Hi John, came across a old post of yours and now a follower, I've been In Panama over 10 years, and have done and seen many things here, I write a blog ( just started ) On my experiences-and-perspective-here.
What part of Panama did you settle in ? Before I bought and built, I learned from many disasters others have had.
Happy to have made contact and will read your posts from now on :-)
I just started here, and need to learn every thing but this is what I've done so far:
My Panama Blogs so far :

• 1. Sunday is Funday in Panama !
• 2. The People Here - A rough Guide
• 3. Ants ! - Fascinating, Frustrating & Mass-Murder !
• 4. Biting Bugs & Shivering
• 5. Please Bare with me as my Blog Evolves
• 6. RAIN ! Sent from Heaven or Hell ?
• 7. Power Surges & Lightning strikes
  Hope you enjoy & follow for more
  Cheers