Like many of the subscribers to our publications \u2013 individuals who look past the popular media in an attempt to understand what\u2019s really<\/em> going on in the world \u2013 I periodically get frustrated, irritated even, at what I see going on in the US and other developed countries.<\/p>\n It brings to mind the bumper sticker slogan, \u201cIf you aren\u2019t mad, you aren\u2019t paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201cgreater good.\u201d<\/p>\n That said, sticking your head in the sand and hoping for the best when you can so clearly see what\u2019s coming would be foolish in the extreme.<\/p>\n And so it was that years ago, recognizing an unstoppable degradation in the aging democracies \u2013 with politicians sacrificing principles, individual rights and even fundamental economics for votes \u2013 Casey Research began ardently advocating investments in precious metals and related equities.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n So far, so good \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Freedoms \u2013 Secured<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n But diversifying your wealth across borders is only half of the equation. The other half is where things get much<\/em> more interesting. And, I might add, fun.<\/p>\n Life Fully Explored<\/strong><\/p>\n Most people have what Doug Casey half-jokingly calls a \u201cmedieval serf\u201d 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!<\/p>\n While living a life of strict limits may work for most, there\u2019s a far smaller group for whom the horizon spreads far beyond the local strip mall and encompasses the world as it is \u2013 a planet made up of an incredibly rich and varied landscape of customs, cuisines and cultures.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody, 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.\u201d Doug Casey, International Speculator, April 2002<\/em><\/p>\n _______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n Well Doug, I have found such a place and with that I present you with Boquete and a new plan for a community here.<\/p>\n Boquete is a small town on the Caldera River, tucked into the green mountain highlands of Panama, in western-most Chiriqu\u00ed 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.<\/p>\n Some of its landmarks include nearby\u00a0Volc\u00e1n Bar\u00fa, 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\u00a0Sendero 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\u00a0Caldera River\u00a0runs through the town, a river that has shaped much of its form.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 AARP consistently ranks Boquete in the top ten places to retire in the world.<\/p>\n An ecological community<\/em><\/p>\n “You never change things by fighting the existing reality.<\/p>\n To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” \u00a0– Buckminster Fuller.<\/p>\n Eco villages<\/em> are\u00a0intentional communities\u00a0with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically\u00a0sustainable. Some aim for a population of 50\u2013150 individuals. Larger\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0of 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.<\/p>\n Intentional living <\/em>typically refers to an individuals awareness and choice of\u00a0lifestyle. However, whereas lifestyle refers to \u201ca way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Sustainable living<\/em> is a\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0that attempts to reduce an\u00a0individual’s or\u00a0society’s use of the\u00a0Earth’s\u00a0natural resource\u00a0and his\/her own resources. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their\u00a0carbon footprint\u00a0by altering methods of\u00a0transportation,\u00a0energy consumption\u00a0and\u00a0diet. Proponents of sustainable living aim to conduct their lives in manners that are consistent with\u00a0sustainability, in natural balance and respectful of humanity’s\u00a0symbiotic\u00a0relationship with the Earth’s natural\u00a0ecology\u00a0and cycles. The practice and general philosophy of ecological living is highly interrelated with the overall principles of sustainable development.<\/p>\n The Path<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The Setting <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Situated in a valley off a new paved mountain road just\u00a010 minutes from Boquete town the site consists of around 64 acres.\u00a0 There is coffee, fruit trees, secondary and primary forest and\u00a0 numerous springs\u00a0form waterfalls\u00a0on the sides of the canyon walls and\u00a0\u00a0gather into\u00a0a small river that runs down the valley to town. <\/em><\/p>\n The morning sun lights up the 11,400 foot peak of Volcan Baru…<\/em><\/p>\n and the multiple terraces of coffee down below.\u00a0 Views back up the valley from town to the peak of nearby Jaramillo mountain.<\/p>\n Lush forest shelters the valley from winds and provide a canopy for wildlife and\u00a0green home sites.<\/p>\n Sustainable farming techniques in the area include green housing for organic vegetables along with facilities for poultry production\u00a0and fish farming.\u00a0 Fresh mountain trout is grown nearby as well as the only FDA approved site\u00a0for the development of freshwater bio engineered salmon in the world.<\/p>\n Fruit trees on site include orange, lemon, chayote, avocado, guava, banana, plantain and many more.\u00a0 The site was once used for vegetable production and there are some remaining within the fruit tree forest areas that continue producing.\u00a0 The soils in this area are volcanic in origin and extremely rich in nutrients.\u00a0 There is an\u00a0agricultural water main and a portable water main that runs along the property.\u00a0 Electricity is also on the street and can be brought into the site.<\/p>\n Again, a 10 minute drive away and you are back in the town of Boquete.<\/p>\n The Concept<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Numerous pads exist for a low density eco friendly community integrated into the coffee and fruit forests.\u00a0 The ridge line will support numerous pads for development of home sites with views up and down the valley.\u00a0 Perhaps a wellness center and yoga retreat.\u00a0 Small or large, low density, green design, low impact\u00a0homes with\u00a0 outdoor living space taking advantage of the “eternal spring weather” in Boquete<\/p>\n The Vibe<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps a health and wellness center down by the waterfall.<\/p>\n\n
Boquete<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nBoquete Eco Village<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\nRejuvenate the body and prolong life.<\/h2>\n