Yellow Fever Vaccinations in Panama
We recently had a friend from Canada visiting who is on her way to Asia later this year. She learned in Panama that if she traveled here she needs a Yellow Fever shot to enter many countries because Yellow Fever can sometimes be found in Panama in the far outlying areas. There are quite a number of countries (check this website for the list: http://www.who.int/ith/countries/2008_country_list.pdf) with Yellow Fever Vaccination requirements. Once you get the vaccination it is good for 10 years, and when traveling to any countries which require that you have the shots you must carry your vaccination booklet.
Yellow fever is a mosquito born virus, carried by the Aedes and Haemagogus species of mosquito which is prevalent during daylight hours. It is recommended that you protect yourself by having a vaccination and using mosquito lotion regularly. In Panamanian cities and towns there are regular inspections by the Department of Health for mosquito breeding areas, and they also spray often especially during rainy season.
World Health Organization Yellow Fever recommendations for Panama: Vaccination is recommended for all travelers who are going to the Province of Darien, the region Kuna Yala (old San Blas), East Panama including the districts of Chep, Chiman and Balboa. This does not include the City of Panama and the Panama Canal area (old Canal Zone).
I had been investigating vaccinations and which are possible to get in Panama. That is when the nurses told me that the Department of Health offers a FREE Yellow Fever vaccination program for everyone. That´s right FREE. That includes Panamanians, foreign residents, and visitors. You do have to pay $5 for your registration of the shot and your vaccination booklet.
My friend and I both were both inoculated. I was impressed with the speed of service (there were no other patients there), cleanliness, and the nurses were helpful, knowledgeable and kind. The health facility itself was a basic tropical clinic but it was clean and organized.
I should add this is not a new program but has been offered for some time now and I just did not have the time to get out to the clinic.
I am a sucker for punishment, so I am now on a quest to find the other Panamanian clinics which offer inoculations as well. The nurse told us that the Department of Health Public Clinics throughout Panama offer vaccinations which are on their regular schedule of recommended childhood and adult shots such as hepatitis, tetanus, etc… for no charge or very limited charges. They also will have the flu vaccine at certain times of year. That will be our next mission, to find the clinics, schedules and prices…
Yellow Fever Vaccinations are available at the Department of Health (Salud) Clinic in Clayton, look for the IDAAN sign on the right on the street just before the Crossroads Church (if you see the church you have gone too far) on the way to Miraflores Locks. The clinic is open 7:30 am until noon Monday Thru Saturday.
Thanks for visiting folks. For more details on the Fiesta starting July 16th, this week, please scroll down the page a bit. Sorry I don´t have more concrete details but as usual official activities on a small island are somewhat disorganized. If my regular visitors notice I have a new Blog design, not by choice but because the other design did not work well in Explorer. Muchissimo Gracias! Cynthia
PINEAPPLE GINGER JUICE or TEA
This is a tasty recipe I like to make at home when I have some fresh pineapple. It is a take-off from the popular Panamanian rice and pineapple drink….. check out the FOOD link at the top of the page for the recipe.
Next week, starting July 16th, Wednesday is the Virgin del Carmen Festival on Taboga Island. This year it is a special event because it is the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the image of the Virgin del Carmen. I was at the IPAT offices today and they told me on Wednesday, 16th of July there will be a boat parade. Mainly attended by locals since it is midweek and many of us do work during the week. On the weekend there will be events in the village and special services in the church
The Virgin del Carmen has a long history of protecting the Island of Taboga and its inhabitants. The villagers of San Pedro (the village of Taboga) have an intense and sentimental attachment to her, their protector. Find out more about Virgen Del Carmen here: http://www.cerritotropicalpanama.com/stories.html
Below, find a Spanish version of the story of the Virgin provided to me by Alvaro Gonzalez of Taboga:
Virgin del Carmen, Taboga Island Church
Fue en 1513 que los conquistadores españoles vieron por primera vez a la isla de Taboga, el adelantado del Mar del Sur, Vasco Núñez de Balboa, poco después de “descubrir” el Mar del Sur en su ruta hacia tierra firme.
