Panamá is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and countries. It makes sense, though, right? It is a bridge between the Americas. If you think about the history and logistics of trade, Panamá is where people from all hemispheres would have to travel through.
Chinese people, Colombians, and especially Venezuelans can be found working throughout the city’s service industry. People are migrating in search of a better life, and Panamá City is their opportunity.
Although my circumstances are probably different, I guess I’ve always wanted to work abroad in search of a better lifestyle myself, or maybe just a way to break up the routine of a nine-to-five. My current job finally allows me to fulfill a lifelong dream of working in another country.
I picked Panamá City, Panamá, for the following reasons:
Creature comforts. I knew I couldn’t get too far off the beaten path, so I needed a city that could support my work requirements. Access to hotels, Airbnbs, inexpensive transportation, and restaurants makes living and working easier.
The weather. Columbus, Ohio, in December isn’t great. Panamá, on the other hand, is just coming out of the rainy season, and the average temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Internet speed. Panamá’s internet service is among the fastest in Central and South America. From what I found, it can reach up to 20 Mbps, more than enough to do my work.
Eastern Standard Time. There was no time change for me or my co-workers.
A cheap and easy flight. It always amazes me that, in a handful of hours, you can be in a completely different country.
The digital-nomad lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as an Instagram hashtag would have you believe. Working and traveling are tougher than I expected. It’s hard to get into a routine. Your mind wanders because you’re stimulated by new sights, sounds, and customs, not to mention that my Spanish is still terrible. You’re constantly planning what’s next on the itinerary while still putting in your 40 hours. It’s especially tough when you first arrive because all you want to do is hit the streets and see everything at once. Try “working” in a hotel when a world of adventure and new stories is right outside your door. It’s an impossible temptation. Balancing city exploration and team meetings takes discipline, and that was challenging for me.
Poor me, I know. I’m lucky to have a job, period. I spoke to so many Venezuelans who were literally fleeing their country because of violence, political corruption, instability, and a lack of opportunity. There are no complaints from me.
Now, on to the sights and travels. I was in Panamá from December 5 to 20, and typically I would have more to show, but in my case I was working!
Check out the video of my número uno thing to do while in Panamá City: the Panama Canal, of course!
Sprinkled in are photos of the Miraflores Locks, the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala), and my home away from home in the San Felipe neighborhood.
