JUNE 2007: “Finding Panamá!”
(NOTE: Newcomers, who'd like to get an idea of what this site is all about, would be well-advised to click on "2005 Pages" and read that introduction. Enjoy!)
Anyone who follows, even remotely, international news knows that Panamá is hot. Celebrities, global developers and investors, and big wigs of all stripes are buying property here and building—I mean, if there's a Trump tower, what else do you need to know? You see, once it shed its skin of dictatorship and banana-republic opinions, what emerged was a gem, and people all over the world are now finding Panamá.
In 2003, when TC and I first visited Panamá, we found a warm, tropical country full of friendly people and third-world charm. Well, except for the hustle and bustle of Panamá City—it's sections of glitz and glitter stood in sharp contrast to the rest of the county.
The only attention being directed here back then was due to a retirement magazine naming Boquete (pictured at left), a small town in the mountains on the west end of the country, as one of the top ten retirement destinations. That was it. The normal response, when we told people we'd decided to move here, was, "You want to live under a dictator?" Well, in the last four years, all that has changed...in Spades!
Now, there are over a hundred high-rise apartment and office buildings either under construction or approved for building in Panamá City. Expat communities are springing up everywhere. Huge resorts are being built along the coast and in some cooler mountain towns. In fact, we've heard that Panamá has surpassed Dubai's building boom. And people are flowing in from every corner of the earth to live and retire here. It's amazing, and a little worrisome, for we wonder what will happen when the spotlight moves on. But, in the meantime, we no longer have to explain our decision.
The most obvious change for us is the escalation of construction right here in Altos. We guesstimate a new house is started almost every week, and there has to be close to 30 under construction, with another 15 or 20 receiving their finishing touches. Everywhere we look there's a new roof amongst the trees. And it appears the majority are being built by expats. But, this isn't just in Altos, it's happening all over the country. There's a boom going on and it remains to be seen how it will impact our way of life.
In the meantime, documenting our way of life for your edification is what I do. Despite all the changes, we're still doing our thing, making it up as we go along. TC is still involved with the leishmaniasis clinics, and her Monday night English classes in Picacho Village. Moi? I just try not to trip over my own feet; if I don't, that's a good day!
At any rate, first up is an impromptu walkabout to update you on what's been going on here of late. So, just click on the picture of papaya to get started...
Following the walkabout is the latest gallery of kitty pictures. Yes, there's a couple of Bobo and Mama-jama, too, but the kitties tend to steal the show, doncha know? And this time there are some pictures of a couple of Tipper and Roxie's relatives. Here's one of them for you to click on...
Okay, and that leaves us with just one more gallery. It's a short—and somewhat painful for me—progress remote on our latest construction project: a driveway extension. I'm loath to put a picture here, since they all document a construction process. So, in lieu of a photo link, please click HERE!
"Hasta luego, Amigos!"
[click here for September's Gallery—there is no home page...]