xrCPtkTmqTZLaLrauRc5rjwfwN7amy09zpATY7elBGe-zVdFFASSUMw7XmhWEjlIG5NLFeD394w8eKtKxuEvWW1ei7tuQAwMHmniJLWU05G4A4-uXXjBQY/s320/Globo+C+Map.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkMvkjtB41U0xGv2SWzApZEuTVg1B-FB34eI8dRidu91MC_Eef0HHucqoJrtsxNGuz1GsZ-Tp58iMEkNn18lsgAw8S1lD1J1kshs6bX_vz1M57C9ceRnkmK0kcz0KcCMascrbGStyChs/s1600-h/path+view1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346385709477083154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkMvkjtB41U0xGv2SWzApZEuTVg1B-FB34eI8dRidu91MC_Eef0HHucqoJrtsxNGuz1GsZ-Tp58iMEkNn18lsgAw8S1lD1J1kshs6bX_vz1M57C9ceRnkmK0kcz0KcCMascrbGStyChs/s320/path+view1.jpg" /></a><br /></div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5vETN__FHQ_ortqPpYQJQQwVEsIOFgYI8YXNyNmQvx6VYb_lWtSqtCaNO2sMdSCbaVS9oDJfowRkxyIQfuoCbuSid6XjNgUa2rljdeh9in5wIiURjGMp177xe093TKTMNEk2PXywxn0/s1600-h/riverpath1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 197px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346399842633537842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5vETN__FHQ_ortqPpYQJQQwVEsIOFgYI8YXNyNmQvx6VYb_lWtSqtCaNO2sMdSCbaVS9oDJfowRkxyIQfuoCbuSid6XjNgUa2rljdeh9in5wIiURjGMp177xe093TKTMNEk2PXywxn0/s200/riverpath1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Se3KoiZO7XVKejC2fin6QBEWX5RdaES3Fbqgrqr3WDd9UnjuK_XgvnUv6wqrpD9afa9cXUujZHTOtQUTuXwYFxdYnLhVRAFLvmkfeBmje1Y_fFtdNlHUseapez6u1YKMwa40YCKWK4E/s1600-h/view1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346399432092860546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Se3KoiZO7XVKejC2fin6QBEWX5RdaES3Fbqgrqr3WDd9UnjuK_XgvnUv6wqrpD9afa9cXUujZHTOtQUTuXwYFxdYnLhVRAFLvmkfeBmje1Y_fFtdNlHUseapez6u1YKMwa40YCKWK4E/s200/view1.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><strong>Note:</strong> Rancho Tranquilo is a massive, multi-faceted property with features too numerous to mention in this format. As the owner, I have spent several days hiking all over this property and still continue to discover new facets. I have yet to fully understand it's entirity. To truly get a complete picture of this property a potential buyer should spend several hours hiking the property. Ideally, the most effective way to sell the property is to physically hike the property. I encourage anyone interested in this propertyto spend enough time to grasp the enormous potential. I am available to answer any question regarding the property. Please contact me for more information. </div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqt5P6YiVgFPCfafBspmKmHXMbHnVeF3UnA-tLjhYwjSTG4Km8GrMwGFqL6PTBgQl-wElsmYlFR6ddqTVl_lOUVV4asEPZqAg44F3sfitqnY4t3kl1pNJKl3Ik-5AtlJ-4M1tVy_LeN4/s1600-h/RT+satellite+image.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 392px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346351734966339682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqt5P6YiVgFPCfafBspmKmHXMbHnVeF3UnA-tLjhYwjSTG4Km8GrMwGFqL6PTBgQl-wElsmYlFR6ddqTVl_lOUVV4asEPZqAg44F3sfitqnY4t3kl1pNJKl3Ik-5AtlJ-4M1tVy_LeN4/s320/RT+satellite+image.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-51174021745136409232009-04-21T00:26:00.000-07:002010-12-18T17:35:32.684-08:00Photos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q48YIoDjN2KVU6a8j4kbuUp5EMm7FalIZbL7u6BkWsAFR2QIbw7ctpCR7vhBbuP4FK8dvBQd0Js67FT0j3u6Q8fCfau6BZnD2PFs6kYTsGKWA71F60vPEeHHnYsLOU9hzgqZUG4juuc/s1600/carlos0001%252520423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552200825768482338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q48YIoDjN2KVU6a8j4kbuUp5EMm7FalIZbL7u6BkWsAFR2QIbw7ctpCR7vhBbuP4FK8dvBQd0Js67FT0j3u6Q8fCfau6BZnD2PFs6kYTsGKWA71F60vPEeHHnYsLOU9hzgqZUG4juuc/s320/carlos0001%252520423.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8VwX9IFtoFu8NpxmGcRWdADkuyFOAwOKTWKxEG1w9ScDj-vDOFu1OGV3-8FsOsYp-Rkj4L06iamrckI_xovIP_r8nyEAaVeWBHMj0VfIK4WtkxwX4mfCD39vy-hPl_-SFMdjWX0Q8mE/s1600/w47xxx.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552200818441160082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8VwX9IFtoFu8NpxmGcRWdADkuyFOAwOKTWKxEG1w9ScDj-vDOFu1OGV3-8FsOsYp-Rkj4L06iamrckI_xovIP_r8nyEAaVeWBHMj0VfIK4WtkxwX4mfCD39vy-hPl_-SFMdjWX0Q8mE/s320/w47xxx.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IdYzcuAW8TbNojRcoXz9WASCdNSLSIGdbOhyphenhyphensWuMF39keoALpEdgbEtWzgWjxU_IRk46GePxTXUI5UtQLuQAoRi13CITg7fkWI2z4cQGZ81Tbvk69kE_aw6TwPkxk5dezK1F2E0BDtQ/s1600/w475h35sss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552200819393101794" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IdYzcuAW8TbNojRcoXz9WASCdNSLSIGdbOhyphenhyphensWuMF39keoALpEdgbEtWzgWjxU_IRk46GePxTXUI5UtQLuQAoRi13CITg7fkWI2z4cQGZ81Tbvk69kE_aw6TwPkxk5dezK1F2E0BDtQ/s320/w475h35sss.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpKhGWhOpOpIHfBedpJIRmoLqEu6WkR1N4zLwOX0RXOO4JxPo2rV2m7TZ8sEozq_1xkhZNOze_MEU5lDLjc-Mj8NxZhFIGpta6T93-0QlB9Z0MGp4FrsKHajUBGOrhCmBtcPCtt7dYqY/s1600/ssss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552200816425077474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpKhGWhOpOpIHfBedpJIRmoLqEu6WkR1N4zLwOX0RXOO4JxPo2rV2m7TZ8sEozq_1xkhZNOze_MEU5lDLjc-Mj8NxZhFIGpta6T93-0QlB9Z0MGp4FrsKHajUBGOrhCmBtcPCtt7dYqY/s320/ssss.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAwpymS4ZQQtZW0myczYBQEiy3ZjZeiIONELKMj8XSWd8ggz0WiFU5FQhQDfpFAlgPUxALid0xE6HTEGVe-yakd2MS8N15VkSbepr28iwXSqiTG_Hi8L2jduJYf8VL3wRe5yvY4EAfMY/s1600/carlos0001%252520417.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552200815712410962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAwpymS4ZQQtZW0myczYBQEiy3ZjZeiIONELKMj8XSWd8ggz0WiFU5FQhQDfpFAlgPUxALid0xE6HTEGVe-yakd2MS8N15VkSbepr28iwXSqiTG_Hi8L2jduJYf8VL3wRe5yvY4EAfMY/s320/carlos0001%252520417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiwxTiZaJewUiVNNJ0VjXppZjKYxXS3T-jG34RSbT2lW7y_qI7TMqJ1IRdbQkg5XiyYT21lJMrCf73kzzduiKtA-Er4i9xMDLyoEM0Qm3qWCvo6NlSSbxLEOoOMo1Wv6ythNxFiHCr8g/s1600-h/PICT0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327049753412017154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiwxTiZaJewUiVNNJ0VjXppZjKYxXS3T-jG34RSbT2lW7y_qI7TMqJ1IRdbQkg5XiyYT21lJMrCf73kzzduiKtA-Er4i9xMDLyoEM0Qm3qWCvo6NlSSbxLEOoOMo1Wv6ythNxFiHCr8g/s400/PICT0033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewwwBeDFchxnS-dKAsIAM-zIMvtEFz0eFDzO2zbax-YrthYq_JczXQz2NQqDR0DbgTCUkgqrsJoqcINJKsi7LkSZzqJDfRyaikOhWjd2wa3S1aGhOKJyVa_kvgnt_6WCQ69sfs07NsQo/s1600-h/PICT0022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327048485233604290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewwwBeDFchxnS-dKAsIAM-zIMvtEFz0eFDzO2zbax-YrthYq_JczXQz2NQqDR0DbgTCUkgqrsJoqcINJKsi7LkSZzqJDfRyaikOhWjd2wa3S1aGhOKJyVa_kvgnt_6WCQ69sfs07NsQo/s400/PICT0022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGcUE1vLrgHY2UK-zisoHgdpIfGs4PNk-8O-5XzEc28L0KESe3u51qAfZ3dcz0xehMGHjIdeYZWMxxM2ADKAYn6GGo9v9tVPNsbeL1dCyXLKr72HXE9_LHxGO0DGmb1L5imdfYE6fSKs/s1600-h/PICT0024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327049311221203666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGcUE1vLrgHY2UK-zisoHgdpIfGs4PNk-8O-5XzEc28L0KESe3u51qAfZ3dcz0xehMGHjIdeYZWMxxM2ADKAYn6GGo9v9tVPNsbeL1dCyXLKr72HXE9_LHxGO0DGmb1L5imdfYE6fSKs/s400/PICT0024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4SaWiPW2j8ZB4Wsj_fDTBfchgofWDSXuzpCnScnROX0eVyg-H-rfGU2hppy1f4syH5u6yk9N4wqDJDy_Bt4usvJlmG09xWyy3QXCuVkuRMrCA39PMIYJg7CJD9U03MA0NFU5ZoZH-o/s1600-h/PICT0023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327049304650672578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4SaWiPW2j8ZB4Wsj_fDTBfchgofWDSXuzpCnScnROX0eVyg-H-rfGU2hppy1f4syH5u6yk9N4wqDJDy_Bt4usvJlmG09xWyy3QXCuVkuRMrCA39PMIYJg7CJD9U03MA0NFU5ZoZH-o/s400/PICT0023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFbxAYMGh1rtUpJQ4bLZGWLMefLDrp5TcaQ19sT_ma6qC5i25AQ0THl1qhlAPggzLQrg7FFvnJx-HsD7Qi_jzWecckh49S_JqjCbYNOfuRDRQAcyC-5zc3rK4mG6Spe6fsTkXAZCAngg/s1600-h/PICT0014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327048052809619442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFbxAYMGh1rtUpJQ4bLZGWLMefLDrp5TcaQ19sT_ma6qC5i25AQ0THl1qhlAPggzLQrg7FFvnJx-HsD7Qi_jzWecckh49S_JqjCbYNOfuRDRQAcyC-5zc3rK4mG6Spe6fsTkXAZCAngg/s400/PICT0014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327175327193070434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 361px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgnLhTneAEONY00ihwcJAkxe2OuFuI5I9d6skgjrhwBwy-ywIdL4upOEXouWlAO0z-ovw3CT_A1rCWgDBh7JaLZQ0XHfePKNi9y3rxmMf4-eqBZiaWw6LiyQG7gD9CXARgRs02tXu3yw/s400/RTsouth.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327175227181701826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 361px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPLDbnEldS4Gvv20r_eZZ5Sr1HcG0cXYkvr7eCDGPLJIJtlURvACEyIA0DLft2YofI5s-PqC2TXTpAKBkEqqIjV9jFtDfGJ0r8vGNUV4NMameKOBq5Jq7NhIJifAkN0lVcQ8-juR4Fn0/s400/Rancho+tranquilo.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3QbL_vsBsToDxsLtjW4oA2piumudKs0-jU6iMaLNkuu0W1IMuPHVPtCK-xQjFNxMxp8JCTaZtVJUOfRm8FzQCYDAJp_hyphenhyphenElD3HJg6fNCYGnbUcLpJRcguMlKWcI85V-MaVas6D6WVQg/s1600-h/PICT0015.JPG"></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-7283925072229118852009-03-15T22:02:00.000-07:002009-04-28T18:05:31.810-07:00Sketches of Rancho Tranquilo Entrance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gXq_Beg4E6w1MwKsS-9aBNhl-Fxpo_5kKbojgClPfPOqsDWDzNA2Ib47zpeoz8XA51vmQSUPxcORHYnNKLyHn8iA221K14z8HWWwYk2C_zmuXip4L91Q_U-vY9Mds7R66byZ846duLc/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313647076855189986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gXq_Beg4E6w1MwKsS-9aBNhl-Fxpo_5kKbojgClPfPOqsDWDzNA2Ib47zpeoz8XA51vmQSUPxcORHYnNKLyHn8iA221K14z8HWWwYk2C_zmuXip4L91Q_U-vY9Mds7R66byZ846duLc/s400/scan0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> As you can see, I'm no artist. However, I woke up at three a.m. last night with this image in my mind. I grabbed my daughter's sketch pad and colored pencils and scribbled this down, so I could go back to sleep.</strong> I've been mulling over the design for the entrance to the property. This has been the second biggest issue for me. (A close second behind paying off the property) Not only is the entrance aesthetically important, influencing first impressions, etc. , it's also my first engineering challenge because the property's entire road frontage is a rather steep incline. This is going to require some handy bulldozer work right off the bat. It's a good thing Jose, my trusted confidant, views his bulldozer the same way a painter would view a brush. In fact, Jose ( <em>a true <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Renaissance</span> man</em>) has been "sculpting" roads around the Santa Fe area for a few years now and has become known as the <em>Michelangelo </em>of Latin America<em>. </em><br /><br /><p>Due to my limitation as an artist these drawings do not accurately reflect the angle at which we will need to cut into the hillside. We will need to create a grade that slopes up to the level portion of the property. Retaining walls on both sides will be necessary, so I plan to make good use of the multitude of smooth river rock for this purpose. I just haven't figured out how to transport the rock from the river to the building site. Perhaps the solution will also present itself as predawn inspiration. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b6ip-z7qg0uzEOyTv9BRVTQEvhM8ExX9Yq7ZmmaSVvB1h6hCm4RPE-G4hbhMz9DRUNHZAkI3OMQ5zRnQ9FxFmvxEkC091qj3DE1WxRbBpTtbFqmTG80X2phFPiyhPl2kVSj5nBMWBmQ/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313665351349194002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b6ip-z7qg0uzEOyTv9BRVTQEvhM8ExX9Yq7ZmmaSVvB1h6hCm4RPE-G4hbhMz9DRUNHZAkI3OMQ5zRnQ9FxFmvxEkC091qj3DE1WxRbBpTtbFqmTG80X2phFPiyhPl2kVSj5nBMWBmQ/s400/scan0003.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>When it comes to building stone walls, John Vivian wrote the bible on the subject.</strong> I ordered this book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Building-Stone-Walls-John-Vivian/dp/0882660748/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237186364&sr=8-1"><span style="color:#990000;">Amazon.com</span> </a>for just a few bucks. A real bargain! I guess there just aren't that many people these days interested in the ancient art of masonry. I never imagined I would become fascinated with the subject. If you think about it, this knowledge is as old as civilization itself. There's an elemental kind of kinship with the artisans and masons of the ancient world to be experienced when building a stone structure. In John Vivian's own words from the book's introduction, he writes about the Egyptian Pyramids, the Great Wall of China, the Peruvian Temples, etc. being "<em>mankind's most enduring monuments to creativity and hard work</em>". Fascinating stuff...I'm going to need to translate this into Spanish and incorporate this into my <em>pep talk</em> when I assemble my team of workers to complete this monumental job. <em>(no pun intended)</em> <em><br /></em><p></p><br /><em><br /></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-38936138735308374572009-02-25T21:43:00.000-08:002009-04-28T18:05:58.210-07:00Alternative Energy Plans: RT Off The Grid<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RSDPhTHcx0w030DcZmiZ9zr9n2ybyUJV1MnIeoQv7Jynirig69Cvw6ULEclPYO0uo3cMIAwFxU_ZOBNv8-UCtdFBxxrImeVxE6wLEbidJUQMcuptLoHV74iXi2X4kTd7bXeinrfp1d4/s1600-h/scan0008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307520836094630562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RSDPhTHcx0w030DcZmiZ9zr9n2ybyUJV1MnIeoQv7Jynirig69Cvw6ULEclPYO0uo3cMIAwFxU_ZOBNv8-UCtdFBxxrImeVxE6wLEbidJUQMcuptLoHV74iXi2X4kTd7bXeinrfp1d4/s400/scan0008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QqbfOaRHsQRW5606IEuJ-N6pp5bxPfRv5Fe_ot4e-xlT7GuZ3c77_49zS_i7QdXgj69-0BV3bRp77vZ0goSkdY3d_I2hKuXMinKS0pkNmSk95Vgyb8uyMEZRADq_ykqZSvlunN-gZaI/s1600-h/damdraw1.jpg"></a><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>I'm really not a <em>salesman. </em>I like to think of myself as more of a <em>visionary</em>, so I'm not going to spend too much time grovelling for people to invest in my land project. If you came to this blog looking for the advertised land investment opportunity Click<span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></strong><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2009/02/offering-memorandum-first-come-first.html"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Here</strong></span></a>. You will find all the investment information and a list of FAQs. Two spots are filled with three left to go. Things are looking good, so I've decided to move on because constantly trying to convince other people to give me money is a drag. I'm going to start laying out my vision for the property, hopefully this will start to sell itself.<br /><br />Although there is municiple power available on the road, and I will likely use it as a source in the short term, I'm looking ahead to get off the grid. If anything, I want to generate surplus power and sell it back to the grid. With all the flowing water on this property, the seasonal trade winds and sunshine, There is no reason this can't be accomplished. As far as I can gather, three reliable sources for alternative power currently exist in abundance on the property; hydro, wind and solar. Over the next few posts I'll be examining each as a potential source for energy independence. Let's begin with the most obvious. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYpVvitpM5mEq72z6M5UgBVN9iXS2AnQVsG9vflCEgHP1olfq3vciOE6id1F2nQx-jTCMJyAGXCfJho6-k9rNhQ7nXrZ8zzzWjRg5n8PmeUcC-9mrL1Myg4q8ouhXeOqgjFI14NnqRx0/s1600-h/001.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vs-cNOTJPDgChs_y6MHs0Y1pgxDl2UCEyR3kytxmEXkN6tu3jTE-86nrRJ5bcmNs7pXsQhJQYX8FKrc-UsB9L4URASvD0mnI2eIerDtd80z27OEpW_GZ5otGD7MnVm67yv75-ELQUI0/s1600-h/001a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307520011017270066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vs-cNOTJPDgChs_y6MHs0Y1pgxDl2UCEyR3kytxmEXkN6tu3jTE-86nrRJ5bcmNs7pXsQhJQYX8FKrc-UsB9L4URASvD0mnI2eIerDtd80z27OEpW_GZ5otGD7MnVm67yv75-ELQUI0/s400/001a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em><a href="http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=11060"><span style="color:#990000;">HYDRO POWER</span></a> </em>power is the harnessing of flowing water to generate elecricity. If it's the Hoover Dam, it's referred to as "hydro". In our case it's considered "mini-hydro".