The restaurants in San Miguel de Allende are good. In the last 10-15 years, there have been so many options of not just good Mexican cuisine. It’s not LA, Las Vegas or New York, but there’s definitely good food to be had and classy restaurants with good service in San Miguel de Allende.
In comparison to San Miguel de Allende, Pátzcuaro, the other town that we go to up in the mountains on a lake, doesn’t have anywhere to eat....
The restaurants in San Miguel de Allende are good. In the last 10-15 years, there have been so many options of not just good Mexican cuisine. It’s not LA, Las Vegas or New York, but there’s definitely good food to be had and classy restaurants with good service in San Miguel de Allende.
In comparison to San Miguel de Allende, Pátzcuaro, the other town that we go to up in the mountains on a lake, doesn’t have anywhere to eat. That’s definitely something that’s lacking on our trips to Pátzcuaro- good restaurants. There are plenty of fine Mexican food places, but I like that there’s a broader spectrum here in San Miguel de Allende. Along with the hotels, the ante in San Miguel de Allende was upped on hospitality about 10 years ago, so it’s growing.
When it comes to restaurants, you can’t really compare San Miguel de Allende to anywhere else. It’s different in its own way. There are a lot of fun places to eat here in San Miguel de Allende, and my wife and I like to go out. We’ve got a little kid, so usually we go to food places for kids and finger food places, but when we get a chance to have a date, there’s always a nice place for us to not just have a good meal, but also have a nice ambiance, and where we can get away from work and from parenthood for a few hours. I like that very much. I would say that San Miguel de Allende had a naïve charm that no longer exists.
(Jambalaya at Hank's, a New Orleans style restaurant, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
How are the stores and shops in Granada, Nicaragua? How's the shopping in Granada, Nicaragua?
Esmerelda Vargas - Schuvar Tours
I do not see Granada, Nicaragua as a shopping destination. There are small boutiques or stalls in the park where some people from the market sell things. The things they sell in the park are typical locally produced items. If you need to shop for something specific or if you need a specific brand, you will not see any shop that offers that in Granada.
If you want to go to a mall, you would go to Managua, which is about 45 minutes away by car. The malls in...
I do not see Granada, Nicaragua as a shopping destination. There are small boutiques or stalls in the park where some people from the market sell things. The things they sell in the park are typical locally produced items. If you need to shop for something specific or if you need a specific brand, you will not see any shop that offers that in Granada.
If you want to go to a mall, you would go to Managua, which is about 45 minutes away by car. The malls in Managua are very similar to the ones you will find in Florida. If I want to go shopping for clothes, you could find some local stuff in Granada. There are some boutiques. But if you want to go to a mall type of shop you have to go to Managua.
In Granada, there are supermarkets that have everything. You have two brands of supermarkets and if you need a Home Depot, there is one here, too, where you will find anything you need for the house. Basic things are available in Granada, so you don’t really have to go to Managua if you only need some basics. But if you are looking for brands or if you are looking for something that you will find in the US or some jewelry, you have to go to Managua.
What are the best opportunities to do volunteer and charity work in Portugal?
Duncan MacGregor - Duncan MacGregor Accounting
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective.
(Volunteer fire department Valença do Minho, Portugal, pictured.)
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective.
(Volunteer fire department Valença do Minho, Portugal, pictured.)
Locally, more and more we are seeing people move to Boquete, mostly from the new middle class in David comprised of business owners with enough disposable income to move their families to the cool climate of the mountains that is only a half hour commute from their businesses. The catalyst for this is of course the new highway that is starting to change things in many ways.
Downtown Boquete is seeing much needed building rehabilitation as more tourists and...
Locally, more and more we are seeing people move to Boquete, mostly from the new middle class in David comprised of business owners with enough disposable income to move their families to the cool climate of the mountains that is only a half hour commute from their businesses. The catalyst for this is of course the new highway that is starting to change things in many ways.
Downtown Boquete is seeing much needed building rehabilitation as more tourists and visitors need places to shop and eat and stay. Several large properties have changed hands recently and condemned buildings are being removed and new steel frames are being erected.
The biggest change for us is the new restaurants we now have and the great food that is available, now there are enough people that business is steady and we won't have favorite places closing for lack of customers. Right now the future is bright and life has never been better for those of us living here full time.
In general, what do I need to know about FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report)?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
According to the Foreign Bank and Financial Authority (FBAR) regulations, the IRS must allow individuals to open private offshore bank accounts. So long as the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts does not exceed $10,000 (USD) at any time during the calendar year, the assets need not be reported. Be mindful of interest bearing accounts, for if your total offshore accounts exceed $10,000 (USD) the IRS requires you to report it or risk facing a maximum penalty of five years in...
According to the Foreign Bank and Financial Authority (FBAR) regulations, the IRS must allow individuals to open private offshore bank accounts. So long as the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts does not exceed $10,000 (USD) at any time during the calendar year, the assets need not be reported. Be mindful of interest bearing accounts, for if your total offshore accounts exceed $10,000 (USD) the IRS requires you to report it or risk facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison and the loss of up to 50% of your assets.
