As of yesterday I’ve been in Panama exactly three months. When I came, I had an idea in mind of what living in Panama would be like, but some things still caught me by surprise. #1 Rainbows I tackle an unfortunate surprise in #2 but I started with a lovely Read more…
Last Tuesday I was talking with my bilingual Panamanian neighbor, trying to get tips for learning Spanish faster. “No tengo paciencia! Quiero hablar Espanol ahora!” I said. (I don’t have patience. I want to speak Spanish now.) Grrr. The most frustrating thing is that I WANT TO COMMUNICATE. Communicating is Read more…
Okay, my title is a little misleading because the girl I’m about to tell you about is not a barista. But she did give me coffee and that’s what baristas do, right? When I told people I was coming to Panama, a lot of them asked, “Is it a mission Read more…
I would not be completely honest if I didn’t write a post about one aspect of Panama. Specifically, the guys. More specifically, they’re pushier. Male Distance I want to make three points. #1 In general, men come closer then in the United States. #2 Guys are bolder about asking you Read more…
How we use the word “gringo” and why it’s important Imagine this scene: (it happened last Sunday) I’m walking along the questionable sidewalks of Panama with my sister and dad. Suddenly my sister stabs me in the side. “Did you hear that?” She hisses. “What?” I said. “Those guys.” She Read more…
It’s a journey I wish I’d started at 5 or 6… But I didn’t so I’m starting now! The beginning All right, so my backpack and tennis shoes has been ceremoniously plonked on Panama soil for one month. It’s been a whirl of hotels, cultural awkwardies, meeting new faces, forgetting Read more…
“Soy de los Estados Unidos.” That is what I tell Panamanians. I’m from the United States. The U.S. is culturally different from Panama. Spending a lot of time in Panama, I’m trying to be sensitive to Panamanian culture and basically avoid insulting people. Cultural differences between the U.S. and Panama #1 Manners Read more…
Very rich. Very poor. Panamanian homes (as opposed to expat homes), are tiny, lack hot water, and are basic and primitive. Shirts hang on clotheslines, plastic buckets collect water, houses are cobbled together with tin. Many expats live in Panama, but there is a sharp contrast between the lifestyle of Read more…
But you’re about to find out If you’ve never been to Panama, these six aspects may catch you by surprise. #1 When Panamanians turn on their left blinker, watch out A lady mentioned this to me yesterday. “If you see the left blinker, get ready, cause they’re turning right.” Confused, Read more…
At 16, I could have won a contest for the most self-conscious Before school I used to stand in front of our mirror. Does peachy-pink go with aqua? Do my boots look dorky? Is my coat cute? One day to my horror, I realized I’d worn two “busy” clothes in public: Read more…