He had overheard my most recent session with Rocket Language, Spanish.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Rocket Language. My biggest surprise was that it records your attempts at speaking Spanish.
This is huge for me.
I am terrible at pronunciation.
Often, I think I am saying a Spanish word correctly, but my family assures me that I am not!
Rocket Language encourages me to speak Spanish out loud. And it's feedback system helps me to improve my spoken Spanish.
With Rocket Language, I feel comfortable saying a hard word over and over until I am saying it correctly. It is radically different from my past study techniques.
In a class, your teacher usually won't keep after you for too long. It can be discouraging for both of you. Or they are happy with, good enough. In a book, or even with CDs or videos, you have no way of knowing if you are saying the words correctly or not.
Rocket language has a microphone that records your attempts at speaking Spanish. (Check out the image of how that looks.)
The recording system (Rocket Record) records, rates, and transcribes what you say (in green).
The rating and transcription system does not always work well. But really the most useful feature is the recording. That is, the ability to hear yourself speak, and to immediately hear the "teacher" say it correctly.
With those 2 tools you can immediately discover how well you are speaking, and what you need to do to correctly say the Spanish words.
I have found the recording system invaluable.
One of my biggest stumbling blocks to surging toward fluency, is consistency. It is difficult to even remember to study every day.
Here in Panama, I do speak Spanish everyday. But that doesn't mean I speak Spanish better each day.
If I don't actively try to improve my Spanish, I simply repeat the same poor Spanish every day. In this way, Rocket Language does try to help you. It keeps track of how often and how long you use the course. (See the image above for the tracking system.)
I am finding it so useful that I actually bought the program. If you know me, you know that is a big deal. I don't purchase things lightly.
I had been using the free trial version of Rocket Language. The free trial allows you to delve into a few lessons at each of its 3 levels. I particulary like that even with the free trial you get lifetime access. It took me a week after I signed up, to start taking one of the classes.
In the free trial, you only have access to a few classes in each level of Spanish classes. But it is enough to get you started and to find out if you like Rocket Language.
It was enough for me to decide to buy into Rocket Language.
Of course, for someone like me, it is also reassuring to know that I have 60 days to ask for a full refund. So if I find that I don't actually use it, I will ask for a refund. But I hope that I do use it - and consistently. I really want to improve my Spanish.
My Spanish is improving by my actively using Rocket Language. I recommend you check it out and see if it works for you too. Read over this Rocket Language review and see if you agree.
You can get the free trial here.
If you want to jump right in and become a full-fledged member, you can join Rocket Language here.
There are a number of membership options depending upon your goals and current level of Spanish. Right now there is a discount on membership. If it is over when you click, there is likely to be another discount again in a few months.
Remember you have 60 days to cancel and get a full refund. I'll update this review if I decide to get a refund. Right now it seems highly unlikely.
If you are looking for tips on how to learn any language, you should download the free pdf. You can do it here, or click on the image at the top of this page.
I will also be testing out other online Spanish classes and programs in the future. I want to know what is out there and how they compare to Rocket Language. So stayed tuned for future reviews.
In the meantime, I created a short summary of the online Spanish classes or programs. Programs that use technology to make it more fun & easier to learn Spanish. If you are interested in exploring other options, you may want to start with those online Spanish programs.
I also highly recommend you check out Rocket Language. At least their free trial.
Watch this interview with the organizer, Irma Guerra, and the volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Roberto Crespo.
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At first, an organization in David, Voz de las Animales, had conducted a monthly animal clinic in Puerto Armuelles. But after a year they stopped.
Then Dr. Crespo asked Irma if she was willing to organize the monthly clinic in Puerto Armuelles. If she was, he would continue to come down from David for the clinic. Irma was willing and Voluntarios Por Los Animales - Puerto Armuelles was born.
One of the volunteers owns Coco's place, a hotel in Puerto Armuelles, and that is where the clinic is held.
Voluntarios Por Los Animales - Puerto Armuelles has a facebook page.
Please like it. Upload any photos you have from the clinic, and let people know about this organization.
I am sure the page will expand and provide more information on how you can help as the organization grows.
Help with any of the items below would be tremendously appreciated.
You can also collect money for them. To make it look official and consistent, they have a wrapper for you to cover your collection jar.
If you would like a collection jar wrapper, please contact Irma. I had a downloadable version on this page but was asked to remove it. The organization would like more control over who is collecting money using official-looking collection jars.
