Cerro Viento...Eastern Panama City

Probably gonna live in the neighborhood of Cerro Viento if its not too isolated. Don't know much about it yet. Except that there is a new shopping mall there, Metromall. That might not be a good thing...

Panama City is not the U.S. - So get used to it!!!

I've still got much to learn, but one thing I can say from my experience so far:

Getting a long specific answer to your question is not a guarantee.


My observation is the attitude from the folks I've spoke with so far is "I can't tell you everything. Some of it you're gonna have discover on your own".

Here in the US, I'm used to asking a specific question and getting a clear, precise, specific answer. Oh well, its time to expand my horizons and not expect everything to just be laid out for me in nice, pretty, clear package.

I'm beginning to find comfort in knowing that the answer is "there is no clear answer".

Google maps...DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE!!!

Landmarks that are mislabeled + Streets that mysteriously end + Addresses that don't exist
= Google Maps SUCKS for Panama City.


After hours of confusion, I realized three things:

1) Look at the "Satellite" view on Google maps to see where the street really goes (and if it really ends).

2) Don't trust the labels on Google maps. If you are looking for a specific landmark or place, find out where exactly it is from a RELIABLE source, then use the streets on Google maps to locate it. When you think you've found it, use "Satellite" view to make sure it's really there.

3) Don't expect to find all addresses by just typing them in. Refer to #2 above.

Spanish vs. English...yes, SPANISH IS A MUST!

"A lot of people Speak English"
"You can survive on English but planned to get ripped off"
"You are gonna pay the "Gringo Tax""
"Learn Spanish if you wanna really get around"
"Service workers don't speak English"

I've been hearing different opinions on this and hears what I realized...

SPANISH IS A MUST, if you really want to enjoy Panama. Yeah, you can slide by on English,
but unless you want to stay in an isolated bubble talking mainly to other gringos or Panamanians
who want to sell you something, you better learn some Spanish.

I got Rosetta Stone. I already speak conversational Portuguese. I need to use these next 3 months
to practice so I can run free in Panama City. Otherwise, I'll just be another gringo who can't converse
with everyday Panamanians.NOT COOL. I definitely plan to mingle with the people.

Side note: Rosetta stone is good. Lots of pictures and drills that are realistic to real life. I just gotta
practice.

Yep, I'm Moving to Panama City

My first post.

Let's cut to the chase...I decided to start the blog because I'm moving to Panama City and tracking down clear answers to all my questions has been challenging.  This is my first blog, so I apologize in advance for its appearence.  I promise to make up for that with quality info.  NO REALLY, I PROMISE!

Let me explain.

Here's some of the conflicting things I heard or read so far:

"Panama is great!"  

"Panama is too chaotic"

"You should get a car."  

"You should live in the city"  

"Traffic is terrible"  

"Do not get a car, people drive crazy there."

"The city is chaotic"

"A lot of people speak English"

"95% of people do NOT speak English"

 

This is addition to an incomplete Google map of the city (in the map view, some main streets just abrubtly end, but in "satellite" view, the streets clearly continue).

This blog is my attempt to make some real sense of Panama City.  

If you're looking for answers, I feel your pain and I'm here to help...