WanderingWhy…

What I find interesting about Panama is the influence of the US that I see here. Understandable, because as a country, the US has spent a lot of time here in Panama with the Panama Canal (and the invasion, which is another story). They do have their own coins which are used interchangeably with the quarter, dime, nickel, and penny. The local coins are the same size and material as the US coins, just different markings on them. But paper currency is all greenbacks. Which is actually kind of nice for us….it is nice to know how much things really cost and how much you are spending without converting.

There is a Friday’s restaurant, a Costco, and Do It Hardware center (we have one on Tierra Verde) in David, the next town over from where we are staying. The prices in Costco are comparable to home (I got flavored coffee creamer for the first time in 3 months there), but I got a manicure/pedicure with Ingrid for $5, almost the same price as my creamer. A hamburger in a sit down restaurant is $1.25 but $7 at Friday’s. All of the movies playing at the local cinema are English new releases with Spanish subtitles. And baseball. Baseball is absolutely huge here! Most often you see soccer as a national pastime outside the US. I just wonder how good all of this US influence is. The costs associated are much higher than an average Panamanian family can afford. But there seems to be a craving for those US things. The cheapest thing I found is a store called Ropa Americana which sells second hand clothing from the US.

In a few days we plan on going into Panama City to catch a flight to Ecuador. The Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring Guidebook says we have Hooters to look forward to as well as a Hard Rock Café. Starbucks? We will see. I am interested to see the US influence closer to where the canal is located. But I have to admit, if they have a Starbucks, I am having a chai tea. Just don’t tell anyone.

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