It is very important to mention that these facts are based on my own experience! They don’t have to apply to everyone and every part of this country or even be completely true. These are just things that came to my attention because they seem different, compared to Germany.
#1 Baseball is Panama’s national sport
#2 The Metro in Panama City, which is in use since 2014, is Central America’s first urban rail system! (Last week the 2nd line opened, before there was only one)
#3 Nobody ever wears sunglasses, whether on the street or on the beach. I try to adapt by not wearing any so I don’t look like a sassy diva tourist but the the UV-light is always burning my eyes, it’s a struggle.
#4 Solo agua frio. Which totally makes sense, why would you take a hot shower if its freaking tropical hot outside? Still, I had to get used to it. Also dishes and clothes are washed with cold water which might seem odd but that’s how it is.
5# Panamanian Spanish. There are a lot of Spanish words or phrases that are only used in Panama. Many of them derive from the English language due to US-American influence in the past.
Here are some examples, let me know in the comments what you think they mean.
bien pretty
fren
tas loco
vaina
xopa
yeye
enantes
hota
Dame una fria
6# Traffic is crazy. People drive like crazy.
In the city there are many streets that have two lanes in each direction. People don’t bother and just drive into the opposite traffic waiting for someone to be nice enough to let them enter the right lane. As you can imagine there is a lot of honking, I feel like some people like to rest their elbow on the honk for some time.
The taxis usually have many bumps and scratches, often even the windshield is cracked. I’m lucky if there is a seatbelt available, if not, I can only pray that the taxidriver is taking his job and life serious while texting and driving.
Also, crossing the street is a nightmare, especially if there are more then two lanes because there are not many official pedestrian crossings.
7# Nobody receives mail. Bills are sent via Email. Postcards, letters and online shopping are not a thing. They dont have a national mail company or mailmen. If you need to send or receive something you have to to rent a mailbox at a postshop.
#8 Shampoo (starting at 8$) and other luxurious goods are very expensive because they are imported.
#9 Arraijan is a district on the other side of the Panama Canal. In the past, people who spoke english used to refer to this area as “at right hand” but the Spanish spoken people would pronounce it as “Arraichan”, thats how this name and supposedly others have evolved as well.
#10 Electricity is more expensive than in the neighbouring countries, even though Panama is selling their own electricity to them.