| Most of us have already read the myriad of articles | | | | throwing away our Monopoly money at any and |
| about Panama, not to mention the "About Panama" | | | | every chance we get. This is especially useful if you |
| section on the websites of every real estate agency | | | | are off to the casinos! |
| promoting property in the region. | | | | 15. Patacones |
| There is no doubt that Panama possesses numerous | | | | -Patacones are twice-fried plantain patties and |
| advantages, including its strategic geographic location, | | | | incredibly delicious. I had not discovered them until my |
| incentive program for retirees and a relatively | | | | arrival in Panama, and I am a self-proclaimed patacon |
| low-cost of living, amongst others. However, some | | | | addict! |
| of the reasons that I particularly enjoy living in | | | | 5. Albrook Mall |
| Panama cannot be when searching for the most | | | | -Albrook Mall is a large, air conditioned indoor shopping |
| obvious reasons, such as the Panama Canal (After | | | | center that offers a wide variety of discount stores |
| showing my 4th visitor the Miraflores Locks, the | | | | and boutiques, as well as a food court with carousel. |
| outing becomes slightly monotonous) or its proximity | | | | Be sure to check out El Costo, Oca Loca and |
| to Miami (I've never been to Miami in my life!). Certain | | | | Conway for some great deals! |
| pleasures can only be recognized after living in | | | | These stores are magnificent for retail therapy. You |
| Panama as a foreigner for some time. | | | | can walk away with about 15 shirts for $20. Even if |
| Though I appreciate the similarities that Panama and | | | | you wear them just once, it's a lot cheaper than |
| the "Western World" share, I also cherish the | | | | Target. |
| differences, since they are what makes my life here | | | | 6. Opportunities |
| truly unique and exciting. | | | | - Panama is like the Wild West of Central America. |
| Here are 13 reasons why Panama makes life so | | | | There is a huge variety of employment, business and |
| interesting: | | | | investment opportunities just waiting to be taken |
| 1. Casco Viejo | | | | advantage of. After being in Panama for almost any |
| -Casco Viejo is 100% different from the towering | | | | extended amount of time, everyone catches the |
| high rises scattered along Balboa Avenue. Casco | | | | entrepreneur fever. |
| Viejo has an interesting blend of architectural styles, | | | | 7. Slang |
| most notably ornate Spanish- and French-influenced | | | | -Though I don't make it a habit to use it in my |
| buildings. However, in addition to the amazing views | | | | everyday speech, I must confess that I get an |
| and unique architecture, there is always something | | | | absolute kick out of the Panamanians' faces when |
| quirky going on in "the Casco"! My roommate is the | | | | they see a full fledged gringa talking like she's from |
| president of Panama 9º80º, a lifestyle and | | | | the barrio. |
| travel magazine about Panama. Her offices are in | | | | 8. Cable TV with ABC and CBS |
| Casco Viejo and I get an absolute kick out of | | | | -All the great things of Panama fused with Jeopardy, |
| dropping her off some mornings. It isn't often that I | | | | Wheel of Fortune and Grey's Anatomy. Does it get |
| get to laugh so hard I almost wet myself at 7:30 a.m. | | | | any better? |
| Much better than coffee! (Okay, that was an | | | | 9. Taxis |
| exaggeration. Sorry coffee.) | | | | -Finally, inexpensive taxis! Taxis in Panama are |
| One of my favorite "Casco moments" occurred one | | | | abundant and relatively inexpensive, a fare costing |
| morning as I was dropping my friend off at work. As | | | | from $1 to $2 to most location in Panama City. |
| we turned the corner onto Avenida A, we saw a | | | | However, taxi meters are not typically used, and |
| little boy of about 7 years old peeing in the street. | | | | therefore it is recommended to negotiate the price |
| What made this pee different was that he was not | | | | before leaving. If you understand and speak Spanish, |
| facing the wall or partially hidden amongst the narrow | | | | you can overhear and engage in a number of colorful |
| alleyways, but was rather on the edge of the | | | | conversations with drivers. |