One woman taxi driver in Puerto Armuelles collects donations from her riders. You can also donate at the clinic itself. They have a collection jar at each clinic, ready for your generous contribution.
Important
If you station a collection cup in a location, you are responsible for collecting the money and getting it to Irma. You can always bring it to one of the monthly clinics.
Do not feed your pet for at least 12 hours before the procedure.
If possible, you should call to say you are bringing your animal to the next clinic. Animals are seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Call Irma to make a reservation or to volunteer - 6230-3623
I went during the January 23rd clinic. I had planned to bring our dog, Ziggy, to be neutered in the morning. Unfortunately, my daughter forgot and fed our dog that morning. I went by the clinic simply to say, sorry I didn't bring my dog, I will next month.
Both Dr. Crespo and Irma were wonderful to talk with. I had planned on interviewing them sometimes, but not that day. But there was a lull in their patients, they were willing, and it just felt right. That is why the video is a little shaky and rough. I didn't bring a tripod or microphone. But hopefully, it is enjoyable anyway.
I happily accepted when Irma asked if I would publish photos of animals ready for adoption.
She will send them to me every month.
For instance, the photo here of a cat that is available to be to adopt now.
In the video, she stated she has 2 cats to adopt. But I think one was adopted already. This cat is only 3 months old and very adorable.
The 6 puppies Irma mentions in the video will not be ready to adopt until February 20th. That is the day of the next clinic. They will be spayed at that time.
So check back next month for photos of those 6 puppies for adoption.
1. You must wear a shirt while driving.
It sounds silly, but its true. I know people who have gotten tickets for ignoring this law. Keep your shirt on while driving, even if the AC goes out.
2. If you run over a chicken, you must pay for it.
It is expected that if you kill someone's chicken, you will stop and find out who owns it. You will then pay for the chicken. Depending upon the age and size of the chicken and the attitude of the owner, it could cost you $5 - $15.
It is unlikely that you will be tracked down if you don't do this, but you should. For some people, that chicken may be the difference between eating or not.
I had forgotten to mention those items in my longer and more detailed post about driving in Panama. That post covers items like cell phone use, seat belts, insurance, and what type of driver's license you need to have.
In that post, I also discuss I what it is like to share the road with erratic taxis and more.
I hope you don't hit any chickens during your Panama travels.
One of the things that makes this property so special is that it's on a ravine so it has an abundance of trees and tropical birds.
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Also, it is only 90 feet from our favorite beach.
The house is in the popular Corazon de Jesus neighborhood of Puerto Armuelles. A neighborhood that is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Puerto Armuelles.
The other day I took these photos (below) of and by this house for sale.
This link has more photos and details about this beach house for sale in Puerto Armuelles Panama
The statue is what initially attracted me to the hotel. But once I entered the lobby, I realized there were many more architectural novelties yet to come.
Even before I reached the front desk I was immediately struck by the chaos of the interior design.
The lobby looked as if 100 different interior designers, all with an affinity for patterns, had decided that they would, individually, decorate the hotel as they saw fit, without any regard for consistency or order.
The end result is very "unique" and "interesting". For example, the bar looks like a Victorian sitting room. The only difference is that, in the hotel bar, all the beautifully carved "Victorian" wooden furniture had been painted varying shades of blues and cotton candy pinks.
Though the atmosphere was chaotic it did serve some purpose; it was a great conversation starter. Even though I could go on and on about the lobby, for hours on end, I won't because it is now time to move on to the most important part of any hotel: the rooms.
The rooms vary in price and size. The largest and most expensive rooms being the Executive suite and the most inexpensive being the Standard room (no breakfast included). By far the best value room package is the Standard double, with breakfast included. It is well worth it to have breakfast included.
To me, the best perk of this hotel is its amazing air conditioning. Unlike many other Panama hotels, the air conditioning at the Granada really works. It can actually feel cold in the room.
The standard rooms are a bit bland, especially compared with the colorful decor in the lobby. Also they lack some basic essentials such as a coffee maker, ironing board, and the usual generic watercolor prints on the walls.
Rianda Granada is conveniently located in the El Congrejo neighborhood. The receptionists are attentive and speak English well. The breakfast is excellent. It also has both a gym and a pool. You can easily walk to a number of good restaurants, shopping centers, and various Panama City landmarks from the hotel.
Other than the helter-skelter aesthetic of the interior, this is a great place to stay.
You can see the tripadvisor reviews of hotel Riande Granada, here.
