7 Things That SHOCKED Me About Panama | Surprising Expat Experiences
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ย. 2024
- Moving to Panama brought many surprises I didn't expect! This video reveals the 7 shocking things I encountered as a relatively new expat. Whether you're considering relocating to Panama or just curious about life in this beautiful country, you'll learn about the cultural differences, some of the unexpected quirks, and surprising realities of living in Panama. Prepare to be amazed!
Key Takeaways:
✅ Understanding life in Panama from an expat's perspective
✅ The importance of keeping an open mind whether one is visiting or living in Panama
✅ Tips for adapting to life in Panama as a foreigner
✅ Cultural and social norms that might surprise you
-----
This channel is dedicated to helping the older, single woman successfully move and retire abroad. Through our videos, vlogs, lives, and resource materials, we dispel the fear and anxiety that plague older women and keep them from retiring to another country. I am a retired nurse practitioner who is currently living her best life in the beautiful country of Panama. I retired here alone and am thriving. If any of this resonates with you, if you're on the fence or are worried about whether you could make it in another country as an older female, this channel is for you. Please subscribe to this TH-cam channel and start watching the videos.
Welcome to your new community.
-----
💬 Join the Conversation: Have you encountered some surprising things about Panama? Share your stories and tips in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest videos.
#LifeInPanama #PanamaExpat #MovingToPanama #PanamaSurprises #LivingAbroad #PanamaCulture #culturalnorms #surprisingfacts #Panamafacts
Maggie, you are so fun to watch.
Thank you so much. I think a bit of humor helps. Thanks for watching.
Hi. I enjoy learning about Panama with a twist Sis. Thanks so much for providing down to earth insight on Keeping it Real with Maggie. 😊
I watch Maggie just to hear her laugh. 😊
You are so welcome. I love the tagline 😀. Thanks for watching.
Ha ha...thanks... can't help it 😀.
I love plantians, rice with anything especially beans.
You are a breath of fresh air THANK YOU❤ I am trying to move to Panama City in the coming month and I would love to meet you and I would be honored to know you Your enthusiasm and obvious love for God is CONTAGIOS THANK YOU FOR SHARING ALL ❤
It's my absolute pleasure. Please reach out when you get into town. Thanks for watching.
Another informative, entertaining video. Thanks Maggie and keep them coming!❤
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching as always.
Thoroughly enjoyed your perspective! Very fun, tx!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Thanks again keep up the great work ❤
Thanks, will do! Thanks for watching.
❤❤ Hola Maggie! Another NP here! Glad to hear your perspective! I Thanks for the great info! Im making my exodus as well! Ahora estoy aprendiendo español para prepararme!
Que bueno...felicidades. Mucho gusto conocerla. Bienvenida a Panama!
😂😂😂 you’re so funny thanks for sharing. I really hope to meet you when I make my move to Panama
That would be lovely. Thanks for watching.
There are lots of police here in Mexico too, oh and no seat belt law. There are many military presents everyway its normal in many countries.
Always interesting to hear what strikes immigrants to Panama. Thanks for your video.
As a 10-year resident, the 3 things that stand out are: how connected everybody is. Everyone from a street sweeper to a CEO has a smart phone & uses it constantly. In the same vein is how digital culture has taken hold here, in particular banking services are much more digitized than in my homeland Canada. And finally, on a negative note is the garbage collection situation which IMO is a real health hazard and makes life unpleasant.
Yes, the trash situation is definitely a challenge but I feel things are slowly getting better. I saw a truck around my neighborhood recently and I was so encouraged. The new administration is trying but it will take a culture shift as well. Thanks for watching and for sharing.
Surprising that the metro is spotless but not so much is done for overall garbage collection.
@@judithvilla6026 yeah...but I'm seeing slow progress with the garbage collection. It also requires citizens to be mindful and not litter. We are hopeful.🙏🙏
6:37 About 7 years ago I shared a table in a restaurant with another woman. She told me that she was from Colombia and had just finished her PHD at a college in Ireland where I am from. She then went on to tell me that she was in Panama for a few months to work in this profession. She said that she would earn enough money to pay her student debt and have money left over for a good deposit for a house. She could then start her career with no financial worries.
Yep...the reality of it all. Thanks for watching.
Have you discovered some shocking things about your new home...where you've moved to as an expat or a retiree... share with me in the comments. Please consider subscribing if you have not done so, share the video with anyone you think might benefit from the information. I thank you. Let's have fun with this channel. One of our subscribers coined the tagline.."Keeping it real with Maggie". Love it.🤩🤩🤩🤩
I live in Mexico. But I want to move to Panama.
I found your channel a few days ago, so new subscriber here. I’m loving your videos and your personality. Hugs from Bonita Springs, FL.
Hola fellow Floridian. Thanks for watching and for subbing.
I use to live upstate New York and moved to Florida and then Arizona now Mexico.
Great video! Great nuggets of information. I will be visiting Panama in a few weeks and looking forward to coming.
Awesome. You'll love Panama. Thanks for watching.
You are truly giving us an insight into Panama. Where to go, what to do and what not to do. God richly bless the work of your hands. 🙏
Thank you for your kind words and thanks for watching.
Thanks! 😁
My pleasure. Thanks for writing.
Omg Maggie I love have loved to see your face 😂
You're so kind...thank you. Thanks for watching.
Wow interesting to know!
Yup...i was surprised to put it mildly. Thanks for watching.
