Adventure Travel Panama: Partying With Noriega’s Nephew - November 17, 2000
November 17, 2000 Panama City, Panama
Panama City has been a whirlwind of social activity since the day I arrived. I had a contact here who welcomed me into his circle of friends and I have had the pleasure of experiencing a social fabric that is warm and easy going. I felt like a guest on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. And a very welcomed guest indeed. Perhaps because I am perceived as an “interesting foreigner” people want to get to know me. What ever the case, it has been enjoyable.
I experienced the business culture here as well, sitting in on some business lunches and doing some business here for a friend in the states. I dealt with a law firm in a situation that could only be described as a three-ring circus. I helped my friend switch to another law firm and got a heavy dose of the ‘manana’ mentality.
Perhaps the attitude that makes business so difficult is exactly what makes the social fabric so rich. “Let’s enjoy our time together now! Everything else can wait until ‘manana’!”
Business seems to happen mainly through social connections. It is a relatively small city in a very small country such that every one knows everyone. “I know someone who can help you with that!” A cousin, brother or friend of a friend is usually going to get the business.
I need to ship Baby Blue across the Darien Gap to Equator. I was introduced to someone in my new circle of Panamanian pals that could help. None other than the nephew of the deposed dictator of Panama, Edgardo Noriega. He hosted me on a nightclub tour that lasted until sunup. He was very open about his life and lots of fun to be around.