La bautizó como isla de San Pedro, como los nativos la llamaban Haboga, los españoles le añadieron la “T” inicial y le llamaron isla San Pedro de Taboga.
En 1524, el canónigo Hernando de Luque funda el 29 de junio, el pueblo español de San Pedro de Taboga, ya que el pueblo indígena que existió en la isla fue destruido por Gonzalo de Badajoz en 1515.
Taboga, como puerto de la ciudad de Panamá, sufrió de los ataques de piratas, que en el siglo XVIII atacaron al Istmo de Panamá, principalmente a la ciudad de Panama, con su consiguiente destrucción.
La población de la isla, atemorizada por estos constantes ataques, ya que la isla de Taboga se convirtió en lugar de descanso y refugio de dichos piratas, solo les quedaba esconderse para preservar la vida. Un día de a mediado de ese siglo XVIII, ante el inminente ataque de dichos piratas, la población armada de palos y piedras se escondieron para enfrentarse a los atacantes, vieron en la playa a una mujer que en posición desafiante esperaba a los asaltantes. Cuentan que los piratas al ver a esta mujer, que parecía comandar a un grupo armado, desistieron del ataque y se fueron. Los pobladores sin saber lo que había sucedido fueron a la iglesia del pueblo a dar gracias a Dios, pero al llegar a la misma, vieron huellas de pies mojados con arena que se dirigían desde la puerta hacia el altar, encontrando el manto y pies de la virgen del Carmen mojados y embarrados de arena. Dijeron que esa era la mujer que los protegió en la playa, desde ese día, el pueblo de Taboga la nombró su Santa Patrona y Protectora de Taboga.
Esta creencia se fue acrecentando, llegando hasta inicio del siglo XX, cuando el pueblo de Taboga se organizó y decidió colocar en el Altar Mayor, en sitio de honor, la imagen de la Bienaventurada Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo, la Virgen del Carmen.
Esta imagen fue adquirida en Francia, no en España como era la costumbre, sus ojos no son pintados como la mayoría de las imágenes, son de vidrio dando la sensación de vida.
En 1908 fue traslada de la ciudad de Panamá a la isla de Taboga en la “balandra” (embarcación de vela) del señor Horacio Rivera, conocido en Taboga como “Chovera”.
El día exacto de su arribo a Taboga se ha perdido en el tiempo, ya que los testigos de este acontecimiento no existen. Puedo citar palabras de Serafina Vásquez de Rivera, tía Fina, quien formó, junto a sus cuñadas, parte del comité de adquisición de esta imagen. Me contó que “fue un día muy grande para Taboga, desde que fue avistada la balandra detrás del Morro, la población se congregó en la playa, cuando la balandra llegó a la playa, las campanas de la iglesia empezaron a repicar, una algarabía de alegría se formó en la playa que fue interrumpida por un silencio, ya que no veían por ninguna parte la imagen, ya que estaba dentro de una gran caja, cuando la caja fue puesta en suelo tabogano y se abrió”, proseguía tía Fina muy emocionada, “la alegría fue mayor, en hombros fue llevada hacia la iglesia, fue la primera procesión con dicha imagen”, siempre me recalcaba, “fue quizás el día mas alegre que ha vivido Taboga, ver a niños, jóvenes, adultos y viejos, gritar de alegría, las campanas no dejaron de repicar todo el día, el gran anhelo de Taboga se había cumplido, tener en sitio de honor a la imagen de su Madre Celestial y protectora de Taboga y sus habitantes.”
Cuatro años después de este acontecimiento, fue sacada en procesión, el 16 de julio de 1912, desde esa fecha no ha recorrido las calles de Taboga, para este efecto hay dos imágenes mas pequeña, una para la procesión en tierra y otra para la procesión acuática.
