Panama Expat Forum

gSky
Joined 2020
Posts: 630

1 year ago

contacts / communication opportunities

1 year ago

I arrived in Volcán, Chiriqui 2 years ago. A wonderful place with an ideal climate (15-25° C). People are very kind and friendly. As good as no crime here.

But I am close to give up and move to Saint Lucia.

What? Did you not say it is great there?

I am lonely! I speak two languages (German, English) and none of them can be used for more than to buy stuff, ask for a restroom. My learning Spanish is much slower than I estimated. To have meaningful conversations about 3,000 words are needed and i am far from this goal. It is so very frustrating, when people approach you, smiling, wanting to chat and seeing their disappointed face after you told them that you only 'solo hablo muy poco español'.

If I progress at that rate nit will take years until I will reach a mastery of the local language to be able to have real communications and I cannot wait those years in isolation. I am in the most beautiful jail imaginable. Surrounded by wonderful people with whom I cannot talk, exchange thoughts and experiences.

I had lived in Saint Lucia long time ago. the place is similar but the general language is english and I can land running and be understood. that is associated with enormous costs since I have now 10 dogs of which 7 were in dire straits and adopted me. Voltage is 220V in St. Lucia vs. 110V here meaning most tools, electronics are useless and hve to stay here and have to be rebought. Forwarding service like in Miami to the islands do not exist. So, buying at ebay or amazon becomes really expensive. If I could I would love to stay here, but not as isolated as I am now. Volcán's Gringos are mostly sticking to their families, many are home schooling their kids and there is little interest of them meeting others.

I heard that the Boquete area is virtually an American enclave with all the advantages and disadvantages that this brings. It would be naturally cheaper to move within the country, but the language barrier would still exist. I don't expect to have the feeling that I am in Kansas again, just clicking my heels. I would love to meet bilingual people or people who speak one of the two languages that I speak and meet once or twice a week. Are there groups in Chiriqui of that kind or are here places where they tend to 'cluster'?

If I would find people to spend time with from time to time, this would be heaven, if not it is hell.

Comments and tips are very welcome. I give me 6 more months.

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