Escapes Panama Vol. 9

KunafromYala the air Desde el aire

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Abril - Mayo / April - May 2009

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16 Iglesias Sinagogas, Mezquitas y Templos Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

22 Ciudad de Panamá

50 Su Majesta El Plátano

54 El Glorioso Guayacan

His Highness the Plantain

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12 Escapes Fauna 52 Receta / Recipe 56 7 Diferencias / Differences

42 Kuna Yala desde el aire Kuna Yala from the air

Columna / Columns

Panama City

Amarillo

The Glorious Yellow Guayacan

64 Sabías Qué?

Did You Know?

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Bienvenido a bordo de Air Panama!

Welcome aboard Air Panama!

Gracias por elegir volar con nosotros.

We know that you have a choice and we appreciate your choosing us. We are proud to fly with you and, as always, your expectations are our inspiration.

Nos sentimos complacidos en anunciar nuestro nuevo avion el Saab 340D. El SAAB es un avi贸n c贸modo, moderno, turbopropulsado, con aire acondicionado, de fabricaci贸n sueca, con capacidad para 34 pasajeros, y maquinaria de General Electric. Como siempre estamos pensando en su comodidad contaran con asientos de cuero y los tiempos aproximados de vuelo a Bocas del Toro y David son de 40 minutos.

La f谩brica del SAAB, junto con General Electric, provee de un excelente servicio de mantenimiento y apoyo que nos asegura la calidad de servicio que usted se merece.

De mi parte, y de todo el equipo de Air Panama, que tenga un excelente viaje,

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We have recently taken delivery of the two latest additions to our fleet. It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the Saab 340D. It is a 34 passenger pressurized, air-conditioned turbo-prop aircraft that uses the efficient General Electric Engine. It will fly you or from David and Bocas in approximately 40 minutes time. As we are resolved to fly you in comfort, its well designed cabin is outfitted with comfortable leather seats.

On behalf of myself and the entire Air Panama staff, Have a Good Flight,

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Coatimundi

D

e todas las criaturas que existen en Panamá, los miembros de la familia Procyonidae – coatimundi kinkajou, mapache y el gato cola de anillo (cacomistle) pueden ser las más perdurables. De estos, el coatimundi es posiblemente el más conocido para cualquiera que haya pasado algún tiempo en Panamá, particularmente en la antigua Zona del Canal y las antiguas bases militares de Estados Unidos, donde era usualmente visto en pequeños grupos atravesando las carreteras en “fila india”, o ilegalmente mendigando en pequeñas pandillas para hacerse de cualquier sobra detrás de los establecimientos de comida.

Los Coatíes son altamente gregarios, normalmente son las hembras adultas y sus crías los que forman grupos de hasta 30 individuos, y ocasionalmente más. Pero es el macho adulto solitario quien es responsable del calificativo panameño, “gato solo”.

Con su largo y acentuado hocico, similar al del cerdo, decorado con delgadas rayas blancas que se extienden desde el “bozal” hasta los ojos, y su cola rayada, es difícil confundir al coatí con cualquier otro animal, aún con su primo, el mapache. Conocido localmente como el Gato Solo, el encantador coatí tiene el honor de encontrarse en la estampilla de la Zona del Canal publicada en 1948 conmemorando el 25

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f all of Panama’s creatures, the members of the Procyonidae family – coatimundi, kinkajou, raccoon and ring-tailed cat (cacomistle) – just might be the most enduring. Of those, the coatimundi is likely the most familiar to anyone who has spent much time in Panama, particularly the former Canal Zone military bases where it was usually seen in little groups parading across roads in single file, or illegally panhandling in mob formation for handouts and leftovers behind dining halls.

“Coatis” are highly gregarious, with several adult females and their immature offspring forming bands of up to 30 individuals, and occasionally more. It is the solitary adult male who is responsible for the Panamanian name, “gato solo” or “lonely cat.”

With its long, pointed and pig-like snout decorated with thin white streaks that extend from the muzzle between and over the eyes, and erect, striped tail it is hard to mistake the coati for any other animal, even its cousin the racoon.

Known locally as the Gato Solo, the charming coati has the distinction of being featured on a Canal Zone postage stamp issued in 1948 commemorating the 25th anniversary establishment of Barro Colorado.

aniversario de Barro Colorado.

El Coatí se clasifica dentro del género Nasua, el cual literalmente significa “el narizudo”. Posiblemente, no existe otro animal que merezca más su nombre. Ciertamente su nombre le viene dado por su nariz que además utiliza en su constante búsqueda de alimento y aventura.

Es extremadamente flexible, su hocico puede girar hasta 60 grados en cualquier dirección. Encuentra su alimento utilizando el olfato, más que la vista, olfateando en la tierra, y luego desenterrando o extrayendo debajo de las cortezas y hojas. Durante la época lluviosa, pasan la mayor parte del tiempo buscando alimento, tal como insectos y arañas.

