Leaving Panama s Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is by far my favorite place in Panama City. Its old world charm draws a mixture of classes and cultures to its open plazas and winding streets. It is easy to lose yourself in the wonder of it all, and imagine yourself to be in the French Quarter of New Orleans, or some side street of Havana. Once you are drawn into the magic of it all, it is really hard to leave. Literally
There is only one street that serves as an exit from Casco Viejo to the rest of the city of Panama. On my last visit, which happened to be Good Friday of Easter week, a friend and I tried to leave around 6pm, only to find that this one route was at a standstill because of a religious procession up ahead.
To begin, the taxis in Panama are a breed all their own. They want your business, but only when convenient for them. I have been in many situations where a taxi driver will pull up, ask where I m headed, and immediately drive away. Not wanting to cede from that trend, three different taxi drivers rejected my pleas to take me away from Casco Viejo to El Cangrejo.
Finally, as I trudged on at a rate ironically faster than traffic, I came upon an unoccupied taxi that welcomed my business. I got in the non air-conditioned vehicle to wait out the religious parade with my new friend. As I watched old men hobble by with their canes, and small children aging into their teens, I grew fearful that I would never get out of there. The narrow street was framed on both sides by several story high buildings, and I could feel the exhaust from the panting red devils (the name given to the city buses) entering my lungs and pores.
We passed by a side street at a rate of one kilometer per hour which allowed me to see the taunting street name Salsipuedes get out if you can. My fear turned to terror just as we reached the turn-off that led us away from the procession and the quicksand of a corner of Panama. A sigh of relief escaped from my lips as the ocean air filled the car expelling the fumes that had surrounded me.
When we got to my apartment, 25 minutes after the start of the entire episode, I was charge the typical $1.50 for my trip. With a renewed love for the city, I went to post my pictures of Casco Viejo online and to reaffirm to the world that life here is good.

Claire Saylor has been living in Central America since last June, and is now focusing her time writing about Panama culture as well as general Panama information. clair lorraine



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7 Guidelines For Used Car Prices

1. Know a little about pricing before you buy a used car. Franchise dealers that sell used cars add a certain percentage on the original value of the used car in the market. Markup is also added to the price of the used car at dealerships, which will make the price higher.
2. Determine the many factors that affect the used car prices. Used car pricings are affected by installed optional equipments or the location where you are buying the used car. There are areas that have a high market demand for a certain car. If that is the case, you may get a better deal if you travel outside of the zone to shop around for your car.
3. Find the used car s true market value at NADA. National Automobile Dealer s Association releases a copy of used car price guides every year. You may also check their web site to check the current prices of the used cars you are looking for.
4. Cheaper used cars may be found at government auctions. Government auctions happen every year and you may want to check out a checklist of the auction program. It may also offer you guidelines on finding quality used cars at lower prices. You may visit Federal Citizen Information to find out the guidelines in buying used cars from government auctions.
5. Check out the Internet. There are a lot of web sites that provide pricing guides on used cars and also guidelines in finding the right used car for you. You may compare prices; check out the features of the used car and the location where you can buy cheaper prices.
6. Determine if you have a fair deal with the price that is offered to you. Factors that affect used car prices include the age, market demand, overall condition, mileage, interior and exterior blemishes or if the car was maintained well.
7. Beware of trade tricks. Many dealers strategize on the behavior of consumers when buying used cars. Dealers know that buyers will not purchase a used car unless they feel that they are offered a price lower than the original price. Dealers tend to make the price higher than the actual amount and make the buyer believe that they are offering a discount. What the buyer does not know is that the discounted price is actually the original price of the car. samual midas



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Jaguar XK-E: Changing Sports Car Norms