</strong> If there is one thing in abundance on this property it's flowing water...it's everywhwere. It will need to be harnessed to optimize the potential energy. In most cases this requires the buiding of a dam, so I've been scouting around near my home in California for small dam projects. Here in California practically all water flow (what precious little there is) is controlled through a network of aqueducts, resouviours and dams. Not that much of it is generating power, but there are many small dam projects to study and reverse engineer. I found one near my house that could be reproduced relatively easily. I'll examine this design and demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh8T5nF1xJWhg-mNcabhxLgFONYUqYwo0SSbABMELMmky1Phe1QLTxNJscXS9ipG1mz8EUAlClQcsrlbnpXHj7VzERad5ZURF_BaQf-zN7likr0CDZ1yPhyTnNt3sSKdeJ4R1EqpafR4/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307147048701868978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh8T5nF1xJWhg-mNcabhxLgFONYUqYwo0SSbABMELMmky1Phe1QLTxNJscXS9ipG1mz8EUAlClQcsrlbnpXHj7VzERad5ZURF_BaQf-zN7likr0CDZ1yPhyTnNt3sSKdeJ4R1EqpafR4/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>This dam is constucted from moulded poured concrete beams fitted and stacked like Lincoln Logs</strong><span style="font-size:78%;">. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The structure spans the widith of the creek, with a conduit in the center directing flow. The dam structure is built at about an 80 degree angle tilting toward the flow contributing to structural support. The top is covered in poured concrete smoothed to act as a sealant.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1FaAlmDnyVwBy-cV-nHkzHL-nzLNp8HnqMCJJBwUHiHG_Un-_lWHEaGxYA2j9GmE7LRZDyeHJMOsEuv9UfSfcriNn5QspgPKoPnKvirNgn8lkhqUUCLihP0x9dCDYplvS0HQuB4hUq8/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307150956258960834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1FaAlmDnyVwBy-cV-nHkzHL-nzLNp8HnqMCJJBwUHiHG_Un-_lWHEaGxYA2j9GmE7LRZDyeHJMOsEuv9UfSfcriNn5QspgPKoPnKvirNgn8lkhqUUCLihP0x9dCDYplvS0HQuB4hUq8/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1.</span></strong>The beams are stacked about 12 levels high, producing a waterfall of about 10ft. This height is the minimum drop needed to turn turbines.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ayJD6h4mCaX0rgoKgYdmwh2PpaLgmh4tQMWinZt6CYGM3MNCilTbAxr2A9e1luPsN5QmlA-OKbLn4QNCQlY3f6Ei8cUwtpZMhwEnGMdWd58rKcW5VzTnGUYd_ru1xB2Hvvia0xxD-s8/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307521460737025858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ayJD6h4mCaX0rgoKgYdmwh2PpaLgmh4tQMWinZt6CYGM3MNCilTbAxr2A9e1luPsN5QmlA-OKbLn4QNCQlY3f6Ei8cUwtpZMhwEnGMdWd58rKcW5VzTnGUYd_ru1xB2Hvvia0xxD-s8/s400/016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2. </span></strong>Interlocking "bricks" can be created by building moulds from plywood. This process can be contracted out to a local supplier, and delivered to the site upon setting. To further reduce cost, pouring and setting can be completed on site. As initial bricks are put in place, the next batch can be moulded in an "<em>assembly line</em>" fashion. The next level could be poured and set within a couple days in "<em>just in time</em>" delivery. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307522158777553026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s400/013.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo6Qvypu-mYe0gT5YfhIBBPQ0oAReJYfIJY87YbcxwwN8hNqYsJ6Lsp80yiYgNoR2AS_fqhpXnOxj4mZgaYnf-8oIjwk6XaGcp1cLNbir4TOkYIu-AE47m9e4lnOnRGeEjXdqyKVWHFA/s1600-h/scan0009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307521123613032130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo6Qvypu-mYe0gT5YfhIBBPQ0oAReJYfIJY87YbcxwwN8hNqYsJ6Lsp80yiYgNoR2AS_fqhpXnOxj4mZgaYnf-8oIjwk6XaGcp1cLNbir4TOkYIu-AE47m9e4lnOnRGeEjXdqyKVWHFA/s400/scan0009.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6yMbWmzHTN7Mt3KBLY3wtkEJuvjk8G1-eZf5RXf0zZ3eCaB6IsZavAlu2nScKb2xv1UdrMn_n576EAAzqqtsHVmSghyTWIIQ2zpFnKuRFz4hKEss7dLtXMbcXpwpaBiMSkLPFFY-kIw/s1600-h/013.JPG"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-30582415332484553082009-01-16T19:07:00.000-08:002009-04-12T12:49:57.086-07:00Panama Jazz Festival Reviews<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYM7NY7shJptRKkBUWeTZwjAnikK1xxHafoXwuH7iRb2XeANPC7isUx6huH7r-HFYZ7ecjIbr3UPs2kHsyvXZ1xEoKPo9H6U6kalxRFyX7mey7wPo1Cn0Psfa2khVBhKPOlPoqBm4h8k/s1600-h/PJF_Mon_concert_04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292097781782215666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYM7NY7shJptRKkBUWeTZwjAnikK1xxHafoXwuH7iRb2XeANPC7isUx6huH7r-HFYZ7ecjIbr3UPs2kHsyvXZ1xEoKPo9H6U6kalxRFyX7mey7wPo1Cn0Psfa2khVBhKPOlPoqBm4h8k/s200/PJF_Mon_concert_04.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipudiBNVY4CqWec2rrfSulrHOnHWLKq7zom1YKfaVUU9Q9sW3fquG9CHWPVr9GrL3EOdY40LOeI6IXACJA5BXYk24DnPaA3XVG9ekmrz7cg4o5JaZdSdwW32-yBz9ckjHW3k-LnwU9i60/s1600-h/PJF_conference_02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292098005144482050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipudiBNVY4CqWec2rrfSulrHOnHWLKq7zom1YKfaVUU9Q9sW3fquG9CHWPVr9GrL3EOdY40LOeI6IXACJA5BXYk24DnPaA3XVG9ekmrz7cg4o5JaZdSdwW32-yBz9ckjHW3k-LnwU9i60/s200/PJF_conference_02.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>The 6th annual Panama Jazz festival</strong> <strong>is underway in Panama City. I'm posting all the reviews I can find. Enjoy....</strong><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNs_Ls9b-Xg45AhSniX9Qs_-EXBJfKUfbQ3hS5eGPmktQbpD7xj6DSbkyH30irZAo03IzuVXGxWAlv5ayLGYAI5QOu-5Uh_EGbS73CgSpW6PraZIBoJWgY3I-NTleUorxZP9PwoUeBYY/s1600-h/PJF_Gala_04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292097584709671746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNs_Ls9b-Xg45AhSniX9Qs_-EXBJfKUfbQ3hS5eGPmktQbpD7xj6DSbkyH30irZAo03IzuVXGxWAlv5ayLGYAI5QOu-5Uh_EGbS73CgSpW6PraZIBoJWgY3I-NTleUorxZP9PwoUeBYY/s200/PJF_Gala_04.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong></strong><strong><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_01.html"><span style="color:#990000;">Festival Underway</span></a></strong><strong></strong></div><div></div><div><strong><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_03.html"><span style="color:#990000;">Open Press Conference</span></a></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_02.html"><span style="color:#990000;">'Trane's Mantle</span></a></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_04.html"><span style="color:#990000;">Flemenco</span> </a></span></strong></div><div><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_05.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Thursday's Show</span></strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></a></div><div><span style="color:#990000;"></span></div><div><strong><a href="http://woodshedec.wordpress.com/"><span style="color:#990000;">Woodshed </span></a></strong></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB-vFoFRIElAqTs0PwecCBCFpaWz3VocoPqvXeABmKqDlnS5BqSdjzhUeX7HhGeffi2_s2Jt8yGSD_igd6G1pUToAvopGomZl36LJcyAfUKGCftgZVksFjsgFfupt21UUugPro87wjR8/s1600-h/20081123092731287_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292104805080851922" style="WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB-vFoFRIElAqTs0PwecCBCFpaWz3VocoPqvXeABmKqDlnS5BqSdjzhUeX7HhGeffi2_s2Jt8yGSD_igd6G1pUToAvopGomZl36LJcyAfUKGCftgZVksFjsgFfupt21UUugPro87wjR8/s200/20081123092731287_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_04.html"><span style="color:#990000;"></span></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_15/issue_01/culture_special_01.html"></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-173836923873426372009-01-03T10:18:00.000-08:002009-04-12T12:50:10.044-07:00Jazz Fest, Panama Style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDEjoNOvZjB03U6TQGcB944AltBe1Tv7AuE5QXh7zMmfLNSjUHOh3Aj3x1yvXNY9ZNtZ_lfcZAZf-OG0Zn7-lq2JdbwPGYcieen_D1ZyZBuCWlQvUfSjqaVHT2GEsPem69p19RzyPV8Q/s1600-h/shorter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287288298012360674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDEjoNOvZjB03U6TQGcB944AltBe1Tv7AuE5QXh7zMmfLNSjUHOh3Aj3x1yvXNY9ZNtZ_lfcZAZf-OG0Zn7-lq2JdbwPGYcieen_D1ZyZBuCWlQvUfSjqaVHT2GEsPem69p19RzyPV8Q/s400/shorter.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>It's not every day I have the chance to write about two of my favorite topics in a single blog post. In honor of the 6th Annual </strong><a href="http://www.panamajazzfestival.com/pty_6/index.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Panama Jazz Festival</span> </strong></a><strong>held January 12-17, 2009 in Panama City, I can not pass up this opportunity.</strong> This year's fiesta promises to be the "<em>largest ever</em>", with legendary saxophonist, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Shorter"><span style="color:#990000;">Wayne Shorter</span></a> topping the bill with his quartet which includes Panamanian jazz piano virtuoso, <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=119012396"><span style="color:#990000;">Danilo Perez</span>.</a> Perez, the founder of the Panama Jazz Festival, is the most prominent Panamanian musician on the scene. He has single handedly brought the jazz world's attention to his home turf for the past six years. This year's <a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_14/issue_24/culture_01.html"><span style="color:#990000;">impressive lineup</span></a>, includes top names in contemporary and Latin Jazz, and is expected to draw 16,000 jazz fans from around the world. It thrills me to see jazz music taking root in Panama with such a high profile venue.<br /><br /><strong>At first glance, it seems there is little correlation between jazz music and the Republic of Panama. However, upon further examination of these two seemingly unrelated subjects, I've discovered an interesting relationship.</strong> Jazz music and the Republic of Panama came into existence at roughly the same time in history. Both were born among the emergence of the 2oth <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6paQeEo1XyLY2c1ZlRbmnTZS9MLQdZ_GJ-AQgIA63ee3DrALEliBUKDyVuaPNzQ-_wWog_diSf387mnbmmDdDO0ldmwcfqD1I8qQq-cpzToVSqYVv9HAunCC-hSwfAcPVgjoowajlrxU/s1600-h/jazzgreats.box"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287329287754939346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6paQeEo1XyLY2c1ZlRbmnTZS9MLQdZ_GJ-AQgIA63ee3DrALEliBUKDyVuaPNzQ-_wWog_diSf387mnbmmDdDO0ldmwcfqD1I8qQq-cpzToVSqYVv9HAunCC-hSwfAcPVgjoowajlrxU/s400/jazzgreats.box" border="0" /></a>century as a direct result of the industrialization of the West. Jazz emerged as a cross-cultural phenomena in New Orleans, where recently freed slaves sought to retain their West African heritage through weekly congregations in <span style="color:#990000;">Congo Square. </span>The rhythmic dance and musical gatherings, over time, incorporated distincly American and European influences in musical form and instrumentation.<br /><br /><strong>By the early 1900's, a new musical art form, primarily based on individual expression through improvisation and group support, was born<em>.</em></strong> Although considered primarily <em>African American</em> music, jazz was formed out of eclectic elements of the world's various cultures, perfectly capturing the energy of the maturing industrial democracy, from which it had sprung. The new music was a reflection of the innovation, collaboration and optimism of a new era. As African-Americans migrated from the South to find work in factories, jazz quickly spread to Northern cities and gained widespread acceptance.<br /><br /><strong>Around the same time jazz was emerging as cultural zeitgeist, <a href="http://www.american-presidents.org/2008/07/did-teddy-roosevelt-help-to-inspire.html"><span style="color:#990000;">Theodore Roosevelt</span></a>, America's young, brash President also embodied the "<em>Can do</em>" spirit of the age.</strong> Roosevelt, putting America's industrial ingenuity to the test, vowed to complete an engineering feet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6plT1b-OIN7Z2pCBvoWh9pzLDkUi0pnb_A45qiG47pqMqU5KQo15ZItYSUa6kV1oQwo0YdhphO5u_nCRyhrJ5t7QbM73l87I_zwnROgJdvE7ou-UohhcgZJ2T5mWlNy9oGiD3jPfoho/s1600-h/roosevelt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287329904967351186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6plT1b-OIN7Z2pCBvoWh9pzLDkUi0pnb_A45qiG47pqMqU5KQo15ZItYSUa6kV1oQwo0YdhphO5u_nCRyhrJ5t7QbM73l87I_zwnROgJdvE7ou-UohhcgZJ2T5mWlNy9oGiD3jPfoho/s200/roosevelt.jpg" border="0" /></a> since abondoned by the French, a canal project across the narrow Ithsmus of Panama. It would shorten trans-oceanic shipping travel by six months. The ambitious project, massive in scale (even by today's standards), would first require the formation of an independant state. The Republic of Panama was formed in 1903, and the canal opened eleven years later. The strategic importance of the Panama Canal was instrumental in the rise of American prosperity through the 20th century. It remains today of fundamental importance to global trade. The canal has become the crossroads of the world economy, as trillions of dollars worth of trade goods pass through en route to markets around the globe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-Rfvdh9qV80IwAtT5dYrGGNPD9_oHpw7Un-NRi1Id8AVqPn01UuQaMFB3iwE3s83Ak3PjuYK1UnNpmMfALIahzBkSN67f1HN27h4uo68_LKxa0kHReTikqrEZNCuarfqusCse_EXHUY/s1600-h/armstrong.jpg"></a><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7oci_fUqZYK5unF3GIdbT9dl7gf-hs8ngo9mJVMJTjhFrq90DjufD5bxpmXOrsMnUBrcHDLEmWDBi98J8DzKDBXU27x4sPz-KPqNMbb2n3RQ4OeMdnkmxvEmSQkUwzDaYHPk60UN4JE/s1600-h/bird+miles.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287343954359180082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7oci_fUqZYK5unF3GIdbT9dl7gf-hs8ngo9mJVMJTjhFrq90DjufD5bxpmXOrsMnUBrcHDLEmWDBi98J8DzKDBXU27x4sPz-KPqNMbb2n3RQ4OeMdnkmxvEmSQkUwzDaYHPk60UN4JE/s200/bird+miles.bmp" border="0" /></a>Throughout the 20th Century the popularity of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco-iXd6j6eC_qPW60dBB43WqTaNlmZOViGcRfJkwFPr-H-lo1SleTHxH6O_eIjtNhJQSyRMYOee1zdFxAjNmm3u_sNWgMVVtQ1RSptFtQs4i_iOiORywxQcy92Lkka1p_djPTVxjLDW4/s1600-h/parker.bmp"></a>jazz ebbed and flowed, but the art form continually evolved, mutated and grew as new generations of artists explored the idiom.</strong> Dixieland, Big Band, Be-bop, Modal, West Coast Cool, Avant Garde, Fusion and Acid Jazz, all significant movements in their own right, pushed the art form into new directions. The most enduring and arguably the most popular direction of jazz has been <em>Latin Jazz</em>. The poly-rhythms of the Caribbean, combined with the suave sensuality of Brazilian influence, expanded jazz from a distinctly American musical form to one that encompasses all of "The Americas",<em> </em>or <em>todas Las Americanas. </em><br />The popularity of Latin Jazz is not confined to Latin America, but is celebrated around the world, particularly in Asian and European countries. Through an artistic version of <em>manifest destiny, </em>Latin Jazz has inherited the legacy of a truly global musical form. What better location to celebrate this legacy than at the cultural and economic crossroads of the world...<em>Viva Panama! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Reflections on jazz and Panama continues in <a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2008/01/improvisation.html"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Part II....</span></a></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-74482572660733293302008-11-04T12:33:00.000-08:002010-04-09T21:25:37.848-07:00Links to Panama Information<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Panama Blogs</strong><br /></span><a href="http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama_residential_devel/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Panama Investor Blog</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepanamareport.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Panama Report</span></a> <p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">News Websites</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_14/issue_20/frontpage.html"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Panama News</span></a><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.bulletinpa.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The bulletin</span></a></p><p><span style="color:#cc0000;">T</span><a href="http://www.isthmian.net/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">he Isthmian</span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.thevisitorpanama.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Visitor</span></a></p><p><a href="http://englishnewspanama.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">English News Panama</span></a></p><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Panama Culture</span> </strong><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.costaricapages.com/panama"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Panama Travels</span></strong></a> </p><p><a href="http://www.panama-guide.com/"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Panama-Guide.com</span></strong></a> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Panama Business</span></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businesspanama.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Business Panama</span></a> Online business journal </p><p><a href="http://www.colonfreezone.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Colon Free Zone</span></a> Buyers & Sellers </p><p><a href="http://www.zonalibredecolon.com.pa/main_eng.htm"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Colon Free Zone</span></a> Official Website </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Panama Politics</span></strong></p><a href="http://www.bananamarepublic.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Bananama Republic</span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Panama History</strong><br /></span><br /><a href="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/patoc.html"><span style="color:#990000;">Library of Congress</span></a> Lots of great information on Panama history, society , culture etc. etc.<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1229333.stm"><span style="color:#990000;">BBC Historical Timeline Panama</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.bocas.com/biscusto.htm"><span style="color:#990000;">History of Bocas Del Toro Islands</span></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Moving to/Living in Panama</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.escapeartist.com/Live_In_Panama/"><span style="color:#990000;">Escape Artist</span></a> One of the most comprehensive website out there on the subject of "offshore" living and investing. Not only in Panama, but nearly anywhere on the planet.<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-67525035837921815502008-10-03T19:53:00.000-07:002010-04-09T21:15:51.962-07:00Panama Real Estate FAQs<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Q1</strong><strong>: Is it safe for foreigners to buy property in Panama?</strong><br />A1: Absolutely. Buying property in Panama is very safe. There are over a dozen laws in Panama established specifically for protecting foreign investments, not to mention that private property in Panama is protected by the constitution of the Republic of Panama. Thousands of foreigners own property in Panama, and brokers process Panama real estate transactions for foreigners every day without a problem.<br /><br /><strong>Q2</strong><strong>: Is it legal for foreigners to buy property in Panama?</strong><br /><a name="Q2"></a>A2: Yes, it is legal for foreigners to own titled property in Panama in their personal names, although normally it is recommended that clients hold all property in the name of a Panamanian corporation for asset protection and tax reasons. Panama possession rights property, however, should always be held in the name of a Panamanian corporation, where the foreign person is the shareholder (or a Panama private interest foundation or trust can be appointed as the shareholder in place of the foreign person) of the corporation.<br /></div><p align="justify"><strong>Q3</strong><strong>: What are the procedures to buy real estate in Panama?<br /></strong><a name="Q3"></a>A3: <strong>The first</strong> step is to find a Panama property you like, and negotiate the price and terms of the sale with the seller (or Panama real estate broker). </p><ul><li><div align="justify"><strong>Second</strong>, you should seek a qualified attorney in Panama to handle the due diligence and title search on the property, putting your Panamanian attorney in contact with the seller (or real estate broker) to gather copies of the property title documents and survey (if available). </div></li><p align="justify"><br /></p><li><div align="justify"><strong>Third</strong>, have your attorney prepare a Promise to Buy/Sell Contract to lock in the property sale and secure the terms agreed upon (a deposit of 10% is usually required by the seller upon signing the promise to buy/sell contract), plus this gives you time to do the due diligence and get your funds into the escrow account. </div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Fourth</strong>, once the attorney has confirmed the property title is clean, then the final closing is scheduled, where the buyer/seller sign the final Buy/Sell Contract.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Fifth</strong>, payment is made to the seller, broker, and attorney from escrow (in some cases, buyers/sellers agree that payment is made after the public deed of the property is transferred and registered into the buyers name). </div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Sixth,</strong> the Buy/Sell Contract is registered at the Public Registry where they transfer the property title ownership from the previous owner to the new owner. </div></li></ul><p align="justify"><strong>Q4</strong><strong>: What advantage is there to putting a property in the name of a corporation, instead of putting the property in my personal name?</strong><br /><a name="Q4"></a>A4: By putting the property in the name of a corporation; (1) the corporate veil protects the property from any attacks from creditors or frivolous lawsuits against your personal name, (2) when you go to sell the property, you can simply sell the corporations shares, saving you a 2% property title transfer tax, and possible Capital Gains Taxes, (3) when you go to sell the property, the buyer benefits because the buy/sell contract does not have to be publicly registered, saving the buyer closing costs, and (4) when you go to sell the property, the buyer benefits from lower property taxes (or possibly no property tax if the registered value is below $30,000), because the registered value does not reflect the actual purchase price.<br /><br /><strong>Q5</strong><strong>: Is it safe to buy a Panamanian corporation’s shares which hold title to property in Panama?<br /></strong><a name="Q5"></a>A5: As long as a proper due diligence investigation is done on the corporation and a proper title search is done on the property that the corporation holds, then it is generally safe to buy property this way in Panama. It is important to hire qualified attorneys to handle the due diligence, and put the proper clauses in the Buy/Sell Contract of Shares of the corporation, such as;<br />(1) a clause that guarantees the buyer that the corporation does not have any pending debt or liability other than that established in the contract and indemnifies the buyer from any such liability,<br /><br />(2) a clause that makes the seller responsible for any liability for previous actions of the corporation and/or it’s directors, and<br /><br />(3) a clause that guarantees the buyer that the purchase is for 100% of the corporations shares as well as for 100% of the property title number xxx (with the description of the property), which is duly owned by the corporation, whose shares are owned by (the seller).<br /><br /><strong>Q6</strong><strong>: Are there any government taxes or fees for transferring Panama property titles from the sellers name to the buyers name?<br /></strong><a name="Q6"></a>A6: Yes. The Panamanian government charges a 2% property title transfer tax. The 2% is based on the registered value (the value established in the registered deed of sale). In addition, there are other fees charged by the Public Notary and the Public Registry which total in the range of $200 to $300 for registering a buy/sell contract for the sale of real estate in Panama.<br /><br /><strong>Q7</strong><strong>: Who normally pays for the property title transfer tax in Panama, the buyer or the seller?<br /></strong><a name="Q7"></a>A7: It is standard practice in Panama for the seller to pay for the title transfer tax, however, in some cases, depending on the negotiation between the buyer and seller, the seller may insist that the buyer pay the title transfer taxes.<br /><br /><strong>Q8</strong><strong>: Who normally pays for the closing costs on Panama real estate transactions, the buyer or the seller?</strong><br /><a name="Q8"></a>A8: Generally, each party pays for their own closing costs. For example, the seller pays his/her attorney to review the buy/sell contract, and the buyer pays his/her attorney for drafting the buy/sell contract, doing the title search, title transfer, and escrow services. However, in some cases, buyers and sellers negotiate special terms whereby the buyer or the seller pays all closing costs, so it really depends on the particular negotiation between buyer and seller.<br /><br /><strong>Q9</strong><strong>: What are the average closing costs for Panama property transactions?</strong><br /><a name="Q9"></a>A9: The closing costs vary depending on the particular transaction. For example, if the property is held in the sellers personal name, and the buyer is transferring the property title to a Panamanian corporation (most recommended), then the closing costs would include; (1) the legal property transaction fee of US$600 (includes; title search, buy/sell contract, closing, & property title transfer service), (2) public registry title transfer fees of approx. US$200 to US$300, and (3) incorporation fee of US$1000 to setup the Panama corporation. However, if the property is held by a Panama corporation already, and the buyer is purchasing the shares of the corporation, then the transaction is relatively simple because there is no registration of title transfer, meaning that there is no title transfer tax, and no public registry title transfer fees. In this case, the closing costs would include; (1) the legal property transaction fee (includes; title search, purchase of shares contract, and closing for US$600) and (2) change of directors / resident agent of the corporation (approx. $350).<br /><br /><strong>Q10</strong><strong>: How long does it normally take to register a property title transfer in the Public Registry of Panama?<br /></strong><a name="Q10"></a>A10: In some cases, it can be done within 2 business days, if we pay extra for quick expediting. However, in normal circumstances, it takes from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the volume of transactions at the Public Registry.<br /><br /><strong>Q11</strong><strong>: How long does it normally take, from start to finish, to purchase property in Panama?<br /></strong><a name="Q11"></a>A11: The time frame from start to finish is normally about 6 weeks, however, it really depends on a variety of factors which are dependent initially on the buyer and the seller, the negotiation between buyer and seller, and subsequently dependent on the attorneys and the public registry.<br /><br />(1) The buyer and seller to agree on the price and terms (time frame can vary depending on the negotiation),<br /><br />(2) seller provides our firm with all the due diligence documentation on the property title so we can do the title investigation (time frame depends on the seller),<br /><br />(3) attorneys do initial title search & draft the promise to buy/sell contract (time frame is approx. 1 day assuming we have all the required information from buyer and seller),<br /><br />(4) buyer and seller review the promise to buy/sell contract and agree to set a date to sign (time frame varies depending on the buyer and sellers),<br /><br />(5) buyer sends payment for down payment and legal fees to escrow (time frame depends on the method funds were sent),<br /><br />(6) buyer and seller sign promise to buy/sell contract and down payment is paid to seller from escrow,<br /><br />(7) final title search is completed (time frame is approx. 5 days),<br /><br />(8) buyer sends final payment to escrow (time frame depends on the method funds were sent),<br /><br />(9) attorneys draft final buy/sell contract (time frame is 1 day),<br /><br />(10) closing takes place and buyer/seller sign final buy/sell contract (time frame is 1 day),<br /><br />(11) contract is registered at the Public Registry for title transfer procedure to begin (time frame ranges from 2 to 30 days, depending on the Public Registry’s volume),<br /><br />(12) attorneys receive deed from Public Registry, draft official English translations, and prepare final documents to send to buyer (time frame is approx. 5 business days).<br /><br />I hope this list of FAQs sheds some light on the process. For newcommer, it can be an intimidating process. I know from firsthand experience. I can assure you, if you have confidence in the people you chose to work with, the process can be exciting and enjoyable. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-77721092425753789392008-09-18T08:54:00.000-07:002010-12-29T19:45:35.707-08:00Panama in the Spotlight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60udkSMS3DI22wvKaTjoARl3M2sdg2AasJoWf5azHSGQS5fzLlkkdhbpwSc9sCGzUzwhV7driSYaWPyVUhibMUrZWFoyVWmGvy8qKfqSYPJzPqBlyJkIfSKWXSqppbV_9c51nFSOGQU0/s1600-h/pura.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 136px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247441671258245986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60udkSMS3DI22wvKaTjoARl3M2sdg2AasJoWf5azHSGQS5fzLlkkdhbpwSc9sCGzUzwhV7driSYaWPyVUhibMUrZWFoyVWmGvy8qKfqSYPJzPqBlyJkIfSKWXSqppbV_9c51nFSOGQU0/s320/pura.jpg" width="154" height="137" /></strong></a><strong>For the past decade, or so, the hottest tourism attraction in Central America has been the beautiful country of Costa Rica, and rightfully so. After all, it was Costa Rica that started the concept of "Eco-tourism", and has successfully captured the imagination (and money) of adventure travelers from around the globe. </strong>Ask the average person about Central America, and Costa Rica likely will be their first thought. An effective marketing slogan <em>(PuraVida)</em> and images of tranquil beaches, erupting volcanoes, toucans, monkeys and bikini clad models is almost too much to resist. What else could you ask for in a vacation in the tropics? Consequently, the booming tourism industry in Costa Rica has brought with it, real estate prices that rival Maui. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstIWncG_B1Vn553p4TBrwMB7HrA0QRKNQt32-h9AQIuSqioR8QV2wskNYAOLtsoRmbKUEGvF3eNVFDdctDeCBQYXzcQJJ0paHTh2xuNWAYSDnEgcXBpxn9sO-scKClGHlQCjaUCAvF8c/s1600-h/vida.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247441863565742290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstIWncG_B1Vn553p4TBrwMB7HrA0QRKNQt32-h9AQIuSqioR8QV2wskNYAOLtsoRmbKUEGvF3eNVFDdctDeCBQYXzcQJJ0paHTh2xuNWAYSDnEgcXBpxn9sO-scKClGHlQCjaUCAvF8c/s320/vida.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We've all heard about a friend of a friend who moved to Costa Rica years ago, bought some cheap land, and now owns a hotel, dive shop or vacation home. This friend of a friend now spends their semi-retirement days surfing or discovering previously unknown species of flora in the rain forest. It's the lure of this elusive lifestyle that haunts the minds of millions of cubicle dwellers across the corporate landscape. I guess I should only speak for myself. By the time I arrived in Costa Rica, pursuing my dream lifestyle, real estate bargains had been replaced by a multitude of shifty agents and brokers with questionable ethic standards. Although there has been significant appreciation since then, I took a pass because I couldn't shake the feeling of being the proverbial <em>babe in the woods</em>.