Mientras que en la época seca, el coatí pasa su tiempo bajo árboles frutales.

Si algún animal merece ser llamado omnívoro, ése es el coatí. Come de todo, raíces y frutas, aves, lagartijas, insectos, roedores, serpientes y lo que pueda encontrar en un contenedor de basura. Sus patas delanteras poseen garras largas, poderosas y ligeramente curvas, que hacen que los coatís sean excelentes cavadores y trituradores. Ni siquiera las especies tóxicas logran evadirlos. Los coatís ruedan rápidamente entre sus patas a su presa invertebrada, tal como las arañas; matándolas rápidamente, a la vez que evitan ser mordidos o picados por ellas. El pelo, las cerdas y espinas que puedan hacer que la presa sea desagradable o difícil de comer, se las quitan. En cuanto a las presas vertebradas, tal como las lagartijas, las pican con las garras delanteras y las muerden rápidamente atravesándoles el cráneo.

Es muy entretenido observar al coatí, ya sea trepando o caminando. El Coatí trepa con facilidad pequeños árboles, pero tiene mayor dificultad subiendo los suaves troncos de los árboles más altos. El coatí doble articulado puede girar sus tobillos 180 grados y descender de los árboles boca abajo. Su cola no es prensil, es decir, no puede utilizarla para sujetarse, pero sí la utiliza para balancearse y equilibrarse durante su actividad en los árboles. Sorprendentemente, cuando se sienten amenazados, prefieren dirigirse a tierra

The coati is classed in the genus Nasua, which literally means “nosy one.” Perhaps no other animal lives up to its title better. Its nose certainly earns the title as the curious coati constantly uses it in its never-ending search for food and adventure.

Extremely flexible, the snout can be rotated up to 60 degrees in any direction. Food is found by smell rather than sight, by sniffing in the litter which is then is dug up or extracted from under bark, leaves, or clumps of debris. During the wet season, most of their foraging time is spent searching for animal foods such as insects and spiders. In the dry season, coatis spend their time under fruiting trees.

If ever an animal deserved to be labeled omnivorous, the coati does. It will eat anything – roots and fruits, birds, lizards, insects, rodents, snakes and trash can contents. The forefeet contain long, powerful, blunt, and slightly curved claws, making coatis excellent diggers and shredders. Even toxic species don’t detour them. Coatis quickly roll invertebrate prey, like spiders, between their paws, killing quickly while avoiding being bitten or stung. The hairs, bristles, and spines that may make the prey distasteful or difficult to eat are then removed. Vertebrate prey, such as lizards, are pinned with the forepaws and quickly bitten through the skull.

Climbing or walking, the coati is entertaining. Coatis easily climb small trees and vines, but have more difficulty climbing the smooth trunks of large trees. Double-jointed, they can rotate their ankles beyond 180° and descend trees headfirst. Their tail is not prehensile (that is, it cannot grasp), but does serve as a balancing tool during activity in trees.

Surprisingly, when coatis are frightened they run to ground rather than up trees. Running speed may reach 27 km/h.

Coatis are also strong swimmers and have been observed swimming in the Panama Canal.

Coatis are highly vocal, with a rich repertoire of specific vocalizations for aggression, appeasement, alarm, and sexual

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en lugar de trepar en los árboles. Corriendo puede llegar a los 27 km/h. Son además, buenos y resistentes nadadores; a veces han sido divisados nadando en las aguas de El Canal.

El Coatí es un experto emisor de sonidos, con un rico repertorio de vocalizaciones específicas para la agresión, apaciguamiento, alarma, y contacto sexual entre individuos. Ciertas vocalizaciones son sólo utilizadas en edades específicas o clases sexuales, entre miembros del grupo generalmente mucho más sociales que los solitarios machos adultos. También utilizan señales visuales, tales como subir la nariz, bajar la cabeza o mecer la cola de un lado a otro.

El Coatí comunica su humor o intenciones con sonidos de todo tipo, como gruñidos y ronquidos. Diferentes chirridos son utilizados para expresar alegría durante eventos sociales, hacer las paces luego de peleas, o para comunicar irritación o ira.

Bufar o resoplar mientras escarba, manteniendo la cola erecta, significa una señal territorial, y que el alimento hallado le pertenece. El Coatí, además, utiliza posturas especiales para comunicar simples mensajes; por ejemplo, esconder la nariz entre las garras delanteras es señal de sumisión; bajar la cabeza, mostrando los dientes y saltar hacia un enemigo significa una disposición agresiva. Los individuos reconocen otros coatíes por su apariencia, voces o sonidos y por el olor. El olor de cada individuo es intensificado por glándulas especiales ubicadas en sus cuellos y vientres.

Actualmente el Coatí se enfrenta a la cacería no regulada y a serias amenazas de destrucción de su hábitat en Centro y Sur América. Entre sus enemigos naturales están los zorros, los ocelotes, el jaguar, los halcones, las águilas y los seres humanos. La falta de un estudio científico en territorio salvaje, probablemente nos lleve a una severa subestimación del daño ecológico y disminución en número de la especie en Centro y Sur América.

