Comments for Future Expats Forum http://futureexpats.com Create an Untethered Life Overseas Wed, 16 May 2012 16:23:23 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Getting Around in Panama Without a Car by Jared http://futureexpats.com/getting-around-in-panama-without-a-car/comment-page-1#comment-26212 Jared Wed, 16 May 2012 16:23:23 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6699#comment-26212 I can't believe how affordable their public transportation is! I noticed buses everywhere are getting more crowded. It is a greener way to go, you don't have to drive and it does save money. You just have the follow the schedule to make sure you get where you need to go on time. I can’t believe how affordable their public transportation is! I noticed buses everywhere are getting more crowded. It is a greener way to go, you don’t have to drive and it does save money. You just have the follow the schedule to make sure you get where you need to go on time.

]]> Comment on Transporting the Dogs: Bringing our Pets to Panama by FutureExpat http://futureexpats.com/transporting-the-dogs-bringing-our-pets-to-panama/comment-page-1#comment-26211 FutureExpat Wed, 09 May 2012 23:37:28 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6674#comment-26211 Linda, I'm not sure when they changed the rules -- some time between last October when I talked with an agent from American Airlines, and a few weeks ago. . . but it certainly caught us by surprise. I think we still would have tackled it ourselves had it not been for the added level of uncertainty and expense dealing with the heat restrictions in Orlando, Miami and Panama City. After living in limbo for several months (we vacated our house near the end of February), my poor husband just couldn't face it. By using the pros, they were able to send the dogs on a non-passenger flight at night so the temperature restrictions were not an issue. . . Anyway, I'm just glad it all worked out. And kudos to you for handling your pet move on your own! I understand the paperwork is even more complicated when you're flying into Britain and other EU countries. . . Linda, I’m not sure when they changed the rules — some time between last October when I talked with an agent from American Airlines, and a few weeks ago. . . but it certainly caught us by surprise. I think we still would have tackled it ourselves had it not been for the added level of uncertainty and expense dealing with the heat restrictions in Orlando, Miami and Panama City. After living in limbo for several months (we vacated our house near the end of February), my poor husband just couldn’t face it. By using the pros, they were able to send the dogs on a non-passenger flight at night so the temperature restrictions were not an issue. . .

Anyway, I’m just glad it all worked out. And kudos to you for handling your pet move on your own! I understand the paperwork is even more complicated when you’re flying into Britain and other EU countries. . .

]]> Comment on Transporting the Dogs: Bringing our Pets to Panama by linda@adventuresinexpatland.com http://futureexpats.com/transporting-the-dogs-bringing-our-pets-to-panama/comment-page-1#comment-26210 linda@adventuresinexpatland.com Wed, 09 May 2012 09:37:09 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6674#comment-26210 Glad your dogs are safe and sound with you. I'm not surprised by the one pet per kennel rule as that's been in effect for international flights for quite some time. All it takes is one pet panicking to rile the other, and it can get nasty even among the closest of animals. Obviously paying a professional worked for you. For others who don't want to go to that trouble or expense, another option is to arrange for a good friend (better yet, hire someone) to help you with luggage, pet kennels, etc. on both ends. I flew with my two children, 3 kennels and lots of luggage in July on an international flight from DC to Amsterdam. Yes, it was hectic, but the shuttle driver picking us up from car rental return was patient as we loaded/unloaded everything. Check-in took longer than usual because the airlines' manager had to teach the newer employee how to process the pet paperwork; TSA review was a hassle (removal of each animal for security check of the kennels). Equally stressful on landing to get everything. I did have two kids to help carry and keep an eye on things, but when I do it again, I'll arrange for an adult on either end, even if I have to pay someone. Glad your dogs are safe and sound with you.

I’m not surprised by the one pet per kennel rule as that’s been in effect for international flights for quite some time. All it takes is one pet panicking to rile the other, and it can get nasty even among the closest of animals. Obviously paying a professional worked for you.

