Nov 10
What A Great Day
As I took my morning walk, the sun was just starting to come over the horizon. What a beautiful site. Such a fresh morning. Cool air, water along the streets from last nights rain, dogs barking at my approaching their house and birds singing in all of the trees.
I was thinking yesterday, when I was downtown, that each day I arise, I still feel like I am on one long vacation. I enjoy the simple things such as hearing the store barkers calling to increase their trade. I enjoy seeing the street vendor selling jugo de caña and agua de pipa. I like being able to get my shoes shined for 50 cents.
Many come to Panama and become disenchanted after a few months. They become frustrated with the lack of amenities they had in they home of origin. They get tired of the rain and the times when there is no rain. They get frustrated with television channels that disappear and don’t function for days on end and having 50% of the stations in Spanish.
To enjoy Panama you have to be a little tolerant and a lot flexible. If you can change some, it might be just right for you. If you expect Panama to change into what you want, you will most likely be disappointed. A type “A” personality will go crazy here.
I don’t want to mislead you. I am not happy 100% of the time. However, I don’t believe I am ever unhappy because of Panama itself. For me at this time, Panama is good place to be. If you are thinking about living in Panama, try it like a pair of new shoes. Give it a good test before you buy into it. Rent before you buy. Find out what you like and don’t like.
I try to make this blog representative of how my life is here. When the water is out, you know it. When the electricity is off, you know it. When I am having fun you know it.
I think that one can get a pretty good idea about living here in Chiriquí from reading blogs written by those that actually reside here. I trust them much more that the articles I have read in International Living. What a crock that publication is.
Here are some of my favorite Panama blogs. Each presents a little different view and reflects the personality of the author. If you are not familiar with them, give them a read.
Boquete Guide – As the title infers, the author lives in Boquete. The author has photos of the area and excursions he has made while living here.
Richard Dietrich’s Blog about Life in Panama on the seven seas – Now you have to envy Richard. He spends part of his time in Boquete and part on cruise lines lecturing about Panama.
Living in Potrerillos – Another blogger friend that lives in the rural area of Potrtrtillos.
Lingua Franca – This is an English blog written by a Panamanian living in Panama City. When he writes about some of the places in Panama City, you will see it through the eyes of a local. I wish I wrote as well as he writes and English is his second language.
There are many more Panama Blogs, but these will give you a start. If you happened to get to Chiriquí Chatter because you read some article in International Lining, these will give you a more accurate picture.
The sun is completely up now and I am planning on enjoying it. You have a good day.
13 responses so far Panama Journal
Don,
You describe it perfectly.Enjoying the simple things in life. That’s the key to being happy. Keeping life simple, no matter where you might be living? I apply your way of thinking and attitude to my life here in South Florida. I think it has to do with the individuals mindset and not the environment?
Hi Bob. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Life is too short to do other than you say. It is the path to the most pleasure and the least disappointments.
Don
You summed it up beautifully. My husband and I live in Pedasi and it does get frustrating listening to people “bash” the way of life here. We find it refeshing having been on the treadmill in Canada for over 40 years chasing the almighty dollar. We came to Panama with little to no expectatons and thus far it has vastly exceeded what we hoped for. No, it is not perfect but the good outweighs the bad in our opinion. Tolerance, patience and a good dose of humour help each day. Now I must go because the workers said they would be back “manana”. lol
Hi Lynn. Thanks for taking the time to share your impression.
Hi Don:
I’m impressed with your passion for life. The French call it “La joie de vivre.” It’s all a state of mind.
I appreciate your complimentary comments about Lingua Franca.
God Bless,
Omar.-
Hi Omar. Thanks for stopping by. By the way. The people you have assisted in Panama with airline and transportation have all expressed great appreciation. I thank you for that.
Don Ray:
I believe you paint a fair picture of what living in Chiriqui is. You are honest, you tell it like it is, no sugar coating things. That is why your blog is so popular. For us (panas living abroad) is a window to our Country. For americans looking for a place to live, is a excellent description of the reality of living in Chiriqui/Panama. And something else, you have integrated to the local society, you do not demand the locals to adapt to you. This makes it a better experience.
Thanks
Jaime^
Hi Jaime. Thanks for dropping into Chiriqui Chatter and taking the time to leave a comment.
Hi Don;
You are so right, Panama will not change for you and you should not expect it to, this is such a great country and if you can accept it the way it is you will love it. If you can’t you should not be here. Just when you are sure you have seen every thing, some thing totally bizzare happens, every day is an adventure. In Canada you bought in bulk beause it was on sale, in Panama you buy in bulk because they have it. This week you can not get a 5 gallon bottle of Agua Bambito because some one never ordered the shrink tops for the bottles, how much did this cost and did any one catch shit, who cares, it’s water under the bridge. Have a great day and enjoy this beautiful country, it does not get any better than this.
Hi Glen. Yes, buying when it is available is one thing that always amazes me. Ypu would think they would track sales and prepare for the better sellers. Thanks for dropping in and taking the time to leave a comment.
What I would like to know is do you feel energizes on your walks with those high voltage line over head on either side of the road
Yes, it is always an electric walk.
Nice post…thanks!