Yes I knew that it was legal and the blade in El Cangrejo be popping in the wee hours so I have heard...
Wow...I didn't know until now. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for all your videos, they are very helpful. I have a question, please tell me about the bugs, and other critters, I have a serious phobia 😊thanks
Hola, we don't have too many bugs in the city, especially in the high rises... the higher, the less likely you'll see bugs. In the interior and the beach areas...the bugs can be plentiful...snakes, scorpions, iguanas, sand flies etc...and mosquitoes.
Yes sis. Rice is an important staple in Panama. I worry about the diet and diabetics. Thank you for sharing. Regards,
You're welcome..as always.
São Paulo, Brasil’s subway system in the city is unrivaled in South America. Awesome to hear about Panama’s metro 🚇 system is comparable. 🙌🏾 Thanks for sharing these gems 💎
Oh great...happy to hear that. It's my pleasure to showcase Panama. Thanks for writing.
Traffic laws don't exist in lots of countries.
Many years ago my mother told me prostitution is legal, regulated and that the women have health check ups to make sure they have no STIs. That was years ago when we lived there. I don't know if it's the same now.
Yes, I do hope they get tested.
We were just in Virginia and we went to have breakfast at this place called "A Broken Egg Cafe". They had fish, crab and other kinds of seafood. For breakfast. No thanks. Hand me my bacon, egg or sausage, hash browns or pancakes. No seafood that early in the morning for me.
Ha ha...I felt the same way when I moved to Florida from NY and they were having mullet (fish) for breakfast 😀. Yes, the cultures are so different. Thanks for writing and for your comment
Not only get tested but also use protection. Also, you were talking about hit and run.
Hit and run...not sure what that means...but thanks for watching and commenting.
That was funny❤ he thought you looked hot mama!
Yeah girl...I had to walk real fast... thought he needed his eyes checked LOL.
Reminds me of that Donna Summer song, "Toot, toot, hey, beep, beep!" LOL
Just to remind people !
Eat and drink inside metro station will be fined for US$100.00 !
In the beginning of metro line 1 opening in 2014, few people got fined US$100.00 by ignorance, but not anymore now !
Wow...I had no idea. That's a steep fine. Thanks for sharing that bit of info.
@@singlewomenretiringabroad By the way Panama metro system has a special card for "Jubilado" with discount fare, you should go to the metro station "El Carmen" for more info !
I’ve only met friendly cops here in Panama
Same here. Thanks for watching.
I love rice😂😂😂😂😂I love rice 😂😂😂
Chika u r funny 😂😂😂
You find a part time job 😂
He he...making videos and making you laugh is my part-time job 😀. Thanks for writing.
You are hilarious, you made me laugh so loud at work, my CO workers just look at me. Was funny they see how sexy you wear your clothes and confused you. I believe
Yes...I'm glad I made you laugh. Please keep watching and sharing the videos.
Don't think your age matters to men, dear. "Milf" is the most searched for category on adult sites, according to PH. By the way, the rice consumption is due to the Chinese influence. Panama has a large population of people with Chinese ancestry. Panamanians eat Dim Sum for breakfast.
Oh no...I'll have to walk faster.. he he..😀
Panamanian way of life 😂 I'm from Panama, when I go visit, I have to readjust but always worry about the children, they're neglected alot. If we conduct a survey, won't surprise how many children experienced childhood traumas.
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, children suffer all over the world mainly because of vile human beings... sadly. Thanks for your comment.
Childhood trauma???? surprised you say that being panamanian. What kind of trauma??? I was born and raised in Panama. Traumatized for not wearing seat belts???? Odd comment from a panamanian. Have you ever witnessed any school shootings??? Or kids addicted to alcohol because of their parents?
Most come from Colombia and Dominican Republic. Believe me I know 🙂
Thanks for that bit of info... and thanks for writing.
Forgot to ask you, r u working para la alcaldia?
Ha ha...no I'm retired. The shirts were given during carnival. I like it a lot. Thanks for writing.
what area are you living in Panama?
I am in Panama City...Bella Vista. Thanks for watching.
@@singlewomenretiringabroad how many bedroom unit and what is the rent are you paying?
Maggie you put lipstick only on your bottom lip. Heehee. My mom use to do that.
I'm glad you noticed 😀. It just doesn't look right full on he he... thanks for writing.
okay. well if they are registered, get tested for STI's which is up to date, I may need you to research where the men professionals are located?🤣🤣
Can't help you with that 😀.. thanks for watching.
Hi Maggie, I've known about that through my independent research on countries to move abroad. It's not just Panama, but I won't go through the entire list. As far as Catholicism, please, priests have been preying on babies for centuries, about as old as prostitution has been practiced. One can hide behind religions, titles, ranks & statuses all day, every day, it means nothing. I won't judge, who am I too, and the same for you. This video is a bit too judgmental for my taste🤨
I don't think she's being judgmental at all. She's just sharing her observations, which is a lot more than most of these YT content creators do.
I agree with most everything you said. I try very hard to present facts in a fun and non-judgmental way. The truth sometimes is uncomfortable. I'm sorry you feel that way but I thank you for taking the time to write and for your comment.
@@grassrootsgardener It's called judging the people & their culture as a gringo being a gringo from the US. I called it the way it is.
Yes, I knew that sex work is legal in Panama. I seen that when I had stayed there for 2 1/2 months in 2017.
Well it’s the oldest profession in history oh well it is what it is….
You got it...it is what it is. Thanks for watching.