Esta historia de la aparición de la virgen, que ha sido transmitida de generación en generación, como una leyenda hasta nuestro días, quizás sea tomada como poco creíble, ya que hay muchos datos sin sustentación histórica formal. Como sociólogo y perteneciente al pueblo de Taboga, veo la gran importancia de esta creencia que nos ha mantenido Unidos a través del tiempo, esta piedad popular nos ha mantenido fiel a la palabra de su hijo, Jesucristo.
No perdamos tiempo en el pasado, en tratar de comprobar la existencia de este hecho, aprovechemos el presente en aumentar nuestra Fe, para que en UNIDAD podamos enfrentarnos a este futuro que parece incierto.
Taboga posee excepcional posición geográfica, belleza natural, una riqueza histórica, turística y una noble población, lo importante, que su creencia y su Fe la mantienen viva, desafiando a los tiempos, ya sean buenos o malos.
Que este centenario sea el inicio de mirar hacia nosotros mismos, que todos sigamos el ejemplo de 1908, que unidos, sin ninguna distinción pudieron poner en sitial de honor, no solo a su Santa Patrona, sino a Taboga.
Dr. Marco Antonio Belizaire
Sports and Family Chiropractor
Dr. Belizaire
Dr. Belizaire was recommended to me by several of our readers who are his patients. He has visited Panama one week out of every month to see patients since the year 2000, his fees are $35.00 for the initial consultation, evaluation and adjustment, plus the report of findings. After that if he treats patients anywhere from 3-5 times during the week that he is in Panama it is $45.00 dollars per person, or $20.00 per one adjustment. He also offer family plans where a family of 2 will pay $75.00 for the weeks adjustments 3-5 times.
Information is listed below for both addresses, in Atlanta as well as in Panama and his cell number for Panama is listed also, as most people contact him on his cell if their Spanish is limited and cannot communicate with the receptionist who is provided by the hospital. His office is located in Centro Medico Bella Vista located in Avenida Peru and 39th street, suite # 108, next to Hotel Costa Inn.
His schedule normally is Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9-1 AM and 3-7 PM, Tuesday 10-1 AM and 3-7 PM, Thursday 1-7 PM and Saturday 9:30-1:00 PM. He has special hours for adjusting and hours for New Patients and report of findings because he spends time with the new patients educating them about chiropractic, its benefits as it related to health and gives them a list of Do’s and Don’ts because it is very important to him that the patient follows the recommendations outside the office because that will determine the success of the care they render. Dr. Belizaire states that he offers “a partnership in health and well-being”. At times the above schedule becomes altered but he always does his best to accommodate.
Dr. Belizaire´s services are primarily chiropractic, full spine, extremities adjusting; he uses the drop peace table as well for those that needed it, and the activator technique. Because of his Olympic background, he does a lot of work with athletes for injury prevention and peak performance. He treats patients of all ages. Some patients visit mainly for pain management, others for stress relief, injury treatment or health maintenance and prevention.
The doctors´s next trip to Panama will be this week from July 6.
Dr. Marco Antonio Belizaire
Sports and Family Chiropractor http://www.agapechirospa.com/ Georgia: AGAPE Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Inc.
1246 B Concord Road Suite 100
Smyrna, GA 30080 Tel: 770-434-5707 http://www.juiceplus.com/+db84084 Panama: AGAPE Chiropractic Center/Panama
Centro Medico Bella Vista
Avenida Peru y Calle 39 #108 Tel: 011-507-227-3444/011-507-6639-0635 Email: DrMarcoDC@gmail.com
This was our first visit to The Palms in Panama City. We loved it. Elegant decor, relaxing atmosphere, attentive service, creative and delicious food. An excellent location for a special date, dinner meeting, or to simply enjoy some elegant, fine dining in Panama.
