Woes of the Expat

Several things have happened over the last couple of weeks that point to the difficulties of settling in a 3rd World Country.

A lady, with her head screwed on right, relocated to Boquete 3 weeks ago. This is a smart, level headed person, no flake here.

She is complaining about her inability to get what she wants. She knows she can't have what she wants, but it doesn't matter...she wants it.

What is it? The perfect brand of toilet paper. None to be found in this fine land.

She knows it is ridiculous. She knows it is a trivial little thing. But it looms huge in her life.

She is the type of person who will probably make the transition.

After she tames the Spoiled American Brat in herself.

And gets used to using sandpaper in the bathroom. (OK, it's not that bad.)

On a more significant note, a friend of my got into a tiff with his previous buddy. His buddy bought an old Toyota Land Cruiser and had my friend restore it for him over the 9 months the guy was back in the States.

During his 9 month absence, the buddy sent increasingly nasty emails demanding that the restoration process be accelerated.

When he got here, it wasn't done so got into a down-and-dirty disagreement with my friend. He ended up hiring a lawyer and threatened ligation against my friend.

The American way, right?

Bad idea!!! You will see why in a moment.

There were problems with title. As there always are...it takes time and patience to deal with this stuff.

If the buddy would have settled down, taken a couple of deep breaths and relaxed, it would all be done now.

But noooooo!!!

His lawyer ended up screwing him out of $1000 by presenting a false invoice for services that the lawyer never performed. The lawyer split the $1000 with another car dealer who was in on the deal.

And the title is still not complete.

This is the Land of Corruption. At least in certain areas. You have to be careful how you use lawyers. If they smell too much money on the table, they will go after it.

So the buddy is out a great friend, $1000, has no title to his car and now hates Panama and will never return.

What a waist!

The big lesson is that you Can't Bring Gringo Ways down to 3rd World Countries.

It will kick your ass!

This is the main barrier to relocating in Panama. About half of the people who come here, leave in one or two years.

Too bad. This is an incredible place. If you can adjust.

I was reminded of how far Yella and I have come by an innocent little remark that Yella made the other day.

She said, "The shower had trouble with hot water today, it was hot then cold, on and off." No anger, resentment or angst.

What a difference! Two years ago, this would have been a huge upset. For her and me. We must have hot water, in huge quantities, all the time!

We have faced dozens and dozens of little, and some big things, we have had to give up or found alternative replacements.

We don't even miss this stuff now.

What a blessing!

It is good for the soul to NOT get what you want all the time.