Prelude
I recently read an article from Casey Research that truly describes my reasoning for living in Panama and specifically Boquete.
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Freedom
Like many of the subscribers to our publications – individuals who look past the popular media in an attempt to understand what’s really going on in the world – I periodically get frustrated, irritated even, at what I see going on in the US and other developed countries.
It brings to mind the bumper sticker slogan, “If you aren’t mad, you aren’t paying attention.”
But anger and frustration are decidedly negative emotions. And life is far too short to spend angrily contemplating lost freedoms or resources squandered in the name of the “greater good.”
That said, sticking your head in the sand and hoping for the best when you can so clearly see what’s coming would be foolish in the extreme.
And so it was that years ago, recognizing an unstoppable degradation in the aging democracies – with politicians sacrificing principles, individual rights and even fundamental economics for votes – Casey Research began ardently advocating investments in precious metals and related equities.
There are, after all, few things more useful than financial freedom when it comes to seeking out personal freedom. We are very pleased, therefore, that our recommendations have helped so many readers achieve financial freedom.
So far, so good – but there is another step required that accomplishes two very important objectives: securing the wealth you have managed to accumulate, and greatly enhancing your personal freedom.
Freedoms – Secured
Time and again we have warned readers of the need to internationalize, both their money and their lives. This is due to the irrefutable truth that, done right, diversifying across political jurisdictions is the single most effective way to protect your wealth.
- It gives you currency diversification.. In all of the hyperinflations, simply having money on the other side of a border was sufficient to save your wealth from the ravages of domestic inflation.
- It raises a barrier against wealth confiscation. The US and other bankrupt democracies are growing desperate. While there is currently a lull in the rhetoric as the administration tries to recast itself as pro-business ahead of the next election, when the history of the next few years is written, it will be of higher taxation – more aggressively pursued. And the use of opportunistic lawsuits to extort assets from those believed to have “deep pockets” will only worsen.
- It eliminates waking up one day to find your wealth trapped.The sole purpose for growing regulatory interference in the ability of Americans to open foreign bank and brokerage accounts, or to freely move money across borders, is to trap your money and make it available to the government. Before this is over, overt foreign exchange controls are a certainty.
- It provides peace of mindIntelligently diversifying your assets internationally – and by intelligently, I mean staying well within the bounds of all applicable laws – can provide a tremendous peace of mind. Because come what may, your wealth is not subject to a quick grab or even a slow-moving debasement.
But diversifying your wealth across borders is only half of the equation. The other half is where things get much more interesting. And, I might add, fun.
Life Fully Explored
Most people have what Doug Casey half-jokingly calls a “medieval serf” mentality. Which is to say that they are born, live and die within the same geographic area. This point was underscored recently by a report that just 30% of Americans hold a valid passport!
While living a life of strict limits may work for most, there’s a far smaller group for whom the horizon spreads far beyond the local strip mall and encompasses the world as it is – a planet made up of an incredibly rich and varied landscape of customs, cuisines and cultures.
“Everybody, understandably, wants to live in a place where their neighbors share the same world view, and laws and customs accommodate what’s important to them. I applaud the trend; if anyone organizes an up-market libertarian community somewhere, let me know.” Doug Casey, International Speculator, April 2002
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Well Doug, I have found such a place and with that I present you with Boquete and a new plan for a community here.
Boquete
Boquete is a small town on the Caldera River, tucked into the green mountain highlands of Panama, in western-most Chiriquí Province, about 60 km. from the border with Costa Rica. Because of its altitude, some 1,200 metres above sea level, its climate is refreshingly cooler than that of the lowlands. Its scenic location, temperature, and natural environment make it extremely popular with Panamanians, and with tourists from all over the world. In Spanish, the word Boquete means ‘gap or opening’. It was through this gap that curious gold seekers trekked, looking for a cheaper and quicker way to the Pacific. Farmers began settling the region near the end of the 19th Century. By the early 20th century, several villages had been populated. In addition to tourism, its main industry remains agriculture, especially the growing of coffee beans.
Some of its landmarks include nearby Volcán Barú, a dormant volcano and, at 3,475 meters, the tallest point of land in Panama. Hikers enjoy a relatively easy hike up and over the volcano, along the Sendero de los Quetzales, which runs from Boquete up to Cerro Punta and Volcan, on the other side of the volcano. Boquete is well known for its coffee, judged to be among the finest in the world. The Caldera River runs through the town, a river that has shaped much of its form.
The district of Boquete has approximately 20,000 inhabitants. More recently, Boquete has become the second home to many North American and European retirees. Some 14% of its population are of foreign origin, according to La Prensa, a national newspaper. Ex-pats are attracted by the comfortable climate, excellent potable water, and clean air, by the tranquility, and by Panama’s relatively low cost of living. AARP consistently ranks Boquete in the top ten places to retire in the world.
Boquete Eco Village
An ecological community
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller.
Eco villages are intentional communities with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. Some aim for a population of 50–150 individuals. Larger of up to 2,000 individuals exist as networks of smaller sub communities to create an ecovillage model that allows for social networks within a broader foundation of support. Certain ecovillages have grown by the nearby addition of others, not necessarily members, settling on the periphery of the ecovillage and effectively participating in the ecovillage community.
Intentional living typically refers to an individuals awareness and choice of lifestyle. However, whereas lifestyle refers to “a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group,” intentional living refers not simply to any way of life, but to those intentionally chosen by an individual based on awareness of her/his values and fundamental beliefs.
Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the Earth’s natural resource and his/her own resources. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet. Proponents of sustainable living aim to conduct their lives in manners that are consistent with sustainability, in natural balance and respectful of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the Earth’s natural ecology and cycles. The practice and general philosophy of ecological living is highly interrelated with the overall principles of sustainable development.
The Path
The Setting
Situated in a valley off a new paved mountain road just 10 minutes from Boquete town the site consists of around 64 acres. There is coffee, fruit trees, secondary and primary forest and numerous springs form waterfalls on the sides of the canyon walls and gather into a small river that runs down the valley to town.
The morning sun lights up the 11,400 foot peak of Volcan Baru…
and the multiple terraces of coffee down below. Views back up the valley from town to the peak of nearby Jaramillo mountain.
Lush forest shelters the valley from winds and provide a canopy for wildlife and green home sites.
Sustainable farming techniques in the area include green housing for organic vegetables along with facilities for poultry production and fish farming. Fresh mountain trout is grown nearby as well as the only FDA approved site for the development of freshwater bio engineered salmon in the world.
Fruit trees on site include orange, lemon, chayote, avocado, guava, banana, plantain and many more. The site was once used for vegetable production and there are some remaining within the fruit tree forest areas that continue producing. The soils in this area are volcanic in origin and extremely rich in nutrients. There is an agricultural water main and a portable water main that runs along the property. Electricity is also on the street and can be brought into the site.
Again, a 10 minute drive away and you are back in the town of Boquete.
The Concept
Numerous pads exist for a low density eco friendly community integrated into the coffee and fruit forests. The ridge line will support numerous pads for development of home sites with views up and down the valley. Perhaps a wellness center and yoga retreat. Small or large, low density, green design, low impact homes with outdoor living space taking advantage of the “eternal spring weather” in Boquete
The Vibe
Perhaps a health and wellness center down by the waterfall.
Rejuvenate the body and prolong life.
Participate in community