Al parecer los coatíes no han logrado adaptarse exitosamente a la vida en las cercanías de los asentamientos humanos, como lo han hecho los mapaches en áreas metropolitanas de los Estados Unidos. Como resultado, el lugar más común para ver un coatí es el Parque Summit o la isla protegida Barro Colorado. El Summit tiene dos coatíes residentes, mientras que el visitante de Barro Colorado, podrá advertir que el coatí de nariz blanca es el mamífero más común en la comunidad. Es fácil verlos porque las hembras y los jóvenes son gregarios, ruidosos por naturaleza y muy activos durante el día. Los coatíes son relativamente numerosos en la isla, por lo que es fácil verlos aún en una corta caminata. Como resultado del contacto con científicos, muchos coatíes están habituados a la observación y no suelen huir de los humanos.

contact between individuals. Certain vocalizations are only given by specific age or sex classes, with band members generally much more vocal than solitary adult males. Visual signals are also used, and include nose-up, head-down, and tail-switching displays. The coati communicates its intentions or moods with chirping, snorting or grunting sounds.

Different chirping sounds are used to express joy during social grooming, appeasement after fights, or to convey irritation or anger. Snorting while digging, along with an erect tail, states territorial or food claims during foraging. Coatis additionally use special postures or moves to convey simple messages; for example, hiding the nose between the front paws as a sign for submission; lowering the head, baring teeth and jumping at an enemy signal an aggressive disposition. Individuals recognize other coatis by their looks, voices and odor, the individual smell is intensified by special musk-glands on their necks and bellies.

The coati faces unregulated hunting and the serious threat of environmental destruction in Central and South America.

Natural enemies include jaguarundis, foxes, tayras, ocelots, jaguars, hawks, eagles, and humans. The absence of scientifically sound population studies in the wild is probably leading to a severe underestimation of the ecological problems and decline in numbers affecting the species in Central and South America.

It does not appear that coatis have successfully adaptated to life in human proximity as have raccoons living in metropolitan areas in the U.S. As a result, the likliest place a visitor will see a coatis is at Summit Gardens or Barro Colorado Island. Summit has two resident coatis, while visitors to Barro Colorado Island usually find white-nosed coatis are the most obvious component of the mammal community.

They are readily seen because female coatis and young are gregarious and noisy by nature, and active during the day.

Coatis are relatively numerous on the island, so chances of encountering some coatis on a short walk are quite good. As a result of contacts with scientists, many coatis are habituated to observers and often do not flee from humans.

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IGLESIAS SINAGOGAS MEZQUITAS Y TEMPLOS

Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

por / by: Dr. Jorge Kam

Q

ue país extraordinario es Panamá. Costas en ambos Océanos. El país más angosto del continente americano. Un canal que permite comunicar el mundo del comercio y de los demás negocios de los hombres y mujeres. Un país multi étnico y multi racial… y también (¿adivinaron?): Pluri religioso.

Son pocos los países de nuestra América donde la libertad de culto es una práctica real… una vivencia y no un discurso… una práctica sin precondiciones… una práctica de coexistencia religiosa que va más allá de la tolerancia… porque tolerar es, en cierta manera, limitar al otro en su forma y esencia frente al que tolera.

Panamá es eso: un país abierto a la diversidad, en todo el sentido de la palabra: tenemos cristianos católicos, cristianos ortodoxos, cristianos protestantes, cristianos de las asambleas de Dios, cristianos de ninguna de las formas anteriores; judíos ortodoxos, judíos conservadores, judíos liberales, judíos reformistas, judíos por Jesucristo o cristianos que parecen judíos; musulmanes de todas las tendencias, Hare Krishna, Regla Lucumí o Santería, Wikas, Espiritistas como religión… ¡Vaya! Casi me voy con el gusto.

La verdad, tenemos todas las tendencias espirituales. Se me olvidaba tenemos shamanes, jaibanáes, zukias, tang, arwaes, magos, brujos y hechiceros… Eso es Panamá: una tierra bendita por el amor de dios…

Sin embargo, como país mayormente cristiano, permítanme resaltar algunos detalles de las Iglesias que encontramos en la Ciudad de Panamá, aquélla que llamamos Casco Antiguo. (Les aseguro que en otra entrega les contaré algunos detalles de las sinagogas y mezquitas de Panamá, ¡OK!) Si no lo saben, los mismos templos católicos que encontramos en la Panamá histórica o la “Vieja”, los encontramos en la Ciudad nueva de 1673. La Iglesia de la Merced (con un Cristo negro); la Iglesia de San José (con su famoso Altar de Oro); la Iglesia de San Francisco (con la Sala Capitular donde se realizó el Congreso anfictiónico en 1826), la Iglesia y Convento de los Jesuitas (donde se instaló la primera

W

hat an extraordinary country Panama is. Coasts on two oceans, the narrowest country in the Americas, a canal that allows the world of business to communicate, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and also… you guessed it….a religious multiplex.

