Garbage Recycling for 2010

I have so many New Year resolutions, but there are three that are the core of what I hope is my next year:  waste less (a.i. be more efficient with what I´ve got), keep closer to my family, keep taking care of my health.

I look around my neighborhood, Casco Viejo, and I see so many things that can be improved.  In 2009 we helped create a neighborhood association which is slowly getting to be heard on those issues. But I think nothing is as powerful as living the example, so hopefully this year will be all about “getting it done” other than “wishing it” only.

Not that my Christmas tree was a particular good example, but at least I didn´t get to buy one! and it is degradable for the most part… + made out of garbage I found at the beach.

Eco Christmas! newspaper christmas tree and gifts

It was an old friend of my brother who introduced me back in the early 90´s to newspaper wrapping and I never really drifted from it.  She made the most incredible designs with the newspaper and rope bows, which I´m still trying to go after.

Throughout the years I want to think I´ve “evolved” in my own little style. I pick through the year photos in the newspaper that catched my attention, especially if they define well a person I know. So for me, Christmas starts quite early!  I like it because it makes me think about my beloved ones all year through.

This year, I included a new element: the newspaper Christmas Tree.  I decorated it with garbage from the beach and light blue plastic bags.  My dog destroyed a pillow, so I got the cotton balls out and used them as well. Here is a photo of my Christmas tree on the works.   This week I´ll post the final “masterpiece”….

Here are the wrappings that I thought where best… I hope it gets you inspired!

Kissing your cash away with a smile!

New year resolution? How about kissing your cash away and being happy about it?

Yesterday I had a great conversation with a surfer and his wife (who is also a real estate broker and investor) on why they travelled to Panama and where looking into buying a property in Casco Viejo.

They are from California and had visited Panama a long time ago. Now, they´ve seen the dramatic change the country has made since year 2000 when the Panama Canal reverted to Panamanian hands.  The country became a regional hub through COPA one of the best airlines in Central America and its ports system.

In the last year, they´ve felt inflation coming and have made a commitment to run away from cash before it vanishes.  Where to invest it seemed the million dollar question, literally.  Being real estate brokers,  their inclination was to go for hard assets that could resist heavy storms.  In order to be “weather proof” or at least less vulnerable, the hard asset would have to gather some special characteristics: be unique,  exist in limited numbers, have great location, have a protected environment, have enough stuff happening around it that would lift its value.

And therefore, Casco Viejo came to their minds.

As Panama´s historic city, Casco Viejo (called also Casco Antiguo) had everything they where looking for: a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998, it is forever protected from overdevelopment, not only by law but by an active community. There are only 700 buildings in the historic area,  each one with a special characteristic, a different architectural style that ranges from Spanish Colonial to French and Art Deco.

But also,  Casco Antiguo isn´t a dead museum type city. Only in the last year, twenty new businesses, between restaurants and offices had opened.  Casco´s only hotel  (The Canal House Panama) has already gained mentions in The New York Times and Conde Nast, between others. This was the place where Daniel Craig stayed while filming his James Bond movie  The Quantum of Solace. But its hospitality business is about to grow, as there are currently five hotels under construction.

With the Panama Canal expansion going full steam ahead and historic Casco Viejo gaining momentum, my surfer friends felt a wave coming and where ready to make a move.  They where ready to kiss their cash away and welcome 2010 with a smile.

Party at Casco Viejo, skateboard in hand

Any given day you walk around 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Plaza Francia, Casco Viejo (Panama´s old quarter) and you´ll see a number of young kids practicing skateboarding like crazy. In the same space (I don´t know how they manage) they also play football or street beisball. The kids really go at it, slamming themselves agains stairs, walls, floor. Standing up like nothing has happened, undusting and straight back at it.

They are yearning for a proper skateboard park. For this reason, artist and Casco Antiguo residents Cristine and Dom organized a party last night to gather funds and start lobbying for a designed skateboard park. It was a cheerful event! skaters from all ages where happy moving around the ruins of the old Club Union, going up and down ramps… fabulous!

Pristine Jungle and Frozen Beers

My Sunday started in Casco Viejo, Panama, at 7:30 a.m. when, after walking the dog and fixing our backpack we headed to Gamboa to catch the boat to go fishing in one of the world´s biggest artificial lakes.