<br /><br />Today, people familiar with Costa Rica talk about the, <em>less than positive,</em> changes that have taken place over the years. Petty crime is out of control, as less fortunate locals find naive tourist easy pickings. Development has run amok, ruining the tranquil scenery that attracted people in the first place. High prices for hotels and restaurants destroyed the concept of a budget vacation in the tropics. In a sense Costa Rica has been a victim of its own success. It's still a beautiful destination, but lately, the people I've met who have travelled to Costa Rica, do so by organized tours in a comfortable motor coach. Hardly, the Costa Rica that invented "<em>adventure travel</em>".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7leD4E_fh5fUBVIn6nwuSzRnjyIU1v8c8FW-26lMw4vMdoj8K1xbcPaPJberPcg838aaJGl9kgOITOI8ituACc0_03KmklenQwf85VLGJotKWJ696-dSYwrEd3GQ2oFBQyjAFpOzDUg/s1600-h/canal.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247442335297693810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7leD4E_fh5fUBVIn6nwuSzRnjyIU1v8c8FW-26lMw4vMdoj8K1xbcPaPJberPcg838aaJGl9kgOITOI8ituACc0_03KmklenQwf85VLGJotKWJ696-dSYwrEd3GQ2oFBQyjAFpOzDUg/s320/canal.jpg" /></strong></a><strong>A study in contrast, Panama has a completely different story to tell. Although, next door to Costa Rica, Panama receives a fraction of the tourism business that Costa Rica depends upon.</strong> This is mainly due to a practically embryonic tourism industry, which until recently focused on cruise ships passing through the canal. Oh yes, <em>The Canal. </em>The primary subject conjured by mention of the entire country. Just as Costa Rica invokes eco-tourism, Panama invokes... <em><strong>shipping</strong></em>. Hardly a sexy draw unless you're Aristotle Onassis or an heir to Sam Walton. Let's face it, <em>Pura Vida</em> has a better ring to it than <em>The greatest short cut on Earth.</em> It's this lack of mass marketing know how that has kept masses of surfers and hippies interested in other parts of Central America. Let's not forget the brutal dictatorship and money laundering factor that has long since been squelched, but images die hard without a loud multi-million dollar PR campaign.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukmraIbDpVeo44V0FRq3VQaXvjuL3xXK0F8pexQyXZFw4Il_CnylKR9_a9VYPeliu_LC-DCSc0LbxjgQ-0hh6yGrZWx-jRBRYeQMGOzk5_GDjBw_WXUPSJv09AuL-0O2hoUfSharFd8w/s1600-h/panama-city.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 279px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247448148262256514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukmraIbDpVeo44V0FRq3VQaXvjuL3xXK0F8pexQyXZFw4Il_CnylKR9_a9VYPeliu_LC-DCSc0LbxjgQ-0hh6yGrZWx-jRBRYeQMGOzk5_GDjBw_WXUPSJv09AuL-0O2hoUfSharFd8w/s320/panama-city.jpg" width="320" height="209" /></a><strong>There has been a campaign in Panama, but it's been subdued and focused.</strong> Operating under the radar because it's target demographic has been highly focused on basically two niches. Business and Retirees. Panama has very attractive programs that open its doors to low key folks who have a steady form of income. Primarily, mature folks less likely to be raving on the beaches at 4am.<br /><br />The other demographic is the international businessman and woman. Once thought of as an offshore tax haven, attractive to shady characters, Panama has a bustling banking industry rivaling Switzerland and Hong Kong for its variety services and privacy laws. As a result some of the worlds most stable banks do business in Panama. These days, that's a big draw.<br /><br /><strong>So, now let's look at the demographic most likely to find Panama attractive, today. Unless you've been living on the moon, you might have heard of a little group known as </strong><em><strong>baby boomers.</strong> </em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Over 100 million strong in the US alone, they make up the single largest demographic with any money, and they're thinking about packing it up and calling it a career. With the world economy as it is, I'm sure this thought is weighing heavy on the collective brain.<br /><br />Let's say one percent of 100 million, have the means, and decide to retire in a stable little country with a strong economic outlook, good infrastructure and quality health care. That's one million people. Let's say ten percent of that population choose Panama as their new home. And why not, it's still close to the US (2.5 hours from Miami), and ranked as the number one <a href="http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/RetireInStyle/PanamaIsParadiseForRetirees.aspx?page=1"><span style="color:#cc0000;">retirement destination</span></a> globally year after year. That's 100 thousand people, the population of a decent sized town. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">How will Panama, a country of less than three million people absorb 100 thousand newcomers? My guess is that Panama will continue the current <em>open arms</em> policy...up to a certain point. Then, the powers that be will gradually <a href="http://www.migracion.gob.pa/eng/guiaservicios.php"><span style="color:#cc0000;">raise the price of admission</span></a>, as the government begins to cap immigration. For now, the door is still open, and there exist some very attractive visa programs. <em>(which I will write about later)</em> But, if a stampede ensues, you can bet these programs will be altered and discontinued. My advice is to book a flight to Panama to take a look around. Do your due diligence, if you like what you see, buy some property before it goes <em>Costa Rica</em>. In a country this small, with this much to offer, with conditions as they are, it's better to act now than regret later.<br /><br /><em>If you would like more information on locating some of the last areas in Panama with low prices, contact Esteban through email: </em></span><a href="mailto:info@mypanamaranch.com"><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>info@mypanamaranch.com</strong></span></em></a><em> </em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-53087172504830862842008-09-15T08:38:00.000-07:002009-03-13T22:24:30.026-07:00Wall Street Meltdown: How's your IRA doing?<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"<em>Don’t wait to buy land. Buy land and wait</em>."</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">– Will Rogers</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">“<em>Buy land, they're not making it anymore.</em>” </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">-Mark Twain</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"<em>Land is the basis of all wealth</em>."</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">-Adam Smith <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHloWHYJQ2ABGT_dACJingRHsGq3-Ibdq5Kl_xPsWD6aGGu1811kznTpnXkXpx2FprXJwwK783IwDKH3DmjYlbTCbwv9mPyJX4B44XLkZHiTe2JAEBY7_wppODvNbhTeaFT-g8PScDNo/s1600-h/san_fernan_before.gif"></a><br /></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><a href="http://ceres.ca.gov/planning/open_space/banking.html"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Land Banking</span></a></strong> <strong>is the acquisition of unimproved land for the purpose of development or disposition at a future date.</strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Advantages of Investing in Land Banking</span> </strong><br /><strong>Attractive Return -</strong> If the land is in the path of development, the return can be outstanding. Out performing practically any other vehicle of investment. The key is due dilligence.<br /><br /><strong>Portfolio Diversification -</strong> Land banking investment offers an opportunity that isn’t directly correlated or tied to the movement of other standard investments. This offers clients a unique opportunity to bring diversity to their portfolios.<br /><br /><strong>Minimum effort by Investor(Dummy Investing)-</strong> No Service or management charges to pay. Just invest one lump sum and wait for about 3-6 years to reap the expected return. It offers a hassle free investment because you pay your initial investment, and you don’t have to think about it until exit. Very suitable for who do not have the time/education/patience to study and do research.<br /><br /><strong>Land is a finite resource-</strong> The key to land investing is to buy in countries with a shortage of land and a growing economy and population that will make prime land locations rise in price as they are developed.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Disadvantages of Investing in Land Banking </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Minimum liquidity –</strong> You are expected to hold the investment minimum for 3-6 years for the land price to appreciate. Early exit will result loss.<br /><br /><strong>No guarantee on Exit -</strong> Companies operating these schemes are seeking investors to buy plots of land in areas which HAVE NOT YET been granted planning permission. There is no guarantees on how soon developers will buy over the land. Estimates by landbanking companies range from a period of three to eight years, to five to seven years. Basically the companies will apply to convert from agriculture to Commercial land status from the Government. Government may changed their policies anytime.<br /><br /><strong>Land is located Oversea-</strong> You do not know the real value of the land, except the promise of the marketer that no investor had sold the land at a loss.<br />Land banking is unregulated , and thus falls into a legal grey area. This could pose problems if disputes arise between companies and individual investors. You cannot complaint to Bank Negara Malaysia(BNM) for dispute as land banking is not under its purview. In November 2006, UK landbanking company, Land Heritage (UK) closed down after an investigation by the Financial Services Authority. Its 700 investors were not refunded.<br />There is NO perfect Investment . Therefore Investors need to do their due diligence before investing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-land-banking.htm">http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-land-banking.htm</a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Banking">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Banking</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.proland.com/land_banking.htm">http://www.proland.com/land_banking.htm</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mypanamaranch.com/xxtest.html"></a><a href="http://alantanblog.com/investment/land-banking-secret-recipes-to-wealth.html">http://alantanblog.com/investment/land-banking-secret-recipes-to-wealth.html</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1s9QRfbzDx4&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-55049931177034353932008-09-12T19:37:00.000-07:002012-05-02T19:44:17.130-07:00The Plot Thickens...Part IV<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSrpz_U9dkNujCZJeh5EBA1wuH5SIcB2jHsnQAjr_sKziCs5evwuNhZqIL9POYywtvLYtMKy0ZfFaj_2DZyDA7dCK5NEiD3CWDUVhxln8w-uvzKV1xC31kvxxm0oYIx7vQxXqTqKc8J0/s1600-h/dominoes-row-toppling_~bmp_017.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="284" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244619463453657442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSrpz_U9dkNujCZJeh5EBA1wuH5SIcB2jHsnQAjr_sKziCs5evwuNhZqIL9POYywtvLYtMKy0ZfFaj_2DZyDA7dCK5NEiD3CWDUVhxln8w-uvzKV1xC31kvxxm0oYIx7vQxXqTqKc8J0/s320/dominoes-row-toppling_~bmp_017.jpg" style="float: left; height: 247px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 283px;" width="300" /></a> <strong>As the Saga continues, a theme seems to emerge. Oh what the heck, I'll run with it. This theme is using classic <em>parlor games</em> as <em>cliched metaphor</em> to describe the plot twists in an unfolding story</strong> <strong>of international intrigue.</strong> An epic tale about a regular guy in seeking amusement, sets out to <em>try his skill</em> in an obscure, nearly forgotten, yet historically significant part of the world. Naively wandering, by <em>chance</em>, into an extraordinary situation from which he can not turn back. Suddenly, he must find inner strength and formulate strategy to succeed against formidable odds....<em>Finding time among the needs of three kids, executing moves</em> <em>between diaper changes and after school activities.</em><br />
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<strong>Could someone please explain to me exactly what the hell is going on? When did all the rules change?</strong> We are not merely living in strange times, we've slipped into whole other dimension where everything is skewed by 18o degrees, then thrown into a blender set for <em>frappe.</em> World economies are either on the brink of recession or hip deep in one, but due to an astonishing level of denial, nobody seems willing to admit it. The private central bank (a.k.a. Federal Reserve) is printing paper money (or electronically creating it) by the billions in order to stave off the inevitable implosion. The <em>bail out </em>of financial institutions traditionally thought of as pillars, these days looking more like...<em><strong>dominoes</strong></em>, ( ha!) is now being ceremoniously passed on to the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvWPxkQWt59zBfZs1dCII5PZt4ksyZLO7Wh3YXkfZpJs68EyAwmlGUHCUXdQnPse9GghOj1vyn9Yn672DYRIKO2zAB4lEklSvFDC_bct4weNnpdocdgeFX8op_RqWfioqnTprsjWdH0JN/s1600-h/comics-you-lose.png"><span style="color: #cc0000;">common tax payer</span></a>, and played off as a stroke of genius. The mortgage industry is in total collapse, as Freddie and Fannie are the latest pieces to tumble. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUy6P6yYmOu2URW8bNohTwuP8eYYh4Oqs83rXYHFFo3caAQ3fZ5Ke3cwl7jDP_XlzC1IDu0Mmwu33eEJbzq3YIcrv8nubuVMUmIYSoUo6j22ZIvu_1aYmxnXh58FYvcg2TBg0VGC9fa8/s1600-h/cards.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="290" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244640629450318786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUy6P6yYmOu2URW8bNohTwuP8eYYh4Oqs83rXYHFFo3caAQ3fZ5Ke3cwl7jDP_XlzC1IDu0Mmwu33eEJbzq3YIcrv8nubuVMUmIYSoUo6j22ZIvu_1aYmxnXh58FYvcg2TBg0VGC9fa8/s320/cards.jpg" style="float: right; height: 243px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 275px;" width="298" /></a></div>
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<strong>How many more banks </strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rddktfWSJX_89JMLphGkPo8BidzuqCqNtTdFOJ3wv9r9SF-u8L5acbQOiolhpjIlQ0J5zzJtnHjGHWS_E5v_15ZX3xJ1dPbxeoUgcxQIkBqqlKXhS5aMXjC0QGZ0FbuDB6onzjdx3fk/s1600-h/houseofcards.png"></a><strong>will fold is any one's guess.</strong> How much can the fiat currencies of the world be diluted, before it starts looking like <a href="http://www.bitsofnews.com/images/graphics/economy/weimar.jpg"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1930's Germany?</span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 85%;"><strong>(hint: It's already looking like it, when you consider the consolidation of power in the executive branch)</strong></span></em> </div>
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The "cold war" is making a big <em>comeback</em>, but the temperature this time may be several degrees warmer. As tensions between the US and Russia take front and center, strategic positions are assumed, game faces are shown. Meanwhile the unfinished stalemates in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly Iran get pushed out of sight and out of mind. (<em>A Chess reference would fit appropriately here, but I've already used that one on my last post) </em></div>