There are few countries in America where cultural liberty is a practical reality… a lifestyle, not just contrived conversation…a practice without preconditions. There is a religious co-existence that goes beyond tolerance, because to tolerate, in a certain way, limits the essence and form of that which you claim to tolerate.

Panama is this: a country open to diversity in all senses of the word. We have Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians, Protestant Christians, Christians from the Assembly of God, and none of the above Christians. There are Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews, Liberal Jews, Reformed Jews and even Jews for Jesus, who are Christians that somehow look like Jews.

And, there is the entire scope of Muslims… Hare Krishna, Regla Lucumi or Santeria, Wikas, even spirit based religions. Wow!! The list could go on and on. The truth is we have every spiritual tendency. I forgot to mention the the variety of shamans, the jaibanes, zukias, tang, awaes, plus magicians, wizards, and witches…this is Panama, a land blessed with God’s love…

Without a doubt it is a predominately Christian country and, if you permit me, I would like to write about some of the churches in the old sector of the city, the Casco Antiguo. (the next time I will describe the Synagogues, and Mosques of Panama, o.k.!)

You may not have realized that the churches of the Casco Viejo, circa 1673, are the same ones that were founded in the historic Panama La Vieja, or Old Panama. La Iglesia de la Merced, (Grace Church) has a black Christ, La Iglesia de San Jose (St. Joseph’s) has the famous Golden altar, and La Iglesia de San Francisco (St. Francis) hosted the Latin American Congress of 1826 in its chapter room. There is

universidad del Istmo de Panamá); la Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo (donde se puede admirar el histórico Arco Chato); la Iglesia de San Felipe de Neri y la Iglesia Catedral.

Sobre la última quisiera comentar, como cosa curiosa lo siguiente: tomó 108 años construirla; originalmente fue de madera, se inauguró en el año de 1791; su costo fue de unos cuatro millones de dólares actuales; tres de sus campanas pertenecen a la antigua Catedral; sus torres tienen incrustaciones de concha nácar; sus puertas simbolizan a la divina trinidad, sus vitrales representan a cada una de las órdenes religiosas asentadas en Panamá; tiene siete escalones frente al altar que representan los sacramentos del catolicismo; hoy tiene nuevos monumentos e imágenes; pero, lo más llamativo son los retratos de todos los obispo que han ocupado la silla arzobispal. Es la Iglesia por antonomasia de las actividades oficiales del Estado.

Lo siento…. Están sonando las campanas y debo ir a rezar.

Seguimos en la próxima…

also the Jesuit church and convent, site of the first University on the isthmus, the church and convent of Santo Domingo where you can admire the historic flat arch, La Iglesia de San Felipe de Neri (St. Phillips), and the Cathedral.

I would like to elaborate on some curious facts about the last, the cathedral, which took 108 years to construct and was originally built of wood. It was inaugurated in 1791 and its construction cost $4,000,000. Three of its bells were previously in the cathedral at Old Panama and the bell towers are inlaid with mother of pearl. The doors of the cathedral represent the Holy Trinity, the stained glass windows illustrate all the holy orders embodied in Panama, and the seven stairs in front of the altar symbolize the Catholic sacraments. Today, there are new monuments and images, the most notable of these are the portraits of every bishop who has occupied the bishop’s chair. It is the official church for state activities.

Sorry…the church bells are ringing and I should pray.

More next time…

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Looking

Panama LookingPanama.com nace de la necesidad de innovar en la búsqueda de información actualizada de Panamá y manejo del Marketing en Internet.

El mundo está en constantes y grandes cambios, se habla mucho de innovación, estar de boca en boca, es por ello que LookingPanama.com hace publicidad para dar a conocer todos los rincones de nuestro país, de costa a costa y de frontera a frontera, para así llegar a diversos grupos de turistas que transitan en Panamá diariamente, así como a empresarios, profesionales, estudiantes y todas aquellas personas que por alguna razón quieren conocer más de Panamá.

La publicidad hoy en día se ha convertido en una necesidad indispensable para dar a conocer y posicionar un producto o servicio en el mercado y por ello te ofrecemos desde productos, servicios, noticias actualizadas día a día, una amplia información acerca de lugares turísticos y mucho más.

Nuestros principales objetivos son servir con excelencia a nuestros clientes satisfaciendo sus necesidades placenteras y de negocio, promoviendo nuevas ideas innovadoras con profesionales actualizados, motivados y comprometidos con la excelencia.

Fomentamos directamente una cultura creativa, apoyada con la última tecnología para lograr niveles óptimos de productividad y satisfacción de los clientes.

Nos comprometemos con la comunidad, con el turista y con el desarrollo integral de nuestro país.

Si quieres estar de boca en boca no dudes en pautar con nosotros.