Gatun lake is unbelievable. I´ve been visiting it for the last ten years, and I´ve enjoyed each trip.  It is an incredibly alive green emerald full of monkeys and species not even known to mankind yet (ask any Smithsonian scientist in Panama, they´ll tell you is a true mine).

In just five hours, we saw crazy monkeys, crocodriles, birds of all tastes, pelicans fishing in sweet waters? sure! why not.  And just when you think you´ve seen it all, a bar, in the middle of nowhere (one of the towns bordering the protected area), offers you the best frozen beer to cool you down from the hot, tropical weather.  Ten beers for $6.  What a day!

Back to my beloved home in Casco Antiguo at 1 p.m…..

Historic Renovations Casco Viejo: Before and After

For the past ten years, Casco Antiguo has gone through a delicate process of revitalization which includes as many angles as a city can afford: urbanism, community, historical architecture protection, legal and so many more.

As it moves forward, it is very difficult to convey how much it has changed without an image bank that would be the witness of the recovery.

Looking through my archives, I found this image of Hotel Colombia from  1999,  now one of the most priced buildings and condos in Casco Antiguo.  Located at Plaza Bolivar, the building was one of the first restorations in the area.

Today, Hotel Colombia has parking and a beautiful roof terrace with a pool and a panoramic view that includes the bay of Panama and the modern city.  Several restaurants have opened on its groundfloor: Casablanca and Ciao Pescao. Soon a sushi corner will open its doors.

The same process that happened to Plaza Bolivar back in 2000 is happening now at Plaza Herrera where at least two hotels are being built, and businesses have started to sprout.

Several high end projects are starting to deliver in the area, the largest one being Benedetti Hermanos, one of the few historic restorations in the entire district that has pool, underground parking, elevator, central air and central gas.

The government is also investing heavily in the area. This year, they´ve started to enhance the access area and combine it with green areas and parking.

The Economist briefs about Panama

If you ask anyone in Panama, they´ll tell you that the country is so much more than the Canal. And in fact, it is.  The Panama Canal represents a big income, some say about 20% of the country´s GDP.  But so is their banking center,growing tourism featuring upcoming unique sites like their colonial town of Casco Viejo and National Parks, and other industries that make for a balanced economy.

This month The Economist has dedicated an article to the Panama Canal and the impact of its expansion throughout this time of crisis. It is worth reading for anyone looking to invest in Panama or know more about it.

Find the article HERE.

Art With Optimism

Full of colors and optimism inaugurated the latest art show of Cartooch, Casco Viejo (Panama) artists and residents, at the ruins of the former Union Club. Alegories of all sorts, some quite sexy! (photos not included…!).

Probably the most refreshing thing about their art is that when it chooses to be critical it does so without cinicism. A daring position for an artist, an edge where people could or not take them seriously.  Pieces related to being different within the society and how people are perceived from different points of view, resources abuse (energy), and freedom in general cruise through their work in an almost cheerful way.  Reminding us of our flaws, but also that it can all be overcome.

Balcony to Balcony Lifestyle in Casco Antiguo

When I lived in Calle 3era (Casco Viejo, Panama) I remember this old lady on a rocking chair that spent her entire day rocking herself one way to the other, enjoying the breeze. Nothing would escape her eyes and her funny comments. If you needed to know where Pedro was, she could tell you in a second. Has your kid arrived? not yet. If the guy selling tamales passed by, she would scream to the guy and pull down a basket with the $0.25 to buy one.

Last night, as I was visiting a friend that lives in A Avenue and 4th, it was great to see how this traditional “balcony lifestyle” was so naturally taken by the young Casconians. We where having a small party for her parents, and with all the doors open, we where chatting with the neighbors of the building in front. Eventually, they stepped down and joinned us.

Balconeando!

Medicare Coverage in Panama

As hard as the MediCare  issue within the United States might be, it could be that offering off shore medical care could help balance the high coverage costs.  Currently, the government of Panama has been re doubling their efforts into getting their commercial trade agreement signed with the United States, including the extension of the medical benefit.

Countries like Panama, where finding  US graduated doctors  is common, costs for operations are significantly less and where hospitals like John Hopkins backing up a high quality level, offer the best platform to extend the coverage.

Panama, is only 5 hours away from New York and less than 4 hours away from Miami.  According to Yanahir Diaz,  from the John Hopkins Medicine International there are several medical insurance plans that are already accepted in Panama such as Tricare, Vanbreda and Cigna.