Back in Panama

After nearly 2 years I am now back in Panama albeit only temporarily. While many things are the same, the economic development has really taken off and one of the most striking changes is that the already spectacular skyline is in the middle of a growth spurt.

Of course I have been following the situation from a far and politics is the same old thing. The last governing party the Arnulfistas are accusing the current governing party the PRD of corruption, which is pretty much the same situation but swapped as before the last election. Both sides are and were of course right.

However much the politicians mess about with ordinary Panamanian lives through bureaucracy, price fixing and what have you at least they know not to mess with the openness and independence of the business climate, so this is open enough to support a pretty booming economy that thankfully trickles down to normal Panamanians. If only the politicians would get out of normal Panamanians hair everything would be mostly great here.

Otherwise there are if possible even more Colombian’s working in Panama on their 3 month entry stamp. Panama is about the only place that Colombians can go without a visa, so they come and take advantage of the dynamic economy. Unfortunately this has also made the nightlife a bit more rough than it was before. Panama City like anywhere else in Latin America has always had it’s fair share of Colombian prostitutes, but now it’s reached the level where it is now uncomfortable for local girls to go out to nightclubs on their own.

There are also in general more 1st world foreigners here than before, they together with the many Colombian middle class immigrants have caused the property boom. This is boosting the economy all over.

In comparison to Denmark I am so happy to be back in a “civilized” country where I don’t feel everything goes against robbing my time. I will write more about this later, but here I can go to one supermarket to do ALL my shopping (they even bag my groceries in oh horror free bags). I can take a taxi if it is raining. We can afford a cleaner as well as eating out more than in Denmark.

I know that people will think that this is just because I’m a rich Gringo tourist, but in reality all but the very poorest (and they are very few) can afford most of these “luxuries”. Of course it’s even better for me as I am currently making my primary income in Denmark and not here.