En nuestra página también podrás crear tu propio espacio en la web, chequear calendario de eventos, las tasas de cambio para las principales monedas del mundo, si deseas comprar o vender un producto, ah y no podía faltar los principales lugares turísticos de nuestros país, y mucho más.

VISITANOS…

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Ciudad de

PANAMĂ City

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Dentures and Implants

J

on was so handsome, he could have worked as a fashion model. At 19, his broad shoulders, strong jaw line, and dark hair drew admiring glances from co-eds on the small midwestern campus where he was studying government affairs. Jon often zoomed from class to class on his bike, peddling with an effortless grace. It was not clumsiness or ineptitude that caused him to crash one blustery fall afternoon-just bad luck, the edge of his wheel catching an unseen concrete edge.

As he plunged downward, jon´s mouth hit the bike´s handlebar. And though he was able to get up dust himself off, jon immediately realized that the blow had knocked out one of his two front teeth. After a moment of searching, he found the missing incisor and hurried to the campus health center. He felt glum, but he told himself not to worry. It’s the 21st century, he reassured himself. They can fix these things.

His heart sank when the dentist on duty announced that the ejected tooth probably wouldn´t survive reimplantation; too much of the root has broken off. Instead the dentist explained him that he could grind down the two healthy teeth on either side of the new gap in jon´s mouth he would then make a “bridge” containing three teeth. The two caps would be cemented over jon´s two ground down incisors, and the middle tooth would fill the hole created by the accident.

This was the standard treatment for a lost front tooth, the dentist assured the student. The bridge would probably wear out every seven or eight years, and a new one would be required, the dentist acknoledge.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small metal post that serves as a substitute for a natural tooth lost. Inserted surgically into the jawbone, it provides a stable base upon which an artificial tooth can be anchored. The basic concept is so simple that it occurred to people thousands of years ago. Some even fashioned primitive implants that worked. When i was in my specialty, prosthodontics, at temple university in philadelphia, pa.; I was very skeptical because the implants in which i learned they where blade-vent implants and the surgery was very much bloody and agressive. As time pass by the development of the different types of implants and shapes of implants has developed to what we have right know. Very easy going systems that we can manage with some basic skills and of course knowledge in anatomy, fisiology and some knowledge even in engineering (materials and angles to develop good occlusion-bites).

What material are dental implants made from?

The crucial breakthough finally came in the 1950’s, with the identificaction of an ideal implant material:titanium.

A swedish medical doctor made this discovery. Per-ingvar branemark has been studying the way the bone heals. As part of that research, he had inserted a titanium chamber into the leg of a rabbit because it allowed him to study the animal´s bone marrow under a microscope. When he completed his observations several months later, he tried to removed the expensive piece of equipment and found to his annoyance that he couldn’t get it out. Bone had grown into the titanium, apparently fusing with it.

Like jon, millions of people have lost a tooth to injury or disease. And like the college student, many conclude there is no way to return to the state of wholeness they once enjoyed; able to eat any food that appealed to them, unimpeded in their speech, unselfconcious about their appearance, quick to smile.

In this belief, they are mistaken.

Over the past 35 years, we have been able to help literally thousands of individuals from every walk of life to recover from the disaster of tooth loss. The technological breakthrough that has enabled me and other dentists to do this is the modern dental implant. (Figure 0.1)

Figure 0.1 Comparison of natural tooth and crown with that of an implant and crown

It wasn´t until some time later that the significance of this emerged: here was a material that the body not only did not reject but the bone seemed to love. Titanium also did not appear to irritate skin and other soft tissue. Perhaps medical and dental implants should be made out of titanium, branemark’s research team began to think. Over the next ten years, they conducted extensive studies of the biomolecular processes that occur when titanium is placed in living tissue. By 1965, they treated their first patient, a 34 year old man who had been born with a deformed chin and jaw that made it impossible for him to speak or eat normally. Four post-shaped titanium implants were implanted in his jaw and allowed to heal. Later a set of false teeth was connected to them. The surgery transformed the patients life. Dr branemark presented his 15 year study in animals and humans in 1982 and finally established implants as a mainstream treatment option. Since then implants have been tranformed, developed and reshape in todays implants.

What´s the alternative?

Despite the proven benefits of implants, the majority of people who are missing teeth are still replacing them with either bridges or partial dentures. Figures 1.10a,b. Both options can have serious drawbacks.

Every bridge has to be anchored to something. To secure the bridge, the dentist must create anchor teeth, grinding them down just as when a tooth is being covered with a crown. In many cases, perfectly good teeth are sacrified.

Full or partial dentures carry with them unintended consequences that are ussually even more unpleasant than the compromise of two good teeth for a bridge. That´s because dentures rest upon the gum tissue; they don´t stimulate the underlying bone in the same way a natural tooth root or a dental implant does. A natural tooth or implants stimulates the bone, which the bone needs to remain healthy. In the abcense of such stimulus, the bone begins to shrink. As the bone shrinks the soft tissue also begins to collapse and you can see what deformity can be created. Figures 1.12a,b; 1.12c,d; 1.13a,b; 1.13c,d. Now you can see how implants can improve situations that can be detrimental to your selfsteem and to your esthetics.