In the early stages of the Jaguar XK-E, a vehicle was reportedly scheduled to be on the market as a grand tourer. In fact, it was shown to be public as such. However, changes were made, and now, Jaguar XK-E has two seats, and were designed and constructed as a coupe and as a convertible. In compartment trim body known as FHC or stationary Leader coupe, but on the other hand, is known as OTS convertible or open Seater.
Several two years after its release, Jaguar XK-E welcomed a new version of its line, and it was 2 + 2 version. This new model has a much longer wheelbase, compared with earlier versions. In addition, people who came to the followers of the Jaguar XK-E said that, indeed, there have been three generations of the vehicle, and this is called " " Series 1, Series 2 " ", Series 3 and " ".
The Jaguar XK-E is also known as Jaguar " & quot; E Type. Many people agree that he is one of the biggest vehicles that were ever built for it is not just the style and performance, but also the pedigree. By pedigree, it means that it has been exquisitely done carefully and that each part has a specific job to do. In fact, the shell of the Jaguar XK-R was developed and the brain child of one very good aerodynamics engineer. In addition, he held the engine that high technical specifications and features. This engine has held more power and capabilities compared to the famous Jaguar XK engine.
From 1961, and until 1974, Jaguar XK-E roared in the streets, and made heads turn. It was in fact the production of Jaguar cars " & quot;. Returning to the automobile history, the sports car and the car was very responsible for paving the way for revolution and the changing structure of sports cars and sports car performance and handling. The car was also market is a not-so-pricey, and that certainly helped Jaguar XK-E to increase sales, as well as his popularity.
http: / / www.jaggparts.com quality Jaguar parts, body parts , spare parts, performance parts, accessories and " Jaguar & quot; can support all of the impressive qualities that all cars " Jaguar & quot; as Jaguar XK-E, holds. Years of delivering superior product lines have made Jaguar Parts and Jaguar " & quot; Auto Parts favorite among cars " Jaguar & quot; enthusiasts.
All genuine quality Jaguar air intake system parts, brakes, climate control, clutch parts of the cooling system parts , exhaust system parts, and fuel injection parts, fuel system parts, service tools, parts management, suspension parts, as well as the transfer of part name but a few are available for enthusiasts " Jaguar & quot;, and a large customers discounts and wholesale prices. These exceptional arrays of finely developed parts and Jaguar XKE Jaguar parts " & quot; online. Moreover, these parts are guaranteed to be durable and made from premium quality and materials.



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Mazda Committed to Preserving the Environment

June 5 is World Environment Day and on this special day environmental issues and awareness takes the center stage. Motor vehicles have always been accused of increasing environmental hazards. However it s a different case when you re driving a Mazda. You see Mazda constantly monitors the environmental impact of their operation especially in terms of car production. And not only that they also make sure that their car from inception to end of its life remains to be eco-friendly. This is Mazda s way of helping to preserve the planet.
The Mazda oil filter maker, Mazda manufactures clean-energy vehicles that make use of production technologies that have very minimal or no environmental impact. They were also the very first motor company to ever develop the first hydrogen-fueled rotary engine that was made available for commercial use last 2006 particularly in the RX8 Hydrogen RE.
The RX8 Hydrogen RE is a special type of engine that functions by mixing hydrogen and oxygen to produce the required electricity. And the best thing about this engine is that it only emits water as exhaust without the production of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. But that s not all! Amazingly Mazda was also able to manage to achieve this result without sacrificing torque, acceleration, and exhaust tail note.
Aside from the hydrogen rotary engine, Mazda has created another environmental breakthrough---the one-of-a-kind Three Layer Wet Paint System which is a first in the world to reduce the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and carbon.
This paint system developed by Mazda us a one-step baking and drying method that applies three layers in succession meaning primer coat, base coat, and the clear coat while still wet. By eliminating the drying process the C02 emissions are reduced significantly by almost 15 percent.
Aside from that the Hiroshima-based automaker is also working on a new low solvent content paint in partnership with paint manufacturers that when applied using high- precision coating equipment will not only increase coating efficiency but will also reduce VOC emissions by 50 percent.
Mazda is also engaging in a continuous research and analysis to develop vehicles that can conserve energy, eliminate air and water pollution, reduce waste and minimize noxious chemical emissions. Mazda makes use of an effective and systematic operation system that efficiently utilizes resources and reduces hazardous wastes.
Overall the systematic process that Mazda employs ensures that all of its environmental goals are smoothly achieved. Mazda also provide its employees with trainings to raise their environmental awareness plus it also encourages its staffs to gain public qualifications related to environment. Mazda Corporation even goes as far as providing environment education programmes which are also designed for specific to various job profiles.
Such commitment of Mazda to the environment didn t go unnoticed as a matter of fact the Hiroshima-based automaker has been duly recognized by the Californian research firm J.D. Power and Associates. The Mazda3 and MX5 have been included in their Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) study last 2006 and was listed among the most environmental friendly cars.
About Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda Motor Corporation has started out as a manufacturer of tools way back in the year 1929 and later on it branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. The first passenger car models that Mazda produced were introduced in early 1960s. This was also the very same year that Mazda has started developing the rotary engines.
The headquarters of Mazda is located in Hiroshima in western Japan. Mazda presently ranks as one of Japan s leading automakers and exporters. The Hiroshima-based automaker has been exporting cars to United States and Europe for over 30 years. Its overseas sales account for more than half of its total turnover.
Mazda has two main production sites in Japan and 19 overseas facilities. The overseas sites include joint ventures based in United States, and in Thailand. At present Ford Motor Corporation is still owns one-third controlling interest in Mazda.



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