Are there any English-speaking churches in Mexico?
Vincent Lenctioni
In Mexico City, there are two Catholic parishes that offer mass in English on Sundays. One is at St. Patrick's Parish near the American School and the ABC Hospital. However, the mass that has more people and all of the ex pats is at Lourdes Parish (Castillo de Chapultepec 70, Lomas de Reforma in Western Mexico City). English mass is at 11 AM on Sundays, confession from 10 to 11 AM.
In Mexico City, there are two Catholic parishes that offer mass in English on Sundays. One is at St. Patrick's Parish near the American School and the ABC Hospital. However, the mass that has more people and all of the ex pats is at Lourdes Parish (Castillo de Chapultepec 70, Lomas de Reforma in Western Mexico City). English mass is at 11 AM on Sundays, confession from 10 to 11 AM.
What would my neighbors be like in Managua, Nicaragua?
Kent Payne
In Managua proper itself, your neighbors can be anything. You can be staying next door to the cousin of the local ambassador or there are some areas where you might be living next door to a guy who runs one of the textile mills. You can have anything, and there are people from all over the world that who in the Managua proper itself. I’ve met Russians, Polish, Czechoslovakians Taiwanese, and Koreans. (South Korea’s got a large contingency of people here that...
In Managua proper itself, your neighbors can be anything. You can be staying next door to the cousin of the local ambassador or there are some areas where you might be living next door to a guy who runs one of the textile mills. You can have anything, and there are people from all over the world that who in the Managua proper itself. I’ve met Russians, Polish, Czechoslovakians Taiwanese, and Koreans. (South Korea’s got a large contingency of people here that are doing business.)
At Gran Pacifica, you have a mix as well. 40% are from Canada, about 50% from United States, and 10% from Nicaragua. There are also others, from places like Mexico, Spain, Hungary and Russia.
How many Americans and Canadians and other expats live in the Pedasi, Azuero, Panama area?
Nelson Vega
Pedasi is a village with more or less a population of 2,000 locals. Although the area has been on the radar for quite some time now for expats, the development is still fresh, so it is difficult to determine how many expats live in the region. Probably the number is not in the hundreds, but for sure it is growing since this section of the country is gaining more and more attention.
Pedasi is a village with more or less a population of 2,000 locals. Although the area has been on the radar for quite some time now for expats, the development is still fresh, so it is difficult to determine how many expats live in the region. Probably the number is not in the hundreds, but for sure it is growing since this section of the country is gaining more and more attention.
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
The Portuguese Constitution assures the principle of private ownership of assets regardless of the nationality of the owner. Thus there is no risk of confiscation by the Government authorities. Please note that the Constitution prevails over any law that exists in the country and can only be changed with a qualified majority in the Parliament which is hard to obtain and will (based on the last 40 years of democracy) always require the two main parties (which are both moderate parties) to...
The Portuguese Constitution assures the principle of private ownership of assets regardless of the nationality of the owner. Thus there is no risk of confiscation by the Government authorities. Please note that the Constitution prevails over any law that exists in the country and can only be changed with a qualified majority in the Parliament which is hard to obtain and will (based on the last 40 years of democracy) always require the two main parties (which are both moderate parties) to approve it.
Besides the protection afforded by the Portuguese Constitution, there is also the European Union rules and the European Union Courts that would also stop this from occurring, as it violates all rules and principles that are in place.
This is not a risk in Portugal as it would mean a complete revolution in the political scenario and in the population’s mentality as there is a tradition of private ownership in Portugal since the day of its foundation back in the year of 1143.
The only legal and possible reason for the Government to assume the ownership of private assets in Portugal is in cases of expropriation for public interest (for example, private land that is required to be transferred to the government for the construction of a highway) in which case the expropriation law would be applied which will allow the owner to receive a fair compensation for its assets calculated on market value prices and supervised by a court judge.
Regarding banks, there were banks that failed during this crisis as in most of other European countries. Nevertheless, the process of bailout made by the Portuguese Government and the European Union did not affect the deposits that existed in those banks.
(The Couros River near Guimarães, a town that precedes the settlement of Portugal, pictured.)
What are the best and worst things about living and retiring in Ambergris Caye?
Melisa Ayala
The best thing about living in Ambergris Caye is that it’s laid back and it’s very peaceful. At Gran Baymen, which is where I work, it is close to town but not as far off. It’s peaceful, yet convenient.
It’s also the worst thing in Ambergris Caye that we’re so laid back. As Belizeans we take days to get one thing done and that is one of the complaints that we receive from Americans. If you, for example, are trying to get a...
The best thing about living in Ambergris Caye is that it’s laid back and it’s very peaceful. At Gran Baymen, which is where I work, it is close to town but not as far off. It’s peaceful, yet convenient.
It’s also the worst thing in Ambergris Caye that we’re so laid back. As Belizeans we take days to get one thing done and that is one of the complaints that we receive from Americans. If you, for example, are trying to get a legal settlement or legal issue resolved that usually takes a month in the States, here, it takes 3 months. Being pretty laid back both an advantage and disadvantage.
I just heard recently that one of our tenants was complaining and saying, “Oh my God, you are not done with my paperwork yet.” And we said, “Yes, Belizeans are terribly laidback.” And he said, “Yeah, I understand that.” To get one paperwork done takes forever. So it’s a pro and a con at the same time.
Here are two contrasting characters who have crossed our path in the neighborhood. One is well-known for being homeless and without possessions, the other well-known for being the first woman from Central America and from Guatemala to plant the country’s flag on top of Mount Everest. Andrea Cardona’s story is available for anyone to read on the internet, but our connection to her is told here. The only ones who know of Cave Man’s notoriety live around this area. He...
The Guna Yala´s, from San Blas, Darién, Republic of Panamá
Ethnic facts:
The people living in this region were first called "Tunelagá". Then after their 1925 rebellion, their name was changed to "Republic of Tulé". According to historical information, this community was helped by a Canadian adventurer named Richard Marsh . Then, they were known as the "San Blas district", and their name was based on the first name that...
In 2006, on an early trip to Panama, I encountered Santa, Frosty the Snowman, and some other seasonal icons in front of an apartment building in Panama City. I stopped to say hello to them and to record with photographs my good fortune at having the pleasure of making their acquaintance. While engaged in the process, I noticed a Panamanian frantically waving his arms at me from the other end of the property. We walked towards each other, I very curious to see why he was so...
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The Portuguese Constitution assures the principle of private ownership of assets regardless of the nationality of the owner. Thus there is no risk of confiscation by the Government authorities. Please note that the Constitution prevails over any law that exists in the country and can only be changed with a qualified majority in the Parliament which is hard to obtain and will (based on the last 40 years of democracy) always require the two main parties (which are both moderate parties) to...
The best thing about living in Ambergris Caye is that it’s laid back and it’s very peaceful. At Gran Baymen, which is where I work, it is close to town but not as far off. It’s peaceful, yet convenient. 
Here are two contrasting characters who have crossed our path in the neighborhood. One is well-known for being homeless and without possessions, the other well-known for being the first woman from Central America and from Guatemala to plant the country’s flag on top of Mount Everest. Andrea Cardona’s story is available for anyone to read on the internet, but our connection to her is told here. The only ones who know of Cave Man’s notoriety live around this area. He...
rebellion, their name was changed to "Republic of Tulé". According to historical information, this community was helped by a Canadian adventurer named Richard Marsh . Then, they were known as the "San Blas district", and their name was based on the first name that...