Bien Duro: Making Money in Panama

“if you had any sense, you’d take your ass home.” i swear, that’s what he says to me. i don’t respond. i love it when an opponent talks smack. besides, i’m holding a beautiful pair of jacks. and one of them is smirking back at me, as if he just screwed my girlfriend, and wiped [...]

Lunch With a Former Party Girl

in the lobby of panama’s hospital nacional, two days after doctors tell alex there will be no hysterectomy, i see a poor woman standing in reception. she’s fierce-looking, 30ish, thin, with long black hair. a baseball cap shades her eyes. she’s standing in profile to me, looking down, and laughing with the receptionist.

open a panama business in 20 minutes?

in the last couple of years i’ve talked to several locals (and gringos) who’ve told me they would really like to start a business in panama, but they feel held back by the fees, and red tape. well, perhaps help has arrived.

Crime in Costa Rica – Why some expats prefer Panama.

AM Costa Rica is reporting there’s been a decrease in visitors to Coast Rica for 2006. Further, internet statistics show a “decline in interest in Costa Rica”. online papers and e-zines are losing readership. “Tourist operators say business is off 35 percent” What’s up with Costa Rica? Tourism officials there suggest several possible explanations for [...]

Panama Doctors: it’s your call

this morning there are three taxis waiting on the corner of via argentina. “taxi mister, taxi, – this way mister.” the drivers don’t say a word as the dirty man with crazy hair pretends to help. he points to a beat up taxi in the middle.