Although there is a full Panamanian consensus on a lot of things, perhaps the most universal one is having the water shut off without notice. In most cultures, hearing your water will be disconnected for multiple days in a row is considered a disaster, a horror. How will I wash my hair? most people think. But when you hear it in Panama, it is not advised to get annoyed because you will appear out of place.
The first step is to go to the local chino and purchase as many bottles of water as you can until they run out (usually within 2 or 3 hours). The next thing to do is beckon a friend who lives near the Panama Canal Zone since their water almost never gets shut off. It is considered OK to ask this friend if you can come use their shower but only when the water is shut off in your neighborhood. Do not do this any other time of year or you will seem cholo. The third thing you must do to blend in when the water gets shut off in Panama is complain about it but never actually search for an answer.
If you want to accelerate your immersion process and make friends quickly, you can tell Panamanian acquaintances that the water shut down has to do with the new Metro (this because everyone likes the new Metro and thus, it’s no big deal). You can also say it has something to do with Bosco the Mayor. Since no one really likes him, you will find Panamanian unity in that point of view too.
LOL, the best one yet! Hell, how are Panamanians going to enjoy Bennigans when they keep closing due to random water disconnects?
Keep em coming!
If you ever think on binuyg a flat in the luxury and expensive Balboa Avenue looking for a peceful environment, think it twice! I live in one of those since november 2009 and I regret my decission ever since. I am suffering 12 hours of daily noisy christmas carols played through laudspeakers installed by the municipality in front of my building. A permanent fair with other kind of loud live music followed by crowds runs on the weekend’s evenings. Fantastic!!
I did not hear bottled water companies complain about tap water shut offs… Actually they are probably organizing the whole operation, with the help of our supermarket king / president….
Always ask yourself “who is benefiting from the crime?” Just kidding, of course.
Bosco has probably something to do with water shutdowns, he’s a big fat whale himself, so he’s probably hogging all the water.