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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| As new residents or visitors to Panama, Canadians often have many questions that come to mind. The following Frequently Asked Questions and answers have been drawn up by some volunteers from the Canadian Panama Association. Keep in mind that the content doesn’t necessarily reflect the ideas of the Association and is simply the opinions of some people who have lived here a while. How do Panamanians treat Canadians and Americans? In a friendly, respectful manner. Remember, Americans have a long, generally positive history in Panama. In most polls, Panama is usually the Hispanic country with the highest regard for the United States. Sure, there is some criticism of US Middle East policy, but that is prevalent everywhere abroad. As for the US invasion to oust Panama strongman Manuel Noriega, many Panamanians feel it was a necessary move, although they quickly add that Noriega was an American creation. Canadians are seen in a more positive light. The fact that Canada is a bilingual country with a Latin language (French) pleases Panamanians generally, because Panama City is in fact quite bilingual and English language courses are all the rage. Also, most Canadian tourists are concentrated at the Decameron all-inclusive hotel complex a two-hour drive away. So, there is no saturation of Canadians in any urban area. What do I wear? Ditch the shorts, unless you are at the beach or participating in an athletic event (fat chance!). If you are a guy on the street dressed in shorts, you will attract stares and whistles from both men and woman in passing cars. Also, for any in-door event you should wear long pants (men and women) and men should wear a nice dress shirt with shoes—not sandals. Please do not dress ‘native’. Not even natives dress ‘native’. Leave home your Panama hat and T-shirt with a ‘message’. Black dresses and open-toed shoes for women are acceptable everywhere. Is Panama safe? As safe as anywhere else. But there are a lot of young gang members running around with guns, mostly in the poorer neighbourhoods. Just use common sense. You may see references to some Pinkerton Agency vouching for Panama safety. In fact, the reference is spurious. The Pinkerton source doesn’t exist. Where can I get English reading material? Don’t look for Canadian newspapers. Your best bet is the Miami Herald (50 cents) at Arrocha drugstores and going on the Internet and accessing Bourque Newswatch at http://bourque.org/. Internet access costs 50 cents an hour at small Internet cafes; $1 an hour at Multicentro; and $3 an hour at the Paitilla Plaza Hotel’s Business Centre. Bourque gives you a summary of the news over the past month and you will get direct access to most all of the Canadian papers, radio and station newscasts, and a host of other information outlets. However, the best English language paper in Panama isn’t found in newsstands. It is on the Internet. That would be the Panama News, an on-line newspaper run by Editor Eric Jackson and a handful of volunteers. It can be accessed at www.thepanamanews.com/. Read Eric’s comprehensive archives, to understand what Panama living is really about. Plus, there are many tips on good, cheap dining, sports, and upcoming event. Eric was raised in Panama, knows lots of Canadian history (even the history of the NDP), and is fiercely independent and honest. He takes no gratuities from anyone for his opinions. FAQs by Phil Edmonston (1961-64; 2005-07) lemonaid@earthlink.net There will be more FAQs next month. In the meantime, join the Association (click here to join) and send your own FAQs to us for consideration at canapan@yahoo.ca. Next Month • Fishing for cheapskates • Painless medical care • Which medicines are cheapest • French-speaking associations • Car-buying made easy • Best $6-8 bottles of wine • Street-crossing survival skills |
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| Friendship Without Borders
L'amitié Sans Frontières Amistad Sin Fronteras |
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