Jazz was away from us for the first time early today 02 October when we left him for 3 hours at the Vet’s for his first groom. He was really good they said. He doesn’t cry or bark much so we are lucky. $17 they charged, so we gave the young male Groomer $20.
Jazz looks so so good. Smells so nice too. When we got home he went mad going around all the furniture and checking out all was the same….we also booked him in for his castration on 18 November. So poor wee man will be cut out to be a bachelor then.
You tip here. Takes a bit of getting used to. Only tip for food service and some personal services and the food invoice usually has a tip % that you can choose. 5%, 10%, 15%. Not always. I usually go for 10%.
At the grocery store there are men - haven’t seen any women there yet?? who help with your groceries only at the check out. Sorting and bagging into the trolley. We have to take bags as in NZ no plastic bags at supermarkets but heaps everywhere else!! I believe they don’t get any other payment although they are obviously provided with a uniform. T shirt and trousers. That is different re % as grocery invoice may be $200+. They only do a really small job at the check out so the tip is usually $2 - $4. I give the pedicure/polish lady a substantial tip as costs $10 for a really good one.
Our Ford Edge is great. J has just taken it in for an oil change and new front lightbulbs and a general check up. I am not happy with the front lights’ power. It was only driven in the city so has low light bulbs. Not good for here. People walk on the side of the roads all the time. At night it is awful driving as not many street lights and often people on bikes and walking on the side of the road wear dark clothes. Even as a passenger I felt uncomfortable so J is hoping new bulbs will fix it. He doesn’t find it so bad…..I don’t night drive!
Tonight I play Bridge with a new guy Jeff who is a card sharp from way back but never played Bridge. So he is fun to partner. Him and wife attend lessons with Howard on a Monday night and I am lucky enough to join them for a few weeks.
Last week I hosted Bridge Tues and Thursday 2-5pm. Have a table
Here so it fitted easily into the lounge area. Our usual hosts were in Argentina playing in an International Bridge Tournament.
18 October - ANNIVERSARY.
A special Day for us today………we arrived on the plane with all our chosen belongings (talk about minimalistic) here in Panama City one year ago. Amazing how fast time has passed yet we seem to have done so so much!!! Feel as though we have been here for ages…..
Have had to get used to a lot of different things too…..It is hard to believe there is no postage in Panama as we know it in NZ. No property numbers and very few street names on roads. Incredible!Relatively easy to send mail via the Mail Box to the States and Canada however the mail service that cost us $300+ for the year (we know we can get it a lot cheaper so cancelling our Miami postal Address in December).
It cost us USD127! to send 10 x A4 pages in an envelope via DHL to our Nelson Accountant. He received it 5 days later so good service. So many cheap Things here but postage. No!!!!
J has finished the laundry and looks great. Also we now have a perfect gas hot water system. So so good. The pump was too strong so changed it. Everything else is electric here.
I check out NZ news to keep in touch and listen to the National Radio news from time to time. Miss my lovely country and all of you - family and friends….also love it here in the continuous warmth with the lovely welcoming Panamanian people, so many new experiences, building new friendships, learning so many new things, the language, improved Bridge (haha hopefully) the culture and delicious cheap fruit & vegetables etc.
Be in touch again next month….keep safe.
Coral
Coral