This article was written by my 14 year old daughter, Skylar Vayda. Over the next 3 months, Skylar will be writing a Panama-related article each week. She will pick the topic. We hope you enjoy them.
January 14, 2016
Photo taken in Boquete, but not at the flower festival. We'll be going for the 1st time this yearThe festival is a huge celebration. Thousands of people flock to Boquete to see it.
So don't expect to get a last minute hotel reservations. People reserve rooms months in advance. However, you may be able to find a hotel room about 30 minutes away in David.
I must admit that so far the crowds have always kept us away from the festival.
But this year we are going! I am looking forward to it. I will write up our review of the festival once we go.
Now that our younger daughter, Blaise, is getting older, it is easier & more fun to go to these bigger event. (She is now 9 years old.) Blaise tolerated our participation in the Boquete Jazz festival last year. But I think she will enjoy this festival much more. Not only does she love flowers, but there are amusement rides and more vendors of both food and crafts.
BTW the Boquete Jazz festival is February 25-28 this year. To learn more about Jazz festival, read about our visit to the 2015 Boquete Jazz festival.
I hear that during the 10-day flower and coffee celebration, the Boquete fairgrounds overflows with lush fill landscaping and flower displays. People spruce up their own gardens as well. You also get many opportunities to enjoy a cup of local coffee. And there are many food stands, live music, amusement rides, handicrafts booths, and more.
If you miss the festival, you can still see the flower displays thru April. You can get in to see them for only $1.
The flower fair is located at Boquete's fairgrounds along the Caldera River, near downtown Boquete.
Also, in mid-April, Boquete holds the same kind of festival, but much smaller. This one is the Orchid Festival (Feria de Orquídeas). It last for 4 days. Many orchids bloom in April, so it is an ideal time for local orchid growers to show off their orchids.
People carefully consider how to greet the new year here.
My guess is that many Panamanians, and others around the world, will greet the Year on the dance floor with a glass in hand. Not a bad way start to 2016.
I love to travel. Luckily for me, my family and I will be in an airport at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Read about the many New Year customs and traditions in Panama here. Many are quite unusual, like the one in the photo above.
New Year’s Eve is an big event in Panama.
Everyone is in great spirits and ready to party!
If you will be in Panama for New Year's Eve, you also need to plan ahead.
Often for big holidays you can not buy alcohol in grocery stores for a specific period of time. I'm not sure that will happen on New Year's eve, but it is worth asking about before New Year's Eve. But you can always go to a bar, of course.
December 10, 2015
Never smuggle a gun into Panama. Always declare your gun if going through customs. The jail time in Panama for having a gun with no permit is big and automatic - no ifs, ands, or buts allowed.
(scroll down for a story about a former police chief who didn't have a permit)
You need the following to qualify for a gun permit in Panama.
It takes about 3 - 6 months to get a gun permit.
Because of these requirements, you won’t find your gardener or the average guy carrying a gun in Panama.
If you are buying the gun in Panama, the gun shop owner will know, and initiate, the process. You will need to show him or her your residency visa. You will also pee in a cup there (your urine sample) and get the form & info on getting your blood test. The shop owner will send all the paperwork to the police department.
More than one gun can be bought at the same time and go through the permitting process. There is no limit to the number of guns you can buy.
Guns cost about 50% more in Panama than in the States. However, importing guns is a huge pain in the neck. You might want to save yourself the grief and buy your guns in Panama.
To import your guns, you also start at a Panama gun shop. They will help you apply for an importation permit. You may need to enlist the help of licensed gun dealer to export your guns as well. You need to check with your country of origin to find that out.
The importation permit process is similar to the gun permit process. Also you will need to ship, by Fed Ex or such, your unloaded gun and all your paperwork from both countries to Panama. Then the wait begins.
Your guns will be stored in a non-climate controlled, rust-inducing, government warehouse somewhere in Panama. You need to pay an import duty based on the value of the gun, which can be steep. You may need to hire a custom broker to get you through the process.
You may want to skip this entire process and buy a gun in Panama. If you really must have a gun, that is.
Only the USA, Czech Republic & Switzerland are better to gun owners, according to Guns & Ammo.
Panama is very safe.
The Pinkerton Intelligence Agency has given Panama the highest rating for tourist safety. You are very unlikely to ever need a gun to defend yourself or your loved ones in Panama.
A gun permit in Panama automatically includes permission to carry a concealed gun.
In fact, if you carry a gun in Panama, it MUST be concealed.
You are not allowed to take a gun (concealed or otherwise) into banks, bars, nightclubs, and certain other financial or government buildings.