We started with a full red wine from Spain; Protos Cosecha Roble $6 per glass. They also offered an extensive wine list. Before the meal we were brought a bread basket of fresh homeade breads and breadsticks which we devoured. Then I savored the delicate Mesclun salad with pear, nuts and goat cheese ($8). For my main dish, I chose the rabbit filled with dates and basil accompanied by a mixed vegetable tart ($17). My husband, who leans toward more a more traditional tastes, ordered beef medallions in a three pepper and coffee sauce, served with vegetables and mashed potatoes ($17). Our friend ordered robalo fish in calamari ink, served with ricotta and spinach canelloni (it looked really interesting and delicious) ($18).
The portions were generous, so we had no space for dessert but we have already decided to return.
They have a great website to peruse. Plenty of sharp, professional photos, and the menu is listed. www.palmsrestaurant.net
palmsrestaurant@cableonda.net
Calle 48, Bella Vista (off Uruguay)
Just a quick note to let readers in on my latest find; Ma Maison on Calle 49 in Panama City is a delightful stop for a drink or afternoon tea. A group of friends stopped by Ma Maison Wine Bar the other evening while we waited for La Posta (also a great restaurant located in an old mansion) to open for the evening.
We were pleasantly surprised with the comfortable decor in the old home converted into a Lounge Bar. Plenty of choice in the wine menu, while I did not read it from end to end every wine lover would be sure to find something to their liking. I had the French house wine, which was nicely chilled, dry and refreshing $3.50. My friend had a martini and she enjoyed it completely to the last drop; she is very particular about her martinis and did not make a peep about it so it passed the test.
Service was prompt and friendly. They cater events as well, and I was told that they have live music from time to time. Check it out.
Ma Maison
Calle 49 off Calle Uruguay
264-4608
Email: mamaison@cableonda.net
Lynn Kane, Masseuse
Lynn originally studied massage in Houston, Texas. Through her global travels, her massage now includes traditional plus Thai methods, as well as Japanese techniques she learned from a sensei in Yokohama, and some energy therapy. Before she moved to Panama, Lynn returned to her school in Houston to take a practical refresher. Lynn works out of Bella Vista in Panama City; $30 a session. If a client has their own table, she´ll go to their home within city limits for $40.
Tomorrow evening, June 26th, 2008, Cynthia Mulder of Cerrito Tropical will be a guest on KYS 104.3 between 6 and 7 PM and will chat with Ursula Kiener Ford about opening a small business in Panama, and how she and her husband got started with their Bed & Breakfast Cerrito Tropical on Taboga Island.
KYS 104.3 is a new radio station in Panama with an adult contemporary theme; listen in from Monday to Thursday from 6 -7 PM. Ursula´s co-host on the show is Jacob - the editor of the English publication The Visitor.
The regular talk show is mixed with some musical interludes. Subjects range from real estate, tourism, what is going on in Panama, how to invest, health, the news, etc.
THE LIVING ROOM by DJ Nikki is a dynamic and interactive lifestyle guide where you will find interesting information on relevant topics along with the hottest music to start your day. This show is targeted towards English speaking foreigners living in Panama, as well as bilingual Panamanians eager to have a new option in radio.
THE LIVING ROOM is transmitted through the Power 92 signal (92.1FM) that covers Panama, Colon and beaches and through the website, www.921power.com. They are running on a Monday though Friday, 8am-10am prime time schedule.
Segments include, Easy Living (tips on relocating and information on Panamanian culture), The Zone Outdoors (where to go for tours and information on extreme sports), The Zone (where to go for concerts, cultural activities and more), Odd News (curious & actually real stories), Where To Buy (information and tips on the real estate industry and projects), On A Day Like Today (celebrity birthdays and special events) and Spaces (tips on decorating, health facts and more).
Tune in every weekday morning.
Alejandra Damián “DJ Nikki”
Host & Marketing Coordinator - Presentadora y Coordinadora de Mercadeo
The Living Room & Power 92
92.1fm / 921power.com
There’s fishing, then there’s fishing off Taboga. Imagine, if you will, a spectacular sunrise off the starboard side of the boat, captained by Federiko, as you head for a not so distant island to drop your line in the hopes of that familiar tug which translates to, “Fish on!”. Forget the hope, it’s a promise here. Oh wait, maybe I’m being presumptuous since I *am* the Island Fishing Goddess. Such a burden to bear.
