Getting a Haircut - Update

I was surprised at how many readers responded to my article about getting a haircut, and I will have the opportunity for the next several cuts to try different barbers and maybe get a decent haircut in the bargain. Here are some of the suggestions I received.

- You might try Jaime at the Millenium barberia, at Plaza Carolina, between the Titan and the shoe store. I get a modified flattop. He's extremely thorough and charges $5.25.

Gary -

- Hi Henry:
 
I still favor the military haircut and found a good barber to administer it.  This guy lives in Lidice and usually works as a cement worker.  He cuts hair on the side to pick up some extra money.  When I return to Panama and you and Nora are free, well take a ride out to our finca and you can get a haircut while out there.  One thing that you have to know though, this guy isn't cheep.  In fact, he just raised his price a coupple months ago, but you being a rich Gringo, can well afford it.  He now charges $1.00 for the haircut. Forr me, it is one of the best deals in Panama. My daughter's boys (ages 9 and 15) are each paying $16.00, plus tip, for their haircuts here in Arlington, Mass.

Hubie -

- I get a decent haircut at the Balboa YMCA -- from Ruben.  try him -- I pay him $6.
 
Bob -

- There was a lady who used to cut hair at the Clayton Barber Shop. As the Americans were leaving, she said she was moving to a shop at the entrance to San Antonio.  Don't know if she is still there or not, but it close to you.

BJ -

Computers

The subject of alternative-to-Microsoft office suites came up on Panama Forum last  week, and a link to Open Office.org was posted. This is a great office suite and I've been using it for years. It reads and writes Microsoft format document/spreadsheet/presentation files nearly flawlessly. It does NOT have a goofy, intrusive 'assistant' like Clippy, though you can get context sensitive help and hints at any time. I am aware that many, many people have and use illegal copies of Microsoft Office and that many 'computer guys' will install a bootleg copy for you for about $50.00, so for those who don't mind using stolen software, the fact that Open Office.org is free for the downloading may be irrelevant, but if you have a decent broadband connection, you can get it for free from the above URL. It is available for Windows, Linux, Solaris, and Mac. These are about 100 mbyte downloads, so if you download a version, I suggest you start it at a time when you won't be using the computer for several hours. For those of you who are stuck with lower speed broadband or dialup, I'm putting toghether a CD with the latest versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, Open Office, and other free programs which I will make available to residents of Panama at my cost.

Holy Week

This is not an observation on religion, but on culture. It's also not a condemnation of the way we celebrate our highest holy days, but if you are planning to live in Panama, you should be aware of how it's done.

Those of you who have been in Panama for more than a day or two know that when it comes to holidays, we don't do anything by half-measure. We have several Independence Days with parades, fireworks, and closure of banks and public offices. In fact, almost all our holidays are accompanied by several days or a week or more when it becomes impossible to get anything done that requires official involvement. Christmas runs for an entire month.

As I write this, the country is celebrating Easter Sunday. If you turned on the TV this morning, you found exactly the same religious program on all local broadcast stations. This is a local custom called 'Cadena Nacional' or 'National Chain', and is frequently employed for religious services. Another local custom which accompanies all religious holidays is halting all sales of alcoholic beverages. Nora encountered a new variarion on this on Friday when she attempted to buy a few bottles of Tonic Water. She was told that she couldn't buy it because it was used in mixed drinks. The fact that she drinks it with nothing more than a squirt of lemon juice made no difference.

Easter Sunday is the culmination of 'holy week' which is itself the finale to Lent. The whole 6 week long holy celebration starts with Carnaval, making this the longest holiday of the year. This holiday has something for just about everyone. We start with a big party, then spend 6 weeks atoning for it, finishing the whole thing off with a celebration of rebirth and ascent into heaven. If, in the midst of all the holy celebration, we can find an excuse to not work for about half the days, so much the better.

The Website

There are a lot more new listings that will be up this week in the Real Estate section. Check out 'Land' and 'Homes'.

Service and Assistance for Retirees Who Want to Live in Panama