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<strong>We're in the final stretch of a presidential election, yet despite all the dire issues at hand, the corporate controlled media seems to be preoccupied with the non-issue of <em>lipstick wearing pigs</em>.</strong> I've been concerned about the unravelling of our society for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2gobCS0DiGtGv2szFMG-Hr4vZBxZ1XLg8D6xV-Fbr0XU_rLHqD-ehELdE_RFcrFG4sQt4dkQVtgiUnSL_WEOtNuwbHQdJvqKFug3AK0Yk0fmXQP8FuFG2-zHBPYG54lleZTyab9QhI4/s1600-h/shuffle.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244642548332111410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2gobCS0DiGtGv2szFMG-Hr4vZBxZ1XLg8D6xV-Fbr0XU_rLHqD-ehELdE_RFcrFG4sQt4dkQVtgiUnSL_WEOtNuwbHQdJvqKFug3AK0Yk0fmXQP8FuFG2-zHBPYG54lleZTyab9QhI4/s320/shuffle.jpg" style="float: left; height: 206px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 286px;" width="297" /></a>some time, but I'm now convinced we're on a slippery surface and rapidly sliding toward an abyss, or maybe we're teetering on the edge, I'm not sure which. </div>
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In order to protect my family's future, and pocket what was left of my cash. I've taken a cue from the big <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h6taYI3gMYOJueuOIWF2-jd7olSdApknqADpNtqNSdFR9H4v_siz18TbGtIKo7REVJxOc_xX7iA1Tq1LUzeRIVgO_4apuQ6HIxZcWPj7H2bzkGbcfp4Ig0cdJu8ecaqyMA6CuKfWOM8/s1600-h/image001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="142" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244682963491293970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h6taYI3gMYOJueuOIWF2-jd7olSdApknqADpNtqNSdFR9H4v_siz18TbGtIKo7REVJxOc_xX7iA1Tq1LUzeRIVgO_4apuQ6HIxZcWPj7H2bzkGbcfp4Ig0cdJu8ecaqyMA6CuKfWOM8/s320/image001.jpg" style="float: right; height: 142px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 168px;" width="121" /></a>players, and put my savings into Panama land as a safe bet against the declining securities market. I figured it was calculated risk and was going to take some balls. I didn't plan to buy land with huge gold deposits under the surface. However, when the prospect presented itself, I figured it could be the ultimate hedge against the swirling economic shit storm gathering on the horizon. </div>
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<strong>Traditionally, times of uncertainty like impending hyper-inflation, bank failures, world wars and general societal collapse tend to raise the price of gold.</strong> The fundamental measure of wealth since the dawn of civilization, gold traditionally attracts buyers looking for security. For a brief period gold was acting accordingly. By all logic and reason, gold should be somewhere in the upper atmosphere on it's way toward the outer solar system right about now. However, we do not live in a world of logic and reason any longer. Now considered expendable, logic and reason were thrown under the bus a while ago, to make room for more <strong><em>"fiat"</em>.</strong> We now live in world of pigs and lipstick (a.k.a. total denial). I was determined to hold on to some resemblance of the world I formerly knew. What savings I hadn't invested in Panama real estate, I invested in precious metals...with leverage. I was certain, bad economic forecasts would buoy the metals, and I'd emerge from the pending wreckage intact. </div>
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<strong>Even as the metals dropped from their all time <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxljTSzQLV_i6EMuqaPT-YSrGwaPmEcNMpntROHOz75EX800GC-QyVqgBRYqAz-ZCVs6xJq-LeAy8KtF-rxWvKekwL3rqbDnR5_ZhPCEx6v6nRuQiqH9CJxV9nkc8Yh0BvL4XJnlX5Mw/s1600-h/darts.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="146" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244649482122635570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxljTSzQLV_i6EMuqaPT-YSrGwaPmEcNMpntROHOz75EX800GC-QyVqgBRYqAz-ZCVs6xJq-LeAy8KtF-rxWvKekwL3rqbDnR5_ZhPCEx6v6nRuQiqH9CJxV9nkc8Yh0BvL4XJnlX5Mw/s320/darts.jpg" style="float: right; height: 162px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 247px;" width="232" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong>peak six months ago, </strong><strong>I was certain new trajectories would be hitting their targets at any moment.</strong> Boy, did I miss the mark. I am now facing my second margin call in a month, and the sharp, piercing pain inflicted on my investment portfolio is really smarting. It has been a hard lesson in illogical economics<strong>,</strong> and really burst my ego. I'm still trying to figure out how a traditional store of wealth, such as precious metals drops like a rock, at a moment, by historical standards, it should be performing. </div>
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These guys at the Federal Reserve and the other central banks around the world must benefit from suppressed commodities <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ne3lVA_5aO_U-96rdGehC2Kltoy-gD_oC2J-ALLsuYmiYyA4Go7-qoIhRC0F6uRyHlfxFSABbVoSrz3ExcvuN_R8oZKkLZfrb72VXjA2fdFmC282DuSGGU2rpJsl6L5Q0Oy0QHhbFhM/s1600-h/monopoly.jpg"><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="153" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244652929839497698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ne3lVA_5aO_U-96rdGehC2Kltoy-gD_oC2J-ALLsuYmiYyA4Go7-qoIhRC0F6uRyHlfxFSABbVoSrz3ExcvuN_R8oZKkLZfrb72VXjA2fdFmC282DuSGGU2rpJsl6L5Q0Oy0QHhbFhM/s200/monopoly.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="200" /></strong></a>prices, which stifle the flow of money toward tangible wealth, such as gold. Therefore, propping up their paper fiat currencies, otherwise left to a free market would likely collapse.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmypMv9MfTxrlMGNBXpBSso0A3-vc1OSJ4PMeYBar3hvOTqxq9kIdMtewLS0_5GkN19e5SmrkqbTLTI3TBFTea1PM2BQY7u0Gyek5qX7FChGiBZ-b816W4FCV1VrCQdMCK9L26I6_w8U/s1600-h/pinball.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="288" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244664138925596002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmypMv9MfTxrlMGNBXpBSso0A3-vc1OSJ4PMeYBar3hvOTqxq9kIdMtewLS0_5GkN19e5SmrkqbTLTI3TBFTea1PM2BQY7u0Gyek5qX7FChGiBZ-b816W4FCV1VrCQdMCK9L26I6_w8U/s320/pinball.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Hmmm...How do they do it? It's as if this is just a big game to the central bankers.</strong> They create the money through making loans, then collect interest on the loans. Since more money is<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXbFqipNIcoH-S0IMs1tE5dL1nZPvqd3w8zTGkF5ybR9nucuPrsCJEWZcmqP0u1kLTEQTUaKAxxzD9N74r9Xou0MG196ZCjuBHoXD8bn6tXCov3bhcPqystFOAotzY7II8fwPhyBtudE/s1600-h/pinball.jpg"></a> owed to the bank than has been put into circulation, the money owed to the bank can never be paid off. This scheme works for a while, but eventually an ever increasing money supply, without a basis on real assets, becomes diluted in value. They know this, so they use their position as creators of currency to buy up all the tangible assets, such as factories, toll roads, water rights, natural resources, governments, etc. etc. Meanwhile everyone else is chasing their little pieces of paper that continues to lose value. Eventually, the central banks have the entire globe bouncing around at dizzying speed, banging up and down with bright lights and distracting noise, flipping all over the place, until no one really knows the score, and we hit <em>Tilt</em>. It's as if the game is completely <em>rigged.</em></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="124" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244886794241904802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9_03AeTBXfar0XML2XphNDp7GIJa2aoJnSHKgXp52XYJYMomOKUkA8Wc6S9-nVDXV8gZFbjWRDkNLlGP1gI-RRJx4o80omKETXqTl2K1hPKJcKfo5jDy9WqN60ETzdyEnObwICzPEpA/s320/gameOverScreen.jpg" style="display: block; height: 199px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 284px;" width="230" /><br />
<strong><a href="http://mypanamaranch.blogspot.com/2008/09/saga-of-blue-mountain-conclussion.html"><em>Continue to</em> Conclusion</a></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-14307280904440259202008-08-27T13:23:00.001-07:002012-03-24T18:35:42.376-07:00Mares Eat Oats, Does Eat Oats, and Little Lambs Eat Ivy...<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2149377614_20a4d6a7e7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 239px; height: 206px; float: left;" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2149377614_20a4d6a7e7.jpg" height="206" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><strong>Q: What do goats eat? A: Everything in sight. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span> is much more than a beauty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pageant</span> for waterfalls. However, I don't know exactly what else is there because it's mostly covered in thick brush and tall grass.</strong> Even at Latin American labor rates, it's going to cost lots of money to clear one hundred acres<strong>.</strong> I've been brainstorming lately on how I can raise capital, to begin work on infrastructure. I've also been seeking ways to reduce my expenses. After mulling this over, I may have come up with an option that potentially can alter the entire plan for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span>. It involves a herd of goats and a family friend, Let's call him <em>Jim</em> (not his real name) who happens to live on an island in a South Pacific <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">archipelago</span>. </div><br /><div><strong>It's funny how ideas originate. They seem to develop somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind.</strong> Triggered by something trivial someone mentions in passing, then mixes with various memories and stored bits of information, until it begins to take form. Like an air bubble rising through water, the idea changes shape and form as it rises to the surface of my consciousness. Once it breaks the surface, I can't seem to shake it until I act upon the idea in some way. Usually, I need to run the idea by someone with the pertinent knowledge, to test its validity. In this case, I turned to my brother Brad's former roommate and friend. <em>Jim</em> has likely had various careers over the years, but his current position as Operations Manager of a certain g<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">oat dairy/farm</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> on the slopes of a volcano,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> makes him the undisputed expert on the topic of goat farming on a mountain in the tropics. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLHviJcemuKBCvJYOPxpGCeHJbr6Kx3pJEUtmJ7C-rTILVR_Xbkyul7O3HQA120HFBofp6Si7qGOU6vZl3Zg4HEq8JrFq_cWzVTngR1S9OnNzkplY5joIGem4MTyYxuc84fn0H9IpVT8/s1600-h/300px-Map_OC-Polynesia.png"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240123097370607954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLHviJcemuKBCvJYOPxpGCeHJbr6Kx3pJEUtmJ7C-rTILVR_Xbkyul7O3HQA120HFBofp6Si7qGOU6vZl3Zg4HEq8JrFq_cWzVTngR1S9OnNzkplY5joIGem4MTyYxuc84fn0H9IpVT8/s400/300px-Map_OC-Polynesia.png" /></a></span><br /><a href="http://www.htyellowpages.com/maui/big_maui_map.gif"></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>I first met Jim five years ago while visiting my brother Brad on the island.</strong> <em>Jim</em> was in competition with two other farmhands for the coveted position of running the entire dairy operation for a couple of entrepreneurs. The objective was to create a dairy farm to produce high quality gourmet goat cheese and forge a unique <em>"Ag-Tourism venue"</em> on the slopes of the Volcano. <em>Jim's</em> laid back style, and strong work ethic naturally made him the winning candidate. Five years later, Jim has become <em>the</em> goat dairy maven of the South Pacific. He knows the business inside and out, from birthing kids to milking females, to making phenomenal cheese. Also packaging, marketing and distributing fresh product around the world are well within his realm of expertise. He's clearly "<em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Man</span></em>". </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Last night, I spoke with Jim on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skype</span>. He gave me a condensed tutorial on the complexities of goat farming. I, in turn, briefed him on all the wonderful things Panama has to offer. We both agreed to explore further the options and opportunities that could be achieved by working together.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><strong>Originally, I thought Montana <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Azul</span></span></span>, would be the prime location for a goat farm. However, consulting with Jim, I was informed that goats need pasture space, and lots of it.</strong> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mantana</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Azul</span></span></span>, although a massive piece of land, is covered mostly in pine forest. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span>, with it's vast overgrown pastures, is actually more ideal for this purpose. Plus, it's on the main road, and can more easily become a tourist destination. If we could get a herd of milking goats on this property, and build a dairy facility relatively quickly. We could theoretically<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhWlbessWVrAGxqOtmKHnKtbVkt0WPn0DsnvCVoauIRb8eDdPbR7FR7B1UfH38-8kwyv2vA5AcOXpqXCZH2j71S0IyxJU2CIs7RwU-NWNpKJnIXx09AWrx7MDHRYgOqzHiF3x5PB6trY/s1600-h/globe+copy.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuijauXI9CyGvLLmmqXVOiAFNlALamOpsVR0nbN7GmMucZQMqLdjqIP510EpUjsnjVDqoR4Eb4d6KdNdQoWra-r8TLQHysni0w7U1jbBmM7XTb0w97oWdzFxQCrSQUEhWEbWu_B2W1j8/s1600-h/globe2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 316px; height: 372px; float: right;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239470165938069666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuijauXI9CyGvLLmmqXVOiAFNlALamOpsVR0nbN7GmMucZQMqLdjqIP510EpUjsnjVDqoR4Eb4d6KdNdQoWra-r8TLQHysni0w7U1jbBmM7XTb0w97oWdzFxQCrSQUEhWEbWu_B2W1j8/s400/globe2.jpg" width="333" height="384" /></a>start a global distribution of high quality goat cheese from the mountains of Panama. Taking advantage of Panama's position as a shipping hub, I can foresee selling product in North <em>and</em> South American <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmq6FOZaW2K1NEDrWxBzJVYyPDg4LRaMMNHVzVuSbtJse8eY5E5OXCz-mX9ofDCUxkX902IO9R3U3jeC-e8RdRWbLpkBDPHPKGTHc_fSgfq0QyRcDCmj5FjTEIupm98Fy-RGMZ0dxUhU/s1600-h/globe+copy.jpg"></a>cities, from Quebec to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Buenos</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aires</span></span></span>. From Vancouver to Rio <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Janeiro</span></span></span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">TM</span> will be a globally recognized brand in gourmet goat cheese. Even Europe and Asia are in reach due to the multitude of ships that pass through the canal each month. Bistro chefs in Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul and Shanghai will request us by name. Culinary schools from Madrid to Stockholm, and as far as Istanbul will share our name with top graduates. It's one of the many twists and turns we encounter on the road of life. You never know from what idea the next inspiration springs from, or where it will lead. </span><br /><br /><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span></span></span>. Admittedly, I'm getting a little carried away. However, If this idea can come to fruition, The immediate benefits are numerous.</strong> First, my brother's friend, Jim, will be able to further his career in dairy farming, with his own <em>Ag-tourism venue</em>...in Panama. Secondly, he and I could qualify for an <em>Agriculture Visa,</em> allowing a path to permanent residency. Third, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span> can slowly be cleared of it's over grown brush. Fourth, the goat herd will be fat from all that good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat'n</span></span></span>. Finally, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span></span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tranquilo</span></span></span> will eventually be able to generate the needed cash flow to finance further development on the remaining land. Oh wait, I'll first need to raise capital to build the goat farm....