That's how integrated I have become into living in Panama...the holiday season in the US was my favorite season (after summer, that is) and now I don't even remember it without a reminder.
I know the Panamanian holidays because you have to if you are going to live here...everything closes on holidays so you have to pay attention. November is now the month of independence, not Thanksgiving. Parades, drums, more drums, much much more drums, road closures for more parades and on and on.
This is parade month! Not Thanksgiving week.
When I first arrived in Panama, I didn't think I would ever integrate into this place, it is so foreign to the US. Even though I desperately wanted to get here, the reality was brutal. Friends warned us about the long time required for integration.
I arrived from Colorado having just retired as a small business owner. I was used to going a 100 miles an hour, 24/7.
I didn't know this place was a Treatment-Center-for-Type-A-Personalities, an incredibly useful thing for people like me. And most of the immigrants from North America and Europe.
It took almost 3 years to "dry out" from "BEING USEFUL AND HAVING VALUE".
I received an email yesterday from my old partner in business. They are still paying me for my ownership in the business and it has been shaking because the economy is so bad in the US.
I thought I might have to go back and work again to keep my investment in my old company and get paid.
So far I have been blessed with an incredible partner who has made sure I was getting paid over the last 3 years. This was a Herculean effort on his part.
I offered to go back for a few months to help out.
I doesn't look like I will have to do that. When I realized that I can stay here, I was thrilled.
I don't want to return to the US anymore. Nor do I want to work at my old work.
I've moved on.
With the help of an incredible nation...with a gentle way of being, more value on family and play than money and things, perpetual Spring weather, the most amazing friends...I have slowed down and restructured my life.
And, lest I forget, I am now a budding Rock n' Roll guitar player. It's true. I actually played way too loud the other day, the authentic hallmark of guitar player!
How can you beat that!
Sometimes in life, a precious gift comes along. Completely undeserved. Sometimes the gift shines so brightly that it is hard to accept. Part of the W.A.S.P. mentality weaved through the fabric of the US culture.
Enjoying it now is of utmost importance because it could all go away in a heartbeat.
2 comments:
Dang Whizbee, I Love Your Posts. reading them reminds me much of the freedom I adore. I am still on the legal chains of not moving anywhere our of state, or out of country, till at least the end of 2013, and maybe never, according to the whims of the legislative echelon. All the Same, Freedom lives Here, where I am.
I am still laughing over your speaking of getting over, "BEING USEFUL AND HAVING VALUE". There has been immense suffering, Here, from this, so it was Hilariously Freeing to read your Sacred Words. I wrote a poem about it once - it went, "I prayed to God to 'make me a Great Teacher!' ... so He made me a bad example...". Love You, Tom. Always look forward to reading your posts. They are one of my few touches of Reality. All Love, Darshan
Dear Bad Example,
If you had become a "great teacher" with 1000's at your feet, you probably wouldn't want it. That's the way it goes with me...I want something really bad, get it only to find I don't like it. Your bad example has provided much for me. Thanks,
Tom
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