Penenome
before.. business dealings so I knew what to expect
Took classes in Spanish but not fluent.
Yes
Frustrating even though I knew what to expect but not to this extent.
Going through unecessary red tape on just about everything
Frustration due to lack of customer service. Panama is at least 20-30 years behind developed countries. It seems to have grown too fast and services can not keep up to speed.
Beauty of the country-cost of living
Not being able to find everyday conveniences I am used to.
Be well prepared to hold your anger in check.
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If one lowers their expectations, their level of frustration will be lower as well. Understand before arrival it takes time, and lots of it. Expect it, and you won't be so hostile to it. :)
mary2panamaThe city name is misspelled, the writer means Penonome (just for other people who may read it) a small city in the interior about 2 hours west of Panama City and a regional hub. Sure agree that customer service is not to North American standards and red-tape is confusing. It is quite a challenge to figure out how to get things done. It is a country where, in my experience, you MUST speak the language, Spanish, in order to make progress on almost anything. The International Living type articles are totally unrealistic to me, Panama is nothing like a developed Western country it is a rural based, under educated beautiful country with fine people who live life very differently than North Americans. EXPECT a different type of life and rules, don't come here looking for a cheaper North American lifestyle. And as the writer says, Be well prepared to hold your anger in check until you get in tune with the local ways!
rkmorsutI sympathize with the writer. To get my SUV out of Customs at the Colon Container Terminal my Panamanian wife, brother-in-law and I, a native of New York, departed Panama City at 10:30 am. We figured three hours most. One to get there. One to process all the paperwork. One to return. We got back to Panama at 7:30pm. And I was with two Panamanians. If anyone's interested I will provide details of our day in Colon. Bob Morsut
jco1283very well said and very true...I have been to PC twice previous for 6 months plus time. Enjoyed 90% of the time but def had to slow down for locals and establishments. Still love it but heading to Boquette monday for 6-7 months in cottage in Volcanite area. Too hot and humid for me in PC. Time will tell if next trip a move
TennVolWe just returned from a two-week visit to Penonome. The author is 100% spot-on with their assessment.
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