A Profound Breakthrough

Figures 1,13A,B A 33 year old patient who lost all her teeth as a teenager to decay and gum/bone infections. The advanced jaw shrikage has severely compromised her appearance

As Good As New

Figures 1,12A,B A front and side view of a 41 year old patient’s face eight years ofter losinf her teeth. Severe jaw shrinkage has Ocurred. Note the prominence of the chin and nose and collapse of the lip structures, which accentuates the appearance of age.

Do implants hurt when been placed?

Implants hurt lees than an extraction. Usually there is two days of disconfort and then you are on the way to enjoy life. When we have to make bone grafts and more movements of bone involved in the surgery then things can change a little more tricky and then the disconfort can turn into inflamation and some pain involved. Nothing that a good painkiller can not take care off. There are some things after the surgery that you won’t be able to do or eat but it will be only the firsts few days.

Financial considerations In answering the question of whether implants are for you, one final area deserves some discussion: costs.

The first and most basic question-how much do implants costs? Has no simple answer. Do you need one single implant or an entire mouthful? Do you have enough bone or do you need grafting? Where do you live? Costs of treatment can vary from one part of the us to another and from one country to another. We found a survey conducted in 2001 in the us, and can offer some guidance for what you can expect your dentist to charge. We are also comparing with an average in panama city, panama.

Typical implant treatment costs Type of implant

Type of Implant Single tooth

Three teeth Single Tooth Clip bar Three Teethoverdenture

average cost in usa

range of fees in usa

Average cost in USA

$3182 $8483 $3182

$8483

Supported by five implants $14,445

Range of fees in USA

$2035-$5500 $6300-$12,750 $2035-$5500

range of fees in panama city

Range of fees in Panama City $1500-$2500

$6300-$12,750

$4500-$7500 $1500-$2500 $4500-$7500

$9450-$24,000

$8500-$17,500

$9450-$24,000

$8500-$17,500

Clip Bar Overdenture Supported by Five Implants

$14,445

Once i have the implants, what is it living with implants?

On the day you finally walk out of your doctors office with your beautiful new teeth, you become the single most important member of your dental implant team.

Like natural teeth, dental implants require thorough, daily maintanance, and only you can provide it. Given the care they need, your implants can provide a lifetime of comfort, cosmetic, and reliable function. Neglected, they can be threatened by all the same troubles that undermine natural teeth when they are not properly maintained.

Sound routine maintanance is the proverbial ounce of prevention. In exchange for the few minutes a day required, you can: Prevent gum infection and or disease(peri-implantitis) Prevent bone loss Prevent bad breath Prevent discomfort or pain Vastly increase the likelihood of lasting implant success Increase and maintain your quality of life, including your ease and enjoyment of eating, speaking and smiling.

When it comes to implants basics is the best. Brushing, flosing and rinsing. Some other tools are important like the small brushes to use between the implants.

Rutine check ups every three months is very important for your maintanance.

Dr jose sofer Temple university graduate Florida Licensed General dentist, prosthodontist, fellowship in bone grafting and implants placement. Has worked with 7 different types of implants placements systems and always keeping up with the new developments and new materials and new systems in the market. Recently came back from brasil with the kopp implant system. Has practice sinus lifting and bone grafting and implant placement in one appointment.

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117 Habitaciones y Suite 3 Restaurantes 3 Salones de Conferencia Jardines Tropicales con Gazebo Piscina 6 Salas de Cine Casino 24 horas

RESERVACIONES Chiriquí, Re. Panamá Tels: (507) 775-2221 ó (507) 775-2222 Fax: (507) 775-7729 www.hotelnacionalpanama.com hotnacional@cwp.net.pa

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Un mundo de coral en riesgo por el calentamiento global.

A Coral reef world at risk ‌

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KUNA YALA desde el aire Kuna Yala From the Air

por / by: Alejandro Balaguer Fundación Albatros Media Fotos / Photos: Alejandro Balaguer Fundación Albatros Media

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obrevolamos el archipiélago de Kuna Yala, un edén caribeño que es un orgullo para Panamá. Son 365 fascinantes islas de origen coralino, que constituyen una de las áreas marinas más bellas del país y el hogar ancestral de la emblemática etnia kuna. El territorio ancestral incluye un área continental que se extiende -verde y salvaje- a lo largo de 200 km de la costa atlántica, en la sección oriental del Caribe panameño.

