Milestones - New House

I have two milestones to report today from my new home in Volcan, Chiriqui Province, Panama. The first is really from yesterday. A couple of helpers and I hauled the final load of stuff from my rented house in Volcan to the new house. This follows a month of trips spanning the 5 miles between houses. The very heavy radio tower will have to wait for appropriate help before moving to the new place.

The other important event was that I was able to take my first nice warm shower at the new house today. (No pictures of this event.) No, I have not waited for over a month to bathe! Since I was still paying rent, I have been using the electric "suicide" shower at the old place. I now have a propane fired demand hot water heater and it works great. I'm still working on the other plumbing but a working toilet and shower were first.

I only have a temporary wire antenna up for the 75 meter ham band but it is working great. I have talked to Korea, Japan, the Middle-East, Europe, Australia, and the U.S. in the past month in the early mornings and late evenings when not working on the house.

Happy Holidays to everyone from Panama!

Moving to New House

Well, I'm finally moving to the new house this week. It is not "completely finished" but it is close enough for the 2 dogs and I to enjoy the country life after the confines of the city.

Actually, Volcan, Chiriqui Province, Republic of Panama is just a quiet ranching and farming community in the mountains of far western Panama. However, we will be much happier with more "room to roam" in the country three miles from town. We will not have to be quite so careful of traffic when we walk in the evenings and there is seldom any traffic at all during our early morning walks. Our neighbors across the road run a small dairy and the lady makes very good white cheese that she shares with me in exchange for letting a couple of their cows graze near my house.

The dogs have finally learned to stay on the property and they are very protective of their "turf". I hope to have Internet connected this week and be able to use my ham radios again soon. I will continue to work on the house and it will be much easier when I am there full time.

Best Regards from Panama!

Recovering from Surgery - House on Hold

Well, I am recovering nicely as it has been 17 days since my surgery. I have been out to the new house 2 or 3 times, but I am not yet cleared to "lift" and work. I have been about 1 month from moving in for the past 3 months and the estimate has not changed much.

There are not too many things to finish before the 2 dogs and I will be able to live in the house. It will not be finished and "pretty", but should be a fine place for us to live while I finish everything. The current estimate is near the end of October (next month).

The absence of city noise will be a blessing and the dogs want to move today! It also seems to be a very good location for amateur radio operation just like the 2 previous locations that I have had in the Volcan area. Since I border a small stream with a "mini-Rain Forest" environment I expect to take lots of pictures of Orchids, birds, the occasional monkey and other wildlife.

Best Regards from Volcan, Chiriqui Province, Republic of Panama

Personal Timeout from Building

Well, it's been a while since I have taken time to post here. I'm still alive and soon-to-be well in Panama. Someone recently send me an e-mail with the phrase "Old Age Ain't for Sissies".

Just this week I found out that it is true. I had to go to a local hospital for emergency surgery to remove a "hot" appendix. Then I spent three days in the hospital with IV antibiotics to take care of the infection from the leaking appendix. It was not a pleasant experience! The surgery and medical follow-up were first rate, but concern for other people's comfort is not part of the local culture. I am very happy and grateful to be recovering at home now with many local friends helping out.

My new house that has been one month from being finished (for the past four months) will have to wait until I am fully recovered from the surgery, physically and financially. Maybe I'll be able to move in by the end of October.

People often ask me, "Why Panama?" Well, in the mountains of western Panama I have 75-80 degree days and about 55 degrees at night year round with no tornadoes, hurricanes, snow storms and few prairie fires. We do have plenty of rain (Tropics) and the occasional mild earthquake (living less than 9 miles from Volcan Baru volcano). The volcano is dormant and supposed to stay that way for another 150 to 200 years.

So, having survived the surgery and hospital stay, I can now say without reservation: "Old age ain't for sissies" nor is it for the faint of heart.

Best Regards (73 to my ham friends),

Jay

Busy Times

These are busy times for me. I am building a new home and construction is slow due to having to build for the future house that goes on top of the lower section. I will move into the lower portion of the house, about 1,100 sq. ft., later this summer.

I had hoped to attend my high school reunion in Kansas this month (May), but I will not be able to leave during this phase of construction. I will reschedule my trip to the U.S. for later this year or early next year.

My two dogs go out to the site quite often and they both approve of the move. All of us are looking forward to the freedom from noise, traffic and crowds of the city.

The great news is that the paving of the 5 km. (3 miles) of road to Volcan is complete and I can be at the 24 hr. supermarket in 10 minutes. My photography and ham radio have been limited due to a 5 1/2 day work week on the house. I am very happy with my decision to relocate to the mild climate of the mountains of western Panama. My best regards to everyone ... be well and prosper!

Ground Breaking

We finally broke ground, in a big way on the new house on 21 January 2009.  I am building the downstairs "basement" and will move there in June or July.  My 2 dogs, Blue and Rosie approve of the change to the rural setting.  It is just 10 minutes or 3 miles from the city of Volcan, but a world away from the traffic and noise.

I am looking forward an even better location for my ham radio and photography than I have with my rented house in the city of Volcan.  The mountain air and slower pace have been good to me as I have lost (the extra) weight and my blood pressure is much lower.

I have been on several photo adventures in the past few weeks and everyone has had a great time as well as some good exercise with the hiking.

I have invited a couple of International hams to visit me and we will see if any of the plans materialize.  This is a great DX location with almost 10,000 contacts since February 2007.

Take care and all the best from the land of "Eternal Springtime"; the mountains of western Panama.

Happy New Year from Panama

I have not posted anything for many weeks, but wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year from the land of eternal Springtime!  Nights are in the range of 50-60 F, with 74-79 F almost every day. 

After being here permanently for 14 months I am very happy with my decision to move.  I still live in a 2 bedroom rented house with my 2 dogs, 1 Australian Cattle Dog (Red Heeler) and 1 Panamanian mixed breed (mut).

My on and off home building plans are on again.  Sort of!  I am still looking for a bilingual person to manage the small crew of locals who will build my new home.  Because of the economic difficulties in the U.S. and Europe I have scaled back my plans until real estate prices in other areas rebound.  In general, land and home prices here are about the same, with a pause in the rapid escalation of the past 3 to 5 years.

I now plan to only build the lower level of the house, including the 2 car garage.  The lower level was planned as an apartment and I have redesigned it for my personal comfort.  I am hoping that construction will not interfere with my plans to attend my CVHS Class of '59 reunion in Kansas in May. I am also planning to visit my family and friends while in the U.S.,  as my plans do not include many more trips stateside. 

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy & prosperous 2009!

Jay & best friends Blue & Rosie