Have You Prepared Properly
Jan 7th, 2008 by Don Ray
Maybe the previous post deserves a little thought. If you are like me and have moved here from an English speaking or non-Spanish speaking part of the world you would be wise in educating, those that care about you, how they can check up on you.
I am taking time today to send my family in the US instructions on who to call and how to call in case they are concerned about me. I think I have done this before, but I will insure that the information they have is up to date.
I recommend the following:
- Provide email addresses, if available, for people in Panama that typically would know your status, and can communicate in the language of your family where ever your family lives.
- Provide telephone numbers for the same people.
- Remember to instruct your family on how to dial into Panama. For example, from the US, they would dial 011 (507) phone number.
- Make sure they understand that cell numbers have a different number of digits than house numbers.
- It is wise for the US Embassy to know your residence location and contact information in the event they need to contact someone in your behalf.
- If you are traveling in Panama, make sure someone knows your plans and an expected time of return. This information should only be known by someone you trust.
- Keep some contact information and instructions on your person, written both in your native language and in Spanish.
I am sure that I haven’t covered everything, but maybe this will at least cause you to take time to think about this. You may have some suggestions of your own.
