TheExpatJournals.com

Because I lived in Panama for a few years and because I tended to be somewhat outspoken about my observations of life there, I was recently queried by a Panamanian the following: “On foreigners: Ok Leslie, so I will ask you personally. When you said that you would prefer if Americans (not sure if you said Americans or foreigners) would NOT move there, what prompted you to say that? My apologies for putting you on the spot.” So I thought I would share my response there…here:

Re: foreigners

That’s a bit complicated because of ‘baggage’ I surely have from Panama. In a very short time, Panama certainly seemed to turn into the 52nd state, from where I sit. Along with the influx came a cancer of greed that seeped down to the very lowest economic levels (understandably since it’s their once in a lifetime lottery win) thus suspending previous opportunities to have true cultural exchanges.

Once upon a time in Panama, I could go out into the country and end up sharing coffee (grown in the yard) on the porch of an isolated cane home which was always a learning opportunity, a social exchange opportunity. Those days ended. At some point, the exchange was reduced to, “What’s your name? Where are you from? Do you want to buy property?”

I do believe the Americans created the opportunity for the greed to settle across the land, but make no mistake, a lack of honor and love of the buck above all else among Panamanians I believe to have been it’s greatest enabler. It’s a real symbiotic relationship.

I can’t compare it with here because down here it’s very different. I am fortunate to live in a world where the dominant values are family, culture and education, not the dollar. We have a President who isn’t willing to put Washington’s interests over Ecuador’s interests.

I believe that huge difference contributes to perhaps more Europeans living here than Americans. And they don’t seem to come in with the concept of building the American dream exUS (since it’s no longer possible to do in the US without being wealthy). I find that this particular culture attracts less of the capitalist oriented speculators than it attracts an interesting, well traveled, well educated, adventurous bohemian…SO FAR.

It tends to result in foreigners who blend in and appreciate what is instead of trying to turn it into what they want it to be…aka little America. Foreigners are building businesses…from making artensal chocolates for export to ceramics or eco-tourism (also valued here) and yes, even real estate, but with a ‘let’s share’ philosophy.

People move here with young children and in general, I find the age range of people moving to Ecuador to be younger than people moving to Panama. And so far, the experience in general is one of a real expat experience ala Paul Bowles as opposed to the dominant brand of capitalism that Panama seems to attract (and invite!). So here, there is more comradery and less cut throat competition among the expats, plus, I’m yet to hear about or see the level of attack and ugliness that became so prevalent there.

I used to say and perhaps will always feel that, for what I value, Americans ruined Panama. On farmland in Panama in particular, I feel the power of the cattlemen and the unchecked incredible destruction they do to rainforest in Panama remains an amazingly underreported story. I think they have done far more damage to Panama, environmentally speaking, than foreigners ever could. And only powerful Panamanians are stealing land from poor locals to sell to foreigners as far as I can see.

Of course, in the context of the environment here, I could discuss Canadian mining companies and US oil companies, but that’s another story. Also very unlike Panama, the indigenous are very organized here and have a LOUD voice in government having been responsible for overthrowing a President. So again, apples and oranges.

Having said all that, those of us who are American and do live in Cuenca frequently joke that anyone in real estate should find a couple of special spots to guide incoming towards…spots away from Cuenca. LOL. So yes, I have been ‘accused’ of trying to steer people away from thinking of moving to this place. If I wanted to live in America, I would return to America. I would HATE to see this place change as fast as Panama did, but fear it less given the cultural values that exist here.

So like I said, it’s complicated for me to answer. Incoming here tend to be pretty cool expats and so far, ironically, the only tiny stain has been expats in Panama trying to pull the same craps on Ecuador Yahoo groups as they pull in Panama. They stand out to expats here as people no one wants to put up with, let alone indulge. One just got shot down yesterday by a moderator who never shoots anyone down. Some have been banned. People here want to live in Ecuador, not Yahoolandia. Most of the expats here are nowhere to be found on Yahoo groups.

And perhaps what speaks to the nature of the expats in general here is is that most of them speak better Spanish than I do and the others are in school learning. The arrogance of thinking the locals better learn English does not exist here and it feels impossible to think that it ever could. Perhaps a lack of American presence (and an English only Canal Zone for 100 years) explains that. No one here drops Ecuadorian family names to make themselves seem more important, no one campaigns negatively against others nor gets caught up in anything other than enjoying their own lives. So I can’t compare the two if this is our incoming. I can only thank my lucky stars that I landed here.