There have been many helpful posts on ning, on what to do in emergencies, but how about putting them all together at the top of the page, as we have 'Restaurants', 'Lodging' etc? After living here a while, you get to know some things, but there are many shortish term residents, and many things are different and challenging here for a newcomer. Lots of the strings giving advice get hijacked or wander off the point, and in an emergency you need to know NOW.
What do you think, Lee, Fran and Ningers? Some ideas(not necessarily the best) are:
What do I do..
If I am driving and hit a dog
if I am driving and hit a person
if I get stopped by the police
if I see a fire
if someone has a medical emergency/I need an ambulance
if someone dies in my house
if a dog/horse is in distress
if my car breaks down/I get a flat
if I am arrested
if I have snakes/Africanized bees in my yard
if someone breaks in
if I need a doctor after hours
if I lose my - passport, driver's license, jubilato, cedula
if I need a late-night taxi
if we have a bad earthquake/tremor
if I want to know if the electricity will resume today, and what is the problem
if a tree has blown down across the road
and on and on...
Yes, I understand that the answers are obvious to the 'old-timers', and have been discussed one at a time in the Forum, but how about putting the answers with phone numbers into one place, maybe even in some form that could be printed out? Too much work with not enough benefits? Just a repeat of what has been said over and over? What do you think? For instance I do not have an idea who to call to remove a tree blocking the road, or if one hit a power line.
Replies
As a visitor and potential new resident, I know I've asked a lot of questions — and I'm beyond grateful for all of the help members of this community have provided. I've worried that I'm imposing on all of you to answer questions that must be routine to all of you by now, so I definitely support the idea of a "Quick Answers to Common Questions" tab. Here are the four big questions and answers I've asked and had answered by all of you lovely people:
What do I do in the event of an emergency? (Call AAC.)
What's the best way to meet members of the expat community? (Go to the Tuesday Morning Market & Meeting.)
Where's the best place to rent a car? (Call Cowboy Dave.)
Where's the best gym in town? (The Haven, IMHO)
I'd also suggest a list of "DO's and DON'Ts for First Time Visitors" including these gems shared by the expats we've met:
Carry your passport with you at all times. (We've been told that even if a cop stops a taxi we're riding in, we may be asked to produce our passport — and it can be trouble if you don't have it. I don't know if that's absolutely true, but that's what we were told.)
Don't Criticize, Condem or Complain. (That's the advice of Dale Carnagie and a good starting point for getting your attitude in the right place for truly enjoying Boquete, or anywhere else for that matter.)
Drink more water than you think you need, and then drink even more! (I learned that my altitude adjustment problem was really the side effect of me being seriously dehydrated.)
Learn a little Spanish — and try to use what little you know. At the very least, "Buenos Dias" and "Muchas Gracias" go a long way in connecting with the local community.
Anyhoo -- that's my 2¢ on the topic
I saw an accident today in the City and wonder who will be paying the bills. A gentleman was turning right off a very busy street into a restaurant parking lot when a motorcyclist came barreling down the sidewalk. Unfortunately, both got to the same place at the same time. The biker had a short flight over the hood, his machine is totaled and the guy's car is disabled because of the impact to the front fender, wheel and steering assembly.
I forgot the tree,
a) use your chain saw or turn around and return to by a different path.
In summary we do not rely on the government for much in Panama, that way we are are not often disappointed.
The latter comment may be the best advice you have ever provided.
The corollary is an equally important concept for new arrivals.
What about that meteor thing?
Nervously,
wry
All good questions, so many answers are needed, many are answered on Ning and BoqueteGuide, a lot of them are answered by "you are not in Kansas anymore".
Here are the ones I can answer. If you do not speak Spanish you will see a common theme of something we created in Boquete to help. The hotline number for Alto al Crimen is 6477 6662 and you should put it on your cellular. It is not perfect but unless you speak Spanish it is the best 911 solution we have in Boquete.
If I am driving and hit a dog, multiple choice based on circumstances
a) Find the owner
b) take it to a Vet
if I am driving and hit a person , all of the below
a} Call Alto Al Crimen for an Ambulance and Police
b) Call your Insurance company
C) pray they live
if I get stopped by the police
Be respectful and if you do not speak Spanish and have a problem or are asked for a bribe call Alto al Cimen for help
if I see a fire
Call Alto al Crimen
if someone has a medical emergency/I need an ambulance
Call Alto al Crimen or drive them to a hospital in David. Ambulance service here is sketchy at best
if someone dies in my house
Call Alto al Crimen
if a dog/horse is in distress
I cannot answer this one
if my car breaks down/I get a flat
Call Alto al Crimen
if I am arrested
Call your lawyer
if I have snakes/Africanized bees in my yard
no idea
if someone breaks in
Call Alto al Crimen
if I need a doctor after hours
Either a fast ride to a Hospital in David or Dr Chen
if I lose my - passport, driver's license, jubilato, cedula
Each requires a different response
Passport, police report and make an appointment at the US Embassy for a replacement
Drivers License, I do not know
Cedula go to Tribunal Electoral in Boquete
Jubliado, police report and contact immigration in the capital with money and copies of your immigration documents
if I need a late-night taxi
no idea but collecting a list of numbers for Taxi drivers is a good idea
if we have a bad earthquake/tremor
Up to you, leave or stay. If someone is injured call Alto al Crimen
if I want to know if the electricity will resume today, and what is the problem
Call Union Fenosa or just wait
if a tree has blown down across the road
Actually, for a flat tire, key locked in, out of fuel, breakdown etc. a person can call their insurer for Roadside Assistance. All policies that I have Magda place on vehicles have this coverage.
Thanks Lee. Poor Rodny, he will be a busy guy.