When you here the word “developing” when attached to the word “country” one tends to think of dirt roads, confusing road signs, rampant government corruption, and hot climates. At least those were the first things that came to my mind when I signed up for the Peace Corps to work in Community Economic development in Central America. When I got the notice that I was going to Panama to serve I quickly added “jungle” to the list. It should be said that not every developing country fits into all of those parameters and that my assumptions about the developing world in Latin America were heavily based on terrible action movies that may or may not have accurately portrayed the atmosphere and political organization here. I had also had the chance to visit Panama for about a month almost 6 years ago so I thought I had had a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into which in reality was also a false.
It wasn't until after my first year here did I really start thinking about this notion of the “developing world” and what definition entailed. Panama was certainly developing and to be frank, developing quite quickly it seemed like. And it was in that sentiment that got me thinking about this country in relation to others. Specificly Peace Corps service here compared to others. I realize that not there is probably not too many other Peace Corps countries that have a Hooters and a 3D movie theater and I'm almost positive that not very many countries that Peace Corps works in has such a high GDP as Panama did last year and is expected to have this year. Furthermore, I don't think very many countries where Peace Corps works is listed as one of the top places to travel by the New York Times.
I know it hasn't always been like that here and I can remember coming to Panama years ago and feeling like the country was asleep or something. I had just traveled from Costa Rica (every gringos jungle dream) where beer and food was still relatively cheap and hostels were fun and lively. I then crossed the border to find vast amounts of.....well....jungle, and tourists spots that seemed to be still trying to figure out what was going on. Boquete was boring, Bocas Island was Expensive and there was only two hostels to stay at of which neither looked appealing, and when I went to Panama City, it seemed besides the Canal there was nothing much else to do or see. Even Casco Viejo was in worse shape than it is today and that place is barely standing. I can remember that guide book saying that it wasn't worth going to and that getting stuck there after dark was dangerous.
Fast forward to today and we can see a different story. There is an actual road from David to Bocas del Toro with regular bus routes, every other building on Bocas Island is a hostel, and Casco Viejo is lively place with music and coffee shops where building are being restored. It's not every country that can pick up themselves up and start doing the right thing and I'm not saying that Panama is perfect but things are looking on the up and up. So much so that the good ol USA is starting to look a little pale in comparison. Now don't get me wrong, no mater what Panama does I will miss being the states, but the whole jobs market thing is looking a lot better here than in the states especially if you are bi-lingual and if you start missing home one can just hop into the nearest Friday's restaurant and grab some buffalo wings. Now I am talking about being in one of Panama's cities and not in a rural jungle community that has no power and very little resources, but my point is that I never thought I would be in working in country that is having a hard time finding enough skilled workers because there are so many public works projects going on.
This place is growing and while news from around the world keeps coming in about crashing markets, failing governments, and out of control unemployment, help wanted signs are going up here. I don't think very many Peace Corps volunteers get done with their service and realize that maybe things are looking better in their service country than they are back home. Makes you think.
Now for some music:
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