Kuna Yala es una comarca indígena muy particular, situada muy cerca de la frontera con Colombia, en el norte de Panamá. Como ninguna otra etnia o comunidad panameña, los Kunas tienen una tradición de organización política semiautónoma y de gobernarse por sí mismos en su propio territorio. Aquí, la mayor parte de su población nativa habita sólo medio centenar de islas, que se rigen bajo sus propias leyes y reglas de comportamiento. Las mismas van desde dictar normas hasta impartir su propia justicia, bajo el mandato de un consejo de autoridades indígenas. escapes 46

We fly over Kuna Yala, a “Caribbean Eden” and point of pride for Panama. Three hundred sixty five islands of coral origin, they are one of the most beautiful marine areas in the country, ancestral home of the notable ethnic group, the Kuna. The ancestral territory extends, green and savage, for 200km. along the east coast of the Panamanian Caribbean.

Kuna Yala is a unique indigenous dominion situated very close to the Colombian border in the northern sector of Panama. Like no other Panamanian ethnic group or community, the Kunas have a tradition of semi-autonomous political organization; they are self-governing in their territory.

Here, the majority of the native population occupies only 50 of the islands which are governed by their own laws and rules of behavior. This authority stretches from dictating norms to imposing justice by mandate of the council of indigenous authority.

Es un territorio que aún posee grandes tesoros naturales como inexpugnables bosques, humedales plenos de vida, arrecifes coralinos y manglares que son un refugio de especies en su etapa juvenil.

It is a territory that still possesses expansive natural treasures such as impenetrable forests, damp and full of life, coral reefs, and mangroves that offer refuge to juvenile wildlife.

Los ecosistemas marinos de Kuna Yala están considerados entre los más fabulosos del Caribe y -según los estudios realizados por el Dr. Héctor Guzmán del Instituto Smithsonian de Investigaciones Tropicales en Panamá- albergan arrecifes de coral de una complejidad y biodiversidad muy especial.

According to Dr. Hector Guzman of the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Investigation in Panama, the marine eco-systems of Kuna Yala are considered among the most fabulous examples in the Caribbean of coral reefs of a very special complexity and biodiversity.

Sin embargo, la comarca no se ha librado de la extracción de coral para rellenar tierras, ni tampoco de la contaminación producto de la sobrepoblación en las islas, mucho menos de la sobrepesca, ni del aumento de la temperatura del agua producto del calentamiento global. Estos desastres han causado cambios traumáticos en sus arrecifes coralinos.

Nevertheless, the territory cannot escape the extractors of coral for land fill or the contamination, product of the overpopulated islands, much less the over fishing and the rising water temperature, a result of global warming. These disasters have already caused traumatic changes in the coral reefs.

Even so, the magic of creation and heritage prevails. It is

Pero aún la magia natural y ancestral perdura. Y es en esa combinación de naturaleza privilegiada y riqueza cultural milenaria donde reside su mayor atractivo y gran potencial para el turismo sostenible. Un paraíso soñado donde el visitante no deja de asombrarse por tanta belleza contenida en un mundo acuático que requiere ser conservado y protegido, ahora más que nunca, debido a las consecuencias del cambio climático. De lo contrario habría mucho que lamentar.

Es que, ante la inevitable subida del océano producto del derretimiento de las masas de hielo del Ártico y de la Antártica por el calentamiento global, no existen todavía en Kuna Yala las medidas de emergencia y estrategias que prevengan la intromisión del mar y la arremetida de las olas en las aldeas ancestrales.

La subida del océano también es confirmada por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) que expresa claramente: “una elevación del nivel del mar de apenas 50 centímetros provocaría la pérdida de más de un tercio de todas las playas en la región caribeña, con un impacto fenomenal para la industria del turismo”.

Y estos son, sin duda, hechos que las altas autoridades del país y el Consejo Kuna tendrán que ir teniendo en cuenta para establecer medidas de adaptación antes que el mar comience a devorar las islas e inundar sus tesoros.

this combination of privileged nature and cultural riches that make Kuna Yala so attractive and in that combination lies its great potential for sustainable tourism. It is a dream paradise where visitors never fail to be amazed by its beauty; it is a lovely aquatic world, but due to the world’s climatic changes it requires conservation and protection now more than ever. Failing to do so will cause much to lament.

In the face of the inevitable rising sea level, product of global warming, there is a lack of emergency plans and strategies to prevent the intrusion of the sea and the battering of the waves on the ancestral villages.

The rising ocean levels have been confirmed by the United Nation’s program ………….that clearly states, “An elevation of sea levels of only 50 centimeters would provoke the loss of more than a third of all the beaches in the Caribbean region, with a phenomenal impact on the tourism industry.”

It is this, without a doubt, which the authorities of the government and the Kuna council must take into account, so they can establish their measures of adaptation before the sea begins to devour the islands and sink the treasure.

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Su Majestad El Plรกtano His Highness the Plantain

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ué se puede decir de una fruta que es consumida y cultivada en más de 130 países; que su volumen de producción mundial sólo es superado por el trigo, el arroz y el maíz; que se puede consumir verde o madura; que está disponible durante todo el año; que de la planta se puede aprovechar prácticamente todo, y que además es versátil para cocinar y muy pero muy sabrosa? El Plátano (musa paradisíaca), se luce en casi todas las presentaciones imaginables, llegando muchas veces a robarle el protagonismo a los ingredientes que acompaña. Contiene vitaminas A, B1, B2 y C, como también apreciables proporciones de potasio, sodio, calcio y magnesio. Además contiene hidratos de carbono, proteínas y materias grasas. A diferencia de su primo el guineo o banano, no se consume crudo, pero su cocción es extremadamente sencilla.

