Arrival in Panama!

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

It’s Friday, 10/12/12 and I made it to David last night. Of course there will be more posts about various aspects of the trip but I wanted to make a short note on being here, finally, after all the months of preparations. It is going to take some time to sink in, and it’s definitely going to take some time to change gears and learn to slow down a bit.

What am I thinking about?

  • The Greyhound bus trip to Ft Lauderdale
  • Spirit Air and requirements to get on the plane, visiting Panama without a visa
  • Arrival in Panama City
  • The morning in Panama City, city traffic!
  • the bus trip from PC to David
  • Phones in Panama
  • the Bambu hostel visit
  • arriving at my friends house
  • car shopping
  • communicating with people back home
  • looking at houses
  • changing the mindset, learning to relax.
So this post is more for me than you all, trying to organize my mind when it is still a bit hard to settle. Thanks and stay tuned!
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Two Days to Liftoff!

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

I’m ready! Everything is sorted. Everything is packed or ready to toss into the suitcase. There are a few odds and ends, errands, etc that will get done tomorrow because it’s a holiday today. I leave the day after tomorrow. Is this really happening?How did we get to this point? Why are we moving to Panama? We get asked this all the time. Some think it’s exciting. Some can’t imagine doing such a thing. But, as our generation reaches retirement, especially with the economic difficulties facing so many of us, more people are thinking of options.For us, it’s lots of reasons. What do we require? What do we want?Requirements

  1. Affordable
  2. Warm
  3. Stable country with adequate infrastructure, crime under control
  4. Reasonable distance from the US
Wants
  1. Natural beauty, and beaches
  2. Interesting and welcoming native people
  3. Interesting things to do

The cost of living is a fraction of what it is in the US.
The area we picked (city of David) has highs of upper 80’s, lows of lower 70’s year around.
The country has money, mainly from the canal, and the government is pumping the money back into the country. Roads are excellent. Internet is widely available and usually free in public areas. Growth and construction is evident everywhere, and the general tone of the country is upbeat and productive.
Crime doesn’t seem to be more of a problem than any US city. I think with sensible precautions we will feel secure.

The country is gorgeous beyond words! There is everything from spectacular beaches to rainforest covered mountains. There is an amazing abundance and variety of wildlife. And, there is so much of the country we have yet to explore.
The people are warm, friendly and welcoming. They are very family oriented, and love to have fun. We love the people we have met so far and look forward to making more Panamanian friends.
There is shopping, restaurants, movies, all the things one would expect to find in a small city. There are tons of outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, tennis, scuba, snorkeling. Halba Ya languange school has field trips, salsa lessons, volunteer activities, and other opportunities. Boquette (45 min away in the “highlands”) has a theater, weekly market, and other “gringo” gatherings for anyone who wants to do things with other expats. Again, there is so much yet to explore I’m sure we have barely scratched the surface. I am interested in photography and it will be a photography paradise!

This is my favorite beach in the area. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a place more beautiful.

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WHY? why write a blog? (the First Post)

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Kris Cunningham

This blog has been living on another site, and I am in the process of transferring it to WordPress  So, the first month or so of posts are all going to be posted in a short time but hopefully the dates at the beginning of each one will give a sense of when these events actually happened. Since I am posting after the face, I have cheated and included an image of the woods and jungle next to the house we ended up finding.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2012

If one is about to start a great new adventure, one must write about it! I like to write. It helps me sort things out. it helps document things. Others can read my writing if they want to know what’s going on. But, mainly, I enjoy writing.

What adventure?

PANAMA!

We are moving to Panama! Yes, the Panama in Central America, specifically David, Chiriqui Provence, Republic of Panama. It’s in western Panama not far from the Costa Rica border. We fell in love with the country, this area, and we are excited to live there. There will be another post coming along to explain why we chose this spot. But, at the moment, we are in the insanity of moving from our long time home in Florida.

Today is Oct 7th, 2012. We have been thinking about moving for a couple years, actively preparing for nine months, and we are almost ready. I am leaving on the 10th, in three days! My husband and his mother are also moving, and will follow as soon as they have made the necessary arrangements. Our house is on the market. Ma’s house will be on the market this coming week. Things are in boxes and suitcases. Final cleaning out of houses is in progress. Potential buyers are looking. It’s a bit nuts right now but this too shall pass.

My job in Panama will be to buy a car, find a house, and have things set up for everyone else. I need to arrange phone service, internet, mail, and all the usual necessities that goes with daily living. I’m very lucky to have some great friends both in person and on line who can help me get situated. I’m sure there will be challenges but I’m feeling confident that this is going to be a very good move.

And, my job now on this new blog is to learn my way around the site and figure out how the various features work, so I’m off to see what I can get into. There will be more on the Panama move coming very soon!

I’ve also made a few videos so here’s a few links.

The Move to Panama

Sept 25, 2012, outdoors

Sept 25, 2012 Indoors

9/28/12 The move to Panama in progress

October 1, 1012 The Move to Panama

Oct 4, 2012

Apparently I made more than I thought! These document the house in Florida as it goes through the final stages of getting it fixed up and ready to put on the market. So, if you want to know where I used to live, here you go.

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