<em>Sigh</em>...it's a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vicious</span> catch 22.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-45659626501680310682008-08-22T16:33:00.000-07:002009-04-28T18:07:55.869-07:00Wandering Historic Casco Viejo<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrPSz8fz0WDE2jF0-omJbcEmaKdCEpnRG2SPK1nJLbcGDe6eOQMIi7el2HzTOaP_POxxkzik7v6pr5jv5LLJrOwg7XGerUNCz6fKxnL1ZWjR0-IKKw1dbcuBe5NEGG2cOahkkluPdNRA/s1600-h/PICT0297.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237502340186490402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrPSz8fz0WDE2jF0-omJbcEmaKdCEpnRG2SPK1nJLbcGDe6eOQMIi7el2HzTOaP_POxxkzik7v6pr5jv5LLJrOwg7XGerUNCz6fKxnL1ZWjR0-IKKw1dbcuBe5NEGG2cOahkkluPdNRA/s200/PICT0297.JPG" border="0" /></a>If you're like me, and have a photography fetish for very old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dilapidated</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">architecture</span>, you'll simply be in heaven when wandering the streets of Panama's <em>old town. </em></strong>No visit to Panama City is complete without a trip to the historic district known as <a href="http://www.moon.com/planner/panama/mustsees/cascoviejo.html"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Casco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Viejo</span></span></a><span style="color:#cc0000;">.</span> This area of the city is jam packed with history. You can feel it oozing from the numerous four <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhT3KvYny9EJ52PmZ8quN_Ef0NOYmpaAMULW18UfcbqVrKqsQ_EgBfGu-UmKeHL7G_sBGnl8kJgYCGf6f3YSVdCPGThFz-EfgBtBF7TOUV1x9oGG7nUXwS14TM5kUJS93RYREciVEWsg/s1600-h/PICT0296.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237500786243090322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" height="200" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhT3KvYny9EJ52PmZ8quN_Ef0NOYmpaAMULW18UfcbqVrKqsQ_EgBfGu-UmKeHL7G_sBGnl8kJgYCGf6f3YSVdCPGThFz-EfgBtBF7TOUV1x9oGG7nUXwS14TM5kUJS93RYREciVEWsg/s200/PICT0296.JPG" width="171" border="0" /></a>century old buildings and cobblestone streets. Long neglected, the area became a notorious slum for what seems a century. Once UNESCO inscribed this area as a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/790"><span style="color:#cc0000;">World Heritage Site</span></a>, someone had the bright idea of creating a massive restoration project. As a result, Casco Viejo is currently caught in a funky time warp. The distant past, the recent past, the present, and the future of Panama co-exist in this remarkable location. The restoration projects are plentiful, and provide a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">glimpse</span> of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDcqvWprwusUGHrxBtT78QeLWfGs1zutn0KD_wV9Qg-Pc4waXQtRXL7u0Ki5kCe6MIsE8hWb47_g-D9BkQ0mevi0PHvFpeCmi96QhLX2eiGQ3JLQgSuabfQYA6CUgc0M_0a5rSpixQPA/s1600-h/PICT0322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237501253042736514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDcqvWprwusUGHrxBtT78QeLWfGs1zutn0KD_wV9Qg-Pc4waXQtRXL7u0Ki5kCe6MIsE8hWb47_g-D9BkQ0mevi0PHvFpeCmi96QhLX2eiGQ3JLQgSuabfQYA6CUgc0M_0a5rSpixQPA/s200/PICT0322.JPG" border="0" /></a>the future of the area. Swank restaurants,<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">boutique</span> hotels, gift shops and art galleries pepper the cityscape, lending an upscale <em>urban chic</em> vibe among a vast poor local residential area, that for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">generations have</span> called this barrio home. Walking down any one of what seems an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">infinite</span> number of narrow streets, I'm treated to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">voyeur's</span> delight. The huge arched front doorways are left open, as local residence go about their daily lives, oblivious to (or just ignoring?) the many camera toting tourist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc5AbMnhBWK9-5BW4At1t3jJsGIK3_lvt6e8bj3WzIhxaPr6zOOKpPm8MFad5ZawO4JcaKoRC90I0y7qr191Tvy44flQUNnc54rM6sfSbp1K43ZKKqVi0WfLdfutdlNIcXimv7tSW4Wc/s1600-h/PICT0316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237505845987889250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" height="225" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc5AbMnhBWK9-5BW4At1t3jJsGIK3_lvt6e8bj3WzIhxaPr6zOOKpPm8MFad5ZawO4JcaKoRC90I0y7qr191Tvy44flQUNnc54rM6sfSbp1K43ZKKqVi0WfLdfutdlNIcXimv7tSW4Wc/s200/PICT0316.JPG" width="150" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNBO_JtIiCS5FjW15ps21UUAyDc5bFgIuffq00ZGy8izMunyPhpkOLZc4NLE26mC0N-O2stlBFuHHMAwpExzBEc4KNofCjMQd_drgPaFLgFS4ySHdziJeNcCVg1cxcBSsc0G-lUpKm2s/s1600-h/PICT0319.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237504790740134946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNBO_JtIiCS5FjW15ps21UUAyDc5bFgIuffq00ZGy8izMunyPhpkOLZc4NLE26mC0N-O2stlBFuHHMAwpExzBEc4KNofCjMQd_drgPaFLgFS4ySHdziJeNcCVg1cxcBSsc0G-lUpKm2s/s200/PICT0319.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong>The french and Spanish colonial style</strong> is characteristic of the area, and photo ops are abundant. I am particularly fond of the massive abandoned <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">architecture</span> completely gutted out at least a century ago. Ferns and vines climb walls and fill staircases. Whole rooms, once grand parlors or cathedrals, now <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">reclaimed</span> by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">vegetation</span>. The flora now call these buildings home. This can only be viewed from the street, through an elaborate cast iron gate. It's actually the coolest urban landscaping motif I've ever seen. It seemingly exists as an unplanned byproduct of decades, if not<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyvYOaj7Bs2t6wlxc-Fdbl7Zpa8rhINWZlp8jbOqDIbsZfKYDdCgt8r0FgWTywRmq7OOaDHnNygFHBvQKpRuK4tJo8rlvwLuVFkiU88GrJrZ_UaQrB6l_KYR-_XgsiWDZSNDiRgzjnHM/s1600-h/PICT0286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238564791951959106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyvYOaj7Bs2t6wlxc-Fdbl7Zpa8rhINWZlp8jbOqDIbsZfKYDdCgt8r0FgWTywRmq7OOaDHnNygFHBvQKpRuK4tJo8rlvwLuVFkiU88GrJrZ_UaQrB6l_KYR-_XgsiWDZSNDiRgzjnHM/s200/PICT0286.JPG" width="182" border="0" /></a> centuries, of neglect. One of the many dichotomies I contemplate asIwander these streets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7e97mR4xRvV92wTrNSJBbUROnSn-H7m5njq9x-q__8Sx13W6s2MgEdaPjhQlFhxUfLKKgYZvuc88NyIX0zvyxceg6417Nj7egYLPeHEP5fT8-JrDvzKG38q0Oz7zHjx6UsgOyHSIY_o/s1600-h/PICT0331.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238565174663253234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7e97mR4xRvV92wTrNSJBbUROnSn-H7m5njq9x-q__8Sx13W6s2MgEdaPjhQlFhxUfLKKgYZvuc88NyIX0zvyxceg6417Nj7egYLPeHEP5fT8-JrDvzKG38q0Oz7zHjx6UsgOyHSIY_o/s200/PICT0331.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>As long as the investment money continues to flow, and the restoration projects continue onward, Casco Viejo is shaping up to be one of the hippest urban neighborhoods on the planet.</strong> It took only a few hours hoofing around these cobble-stones alleyways for me to fall in love with this section of Panama City. Prices here have skyrocketed in recent years, due to heavy speculation. It appears there are more buyers willing to hold or flip property, rather that get their hands dirty and make something out of that three century old <em>ruin. </em>Kudos to the visionaries who scale the scafolding to restore 30 ft. arched door ways, recreate 17th century tile work and install modern plumbing. Future travelers will owe a debt of gratitude to these folks for creating a world class destination.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-tI_78NvyYvOogrU3mcU1DmrhCLsZ4nstFwvQrDOsIuixHIk_c9y6f0WxNgCzRZ-xRr9oNCifLyV3IX4I_qa7mIq_7D3GpGXwRFZz2Kp-ggcP3oD1aU57Yy4xYres5n8jle15N0MFI8/s1600-h/PICT0329.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238565898443666354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-tI_78NvyYvOogrU3mcU1DmrhCLsZ4nstFwvQrDOsIuixHIk_c9y6f0WxNgCzRZ-xRr9oNCifLyV3IX4I_qa7mIq_7D3GpGXwRFZz2Kp-ggcP3oD1aU57Yy4xYres5n8jle15N0MFI8/s200/PICT0329.JPG" width="145" border="0" /></a>On the other hand, the poor being displaced from the massive gentrification are likely far less grateful. One can only hope, the investment taking place here opens enough opportunities for the people of these barrios to thrive allong with the sawnky clubs, fine dining, and art galleries. It's the energy of the local culture that contribute greatly to the charm of Casco Viejo. Remove too much of it, and the place runs the risk of becoming a contrived tourist trap. It's a fine balance that I hope can be achieved.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-2289632666844101542008-08-21T07:16:00.000-07:002010-06-16T12:41:24.798-07:00Personal Survey of Rancho Tranquilo<strong><a href="http://www.geocities.com/highlanddevcorp/RT001.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZwyIvL1JrY1b87PtqUOHDlTo6kqM9RE9hmg71Vf4uLHQybnXUUGp6UZfREVpuo_Aef_xc6X-5Gt_yUzX8N4pHyppvlssHPe4ALGmikRz5rHfFYYKPBDgAWwzvXZYIM21FKd_V1wTGdk/s1600-h/RT001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236994401925815666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZwyIvL1JrY1b87PtqUOHDlTo6kqM9RE9hmg71Vf4uLHQybnXUUGp6UZfREVpuo_Aef_xc6X-5Gt_yUzX8N4pHyppvlssHPe4ALGmikRz5rHfFYYKPBDgAWwzvXZYIM21FKd_V1wTGdk/s200/RT001.jpg" /></a>I´m grateful to have had the foresight to bring along some rubber boots. They are essential for hiking during the rainy season. I have a laminated map of Ranch Tranquilo which I will use to navigate this rugged piece of land. </strong>This is my first real chance to walk the property, since my last attempt ended with me losing my footing on a rock and falling into the river. This time my new camera is in a plastic bag. I brought drinking water, a machete, the aforementioned camera and map. <em>(note to self: next time bring toilet paper) </em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshv6Q3B4r7hxED6cMA-gbj4kzC4GoZPdRYjP0P-E34kI64F5y3LJPe9okYqvX3_oez0yt7qeaOsYIy2aHQ6ZzL0hvEGmw6zFimtQgJF_o4L8A65l10FAMNDtus371E5Z_760IiiQbQJ8/s1600-h/PICT0035.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237406967202693474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshv6Q3B4r7hxED6cMA-gbj4kzC4GoZPdRYjP0P-E34kI64F5y3LJPe9okYqvX3_oez0yt7qeaOsYIy2aHQ6ZzL0hvEGmw6zFimtQgJF_o4L8A65l10FAMNDtus371E5Z_760IiiQbQJ8/s200/PICT0035.JPG" /></a><br />The previous owner of this land is a big cattle rancher and I agreed to allow him to keep his cattle on the land. The cattle help keep the grass low and they tend to make nice trails through the brush. There must be fifty head of cattle out here and every one of them is staring curiously at me as I pass by. There's a bull trying to get aggressive with me, but I stop, brandish my machete and growl loudly (something about wanting steak for dinner tonight.)<br /><br />I picked up a cattle path leading toward the back of the property. I forgot how steep these hills are. A short hike is a major gain in elevation. Soon, I have a view of the entire area. It´s truly spectacular yet I have barely climbed. The back of the property is essentially the north slope of a mountain which can be seen prominently from the road for kilometers. I do not know if this mountain has a name, but it should, based on its prominence in the landscape. The peak is somewhat cone shaped and covered in pine. Rancho Tranquilo´s property line ends where the pine forest begins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB08jyhhOmVYU7TxpdXdSGrUws0p5y1aaW9M9jebn33E55HpoOTItWD-h3iUznTZj85P0o-b8ASxDuIyi7HaFtqCjPT6A7AYDJ66MuHi_j7uDMEP0j0EsacbLsNA6-nVsLMI-xOWK0zs/s1600-h/PICT0041.JPG"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237407496605097602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB08jyhhOmVYU7TxpdXdSGrUws0p5y1aaW9M9jebn33E55HpoOTItWD-h3iUznTZj85P0o-b8ASxDuIyi7HaFtqCjPT6A7AYDJ66MuHi_j7uDMEP0j0EsacbLsNA6-nVsLMI-xOWK0zs/s200/PICT0041.JPG" /></strong></a><strong>I won´t be hiking that high today. It´s a serious haul. I was up there with Jose on my last trip. He tried to convince me that there were human remains in a cave behind a waterfall. </strong>When we arrived, I was impressed to find a beautiful waterfall that cascades down a staircase of boulders. There was, indeed a cave behind the waterfall, but as far as I could tell, the bones were not human. Probably some type of deer. The views from up here are simply stunning and the pine forest gives off a scent that is nearly intoxicating. Perhaps it´s the lack of oxygen in my brain. The hike up there is a rigorous challenge. On this day I´ve decided to locate my boundary to the East which is a creek that flows into El Nance. I was under the impression that the fence that marks the property line was on my side of the creek. This means the creek belongs to my neighbor. F<span style="color:#000000;">ollowing</span><span style="color:#000000;"> the</span><span style="color:#ffff00;"> </span>creek for a while, I find that the fence jumps sides. From this point onward, the creek is on my side. I´m ecstatic, because of what I find along this creek. A huge rock formation that seems to form a natural dam, thus creating an idyllic swimming hole. It´s an awesome find and nearby the topography levels out making it a prime building location. I envision a a spa/yoga retreat out here with this setting on the grounds. The sounds of the babbling brook fills my head.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvjpGDZtotPpSGQUgIzn6kVdmCup2YEvnQlgdxAmPCiVYA9W5RoQQnSlKXpX7gK6OXqv-S21rEQzbVWRsC-dEXYQcRAfOyq2Rd3Q-ZWwJwy_ZoMeL3UBQSe7MEn32N9JGOUuAlSgvgCA/s1600-h/DSCF0181.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237406426620301538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvjpGDZtotPpSGQUgIzn6kVdmCup2YEvnQlgdxAmPCiVYA9W5RoQQnSlKXpX7gK6OXqv-S21rEQzbVWRsC-dEXYQcRAfOyq2Rd3Q-ZWwJwy_ZoMeL3UBQSe7MEn32N9JGOUuAlSgvgCA/s200/DSCF0181.JPG" /></a><strong>It will be dark in about an hour, so I decide to cut my way, in a bee line, toward El Nance to photograph the falls and follow the river back to the road.</strong> The brush is unbelievably thick. The grass is tall and I´m getting nervous with no more than a few feet visibility. I know the river is straight ahead, so I press forward swinging my machete at everything in my path. I finally reach the river bank, but it´s a steep rocky climb down to the water. I support myself with trees and vines as I slowly descend. Once at the river, I´m again stunned by the beauty. The river has carved its path through the rock, which form the banks. Massive boulders break up the flow of the clear water, like islands. At places, the rock also form natural dams. Tranquil pools are created and spaced periodically between the rapids. Lush tropical flora frame the river on both sides. I imagine my young children as teenagers making this their playground on some future summer vacation. I took many photos, which will appear on my website when I return home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hl2TS0V5M-SkPeJUUGiqafb3vLVAQqPLstQWTJvPzHY8HntCDXWeOaW6H4cU2eL4xcS2Q3Oe07CmcW6VE-gGDiBjljDNl1NFp_epxd5MdooQrpGLdMNrvAHJoXSeTjIfhlv5BBlM6RM/s1600-h/PICT0152.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237408719622644594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hl2TS0V5M-SkPeJUUGiqafb3vLVAQqPLstQWTJvPzHY8HntCDXWeOaW6H4cU2eL4xcS2Q3Oe07CmcW6VE-gGDiBjljDNl1NFp_epxd5MdooQrpGLdMNrvAHJoXSeTjIfhlv5BBlM6RM/s200/PICT0152.JPG" /></a><br />After jumping stepping stones and wading through the shallow rapids, I arrive down stream at the bridge. This is the main road. I Climb out and walk back to Carlos´house. I´m soaked with both sweat and river water. My rubber boots are sloshing with each step. With my trusty machete in hand, I´m feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.