| sidewalk, practically in the street, facing the traffic! | | | | 10. Cayos Zapatillas, aka. Zapatila Cay |
| As we neared the situation, we saw a projectile | | | | -Zapatilla Cay is a small island located about an hour |
| yellow liquid spurting from his body and said, "That | | | | boat ride from the main Isla Colon in the Bocas del |
| can't be!" However, it was. To this day, that little boy | | | | Toro province. Zapatilla Cay is astonishingly beautiful, |
| and his "necessities" still put a smile on my face. | | | | including spectacular views, clear waters and white |
| 2. Wine | | | | sand. Without a doubt, it is one of my favorite places |
| -South American wine, from Chile and Argentina, is | | | | in Panama. |
| much less expensive than in the United States. | | | | 11. Fireworks |
| However, who said you can have your cake and eat | | | | -Back in the states, fireworks were reserved for the |
| it too. | | | | 4th of July, and some spectacles at Sea World. In |
| My friend and I were succumbing to our vices one | | | | Panama City, it's not bazaar to see fire works going |
| night, and went to buy wine and ice cream at El Rey | | | | off every night of the week. On New Year's, the |
| supermarket. As we were checking out, the $3.50 | | | | entire city, and I mean as far as the eye can see, |
| appeared on the screen as the price for the wine. I | | | | ignites with the colorful flashes and flickers of |
| said to my friend, "How great is it to live in a country | | | | thousands of fireworks. |
| where a good bottle of wine is $3.50!?" Then, the ice | | | | 12. Piropos |
| cream came, and $8.50 appeared. My friend and I | | | | -What's a piropo? I have yet to find a direct |
| were in utter shock and disbelief. Since then, we | | | | translation that suits me. Some dictionaries translate it |
| have sought out other, less expensive means to | | | | as "compliment," though that is a serious |
| satisfy a sweet tooth. | | | | understatement. Piropo is a word that stands for |
| 3. Sushi Itto | | | | what men do to a pretty girl as she walks by. Flirt, |
| -Sushi delivered to your front door...Do I need to say | | | | not really. Torment, could be. Most Westerners would |
| anything else? If you think that there isn't sushi in | | | | agree that this is a "Latin thing." I generally can't |
| Panama, then you are in for a delightful surprise. Sushi | | | | stand it and want to flip off everybody that whistles |
| Itto, in my humble, sushi snob opinion, is the best | | | | and hisses and yells "Ay mami" as I stroll along. |
| delivery sushi in Panama. Their Philadelphia rolls and | | | | However, on days when I roll out of bed and my hair |
| Edamame are extremely scrumptious. | | | | is astray, I must say that I feel less hideous as I |
| What's even more interesting is when I'm walking to | | | | waltz along and still get the "Yeah baby". I know it is |
| work or walking my mini schnauzer and the Sushi Itto | | | | done to all women. I was in a taxi once and the |
| delivery guy honks and waves as he zooms past on | | | | driver whistled and hooted at a couple of women |
| his little red moto. It must be a small world after all. | | | | that looked as though they were pushing 70 years |
| Or, I order a lot of sushi! | | | | old. I'm not implying that they were not attractive, |
| 4. American Dollar | | | | but the taxi driver was about 25! Moral of the story, |
| -This is a commonly cited "reason" for why Panama is | | | | it's one place to get an ego boost. |
| so great, and I agree whole heartedly! | | | | 13. The Finger Wag |
| For the foreigner, especially Americans, it is great | | | | -You all know the finger wag, a way to indicate |
| because it doesn't become "Monopoly money." It is | | | | disapproval of something. The motion is generally |
| easy to be aware of exactly how much you are | | | | carried out by wagging the index finger from left to |
| spending. There is no labor-intensive addition, | | | | right, considered by most incredibly rude and |
| subtraction, division or multiplication involved to figure | | | | demeaning. Well, the Finger Wag is back in Panama! |
| out the price of a soda. So, in Panama, it is easy to | | | | The best way to say no ever! |
| grasp the value of what we purchase, instead of | | | | |