Now that I’ve completely jinxed myself - all true fishermen know of what I speak (spoken as an original Ocean Girl, politically correct terms do NOT apply on the high seas, whatever for?) - I’ll make the appropriate sacrifices tomorrow and get back to the business at hand, i.e. catching fish …. but, I digress.
Fishing - Needle Fish are abundant and fun to catch (on or off shore) . Sierra (Spanish Mackerel) are prettier and taste better (personal preference) & Federiko knows the spots. February & March are when fish are most likely to be in these waters, however, with the addition of one’s lucky fishing hat, a sierra can soon be on board regardless of the month.
Federiko is exceptionally knowledgeable re local waters (fishing, snorkeling, diving). Fishing rates are very competitive and range from $50 and up, and are negotiable. Spanish & English speaking. A deal!!
Fishing Secrets - Nu-uh …. I’ll give up my brother before I’ll give up my secrets.
Fishing from shore - The traditional way of fishing uses just a line, hook & some bait. What a blast! Once you quit hitting yourself with the sardine & actually get some distance and eventually land your first fish, nothing beats it. Locations: Taboga Island pier and shore, El Morro Island.
Fishing by boat – Used a rod with fresh sardines as bait. Also tried lures but good old fashioned bait worked just as well. Locations: Around Taboga, El Morro and Taboguilla Islands.
Head for fishing on Taboga. Lynn, one of our guests at Cerrito Tropical Bed & Breakfast on Taboga Island, has been having great success this week with the underwater creatures of the island. She loves Taboga Island and says she is biased towards Cerrito Tropical (which doubles as her favorite fishing camp) and Taboga because of the fabulous fishing vacation she had just over a year ago. That time she caught a number of glorious specimens (red snapper, corvina, and several others of which the name evades me at the moment) with her local guide Federiko.
So Lynn has returned for a couple of weeks of fishing from Canada to reclaim her self proclaimed title as Taboga´s Fishing Goddess.
Just yesterday she went out with Federiko again for several hours and called excitedly to tell me she had received a large lobster gift from the Sea Goddess (not to be confused with the Fishing Goddess-Lynn) which was caught in a net on one of the offshore islands near Taboga. Just big enough for her lunch!!! Along with the lobster, she caught several large mackerel which I am hoping she will share with us at our BBQ tomorrow. Grilled with lemon please! Unfortunately she did not save the lobster to share.
Even though she would not share her lobster, Lynn has happily agreed to share some of her fishing secrets with us. She agreed, so later this week keep tuned for an update to this fishing flash. Sorry, she will not share her secret fishing song but will tell us some of her favorite haunts and fishing tips. Lynn fishes both from the shore with a handline, and with her local guide Federiko. Courtesy of Lynn, Cerrito Tropical and our favorite fishing guide Federiko.
Melina Typaldos Designs was founded in Panama in 2001. Melina studied in the US and is a well respected emerging jewelery designer and uses semi-precious stones and both silver and gold in her modern designs. She has also created a beautiful new line of tableware and accessories. Gifts and jewelery from about $40. Special orders on request.
Among the many Melina has designed for include the First Lady Vivian Torrijos of Panama, the former president of Panama Mireya Moscoso, the Miss Universe Pagent in 2003, the Princess Leticia Ortiz of Spain, Actress Halle Berry, General Franco of Spain´s grandaughter Carmen Martinez-Bordius Franco. Melina also exhibits her designs around the world in fashion and trade shows.
Located in Marbella, in the mall across from World Trade Center, around the corner from Sheraton 4 Points, and also in MultiPlaza and Miami. Location: Calle 45 Bella Vista Panama, Panama Telephone: 507-613-2222 / 507-227-5353 /214-7597 Email: support@melinatypaldos.com Website: www.melinatypaldos.com
I have just completed the process of getting my driver´s license for Panama. The following rough guide may be helpful if you are about to apply, or already have a temporary license. Please call or visit Sertracen with your present license and passport before you begin to ensure that you have the correct procedure as it does seem to vary. Their contact info is below.
