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Another Potential Panama Newby

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natbail
  12/8/2016 08:17 EST

I will hopefully be in Panama City late Sunday (12/11/16) and I'm sorry I didn't stumble upon this site earlier. I'll be staying for 1 week in the El Cangrejo area Panama City. I am 61 years old, male, African American, teacher in Tallahassee FL, 4 or 5 years from retirement, and trying to evaluate countries where potentially I might reside post retirement. My two questions are (I have others, but don't want to intrude on your time); 1) To best assist in my short time here, what place(s) would you visit to best get a feel for Panama as a home and 2-What would you do in the intervening 4 or 5 years to best prepare for life in Panama (I am a former Peace Corp volunteer but soo long ago, thus I still seek transition advice).

Thank you!

SAY
  12/8/2016 09:07 EST

My brother and sister-in-law spent 3 weeks this summer in the El Cangreho neighborhood. They loved it there and frequented all the neighborhood spots.

On my first trip, we visited the Panama Canal museum in Old Town, and I'm really glad we went there first. I was pretty much ignorant of Panama history and didn't know how little I knew. My brother and I both have Ph.D's and felt that we had been deprived somewhere in our education.

Having the history as a background helps me to more fully appreciate the country and the people.

Watching a ship come through the Mira Flora Locks was breathtaking to me. I think everyone should see at least once in their life.

After you visit for the first week and are still considering Panama as a new home, you will need to come back and spend more time to travel to the various spots throughout Panama. They are all different,

In our first week here, we did manage to crowd in a trip to Boquete for about 2 days. And you will want to visit there at some point. We took a bus from Panama City, which provided us with a good view of the countryside. I would recommend flying back to Panama City from David or do the trip vice versa

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jonoyakker
  12/8/2016 09:14 EST

Welcome! 1. Decide the climate/area that you want-city, beach, mountain (cooler) 2. Start learning, listening to, and practicing Spanish-preferably include a Panamanian tutor (can do remotely) 3. Research/search here and other sites.

XSMEMORIES
  12/8/2016 09:18 EST

Hello as of right now there is 120 peace corp. working in Panama. There is so much to see and a lot will depend on what climate you enjoy. Sheila [email protected]

ranadelnorte
  12/8/2016 09:59 EST

Hello and welcome to the forum.
For a week in Panama City, I second the suggestion to visit the Canal, and then visit the old section of the city called Casco Viejo which is pedestrian friendly. You'll get an overview of the heritage here.
If you're interested in evaluating what resources are available in Panama City, walk up and down Via Argentina in El Cangrejo, stopping at a café (or two) to hang out and people-watch. Go into the Andres Bello park in the morning and after sunset to get a feel for the neighbourhood. The Christmas lights are spectacular this year. Most potential immigrants want to know about resources, so you could visit the Metro pharmacy on the corner of Via Argentina and Via España to get an idea if your medications and personal care products will be available. Then visit a big supermarket such as El Rey on Via España. If you can stand the commercialism, take the air-conditioned subway to Albrook Mall, the largest in South America, to get a good idea of where middle-class Panamanians shop. It will have over-the-top Christmas decorations. For a more up-market experience, you could visit Multiplaza, the high-end Dubai-like mall. In just a week you won't get to more places than Panama City in my opinion.
Good luck!

natbail
  12/8/2016 18:33 EST

Thank you very much Say,
I will definitely now visit the Panama Canal. I teach biological engineering, but I am a serious history buff. I had read about the major sacrifices related to constructing the canal. It would be a shame not to see this connecting point between the Pacific and Atlantic.

I had not considered Boquete and will investigate squeezing a trip there if possible.

Thank you!

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natbail
  12/8/2016 18:41 EST

Thank you Jonoyaker
I hadn't thought about a remote panamanian Spanish tutor. How would I locate one optimally? Your answer concerning beach-mountain-city relative to climate makes me think as comprehensive initial tour might be helpful also. Recommendations along that line would also be helpful.
Thank you much for your thoughtful reply.

natbail
  12/8/2016 18:49 EST

Wow, I had no idea there are PC volunteers in panama. I had thought the standard of living in PTY was too high for PC volunteers. I am wondering are they all in agriculture and/or teaching.
Being a former volunteer (actually in Barbados 1980 - yes a relative luxury assignment compared to African or Asian assignments). BTW, Peace Corps is no longer in Barbados due to Barbados improved standard of living.
I'd be happy to help PCVs while Im there if needed, but otherwise I will steer clear realizing delicate relationships.

natbail
  12/8/2016 18:57 EST

Thank you Ranadelnorte for your detailed instructions to get a feel for the multiple levels of the city. The listed sites will definitely be pursued and at the suggested times. I look forward to seeing the Christmas decorations!

ranadelnorte
  12/8/2016 20:00 EST

@natbail
You're welcome! There are basically three environments for living in Panama: the city, the beaches, and the hills. In one week you won't be able to sample all 3. Suggest you look at the city and decide if Panama holds any interest.. If so, then schedule additional trips to take in the other options. Many US citizens dislike the city, but to me I wouldn't live anywhere else.

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