Properly executed, the benefit to such a strategy of moving money offshore lies in having a family open an offshore bank account in the name of each family member in the amount of $9,990 (USD) into a non-interest bearing account. Provided a person is careful to adhere to established guidelines this is a safe way to quickly move tens of thousands of dollars out of the country, depending on the number of family members in your household.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers all income reportable regardless of the source or location derived and most assets held offshore are reportable, however some are not. When looking to preserve your assets it is important to understand the difference between taxable income and reportable assets. As with all offshore structuring, consult with your legal or tax advisor to ensure your activities are in compliance with the laws of your resident country.
They have a British-based school system here in Belize so it is based on standards and forms as opposed to grades. They are quite significant here. The kids who graduate from the schools, especially the primary schools, have a very high level of aptitude and comprehension. From what I understand, the primary school system is very good.
In Ambergris Caye, you have the option of a public school or a private school. Even the private schools are absolutely gorgeous. There is...
They have a British-based school system here in Belize so it is based on standards and forms as opposed to grades. They are quite significant here. The kids who graduate from the schools, especially the primary schools, have a very high level of aptitude and comprehension. From what I understand, the primary school system is very good.
In Ambergris Caye, you have the option of a public school or a private school. Even the private schools are absolutely gorgeous. There is a big private school called the Island Academy. The church funds the public schools. There is an Anglican school and a Roman Catholic school, which are free for the kids. The parents do not have to pay for the books or for the food because I believe there's a program at all the schools for breakfasts and lunches. From my understanding, they are all very well run.
The high school is quite an issue for people because there is only one high school in Ambergris Caye. It is not particularly great. Without a rival high school, there is no team spirit. The teams do not have anyone to play and no one to compete against. That rivalry is what was so much fun in high school. That bonding experience for the teens attending whichever school does not exist in Belize. From my understanding, many parents send their kids to high school on the mainland. In Belize City, there are several high schools from which they can choose. Often the local people send their teenagers to go live with their relatives in Belize while their teenagers attend high school there. The expats tend to bring their kids back to North America from what I have seen, or one of the parents will move back to North America with the teenager.
The elementary schools in Ambergris Caye here are all church-run. There is an Adventist primary school, there is a Roman Catholic school, and an Anglican school. There is no government-run school. The churches fund the primary schools that are free and the private schools are out of pocket. There is no “San Pedro Primary School” that is government run. There is nothing like that.
The schools here in Belize are bursting. There are something like 500 kids, but the schools are meant for only about 350 kids. So the need is there, but they don't refuse children, which something that I really like. Some Guatemalans and Hondurans live here because this is the only place somebody can get any work and the kids are accepted into schools. Even though some of them are here illegally, the children should not be punished, and the children should be educated.
Given that our planned drive from Puebla to Orizaba was only a little more than three hours, that our combination Puebla hotel / restaurant / fraccionamiento was so pleasant, and that the restaurant had an all you can eat Mexican buffet breakfast, we saw no compelling reason to refuse the beautifully arranged food we found so temptingly arranged before us. Even in this upscale restaurant with impeccable service and sophisticated ambiance, they allowed us to dine...
My husband recently purchased me a new camera to replace the one stolen on our last trip to Tocumen Airport in Panama City. I haven't had much chance to use it because I had been sick with bronchitis. I love the Nikon Coolpix P600, it is brand new but he got it cheap because it is a discontinued model. It is fabulous, a very easy point and shoot with 60X zoom and audio-video at 1080p.
Today Mary, my housekeeper, brought her sweet seven-year-old son. He...
Only a little over and hour drive from Boquete there is a beautiful beach with something for everyone. Los Olas is also known as Playa La Barqueta. Here you will find dark volcanic sands, public access to the beach and a quaint bar that offers cold beers and beverages in cool shade with good views of the ocean. You can dine on fresh fish and seafood in the small cafe next door to the open air bar. This open air bar is a cool place to get a...
The restaurants in San Miguel de Allende are good. In the last 10-15 years, there have been so many options of not just good Mexican cuisine. It’s not LA, Las Vegas or New York, but there’s definitely good food to be had and classy restaurants with good service in San Miguel de Allende. 
I do not see Granada, Nicaragua as a shopping destination. There are small boutiques or stalls in the park where some people from the market sell things. The things they sell in the park are typical locally produced items. If you need to shop for something specific or if you need a specific brand, you will not see any shop that offers that in Granada. 
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective. 
They have a British-based school system here in Belize so it is based on standards and forms as opposed to grades. They are quite significant here. The kids who graduate from the schools, especially the primary schools, have a very high level of aptitude and comprehension. From what I understand, the primary school system is very good..jpg)
Given that our planned drive from Puebla to Orizaba was only a little more than three hours, that our combination Puebla hotel / restaurant / fraccionamiento was so pleasant, and that the restaurant had an all you can eat Mexican buffet breakfast, we saw no compelling reason to refuse the beautifully arranged food we found so temptingly arranged before us. Even in this upscale restaurant with impeccable service and sophisticated ambiance, they allowed us to dine....JPG)
Only a little over and hour drive from Boquete there is a beautiful beach with something for everyone. Los Olas is also known as Playa La Barqueta. Here you will find dark volcanic sands, public access to the beach and a quaint bar that offers cold beers and beverages in cool shade with good views of the ocean. You can dine on fresh fish and seafood in the small cafe next door to the open air bar. This open air bar is a cool place to get a...