Surprisingly, you can take a gun to the airport in Panama. You must declare your gun to a security guard and give him a copy of the permit for that gun. The guard will take the gun to your airline to be shipped. You then pick it up when you get to your destination. Of course, you may want to check out the firearms rules at your destination airport.
You cannot own any fully automatic firearms.
You can buy handguns (Glocks, semi-automatic handguns, revolvers), rifles and shotguns. Again, no fully automatic guns are allowed. You can have hi-capacity magazines in any type gun, no restrictions. You can have semi-auto rifles and handguns.
Silencers and armor piercing ammo are not allowed. Hollow points, high speed light weight defensive rounds, etc. are fine.
You can legally buy, sell, and receive guns in Panama. It just takes time to get the permit.
You can own as many guns as you want. Keep in mind, there is no big game in Panama, so you won't need any big gauge hunting guns.
Earlier this month, Gustavo Pérez, Panama's former National Police chief and national security director was sentenced to 64 months in jail for owning guns without a permit.
Armed with a warrant for Pérez’s arrest, the police raided Pérez's house to search for illegal electronic eavesdropping used during the Martinelli administration. Police and prosecutors didn’t find any spy equipment.
However, they did find two 9 millimeter pistols, a .38 revolver, and a submachine gun. One of the pistols was registered as National Police property. Pérez had no permit for any of the firearms, so he was charged with that. He had inherited the weapons from his father, also a former National Police chief.
I don't know what the response to the discovery of these weapons would be if Pérez were in good graces. But he is very much on the outs with both the police and with the Varela administration. Pérez already had a warrant for his arrest due to his illegal spying. Also during Martinelli's adminstration, both Pérez and Martinelli had fired more than 2,000 cops. Not only did they fire almost all of the country's homicide detectives, but many police officers in the upper ranks as well. Martinelli replaced these cops by promoting people that he and Pérez liked. So I imagine that the arrest and sentencing was politically, as well evidence, motivated.
Had the judge decided to throw the book at Pérez, as prosecutors had asked, the former chief could have been handed a 10-year prison sentence. The judge was said to take into account that Pérez had not lied or tired to stall the case, so he made the sentence 64 months instead.
The judge, Mr. Carrasquilla, ruled that the laws on gun registration and permits apply “even when a person holds high positions in the field of security and public order.”
Pérez also awaits trial on invasion of privacy charges and has been under investigation for purportedly improper purchases when he was police chief and later national security director. He is incarcerated where Manuel Antonio Noriega and several other politically connected prisoners are held, El Renacer Penitentiary near Gamboa.
If you must own a gun in Panama, get a permit!
Sources:
The last time I studied Spanish seriously there were a few software language programs, but almost no online options.
In those days, I tried to learn Spanish the way people have been doing it forever:
That way still works. But it didn't work that well for me. I found that you must be very self-motivated to move beyond basic Spanish using the old methods.
I have now reviewed a number of online language courses out there. Not all, but some are different from traditional methods. And some have integrated ways to boost your motivation.
The programs I liked:
So far, I have been much more excited and motivated to learn using the more innovative online programs than I ever was using the more traditional book and classroom approach.
One of the biggest difference between the programs is if you are asked to actually speak Spanish.
For me this is critical. I can write, read, and understand Spanish pretty well. Speaking it is much harder for me.
I have pronunciation issues in English. After a lifetime of work, I have overcome many of those issues. When I try to speak Spanish it all comes back. Spanish not only uses more words to say the same thing as in English but many of those words are dismayingly long. I literally feel like I get lost in the middle of those many long multisyllabic words in Spanish.
Even if you have no speech issues, making yourself understood in a foreign language is the biggest hurdle.
4 of these 6 online programs require that you speak Spanish.
I was surprised at the differences in the various online programs.
For instance, Rocket Language, Fluent-in-3-months, Duolingo, and especially Fluentu use very different approaches. But all 4 use online technology to make learning Spanish more fun.
So which program is best for you? To find out you should ask yourself at least 2 questions:
Keep your answers to those questions in mind when evaluating each program. You will choose different programs if your goal is to learn medical terminology vs chatting up a senorita.
I will be reviewing many of these online Spanish programs. Check those out to help you decide which is best for you. You can also use the links above to start reviewing those programs yourself.
1st up for review is Rocket Language. Here is the link to my Rocket Language review.
2nd up, I will review the Fluent-in-3 months program, and others to follow.
