Where Am I?
I am confused and enamored at the same time
I have traveled to a lot of places, not as many as some yet more than others. There have only been a few places that I didn’t connect with and I have only been to one place so far that I thought to myself…”You are nothing like me!”
Panama City is a big city with a small town feel and it is truly the best of both worlds. There is something in the water or in the air here in Panama…happy juice or laughing gas that is just community spread.
I am no fool…my perspective does not encapsulate all spectrums of life in Panama…no, of course not. But I am sharing my experiences and my experience is that I have stepped into the Mary Poppins movie or Mr. Roger’s neighbourhood. There is good in the air and enchantment in people’s hearts.
Let Me Explain
It’s like Disneyland…Could it possibly be the happiest place on Earth?
It is without fail, every single time I am out for a walk every person I pass by says hello…this is no exaggeration.
Every time you go in a store whether it’s just snooping at stuff or getting groceries, people are engaged and in the moment. From the second you enter the establishment, there is a genuine welcoming. An unfeigned desire to engage in conversation. This is a place where if someone asks “How are you ?” they actually want to know. In North America, that sentence has become so empty and habitual that people don’t even listen for the answer. That sentence in North America is hollow, it means nothing…but here in Panama it means everything.
People ask your name and they remember it! What? Yeah, it’s no joke…Panama City takes the Cheers slogan “Where everybody knows your name” to a whole new level.
In addition to the general public being inherently friendly, the cops ALWAYS wave! They can be walking by, standing on a corner, driving by in a car or a golf cart patrolling the streets…and they wave. Not just smile behind the mask, they lift their arm and wave. It’s incredible!
Even with masks on….people smile in their eyes and it feels really good.
If your eyes smile, then life it good 
As my new friend Amy described…at first it’s overwhelming…but that quickly becomes the norm and changes your perspective…and now where ever else you will go in this world, you will be underwhelmed…having been touched by Panama.
I am charmed and I have a daily dose of ecstatic admiration for Panama, for Panama City, for Panamanian people and for all those who traveled here, were also hypnotized and had to stay.
Jackelyn Approved 
Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion. There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.