Panama – A country that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Ever since I was able to travel on my own,  exploring the world has been one of my most favorite things to do. There’s something about being lost in a new part of the world, immersed in a different culture and exploring a place I have never been that excites me. 

After graduating from University and beginning my marketing career in Toronto, life felt too comfortable and simple. I didn’t want to do what everyone around me was doing, I didn’t want to settle down just yet, I wanted to challenge myself, I wanted to explore, I had a desire for more.

I had always dreamed of living near the ocean and in a warmer climate but never knew if that was a true possibility. I always wanted to work Internationally as getting experience in a new market was important to me. So at the age of 25, after lots of research about career opportunities and safety, I found myself choosing between moving to Chile or Panama. For various reasons, I chose Panama. 

In January of 2011 I took a leap of faith, rented my apartment out in Toronto, parked my car at my parents house and booked a one way flight to Panama City, Panama, a country I had never been to, a place I didn’t know anyone and without speaking any Spanish.

You can use the word brave, looking back now almost 15 years later I miss that brave adventurous person I used to be. I really had no fear and such a fearless attitude. I recall thinking ‘if things don’t work out, I could always come back home, at least I know I tried’. So with that mindset I set off on an adventure that eventually changed the trajectory of my life and brought me to where I am today. 

My mom helped me move down and settle into my new apartment, we explored together as I started to get acclimated with this new country. At the time I didn’t speak Spanish but I spoke French and was determined to learn Spanish as quickly as possible. I bought a text book and spent my days immersed in the culture learning word by word. 

When I moved it was before Instagram and Facebook were popular and it was a lot more challenging figuring things out and staying connected. In my first week I went to a local coffee shop called New York Bagel Cafe and seeing a flyer for Salsa classes. I was shy but I knew attending this class would be a good way to meet people and start immersing myself in the local culture, so I went to the salsa class and it really just took that one step to start building an entire network of new friends. Friends who became my family while I was in Panama, friends who were amongst some of the kindest I have met to this day.

Some would say my decision to move to Central America alone is a dangerous one but I truly believe the energy you put out is what you attract and it really felt like things just fell into place for me once I made it there. Often times in life the hardest part is committing and taking that leap of faith, but once you allow yourself to be open to something, the universe has an interesting way of aligning things for you. 

I spent the next 3 years continuing to grow my career in marketing as I worked for Adidas as an expat based in Panama but traveling throughout Central and South America for work. Within 6 months my Spanish improved and I was able to speak the language and over the years I grew more and more confident in the language. It was the height of my career and in many ways as a person as I was living this life I had dreamed of. It was exciting, fun, different and adventurous and I will forever be grateful for my time in Panama.

I fully immersed myself in the local latin culture, I would work during the day and would spend my evenings teaching myself Spanish, socializing with my new friends and weekends were spent at the beach every chance I could get. 

When I left Panama I didn’t know what my future would hold, but I always knew it was a place I would return to one day as it played such an important role in my life and now that day has come. I get to share this special place with my children. Often times our children only know us as who we are as parents but this summer I am looking forward to showing and teaching them about a part of my life that was very defining for me. I plan to show them all my favorite places, I look forward to seeing all my old friends and immersing myself in the culture again over the next month.

At the end of my visit I will put together a summary blog with all my favorite places and recommendations so I can share it with you all and hopefully you too can see the beauty of this country. 

That’s all for now, hasta luego!