<br /><br /><em>(note: <a href="http://mypanamaranch.com/xxtest.html"><span style="color:#cc0000;">a future post will include more pics of the river, and waterfalls</span></a>)</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-7800449238994148592008-08-17T18:19:00.000-07:002009-04-28T18:12:54.870-07:00Redemption is a Beautiful Thing<strong><a href="http://mypanamaranch.com/sf.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://mypanamaranch.com/sf.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was in the car on the road to Santiago. I needed to replace my bike´s handlebars, and the major retailer who would have <em>such an item </em>was soon closing. My bike and I were passengers with Steve.</strong> Once we picked up the handle bars, we were to meet Carlos, Fred and the boys for dinner. After dinner, they were all going back to Santa Fe, while I got a room at a hotel close to the road. I planned to bike the entire road from Santiago to Santa Fe. Specifically, Carlos´house, which sits about fifteen km, south of Santa Fe. We agreed to plan for my arrival around noon.<br /><br />That whole mineshaft situation really delivered a blow to my ego, due to all the jokes I had to endure. Further, the jokes were in Spanish, and I haven´t the faintest idea what they were about. I had lost face....my ship was not sunk, but I was now taking on water. My ego was just as bruised as my body<em>.</em><br />I had already planned this ride months earlier. With my bike intact, I could finally get on the bike I had lugged along. Just in time to replace the story<em> </em>of the day with one that put me in a<em> much better light.</em> Besides, I had been training for this at the <strong>Y</strong> for months. It was a foregone conclusion that I was going to make this ride, but the timing of events, were such that it upped the stakes<em>. </em><br /><br /><strong>I awoke around 8:30 and was on the road by 9:30.</strong> I took the right turn off the Pan American highway to the <em>road to Santa Fe.</em> It´s Sunday morning in Santiago. The road here in the lowlands is relatively flat with a gradual steady incline. Great road for pacing myself and working up the stamina I had trained for in <em>Spin</em> class at the YMCA. Soon the road would climb into the foothills and up the mountain itself. This was to be the glorious Sunday morning bike ride of all time. At the end of this ride, a glorious reward,<em>saving face</em>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghygJ9QVsmYypQ3G0kOEf8-uEjWsuMbg0OxUHlURX7qXPtkVNz7gFlnmLFFWO-9c384RezM_CSXBCQscvE59bFMyDCsSeDbdYIyIbg0P1xoH6Z56eBDdQLklSZiGCIuUKm07pj7yKrPTg/s1600-h/PICT0177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241168278141140546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghygJ9QVsmYypQ3G0kOEf8-uEjWsuMbg0OxUHlURX7qXPtkVNz7gFlnmLFFWO-9c384RezM_CSXBCQscvE59bFMyDCsSeDbdYIyIbg0P1xoH6Z56eBDdQLklSZiGCIuUKm07pj7yKrPTg/s320/PICT0177.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://mypanamaranch.com/falls4.jpg"><strong><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" height="130" alt="" src="http://mypanamaranch.com/falls4.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><strong>The road from Santiago to Santa Fe is essentially 57 Kilometers of rolling hills and pastoral ranch land peppered with <em>pueblitos</em>.</strong> It´s a challenging ride for the avid cyclist. A variety of hills and dips, curves and scenery gradually gaining elevation. The incline steeply increases, as you approach Santa Fe, creating a real challenge toward the end of the ride. The towns along the way are spread out in near perfect distance for rest stops. My stops at local roadside stores, usually brings with it odd stares of curious locals. They are not used to seeing gringos around here. And a gringo riding a bike all the way to Santa Fe, induces exasperated sighs, along with marvel at my bravery. I enjoy chatting with the locals, but at every stop, I am asked if all the scrapes and cuts on my arms and legs were from the bike ride. I told them I was hiking del monte with a machete and forgot to wear long sleeves and long pants.<br /><br /><strong>None of my friends are expecting me to complete this ride.</strong> Carlos said He would come looking for me if I don´t show up by noon. By noon, I´ve hit the steep incline of the mountain, with several Kilometers to go. Panama is 9 degrees north of the equator, so the mid-day sun is directly overhead. Comforting shade is a rarity now, and I´ve greedily sucked down all my <em>agua</em>. I´m suffering now... and struggle to peddle my bike up the long steep hill ahead. Carlos gave me his cell number to call if I needed help, but I don't have a cell with me, and there is no phone until the next town.<br /><br />One great thing about rural Panama is the bus service. Plentiful and efficient, the locals rely on the bus system to travel across country in a few hours.<em> A </em>bus was coming my way, so I waved it down. There was just enough room in the bus for one person and one bike. I was a sweet ride, but came to an end two stops later, where several people wanted to board. I was obligated to disboard the bus. The bus ride was short and sweet, and shaved close to three kilometers of killer incline that I would have been difficult to tackle in this sun.<br /><br /><br /><strong>The <em>hot sun problem </em>changed into a <em>wet road problem</em> soon after arriving at a plateau from what was left of the big climb</strong>. The rain clouds that gather every afternoon are ahead of schedule. It´s a shower not a downpour, and I´m kinda digging it. My body´s cooling off, and I´m getting my second wind. I just need to watch my speed on the wet road. Nothing I couldn´t handled countless times before. I knew I was getting close and watched for el <em>Rio Nance,</em> a.k.a. home.<br /><br /><br />I arrived at Carlos´house about one o´clock. Just as a houseload of visitors were sitting down for lunch of homemade chicken soup, <em>local style</em>, and rice. The timing is impecable. I came strolling in as nanchilant as possible, but still sweating and breathing heavily, and ask the group at the table if I am late for lunch. Everyone was impressed, to the point where it has now become an act of bravado, a measure of strength, and soon to become a bonefied right of passage for the young men of Santa Fe. It was great. Most importantly, nobody was talking about mine shafts anymore. As Sunday morning bikerides go, this one was epic. <span style="color:#ffffff;">dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9D3hYNW63X4dOmdUnrSGlelbkDEoeoxjlEEHOlHmh_You5g0I2QABnQ3yayDifXCA2n_ymh2vMXQVx2hiPebDVPzmis9Lhv7zKbyWIKAb_UMWA0ETTwCABUARlBnlc8dTHi657F41T4/s1600-h/DSCF0081[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235675374714516882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9D3hYNW63X4dOmdUnrSGlelbkDEoeoxjlEEHOlHmh_You5g0I2QABnQ3yayDifXCA2n_ymh2vMXQVx2hiPebDVPzmis9Lhv7zKbyWIKAb_UMWA0ETTwCABUARlBnlc8dTHi657F41T4/s200/DSCF0081%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-38265756397300654712008-08-17T15:40:00.000-07:002009-04-28T18:08:58.568-07:00Weird Scenes Inside the Goldmine<strong><br /><div>If you listen to"The Doors", I don´t need to explain the title. It´s a line in the classic song "The End". For those who never delved into this legendary band´s music. The only connection here is a gold mine and <em>the end....</em>please let me explain. </strong></div>I mentioned in my last post that I was going out to explore properties with a lunatic, Jose. Let me set the scene. Aside from Rancho Tranquilo, I am 50% owner and business partner in a massive piece of land known as Mantaña Azul which is located smack dab in the middle of one of the largest<a href="http://www.panama-guide.com/gold/"> gold </a>deposits in the world, known as the <em>Veraguas Gold Belt</em> by geologists. Before my partners (Panama Dream Finders) purchased this property, a gold mining company was actively exploring the property for it´s gold content. This includes a mine shaft cut directly into the side of the mountain, and drops about 30 meters straight down. Basically, a great big hole in the rock. Jose took me to see this mine, but because of the language barrier, I thought he was taking me to a cave. A cave that he had already explored, and knew his way around. We had packed gear for this, including ropes, flashlights that strap to your forehead and a metal detector.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDcPa3MiUusgEcKBpclEfdE4lI7nTgypE_fCNIIlUBeRuN843LqSVmAKbI9oNZyk5d4NYhAymoAenGWIWleud4opS0c2VqzcLOpk1u2Sj2WlHbso531bENyuZdLDgFURWVL02KWE5jCg/s1600-h/DSCF0059[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235630918021443810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDcPa3MiUusgEcKBpclEfdE4lI7nTgypE_fCNIIlUBeRuN843LqSVmAKbI9oNZyk5d4NYhAymoAenGWIWleud4opS0c2VqzcLOpk1u2Sj2WlHbso531bENyuZdLDgFURWVL02KWE5jCg/s200/DSCF0059%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>When we arrived at the <em>"cave"</em> it became clear that 1. this was not a cave, but an abandoned mine shaft </strong></div><div>2. It did not bore into the mountain horizontally, but vertically...straight down about 30 meters. 3. Jose had not previously explored this hole in the ground, and had a burning curiosity to do so. To prevent any second thoughts from taking hold, Jose threw his machete into the hole. I´m guessing this act had a dual purpose. 1. to gauge the depth and 2. to insure that he could not be talked out of going into the hole. I capitulated, and before knew it Jose climbed down and was encouraging me to do the same. Now, the irony is rich here, because two posts ago, I sanctimoniously declared "<em>You gotta listen to your gut".</em> It can take you to some interesting places, I wrote. However, I failed to mention, that it can also get you into some really F´ed up situations if you don´t use proper judgement. Hungry for <em>adventure</em>, I cast aside my reservations repelled down into the mineshaft with Jose. </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><strong>Within seconds of reaching the floor, I knew I had made a big mistake.</strong> The hole just narrowed down into a crawl space that believe it or not, Jose wanted to crawl into. I was more concerned with how high the surface was, and how tired my arm and legs were from all the hiking. At that moment we heard a fluttering of air come from deep inside the hole. I thought it might be an air current, indicating another opening somewhere. Jose said it was an animal, and at that point we both got spooked, and decided to split. Jose, being 150 lbs, and used to this kind of shit, scampered up the rope to the surface in no time flat. When I tried to pull myself up, I noticed the fatigue in my arms and legs. I attempted to get some footing , but my boots were covered in mud and wet. They must have added ten pounds to my body weight. Because I´m chalupa eating "<em>MF</em>"er, I already have <em>a lot</em> of body weight to pull up. Several tries later, I became deeply concerned. I had somehow become stuck in a mineshaft in a remote wooded area, with only one other human being aware of my plight. Then it began to rain....hard. Water was pouring in from the surface and down the walls making them covered in slippery mud. I was beginning to feel like the woman in Mel Gibson´s <em>Apocalypto.</em> As the rain increased intensity, I knew we had better figure something out fast, or I´d be spending some quality time with myself, down here while Jose drove back to get help. That scenario would take several hours and it would be dark, wet and very, very uncomfortable. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Jose, from the surface, signalled for me to wait. He had an idea, and disappeared from my view.</strong> I could only hear him hacking wildly with his machete. I would yell for him to hurry up, and he just kept hacking away for what felt like an eternity. I just kept myself calm with a Buddhist prayer. Eventually, Jose re-emerged with a tree about 5 inc<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3CrtggaY1WmWYuU3W2RWLkXSnwEYKX6-Zdfl0EeyYsP3YGmDn3pWvJG6qy4PgbsyPoPfBCA4bOZAgZhMUSDqQGuN74hrgaA-u5yC4vV3YUDBPWJ2l8AkXLoq72sl-TfunlMS6gVm91o/s1600-h/DSCF0061[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235655351502274226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3CrtggaY1WmWYuU3W2RWLkXSnwEYKX6-Zdfl0EeyYsP3YGmDn3pWvJG6qy4PgbsyPoPfBCA4bOZAgZhMUSDqQGuN74hrgaA-u5yC4vV3YUDBPWJ2l8AkXLoq72sl-TfunlMS6gVm91o/s200/DSCF0061%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a>h in diameter and lowered it down with the rope. I was impressed that he had hacked away deep notches in the wood, about every two feet, for footing. That guy may be loco but he´s also ingenious. I positioned the post at a secure angle, and climbed up the notches. The first attempt got me close to the top, but there were not enough notches to get me where I felt comfortable grabbing Jose´s wet hands. A slip from this height would cause severe injury. I was too close to salvation, to take that chance. I climbed back down to the bottom and told Jose to carve two more notches at the top. He pulled the tree up and hacked away while <strong><em>I chanted a Buddhist prayer</em></strong> and tried to keep my wits.<br /></div><div>I remembered the leather belt I had put on earlier even though I didn't really need a belt . (<em>if you know what I mean</em>) "You can always use a leather belt " I remembered thinking to myself as I took the time to run it through the loops. Now, this belt may be the difference between life and death. I pulled the belt through the loops and wrapped it like a lasso around my right wrist. Having the tragic vision of the buckle breaking just as I was being pulled up to safety, flashed through my brain. I wrapped my wrist twice with the belt. In my gut, I knew this would be my last good chance to get out safely. Another fall back into the hole could cause injury, and I would be stuck. I again chanted <em><strong>Nam Myo ho Rengea Kyo</strong></em> as I shored up this log. My bare feet found footing on Jose´s makeshift ladder. With each rung, I got a closer to the top. The two new notches made all the difference, as I was just high enough to slap my belt toward Jose. He missed my first attempt because he <span style="color:#000000;">was unaware of</span> the belt. Once he understood, he grabbed the belt and pulled with all his might, allowing me the support I needed to make a lunge for the closest tree trunk, which happened to be the tree the rope was tied to. I got it, and slid my wet, tired and muddy body to the surface. I laid there in the mud for a few minutes as the rain pounded my exhausted, but deeply relieved body. It was a harrowing experience I won't forget. Thankfully, I was with someone who could think on his feet in a crisis. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Indigenous peoples believe that mountains are living entities, with a consciousness, and a spirit. Often, permission is asked of the mountain before entering for hunting etc.</strong> A mountain´s wrath is unforgiving, as has been demonstrated by countless deaths of hikers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C01dPwjCYTVJPzWidr08r3vpnay1M9PG81yh2JjWOiOq3_yptisytUhGwf0tH0Trul5Sn6lJ6egCNeRWxkQkC6JE-alLgetUFAQgAS7E6H6zh-gs8ep4LEtzRDlgkq6J5XlEzLcJvks/s1600-h/DSCF0075[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235841762291645330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C01dPwjCYTVJPzWidr08r3vpnay1M9PG81yh2JjWOiOq3_yptisytUhGwf0tH0Trul5Sn6lJ6egCNeRWxkQkC6JE-alLgetUFAQgAS7E6H6zh-gs8ep4LEtzRDlgkq6J5XlEzLcJvks/s200/DSCF0075%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> and climbers caught unprepared for the mountain´s mood swings. I have been humbled, and feel a new respect for this mountain known as <strong>Mantaña Azul</strong>. I guess you could call it a reverence for this mountain, because this mountain could easily have been unforgiving and taken my life. After all, I had recently, in all my human naive arrogance, become part <em>owner</em> of this mountain. In a higher reality, this mountain politely reminded<em> </em>me that it is the other way around. When entering into a mountain´s sphere of power, that mountain owns me. A lesson I will never forget. </div><div></div><div><strong>Mantaña Azul could have swallowed me whole, but instead spared my life.