Chiriquí Chatter

Today, I read a post on one of the Yahoo groups from a lady that is in Panama City with her two elderly parents. She doesn’t say in her post, but if I remember correctly, she was intending to move to Panama, so this may be her first reflection following that move.

When you live here a while it is easy to forget some of the differences one finds upon moving from the US to Panama. It brought back some areas that I thought would be worth commenting on and I will do that following her post, which follows:

Hi,

I finally made it to Panama City with my elderly and ill parents. It’s been a bit more difficult than I anticipated, however, the part I want to stress is that the Panamanian people I’ve encountered here have made it almost a pleasure. My dad is in a wheelchair and after reading some posts on this forum, I was concerned about being able to get around with him.

The truth is that it is very difficult to take my dad on many of the streets in Panama City. I’m not sure how the people of this city manage to walk around safely, particularly the women in those high heels, but it’s really hard to get around pushing a wheelchair. However, one thing I can say is that I’ve never had to deal with crossing the street for too long. When the men see me struggling to get my dad crossed, they run over and pick the wheelchair up. They either carry it and my dad across the street or over the difficult edge of the sidewalk. One young woman attempted to do the same over my protests, but finally called two young men to help her and us.

I’ve been amazed at the kindness and warmth of the people we’ve met here, particularly when it came to dealing with my parents. The Panamanians seem to love and respect the elderly. My dad has been hugged and kissed by young women on the street who he seemed to be flirting with. He’s a cute old guy and likes young women. My mother hasn’t been shown as much attention, but she’s been treated very kindly and helped out while crossing the street as well.

I’m in a state of shock over the noise level and how difficult it is to cross major streets here in PC. I live in NYC and find it difficult. Thank goodness the cars do stop when you wave them to. I hate how noisy everything seems to be and can’t believe NYC is less so, but it is.

One thing I want to comment on is that I too had been questioned by people in the US about coming to Panama. More than one person asked me if I was afraid of being kidnapped on the streets. My response was and always will be the same. I ask them if they know where they live and if they watch the news or read the newspapers. I think the level of violent crime in the US is escalating and I can’t imagine why most people aren’t more afraid to live there.

I won’t write anymore for now, but I wanted to tell some of the people who had inquired that there is a kosher deli here in PC. I passed it yesterday and went in to look at the menu to be sure. I couldn’t care less because I had enough of that in NYC, but some people were interested. It’s called Shalom Kosher and it´s in the Bal Harbour shopping center, a strip mall in Paitilla. It’s not exactly like a NYC kosher deli, but it seems to offer a number of deli sandwiches.

Well, I’m signing off for today.

Ellen Schultz

One thing that comes through in Ellen’s post is the Panamanian people and their respect for their elders. Family is very important. If I weren’t living in Panama, this would be one of the main things I would miss.

Ellen’s difficulty with father being in a wheelchair is no surprise. I don’t know how many times I have tripped, or stumbled walking around in Panama. In the main shopping areas of David, the sidewalk may change an inch or two, in height, between stores. There will be no gradual slope; it is just an abrupt height difference. There may be cracks that a woman in high heels will need to be very cautious when crossing.

Noise is something you also have to get used to. Where I live one of the neighbor kids has a four-wheel motorbike. It is not uncommon on a weekend for he and his bike to be racing outside on the street. In a city there are always the horns. As I have said many times, this is the first thing to wear out on any car in Panama.

Crime is always a question that I am asked about also by people in the states. Of course there is crime. If don’t know of any place in the world that is free of crime. I feel no more vulnerable here than I did in many other places I have lived. You can make yourself a target by flashing a lot of money or wearing fancy jewelry. I have heard of several people having their pocket picked at the bus terminal in David. You should always be aware of your surroundings and be cautious. But I would say that about walking around in New York, Los Angeles or Dallas too.

It was good to see Ellen’s initial impression. So many things you read in the publications that are only interested in relieving you of your investment dollar don’t paint an accurate picture.

I just wish she hadn’t told me the location of the kosher deli in Panama City. Now all I can think of is a hot pastrami on rye sandwich.