For others who don’t want to go to that trouble or expense, another option is to arrange for a good friend (better yet, hire someone) to help you with luggage, pet kennels, etc. on both ends. I flew with my two children, 3 kennels and lots of luggage in July on an international flight from DC to Amsterdam. Yes, it was hectic, but the shuttle driver picking us up from car rental return was patient as we loaded/unloaded everything. Check-in took longer than usual because the airlines’ manager had to teach the newer employee how to process the pet paperwork; TSA review was a hassle (removal of each animal for security check of the kennels). Equally stressful on landing to get everything. I did have two kids to help carry and keep an eye on things, but when I do it again, I’ll arrange for an adult on either end, even if I have to pay someone.

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by FutureExpat http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26209 FutureExpat Sun, 06 May 2012 18:31:41 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26209 Phil, I know they have cell phone shops in the airport, and I would imagine they'd all have English-speaking employees. You should be able to walk into any one of them to get a local SIM card, and prepaid service is quite affordable. I used Movistar, and now that my husband's arrived we're getting him set up on Claro so we can compare the two. I got my SIM card in Las Tablas when I arrived here, so I don't have any personal experience with it in Panama City. Let me know how it works out for you! Phil, I know they have cell phone shops in the airport, and I would imagine they’d all have English-speaking employees. You should be able to walk into any one of them to get a local SIM card, and prepaid service is quite affordable. I used Movistar, and now that my husband’s arrived we’re getting him set up on Claro so we can compare the two. I got my SIM card in Las Tablas when I arrived here, so I don’t have any personal experience with it in Panama City.

Let me know how it works out for you!

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by Phil http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26208 Phil Sun, 06 May 2012 03:38:03 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26208 Yes, the 3G/4G service works perfectly now. Of course when I got service (SIM card) from AT&T initially, I purchased a "data" plan -- which they require you to do if you have a smart phone. Because I had the data plan, I was supposed to automatically get the 3G/4G connection, which is why everyone (most of all, me) was so perplexed why this was not happening. The network setting did it--and while this seems (in retrospect) an obvious fix, it was not because the local AT&T store employees here have only used their own "locked" phones which apparently don't have these menu options, so they didn't know what to look for. I am traveling overseas soon and will see what I can do with the phone once I am out of the country (I will need to buy a SIM card in whatever area I happen to be for it to work, of course). First stop is Panama City on the 15th, I'll let you know if I can get it to work there. By the way, do you know, off hand, where I can get a SIM card in Panama City? I'm hoping there will be a booth at the airport selling them, but I don't know for sure. Thanks for the great blog, I really find it helpful -- and it is the number 1 reason why I am scouting Panama on this trip. Phil Yes, the 3G/4G service works perfectly now.

Of course when I got service (SIM card) from AT&T initially, I purchased a “data” plan — which they require you to do if you have a smart phone. Because I had the data plan, I was supposed to automatically get the 3G/4G connection, which is why everyone (most of all, me) was so perplexed why this was not happening. The network setting did it–and while this seems (in retrospect) an obvious fix, it was not because the local AT&T store employees here have only used their own “locked” phones which apparently don’t have these menu options, so they didn’t know what to look for.

I am traveling overseas soon and will see what I can do with the phone once I am out of the country (I will need to buy a SIM card in whatever area I happen to be for it to work, of course). First stop is Panama City on the 15th, I’ll let you know if I can get it to work there. By the way, do you know, off hand, where I can get a SIM card in Panama City? I’m hoping there will be a booth at the airport selling them, but I don’t know for sure.

Thanks for the great blog, I really find it helpful — and it is the number 1 reason why I am scouting Panama on this trip.

Phil

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by FutureExpat http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26207 FutureExpat Sat, 05 May 2012 17:02:30 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26207 Phil, that's very good to know! I'll take another look at mine. Is your phone able to use the 3G/4G network now that you've changed those settings? Phil, that’s very good to know! I’ll take another look at mine. Is your phone able to use the 3G/4G network now that you’ve changed those settings?