</strong> Although I am half owner of this piece of land, I am now indebted to, and have a personal relationship with the spirit dwelling in Blue Mountain. As long as I am affiliated with this mountain, I will have to remain true to its spirit. Since pre-Columbian times, humans have walked the same trails I walked on this day. Later, the Spanards combed through here, looting its minerals. Even today, a gold mining company covets this mountain's wealth. As holder of the title on this land, I, along with my partners, ultimately decide it's fate. Perhaps, the spirits that dwell here were trying to tell me something. I'm not sure. I do know, I am not taking anything lightly. </div><div></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-14277187305407126152008-08-12T18:04:00.000-07:002009-03-13T22:31:58.726-07:00The Tao of Este'ban<strong>When I'm discussing my Panama ranch with friends, family and acquaintances, the</strong> <strong>two questions I'm often asked are; “Do you speak Spanish?” and</strong> <strong>"How did you get to be known as <em>Esteban</em>?" </strong>I’ll tackle the language question first. The short answer is, “not very well, but I try…and that goes along way”.<br /><br />The long answer goes something like this; When a foreigner, like myself, shows that he is making an honest effort to communicate in the local language, and is failing miserably, people tend to admire that. It’s as if they’re willing to give you a break because <em>you're</em> willing to allow yourself to be seen in such a pathetic and vulnerable position. While the person you’re communicating with is reveling in their sense of superiority, it's then that I brandish my secret weapon…<em>charm</em>. Charm is <em>the </em>universal language, it is understood among almost all cultures.<br /><br />I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ve</span> used charm as a secret weapon all over the world, and it’s saved me from some rather sticky situations, and also enhanced some other experiences. For example; I once disarmed an angry Chinese gangster in a casino in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Macau</span>. A situation, based on a misunderstanding, which could have easily ended badly...for him. In India, I was not merely invited to wedding by complete strangers, but bestowed the seat of highest honor at the celebration by the bride’s father, who publicly expressed it was I to whom he wished his daughter would be married. To my dismay, the entire wedding party agreed....including the groom. In Tijuana, I avoided getting beaten senseless in a darkened alley and thrown in a feces encrusted jail cell by corrupt police officers…all because of a well placed twenty dollar bill. Granted in two of the three examples, the other person spoke fluent English, the point still remains; You can go a long way just by being a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">likable</span> person, and communicating in the universal language of charm.<br /><br />When I'm in Latin America, I take on a different persona, I introduce myself as <em>Esteban</em>. It seems to work, because it allows me to step into character with the language and the culture. It also helps to minimize the distinction as a gringo or foreigner. It's like the Chinese. Ever met a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chinese</span> person who goes by their traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chinese</span> name? No, they all have the the most common of American names, Frank, Lynn, Bob, Jenny. They do this to fit in, and the Chinese are brilliant strategists. It's all part of the cross-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cultural</span> immigration game taking place these days. I've torn a page from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Chinese</span> playbook.<br /><br />Anyway, I've found in Latin America, there's something inherently charming about the name <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UefQYjG7rM&feature=related"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Esteban</strong></span></a></em>. It's spell is cast across all age groups, both sexes and the entire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">socio</span>-economic spectrum. I haven't figured out exactly what it is about this name, but I don't need to know how this computer works, to get the benefits from it...do I? I just know it works like a charm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-50780522874365868002008-08-10T12:26:00.000-07:002010-08-10T12:31:25.149-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PLv6b9ZF9hMc0rYp7LNGEapgq1zYl8vCnm2OW40JjKnPDAL8-BkvFmJfJMCG5dJroR4Q_d-sLzkS9gK5pzUPZFwR_9m2sDlwLDCZ-fVAlikHFjvmcWb_PAADjYotq9eb4IrvDcrGAX4/s1600/panamadreamfinders18%2520072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865543257892402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PLv6b9ZF9hMc0rYp7LNGEapgq1zYl8vCnm2OW40JjKnPDAL8-BkvFmJfJMCG5dJroR4Q_d-sLzkS9gK5pzUPZFwR_9m2sDlwLDCZ-fVAlikHFjvmcWb_PAADjYotq9eb4IrvDcrGAX4/s320/panamadreamfinders18%2520072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe2OTk3y8DICbHsXnYiujlBJWmjxuotMzHBcyWrOsxtUtE1WcUqt4o-XuvRl6wlgJCGf3maJWJCfKrIaSA32LPqwEb6BxxbVBdJoAo8eNlf-AhRGMb_62wkOQwfR7NLHLu-3aXq5Ygp4/s1600/panamadreamfinders18%2520065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865542496338962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe2OTk3y8DICbHsXnYiujlBJWmjxuotMzHBcyWrOsxtUtE1WcUqt4o-XuvRl6wlgJCGf3maJWJCfKrIaSA32LPqwEb6BxxbVBdJoAo8eNlf-AhRGMb_62wkOQwfR7NLHLu-3aXq5Ygp4/s320/panamadreamfinders18%2520065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EkkykFjXfcD5kT9461sqe1fKd9ohjqjv2b9lyjxEQVwshCrSuQeLo2rNqgiFJN3ZJXR1bS6AsaTUE4f6w-7F8lKmHXlep1w2GrEUvVoyhKQ-E8NBxHHwFGzVlHXZvmfod8YdbtKYgnc/s1600/Copia%2520de%2520carlos0001%2520417.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865537806772658" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EkkykFjXfcD5kT9461sqe1fKd9ohjqjv2b9lyjxEQVwshCrSuQeLo2rNqgiFJN3ZJXR1bS6AsaTUE4f6w-7F8lKmHXlep1w2GrEUvVoyhKQ-E8NBxHHwFGzVlHXZvmfod8YdbtKYgnc/s320/Copia%2520de%2520carlos0001%2520417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsofHa6kGwum2YwNmftOhUU-7pI-4Fbs6jgFBtgCK_M7FN8rlw4N49S0JBmhhwBj5rktwlqaQJqYSmKJ3JPwSO7ZPeYhxeWbKzAJonLirvrs9gLsdowR-rpo1WJcGuBBRUoKfHu46r80/s1600/carlos0001%2520469.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865192937141106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsofHa6kGwum2YwNmftOhUU-7pI-4Fbs6jgFBtgCK_M7FN8rlw4N49S0JBmhhwBj5rktwlqaQJqYSmKJ3JPwSO7ZPeYhxeWbKzAJonLirvrs9gLsdowR-rpo1WJcGuBBRUoKfHu46r80/s320/carlos0001%2520469.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEdkl1Yait50fT0tGjunm4sLHPMFNulEpScTNEgsY12trjFWKwfjtgERtLD2bqJJGFoqr-enzo9JO_11jZL_xkiLuX7Pda92G0U3ZRohPtASMmMyDpKt0xhlrp2epR_azZ4PwoG7KQ6c/s1600/carlos0001%2520448.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865185837953378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEdkl1Yait50fT0tGjunm4sLHPMFNulEpScTNEgsY12trjFWKwfjtgERtLD2bqJJGFoqr-enzo9JO_11jZL_xkiLuX7Pda92G0U3ZRohPtASMmMyDpKt0xhlrp2epR_azZ4PwoG7KQ6c/s320/carlos0001%2520448.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29rP0JMYJ8VKmO5pdhDvF-ZenSSZzrUbm6v1PU8QwhZGWYQs4AhyyIWdFqOsZAO_VkVYlMIve2c4t7Ri-3ohzBogepi33pfLTXYDRDOuXjW99UxczzWbYvyKDZfxcG-R9Drl4qlwKzf8/s1600/carlos0001%2520423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865177966028258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29rP0JMYJ8VKmO5pdhDvF-ZenSSZzrUbm6v1PU8QwhZGWYQs4AhyyIWdFqOsZAO_VkVYlMIve2c4t7Ri-3ohzBogepi33pfLTXYDRDOuXjW99UxczzWbYvyKDZfxcG-R9Drl4qlwKzf8/s320/carlos0001%2520423.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrD2PCny_rRowlg98hOs27uDy6SWAYYaMwyQThbh2PInVwLy2QUlWfnTU5EZsgMydL-gn-_BwycTs4kA0EZJnVJ-W5FFOUXIQxjhsepnojypjQPz499kznzrHGGqHdILeZpCbuJqOwCI/s1600/carlos0001%2520419.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865172803342178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrD2PCny_rRowlg98hOs27uDy6SWAYYaMwyQThbh2PInVwLy2QUlWfnTU5EZsgMydL-gn-_BwycTs4kA0EZJnVJ-W5FFOUXIQxjhsepnojypjQPz499kznzrHGGqHdILeZpCbuJqOwCI/s320/carlos0001%2520419.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcZ62rV-ZKVGMxH6KeaefTuHM083vC-r6TvcRitPV_geEqKbmaIBn-IGpwLROAXOMObpsfMIVIgCkO2zV-WfX2M73DQPM-zrdsi-ZKNEUcV_LvR3xCk8-x1ycotN2ljmXnCQ7cDdOupk/s1600/carlos0001%2520417.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503865167825490050" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcZ62rV-ZKVGMxH6KeaefTuHM083vC-r6TvcRitPV_geEqKbmaIBn-IGpwLROAXOMObpsfMIVIgCkO2zV-WfX2M73DQPM-zrdsi-ZKNEUcV_LvR3xCk8-x1ycotN2ljmXnCQ7cDdOupk/s320/carlos0001%2520417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-593479336341138250.post-4703989404796891702008-01-05T21:59:00.000-08:002009-03-13T22:35:24.505-07:00Improvisation<strong>In my previous post, I mentioned my love for jazz music and how I find great pleasure in combining the concept of jazz with my experience in Panama.</strong> <strong>Continuing with this theme, I'd like to focus on the idea of jazz as metaphor for life.</strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89e6tYwT2dTDzzFvIX8KDCtzQJBzJmdCwU1QKYH8PGrMVHg005XEC9o9g_rYMEHKlejWBM7UN_bWdR7uLuVVA21VMIiY8iZ4f6GSQ7EmpGuZOCZngozODv_RRn7PpnKAbRZKAnTVXd7U/s1600-h/250px-Neal_jack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288832317584840386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89e6tYwT2dTDzzFvIX8KDCtzQJBzJmdCwU1QKYH8PGrMVHg005XEC9o9g_rYMEHKlejWBM7UN_bWdR7uLuVVA21VMIiY8iZ4f6GSQ7EmpGuZOCZngozODv_RRn7PpnKAbRZKAnTVXd7U/s200/250px-Neal_jack.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of my literary heroes is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzCF6hgEfto&feature=related"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Jack Kerouac</strong></span></a>, the somewhat obsessive <em>Beat</em> writer who spilled his mind's content onto a spool of teletype paper in one long, continuous stream of consciousness. Kerouac's writing style attempted to match tempo, chord progression and energy level of Bebop era jazz, measure for measure. Maniacally typing away at his manual keys,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvCDCOGzGc&feature=related"> </a>Kerouac resourcefully prevented the disruption of his thoughts by eliminating the need to change typing paper. While writing <em>On the Road,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEolvwJMAG-xASbMnZIOrNt59wzDtmJ6G2PZQawW1iYcI7XK8MUPQYhObqnndiQAPdyNcLwpCDaRCSvRxwpsLUOX2XQl61mJjExK_voNBu0u9CrlMMobuiRAoxR4lrH6onKDnKbgxLpc/s1600-h/10%20Jack"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290097477612426866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEolvwJMAG-xASbMnZIOrNt59wzDtmJ6G2PZQawW1iYcI7XK8MUPQYhObqnndiQAPdyNcLwpCDaRCSvRxwpsLUOX2XQl61mJjExK_voNBu0u9CrlMMobuiRAoxR4lrH6onKDnKbgxLpc/s200/10%2520Jack's_typewriter.jpg" border="0" /></a> </em>there simply was no page end, only a massive rolling stream of consciousness fueled in part by crazy life observations, Benzedrine, and <em>jazz music</em>. I often wonder what Jack would have done with an ergonomic keyboard and word processing software. Somehow the romance is completely lost with <em>Microsoft Word</em> involved. My point is; Kerouac <em>nailed it</em>. He understood that jazz music, as art form, so accurately mirrors life.<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHkz7gH0D1kCZLUsr2z4sdm7mgAQ7ZMfVRfWJbmxxpgiDZVzdctg0TTmVlQAv6RD8QLWX1Uwrqz7MSdS9GC9RE45wDbzSE4LsLEPL0x5wQcoaWdCAsPboCVJscJThI7DblYYC7KkQxUc/s1600-h/Miles.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289166318782383266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHkz7gH0D1kCZLUsr2z4sdm7mgAQ7ZMfVRfWJbmxxpgiDZVzdctg0TTmVlQAv6RD8QLWX1Uwrqz7MSdS9GC9RE45wDbzSE4LsLEPL0x5wQcoaWdCAsPboCVJscJThI7DblYYC7KkQxUc/s320/Miles.bmp" border="0" /></a>The most distinguishing aspect of jazz is <em>improvisation</em>... "<em>in the moment"..."making it up as you go along"</em>...."<em>without a net"...all cliche'...yet true. </em></strong>Legend has it, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjwVwASlVn4&feature=related"><span style="color:#990000;">Miles Davis </span></a>once fired a member of his band because he overheard the poor guy practicing solos in his hotel room. Miles Davis deeply valued the purity of spontaneity in his music. He must have understood; life allows no time for rehearsal. It's happening <em>right now</em>...you're either in the show, in the audience or outside in the alley. There's a certain <em>dare-devil</em> quality in every jazz performer. To some degree, it's about taking risk, betting on your own skill and making decisions on the fly. A jazz performer needs to be self-assured on the stand, as a matter of survival. It must be why they refer to one another as "c<em>ats</em>". Reflex, balance and heightened intuition are required to take what's thrown at you and make it work. The group is there for support, but when it's solo time, it's all you, baby. If you can't hang with the cats, you'll be pushed back in the rhythm section or possibly thrown out of the jam session altogether...at least, according to some legendary stories from<em> jazz historians.</em> If jazz is a metaphor for life and the competitive and risky aspect is a metaphor for entrepreneurship, then I must be<em> mid-solo, in the middle of an intense jam session</em>.<br /><br /><strong>Finding, buying and developing real estate in Latin America is kind of like the hardcore machismo of the early jazz era. The comparison is simple on a number of levels. </strong>First of all, if you want to be <em><strong>down by law</strong></em>, you better have some <em><strong>chops</strong> </em>and<em> <strong>get booted to the scene,</strong> </em>otherwise don't bother showing up to <em><strong>jam</strong></em>. You'll <strong><em>swing</em> <em>like a</em> <em>rusty gate</em></strong> and won't get the <em><strong>gig</strong>.</em> Therefore, no <em><strong>bread.</strong></em> If this is the <strong><em>dealio</em></strong>, don't play the <em><strong>refrain. </strong></em>Refrain from playing and go to the <em><strong>'shed</strong></em> instead. Second, be sure you're <em><strong>jake</strong></em> with the <em><strong>cats</strong></em> in your <em><strong>combo</strong></em>. Your cats need to be <strong><em>tight</em> </strong>and know where the <em><strong>changes</strong></em> are, because you'll need them <em><strong>in the pocket</strong></em> for your <em><strong>heat</strong></em>...Also, you'll be expected to <em><strong>lock</strong></em> during the <em><strong>out head</strong>, </em>or<em> <strong>lay out for a stroll</strong>.</em> Third, always expect the unexpected. You'll need to have your <em><strong>bag</strong></em>, 'cause you'll never know when you'll need <em><strong>licks</strong></em> of your own. Finally, improvise, improvise, improvise...nothing will ever go exactly as you plan. You'll find <em><strong>clams</strong></em> that could cause a <strong><em>train wreck </em></strong>and you could lose your <em><strong>scratch</strong>.</em>..You'll need to adapt to <em><strong>double time tempos</strong></em>, as well as other cat's <strong><em>cornball </em></strong>chops. It's good to be <em><strong>poly-tonal</strong></em> and have more than one <em><strong>key</strong></em> in your <strong><em>noodle</em></strong> at any given time. If one <em><strong>number</strong></em> ends, don't <em><strong>snap your cap</strong></em>. You can quickly switch to another <strong><em>groove</em></strong>...One more thing, watch out for <em><strong>squatters</strong></em>! Now, get your <em><strong>ax</strong></em> out there and <em><strong>blow, </strong></em>amigo!<br /><br />Translation available upon request.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0