I am of the understanding that Canadians and Americans who are tourists can drive in the country with their licenses for the length of their tourist visa. Being in process of getting your residency visa does not count, at least my lawyer insisted I go and get a temporary license to drive here and which is a similar process to getting the permanent one. I do not know about other countries but the regulation is probably it is the same.
I have the experience of getting both types of licenses which are basically identical with the exception of the validity. When we recently got our permanent residency I went to apply for my new, 4 year driver´s license.
My version of getting your license is fairly confusing probably because last year they changed their system. This year it was much simpler.
So to be clear on what I had to do, I first applied for a temporary license last year, and months later a permanent one. Be patient, this will take at least a day and two days in my case.
Note: Last year, I was told to first go to the Transisto Office on the way to Tocumen Airport, this was apparently to make sure I had no outstanding tickets and to input my data into the system, then I had to wait 24 hours for my data to be in the system. Even though computerized, it can be pretty slow.
Please ask Sertracen first what they require. Have someone who speaks Spanish call them and ask, or go together. Sertracen is a privately owned company and are pretty well organized so the experience should be painless but since regulations and requirements seem to change fairly frequently, and are different for various countries, best to check with them. They are located on the street behind Rey supermarket just behind Allbrook Airport. Drive off the main road into the street to enter Rey parking lot, take a left (still heading for the parking entrance) but then then a right, drive about 3 seconds on that street and you should see a new Sertracen building on the right.
So in general for Panama, the documents required are:
-Resident Card (or tourist visa if applying for a temporary license)
-Passport
-Driver’s License from Country of Origin
-Blood Test
-Glucose Test
1. You need a blood and glucose test. Fast the night before and then go to a medical lab and ask for a test for driver´s license, “licencia de conducir.” My test was about $20.
In the end it turned out that I did not need step 2 or 3 because I already had my temporary Panamanian license so please double check with Sertracen.
2. You must notarize or apostille your foreign driver’s license. I did that at my Canadian embassy, which costs $50 and was ready the next day.
3. Then that letter had to be authenticated. After the embassy I went to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores which is at Plaza Edison, on the Tumbo Muerto side, corner of Via Brasil and Tumba Muerto.
-Get in line there and tell them you need your notarized copy of your driver’s license to be authenticated. I was told to return in 3 hours to pick up the authenticated document with my receipts and stamps (instructions below).
-You will receive a slip to deposit $2.00 at the Banco Nacional de Panama which is in Edison Plaza as well, bring back that reciept to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. At the same time, you need to buy from Banco Nacional 2 - one dollar stamps (“estampillas”) The stamps can also be purchased from the same bank teller where you deposit the $2.00. Or outside the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores there is usually a man selling the stamps in case you forget.
-Bring the deposit slip and stamps back to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores and hand them in to the desk to receive your document.
Note: In my case I purchased the $2 stamps from the man outside the door before I went in the the Ministerio the first time, and the woman in the Ministerio showed me where to place them on the document.
4. Head for the Sertracen office in Albrook. Take a number, and you will be called, then they will review your documents. They will ask for a photocopy of your documents which they can make for a few cents. Then you will wait in another area and wait for your number and then you will be sent to another area to wait for your hearing and vision test, then to the cashier to pay $40, and receive your card!
Tangent: I once had to get my driver´s license in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles which was more difficult, and also Japan which was a breeze because like here they just transfer the license after a couple of minor tests, but it is not the same for some. My friends who were not from Canada (I think some European countries may be the same) applying for their Japanese driver´s license had to pass a driver´s test in Japan. Most of them failed at least once, so did the Japanese!
Note: to drive a motorcycle or commercial vehicle in Panama you need a special license.
Sertracen
Allbrook (there is a map on their website)
Tel: 315-0000
Website: http://www.sertracen.com.pa/