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by Phil http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26206 Phil Sat, 05 May 2012 14:29:50 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26206 I recently got an unlocked GSM smart phone (one destined for sale in the UK). It is my first smart phone and I confess to being very naive about the operation of these devices. I managed to get service from AT&T here in the states and it worked fine, except the internet was very slow -- seemed even slower than dial-up. I brought it into the AT&T local store and let some of the young employees there play with it. While they sell the same "locked" version, they were rather fascinated to play with an "international" phone -- and play with it they did, as they had no clue what was wrong. What I learned from these "kids".. err, I mean young employees, is you can't be afraid to play with your phone and change settings "just to see" what might happen. After a while it started working FAST! It seems there are "several" network settings and you need to go into that part of your menu system and try to find the right one. It might work for you too! Phil p.s. the mobile network setting on my phone is now set to GSM/WCDMA (AUTO MODE) -- your options may be called by different names. I recently got an unlocked GSM smart phone (one destined for sale in the UK). It is my first smart phone and I confess to being very naive about the operation of these devices. I managed to get service from AT&T here in the states and it worked fine, except the internet was very slow — seemed even slower than dial-up. I brought it into the AT&T local store and let some of the young employees there play with it. While they sell the same “locked” version, they were rather fascinated to play with an “international” phone — and play with it they did, as they had no clue what was wrong. What I learned from these “kids”.. err, I mean young employees, is you can’t be afraid to play with your phone and change settings “just to see” what might happen. After a while it started working FAST! It seems there are “several” network settings and you need to go into that part of your menu system and try to find the right one. It might work for you too!

Phil

p.s. the mobile network setting on my phone is now set to GSM/WCDMA (AUTO MODE) — your options may be called by different names.

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by FutureExpat http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26204 FutureExpat Wed, 02 May 2012 23:52:06 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26204 Rick, would be happy to share what I know about Las Tablas with you. Rick, would be happy to share what I know about Las Tablas with you.

]]> Comment on Traveling with Smart Phones by Rick Bird http://futureexpats.com/traveling-with-smart-phones/comment-page-1#comment-26203 Rick Bird Wed, 02 May 2012 20:44:24 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6614#comment-26203 Hey Susanna: enjoying your blog. Actually coming to Panama week of 5/14-20 and plan on making Las Tablas one of my stops. Any info on long term rentals and/or an overnight stay would be greatly appreciated. BTW I've had excellent comm using my IPad in Belize, and Ecuador, including Netflix, home town Internet radio, email etc. Also use Magic Jack on IPad for calls back to US. ($20 a year). :) Hope to hear from you. Rick Hey Susanna: enjoying your blog. Actually coming to Panama week of 5/14-20 and plan on making Las Tablas one of my stops. Any info on long term rentals and/or an overnight stay would be greatly appreciated.

BTW I’ve had excellent comm using my IPad in Belize, and Ecuador, including Netflix, home town Internet radio, email etc. Also use Magic Jack on IPad for calls back to US. ($20 a year). :)
Hope to hear from you.
Rick

]]> Comment on Your Portable Career — Beware the Unintended Consequences by FutureExpat http://futureexpats.com/portable-career-unintended-consequences/comment-page-1#comment-26201 FutureExpat Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:43:02 +0000 http://futureexpats.com/?p=6502#comment-26201 Wonder if I could work in my podcasts while walking instead of driving -- that's a good suggestion. Why didn't I think of that??? We get so used to doing certain things in different ways, sometimes we need another perspective to help solve our boondoggles as well. Wonder if I could work in my podcasts while walking instead of driving — that’s a good suggestion. Why didn’t I think of that??? We get so used to doing certain things in different ways, sometimes we need another perspective to help solve our boondoggles as well.

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