Invitado casi diario en las mesas caribeñas, considerado esencial en las mesas panameñas y goza de grandes simpatías en otras latitudes donde no se produce, alcanzando algunas veces la categoría de manjar. Como un homenaje tardío, pero muy merecido, les ofrecemos una receta sencilla pero muy sabrosa de este regalo que la naturaleza nos da todos los días.

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hat more can be said about a fruit that is consumed and cultivated in more than 130 countries and is only out produced by wheat, rice and corn? It can be eaten green or ripe and is available throughout the year; there is a practical use for the entire plant, it is versatile and of course very delicious. Plantain (Musa paradisiacal) can be prepared and enjoyed in an endless array of imaginative variety that often over shadows the course it is meant to accompany. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, and C as well as appreciable amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium and it is a source of carbohydrates, protein, and oil. Different than its cousin the banana, plantains are not eaten raw, they must be cooked but they are very easy to prepare.

They make daily appearances on most Caribbean tables, are an essential part of Panamanian cuisine, and find their way to latitudes where they are not produced but equally enjoyed. In honor of his Highness, we offer you a simple but delicious recipe for your enjoyment.

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(to prepare patacones you first must fry the 1� sections in approximately 1�-2� of hot oil. When they are golden you remove them to drain then smash them, on the round sides. They are easily smashed with the bottom of a heavy glass. You then return them to the hot oil and fry them again until golden, remove, drain and salt to taste.)

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GuayacanAmarillo

El Glorioso

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s casi seguro que Joseph Campbell se refería al Guayacán Amarillo o tabebuia guayacán, cuando declaró que “Dios es la experiencia de mirar a un árbol y decir, AH!”. Este glorioso árbol, considerado uno de los más hermosos en la selva, se encuentra desde el sur de México hasta Colombia y abunda en Costa Rica y Panamá. Entre febrero y marzo florecen, deslumbrando con sus amarillos vibrantes, evento que lastimosamente tiene poca duración. Luego, sus flores, que tienen forma de pequeñas trompetas, alfombran los suelos de las selvas o lugares donde se encuentran. La vista de un guayacán mientras florece es inolvidable; algunos lo consideren una “experiencia religiosa”. El guayacán es, además, uno de los grandes adivinos de la naturaleza, ya que su florecer es un aviso claro de que la época de lluvias está cerca.

Además de ser hermoso y decorativo, el guayacán amarillo es útil también. Su madera es dura y duradera. La misma es apta para proyectos industriales y por esto se utiliza en la construcción de barcos, puentes, ferrocarriles, herramientas y superficies de terrazas. Los españoles la utilizaron en la construcción de la primera ciudad de Panamá. Por las bondades de su madera y su gran belleza, el guayacán es de los árboles más valorados en la región tropical latinoamericana. Sumado a esto, se le atribuyen también

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The Glorious Yellow Guayacan

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urely Joseph Campbell was speaking about the yellow guayacan or tabebuia guayacan when he wrote, “God is the experience of looking at a tree and saying, ‘Ah!’.” This glorious tree, found from southern Mexico to Colombia, and very abundant in Costa Rica and Panama, is considered one of the most beautiful in the jungle. Its brilliant yellow, trumpet-like flowers generally open up around February/March, and light up the sky for only a short while, after which they carpet the floor of the jungle or wherever they might be. The sight of a yellow guayacan in full bloom is unforgettable; some might even call it a “religious experience.” The yellow guayacan is one of nature’s soothsayers; when the tree blooms one knows that rainy season is just around the corner.

The yellow guayacan is not only beautiful and decorative, but useful as well. Its wood is durable and hard. Well suited for heavy industrial projects, it is used in construction, shipbuilding, bridges, railroad ties, tools and heavy decking. The Spaniards used it in the construction of the original Panama cities. It addition to its spectacular beauty, its wood makes the yellow guayacan is one of the most valued trees in the Latin American tropics. It is also considered to have a medicinal value as teas are made from the delicate flowers to treat urinary tract problems in indigenous com-

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1. 2do edificio de la izquierda mas peque帽o / Second building on left smalles 2. Sexto edificio detras del 5to de izquierda a derecha / Sixth building behind fifth 3. Pajaro en medio de la foto / Bird missing in middle 4. Parte lateral de edificio central / Lateral part of the middle building 5. Suite del Edificio de la derecha / Top of buliding on the right 6. Maya de seguridad de edificio en construcci贸n / Color of safety net on building in construction 7.

Ola mediana de lado derecho / Wave missing to the right.

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LANGUAGE SUPPORT SUPPORT SERVICES SERVICES LANGUAGE

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