Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive 01	50		2005/02/10, 10:55 am

OK two days into visiting Panama, I think I'm a convert.

I know Brazil has the best women (in my opinion) but Colombia is a very close second.

There are plenty of them in Panama and I am finding that Panama is a very livable city. There seems to be plenty to do and if you eat where locals eat, it is very cheap.

Transportation is good as long as you are not going to mongering establishments. I found that my taxi rate was much better if I am alone than when I am with a few friends. Taxi's are costing us $5 where most people are only paying $2 for the same destination.

Gas is the same as in the US. This is a major selling point for me since I hate taking taxis.

Banking seems very easy as does using credit cards.

There seems to be no safety issues. I never feel threatened even when I seemed to be in dicey areas. Maybe growing up in LA made me immune to it, I don't know.

Most importantly, I think owning property living as an American is easier.

What I really like about it is that I am not overwhelmed by the positives like I am in Brazil. Meaning I am not ignoring the negatives like I do when I am walking around Rio because I am blinded by the beauties.

There are plenty of beauties in Panama (both Colombian and Panamanian) to go around.

I think my quality of life would be better in Panama than Brazil. Mongering would be better in Brazil but still very good here.

I'm looking at a few properties this week and I'll see if its something that may interest me further.

Sniper -

Before you buy, I know a bunch of ex-pats who keep tabs on lawyers (good and bad) in Panama. I can get you in touch with Americans living there who can share their lessons learned with you.

It is okay to look at property...I do all the time. But most ex-pats recommend renting for the first year while you look for the perfect piece of property. Then with a non-crook (ex-pat checked-out) lawyer...you'll be ready to become an ex-pat yourself...with the help of fellow Americans who will help watch-out for you...seems to be a pretty good community with an odd nut here and there.

AlecJamer

Good advice since I have already made a few phone calls for a wire transfer to a local bank.

Frankly, I love this place (other than the massive smoking).

Even my travel partners (3 others) think it is a good move.

Now I don't want to start a debate on whose better, Colombians or Brazilians, but as I said before this is a much more livable place. I still think Brazilian women are better but not SO MUCH BETTER that I should completely ignore how the rest of my life can be lived.

I can easily jump on a plane for an 8 hour trip and go to Rio anytime I want to pound girls in the ass (something I absolutely love to do).

1. I don't fear for my life if I make a wrong turn.

2. I can get a car and expect to pay the same amount in gas. I can even import my car and not pay duty on it! Insurance seems to be cheaper. With a car I can avoid Taxis. I don't feel that they are safe to be on the road most of the time.

3. I can bank like a normal person.

4. I can buy property (eventually) and minimize my expenses with little fear that the government won't take the property away or worse deport me because I've been there too long.

5. Eating is cheaper in Brazil but still very reasonable in Panama. Much more so than in the US. Although nothing beats Marius, Porcao, and Garota de Ipanema in Rio. Nothing.

6. I like democracies, democracies are good. Brazil is being led by a leftist government now and they are very informed about the mongering trade. Why do you think it is harder for Americans to get into Brazil right now. Because we are about 80% of the business coming. 10 years ago, if your Visa expired, you can pay a little fine at the airport and you are in. Now they stick you on the next flight anywhere to go get a Visa then come back. You wait in long lines when you do arrive, and you take several hours to clear customs. Nevermind if you are found with condoms and lube in your luggage. They'll probably strip search you.

7. Theres more but I'm getting tired.

Alecjamer, send me your contact info and when I get back into the US we can talk.

So to be clear, I love Brazilian women. They are the most passionate women alive. I've never really had a bad experience. It breaks my heart that I will only see them once a year.

But lets be honest, only a few people can monger daily for years. There can be too much of a good thing. There is one person on Club Hombre who lives in Brazil (for many years now) and seems to monger daily.

While I think he is a great guy and seemingly very trustworthy, I've been to his apartment. While I envy him in some ways, I see the things he gives up and I feel a little sorry for him. He can't work at all because being caught means deportation, he lives with very little furniture, and seems to have no interaction with people outside the hobby and Pros.

I can't do that, Panama seems to be a happy Latin American medium.

> Why do you think it is harder for Americans
> to get into Brazil right now. Because we are
> about 80% of the business coming.

European visitors to Brazil outnumber North Americans by 2 to 1. Don't know the % of mongers, but I am sure there are plenty of mongers among the Euro visitors.

Europeans can travel visa free because they let Brazilians travel visa free.

There's plenty of talk (and even a little action) about stopping child prostitution. But I haven't seen any harrassment of regular mongers by this government.

Good luck in Panama and thanks for the sharing the info you're finding out.

Its probably retribution for the US making it difficult for Brazilians to visit the US.

Just back from Panama.

While I was there, I was able to keep my business running fairly smoothly using Skype for voice and Go To My PC for email and other PC functions.

There are much better industrial tools out there to make it possible to route calls to my office over the Internet directly to a phone in Panama. No latency issues or large costs involved for me or my customers.

I guess what I am saying is that I may be able to move to Brazil/Panama/etc. and run my business as if I am still in the US. With little effort I was able to do it for a week. With better tools, I may be able to spend as much as 50% away from the US.

OK I've compiled a list of positives and negatives in what I will call Brazil vs. Panama

Good looking girls: Advantage Brazil
Open girls: Advantage Brazil
Back door action: Advantage Brazil
Affordable action: Advantage Brazil
Affordable to live: Advantage Brazil (can still buy a home for $40K right outside of Rio) Living well in Panama will still cost $100K
Banking: Advantage Panama
Safety: Advantage Panama
Healthcare: Advantage Panama
Immigration: Advantage Panama
Civil Rights: Advantage Panama
Cleanliness: Advantage Panama
Transportation: Advantage Brazil (Buses are nicer)
Non Pro Action: Advantage Panama
Tasty Food: Advantage Brazil
Flights to the US: Advantage Panama
Language: Advantage Panama
Communications: Advantage Panama

Brazil is best for food and fucking. Panama is best for everything else.

In my mind, still a toss up!