  Panama
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 1516 Panama Tips.2615 Panama Photos.1 Panama Videos. Panama Pages by ClarkRB
| Page Views: 16,224 Last Visit to Panama: April, 1999 I Used To Live Here | Bienvenidos a Panama! by ClarkRB - last update: Jul 16, 2004 |
Much like I did in South Korea, I had the pleasure of living in this Central American country for about 11 months or so. As it was truly my first adventure, Panama set the curve in which I judge all countries I visit by.
I took a flight from Atlanta USA into Panama City. As we flew over the Carib Sea, I remember thinking that I wished the pilot would change his mind and set the plane down in Jamaica. I'm glad he didn't, but not at first. |
| ClarkRB attemps to try the local cuisine |
|  | Getting there... As we started to descend through a cloud deck, my first views of this small country were now visible. What a change a few hours south by plane will do to the geography! Lush green vegetation protected the moutains like a blanket. Buildings with advertisements on their roofs were scattered in this setting, giving most a pretty decent amount of land to themselves.
As we decended further, Panama City became in view. I saw a shantytown, proof that not all who live here are money worthy. Skyscrapers along a watershore looked quite modern, and brightly painted buses seemed caught in traffic below. A huge flag on a green hill off in the distance reminded me that I was now home. Panama.
We landed rather roughly, and as I stepped onto the tarmac, the heat stung me instantly. I started to sweat in places I didn't know had glands. A smell invaded my nose that I was not used to by any familiar sense. I was nervous, but I knew that soon all of this would be familiar. My life had changed the second I got off that aircraft into that steamy humidity. |
| | Arrival and Departure My sponsor picked me up, and drove me to my place. The sights around me were remarkably different from where I got into the plane just hours ago. He seemed to know the roads quite well, though at first i wondered how that could be possible. There was no street signs at all. Everything looked so confusing and so busy. Vibrant life was all around me, and the first feeling to me was being overwhelmed by it all. My sponsor was not talking. He seemed bitter, and this was not helping ease the transition.
We arrived at where I would be residing for the next 11 months or so. My sponsor said, "See you tomorrow at 8am" and left, just as quickly as he opened the door. He was already gone even while the suitcases were still in my hand, keys still in the door. I let go of the suitcases, took the keys out of the door, set an alarm, and fell asleep, confused. Wondering what the heck I just got myself into.
11 Months later, I begged and pleaded to stay. I opened up to the culture and the way of life in Panama, and she in turn opened up to me. 11 months later, same airport, and same view out my window. Only this time, there were tears in my eyes. I was no longer calling Panama home. She made that much of a difference. Viva Panama Libre! |
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| Pros: | "I got to live here" | | Cons: | "I don't anymore" | | In A Nutshell: | "ClarkRB's Top 5 Greatest Countries" |
ClarkRB's Panama Travel Tips
 Comments for ClarkRB about Panama | | | | |
knewton Wed Dec 19, 2007 14:28 UTC
Your review made me ill. I lived in Panama for 2 years & honey, most women are not as sweet as you have portrayed. Tip: Check yourself to see why american women snub you. It probably has a lot to do with your attitude. | shawshank28 Wed Apr 18, 2007 08:01 UTC
Clark, I was in Panama for six days and didn't want to leave. How were you able to stay there so long? If I could get a job there I would be the happiest man on earth. Ayudame!!! What kind of work kept you there 11months? | ForestqueenNYC Sun Oct 22, 2006 19:41 UTC
Very interesting comments. I am inclined to think that it isn't exactly the ideal place for a woman traveling alone. Should I skip it? | VeronicaG Mon Oct 2, 2006 23:54 UTC
Hi, Bobby. I've heard that a cruise that includes passage through the Panama Canal is wonderful. Any thoughts? I enjoyed reading through your Panama pages. Regards from Texas... |
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