Expats rally to aid flood victims

All hail to the American Society of Panama which, as reported in an earlier column, immediately stepped forward to recruit members to provide assistance to the flood victims in the devastated areas of Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui.

There was a rapid response. Money has flowed in and members scoured their closets to find clothing d blankets and food to take to the Parque Omar collection center. Now there are numerous other collecting points which you can find on the society’s web site

Some of those listed are: Riba Smith, El Rey, Super 99 and Machetazo supermarkets

At Parque Omar a sign has been posted indicating that no more clothing is needed, but there is a desperate need for food and other supplies like pampers, sanitary towels and soap

As the rains continue,and the plight of the “damnificados” grows worse, be ready to add a few dollars to your grocery bill, to help those who cannot help themselves. Make it an early Christmas thank you for the welcome you have received in this hospitable country

Cheers. A sad juxtaposition of news took place early in the week. A photo of President Martin Torrillos giving a champagne toast to royalty during his Spanish blue-blood junket, adjacent to stories and photos of those who had lost all and didn’t even have clean water to drink. He did however cut his trip short to return to Panama. Nevertheless his flights abroad have long since outstripped those of his presidential predecessor, much criticized by the then opposition, for her frequent overseas jaunt

BLACK FRIDAY. < That’s what shoppers in the U.S. called yesterday, as they trudged off to get discount bargains before the money spigots dry up or their favorite stores go out of business. Here in Panama there were a few other black spots, the ongoing rain being the most obvious, which may have cast a cloud over my Friday perceptions

No water at the inn. < A recent medical seminar at San Tomas Hospital , focused on Bio Security. Particular importance was placed on the importance of regular hand washing, sometimes more effective than rubber gloves. But what do you do when there is no water? On a recent visit to the Sheraton hotel to take coffee and toast at the Las Hadas pastelleria, one of my favorite pastry haunts I found the washrooms closed for repairs. No problem. There were recently refurbished washrooms adjacent to the breakfast room downstairs

Alas, the washrooms were open but both the new “washbasins”, that look like an updated version of military latrine washing facilities, carried do-not-use signs. Presumably hand washing facilities were available to those who checked into the hotel. Outside the heavens were open for the 8th day in a row. Water a plenty

Labeling snafu. Dropping by Sandborne’s in Multi Plaza I discovered a host of reasonably priced books to use as stocking stuffers for Spanish speaking friends. Some of the books contained two price stickers on the back cover. When there are two prices the customer gets the lowest one right? Wrong. The cash register, the sales clerk and a supervisor came down on the side of the highest price.

Result: stocking stuffers will be purchased elsewhere.