My Casco Crossfit
My Casco Crossfit Take a look below. You’ll see a young man on your far left confused and vulnerable at Panama’s Flash Mob in Multi Plaza. That was me. Panama Flash Mob Seeing that photo changed my life for two reasons: First, it dashed any dreams I might have had of becoming a professional dancer. Even though I think I possess better-than-average... [Read more of this review]
Azuero Reforestation Road Trip
Azuero Reforestation Road Trip Most people take vacations at the beach. My friend Jon (a former Peace Corps volunteer living in NYC) had another idea. He convinced me to visit Jake’s (another former Peace Corps member) farm: Jon: “Evan, lets get outta the city.” Evan: “Where do you wanna go?” Jon: “Wanna do some farming with Jake?” Evan:... [Read more of this review]
Retirement Blog: The Streets Of Casco Viejo
The Streets Of Casco Viejo Casco Viejo is an exceptionally diverse neighborhood. Within an area of 12 blocks there are the very wealthy and the very poor, living next door to each other. Since the Presidential Office and several embassys are located in Casco, it is the hub of the very powerful and yet its streets are filled with forgotten... [Read more of this review]
You Are A Rich Gringo
You are a rich Gringo. Recently, a friend from Costa Rica stayed with us in Casco. She was basically the girl version of me: college age traveler who fell in love with a foreign country. She stayed and started a small business in Latin America. She’s just a bit older, and a lot better looking than me. Gringa: “Evan, I’ve lived in... [Read more of this review]
Let’s Be Honest About Your Spanish
A recent conversation I had over dinner with a good friend: Me: “So, how’s your español coming along?” Friend: “Basically fluent.” Me: ”Really?!” Friend: ”Yep… I understand it better than I speak it. But, I’m basically fluent.” {insert waitress} “Bienvenidos Señores. Que... [Read more of this review]
Who Killed Casco Viejo?
Who Killed Casco Viejo? The Casco Killer Lovers of Casco Viejo (Casco), I have troubling news. I’ve caught the killer of Casco. Sure, this photo looks like an innocent steel survey platform. But, don’t be fooled. On the portable platform they are plotting to kill Casco. Digital devices stationed here will release data detailing... [Read more of this review]
Dating A Stable Gringo
Dating A Stable Gringo Lately, women have looked at me differently. Ladies who once seemed out of my league – too mature, too cool, too cute – are now kinda flirting with me. Sure, I still get shot down often. Just with less frequency. I agree, it could be my new haircut. Out, is the sporty spiky little boy hairdo. In,... [Read more of this review]
Panama’s Divided Dinner Party
Panama’s Divided Dinner Party I’m sitting at the middle of a dinner table. It’s my friend’s birthday party. She has invited about 20 people. Both Spanish and English speakers. We’re having a good time. To my right are Gringos. These are not solely Caucasian North Americans. This group of “Gringos” also includes people... [Read more of this review]
Our First Four Words
Our First Four Words You may have noticed a pattern. There’s a commonality in the first four words Gringos and Latinos learn. Sure, the very first words we all learn is a language’s bad words and pleasantries (Hi, bye, how are you, etc). But, I’m talking about the post-pleasantries vocabulary. There’s a pattern to these words. Evan Terry... [Read more of this review]
Problems Being El Patrón
Problems being El Patrón El Patrón: Directly translates to “the landlord”. But, it is more commonly referred to as a Boss/King/Ruler of a particular universe. A Panamanian friend, “Evan, you are too nice.” Me, “I know. I’m sorry.” A Panamanian friend, “You can NOT be nice to people who work for you.” Me, “I understand. I’ll... [Read more of this review]
My Lively Casita
My Lively Casita Come, take a walk with me. See how life is in mi new casita. My alarm is set for 6:45am. It’s way too ambitious. The previous night I had stayed at a BBQ until late. It was a little too much for a Sunday…. I hit the snooze button. Evan Terry Forbes Now, it must be after 8am. I’m guessing by gauging the rising temperature... [Read more of this review]
King Of Panama For A Day
King Of Panama For A Day. If Panama were to make me King for a day, it would be glorious. The night prior to my reign, we would all have a giant fiesta. Everyone would sip on pintas (beers) and enjoy free papas fritas (french fries). Ohh, how glorious it would be! But, seriously, after the hangovers wore off, there would be work to be done.... [Read more of this review]
Inside Guys’ Night Out
Inside Guys’ Night Out. Having a good guys’ night out is an awesome experience. Closely connected guys share certain codes, phrases, and body language indicators that are intended to effectively communicate in a party setting. It’s male team work that women very rarely candidly see. Here is an inside look into my last successful guys’... [Read more of this review]
American Badass
Setting: A yuppie nightclub in Seattle. “Watch out, faggot!” some random guy says to me. Apparently, I had bumped him while maneuvering to the bar on my way to order a couple whiskeys. Caught off guard, I replied, “Was the ‘faggot’ part really necessary?”. It seemed to me that the guy was overreacting. I did not intentionally... [Read more of this review]
Building The Concrete Jungle Of Yesterday
Building The Concrete Jungle Of Yesterday Why would you spend hundred of millions of dollars on building the city of yesterday? Good question. Yet, Panama City is currently contemplating doing just that. The government is pushing plans to build a 4 lane highway around its city’s historic colonial district. It’s a terrible idea. Panama is building... [Read more of this review]
Get Used To Guys Hitting On Your Girlfriend
Get Used To Guys Hitting On Your Girlfriend. Some random discoteca in San Salavdor, El Salvador. “Oye, yo pensé que era tu chica?”. (Hey, I thought she was your girl) Mi amigo turned to me and asked. “Yeah, I thought so too.” I replied just as I downed another warm shot of whiskey. At the time, my “chica” was dancing with some random... [Read more of this review]
My Failed Attempts To Friend Panama’s Yeyés
My failed attempts to friend Panama’s Yeyés. “Yeyé” is a subculture in Panama, one of its most exclusive. The definition of Yeyés would be preppy, wealthy people who like to show off a lot. Thus far, my attempts to understand Yeyé culture by befriending them have been unsuccessful. Even though I have many friends... [Read more of this review]
Understanding El Gringo Frio
Understanding El Gringo Frio. I was in Guatemala the first time a Latina girlfriend told me, “Ebans, tu eres frio.” (Evan, are you cold). At the time, were we sitting in a local coffee shop in Antigua, Guatemala sharing a cafe con leche (coffee with milk). She was surprised that I was not sitting beside her holding her hand. To her,... [Read more of this review]
Dancing Salsa – It’s About Damn Time!
Dancing Salsa – It’s About Damn Time! Successful Gringo – Learning to dance Salsa. I’ve been in Latin America way too long not to dance Salsa. My I-can’t-dance-to-Latin-music-because-I’m-a-Gringo excuse is on the verge of expiring. Sure, I have learned the general jist of Salsa. I even have a couple turns and... [Read more of this review]
Chiriqui vs The Rest of Panama
Successful Gringos lessons: Understanding the rivalry between Chiriqui and the rest of Panama. People from the province Chiriquí (Chiricanos) have Panama’s most distinct subcultures and prideful identities. The Chiricanos separatist spirit would make a Texan proud. Their we-are-the-prettiest-people-of-this-damn-country is comparable... [Read more of this review]
