Power On - Power Off
A Strange Story
Week 8, day 5.
I love Panamá today even more than in weeks 1-7 - even though the strangest things are happening.
You see, I am writing this account from my new second office, a lovely resto near my first office.
Why?
Let me begin with...
Monday night.
At 5:30 pm, a heavy rain shower blessed the city. At nearly the same time the downpour started, the power went off. Not just in my building, but in the other four in the immediate area.
I know that, because as dusk set in, none had a shimmer of light, except that reflected from the city below, the colorful storefronts, bars, and restaurants. Laser beams mystically painted themselves on the windows on the surrounding buildings. It was nice. There is a fan on my balcony ceiling. But fans are no good, unless you have power and a breeze, or both. The temperature regardless of rain was about 90 F.
No A/C. No fan. It was humid and hot. I could have gone out, but I expected the power to come back on within minutes.
r0n or I didn't exist
I was due to sound check 
I made an executive decision:
I went to bed.
I dozed off...
...leaving the fan switch on so I would know that when the cool air caressing my overheated body was a sign that the power came back on. It happened....
Nine Hours Later
It was 2:30 AM when the apartment finally cooled down, A/C and fans doing what they like to do... I didn't get my Monday post out and decided it was a good time to do so now. After a quick shower, a strong Cuban Expresso and some monents on the balcony to enjoy the rare quiteness of Panamá City, I got to work.
Needless to say that I was knackered by 7 PM, still on the phone with biz partner and friends.
Tuesday 8 AM Sharp...
Dang... The dreadded beep of some failing appliance. Power cut. I peeked outside and noticed that no other building seem to have been affected. Still a bit on the tired side, I decided to take a nap - they call it siesta. Siesta Siesta Panamaaahaaa.....
When I awoke it was 12:30 PM. Still no power.
I decided to inform my landlord.
He replied:
I am investigating.
Suddenly, the power came back on.
Moments later, his sister in law is at my door, making sure I had power again.
I SCRAMBLED to put some clothes on, and my hat.
She is a nice lady. Her husband a CEO at some major retailer. She informs me ecstatically, having seen Studio 21, that her hubby would probably love to talk to me as he is interested in music productions.
About an hour later, senora CEO leaves, and leaves behind her oversized umbrella.
Wednesday 10:07: DANG
Again, the power is cut off. Landlord now says this:
The explanation I received was confusing.
The previous tenants had moved out some six months ago. The electicity bill was in their name. I dawned on me, this is a problem: In Panamá, not just about anybody can pay a bill. It has to be the person in whose name the bill is in. With the previous tenants having left the county, even the landlord had difficulties transferring the electricity account back in his name. And here is the scorcher: No electricity bill, which are left at your apartment door, has been issued. Not in any name. Because of that, the power company shut my power off. Frezzer, AC and all.
Finally, the landlord manages to have the power turned back on.
A Slow Fire Department?
The reason he says, is the fire department. Because the account holder has changed, they need to do a safety inspection. Sensible thing I am thinking given the nearly 30 story buildings with many tenants. He adds, the fire department is notoriously slow when it comes to issuing safety certificates.
Never mind my safety being compromised by cutting off power to my home. Overheating, food going bad... these things.
I am a tough guy and don't get aggrevated but I do make clear to my landlord the implications. He understands.
Thursday, today, 12 Noon - Dang!
Power: Off. I get on the phone and let Jose know. 21 minutes later, the A/C comes back on.
In the meantime, I spoke to r0n, letting him know that there was a chance that I wouldn't be able to broadcast this week. He advises to get a UPS (Uninteruppted Power Supply) and an electric generator.
The UPS I got from PriceSmart this morning. The generator I am still looking to get the right one.
So, you see, its not that bad. It's actually funny!
Just as well I am cool about it ,sorta, even though it gets quite hot.
That said, as a professional OPS guy, I think Panamá makes life unnecessarily difficult at times for itself, and I wonder, if I may be able to help organizations, perhaps even the government to look at their processes and make them more sensible and efficient.
Frequency Bid
On another note, my lawyer informed me that there are two ways to obtain a FM frequency here in Panamá. One is to put out a tender - the opportunity arises twice a year, or to rent one. If I win a tender, the cost is USD 500 p.a. If I rent one, the cost could be as high as USD 5-10,000 per month. Guess where I put my money? Update to follow. Steemit Radio FM from Panamá may become a reality.
I hope you enjoyed my little update from Panamá? I had fun writing it. BTW, the second Tequilla just arrived. Just as well I finished the post.
Proud Supporter of PAL and the - The Minnow SupportProject
Christopher "The Hat" Hatfield
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