u got some good points but why would u care about the tickets i rather pay $10 than get a ticket and why didnt u mention driving i would think an american would hate it
@BigFloppyTaco Because the cops know you would rather pay the $10 and they target gringos living in the country. I've seen their eyes light up when they see me coming through a checkpoint.
@halfthrottle ya u have a point theyll stop anyone but theyll stop gringos more often but u probably get better service at restaurants and things like that with people thinking youll tip more
@BigFloppyTaco There is only 1 restaurant in David that I consider to have good service. It's called Cuatro. Amazing food, fair price. Only difference I've noticed being a gringo at food places is sometimes you end up paying more. The gringo price, they call it.
@halfthrottle ya they expect more money but most places are good and im from the city and people tend to be more rude and lazy since they dont make much from tips
You complain alot you must remember you are in a foreign country and can't change their ways, the people there are used to it so you need to also or come back to the U.S.A. My mother is from Panama so I know what you mean!
Nicely shot vid., and valuable running commentary: many thoughts came to mind, but one should do.
The intolerance for males wearing shorts in certain buildings seems no different in kind to the intolerance for women failing to wear the burka garb in some Middle East countries. Rationally, such rejections have no foundation---they are based in traditionally entrenched prejudice, malodorous habits of intolerance. It is bloodcurdling to think one lives amidst a volatile hostility of type RWANDA!
re short/pants check out "travel pants" from companies like Kathmandu, Mountain Design or North Face. They're not cheap but they're really cool (temperature wise) and not hideous. I have a couple of dark gray pairs and wear them all the time.
That phenomena where it seems like its everyone's first day. Its what my dad calls "talking underwater." You say something simple and everyone reacts like you're speaking in riddles. You just keep repeating yourself and eventually you get there.
our company ships to Miami for that same reason.. I am not sure of the company they are using but they can be a headache on our side as well
Short @ 90*F ? Guys where you are from tend to wear shorts @ 40*F
maybe I will move there and be a lawyer... is it hard to be a store owner there? sounds like it would be fun to move there and open a small grocery store.
Love the unbiased information that you provide about the country also. It's extremely hard to find solid info that can be trusted so thanks very much and hope you will continue to tell us about your experience there.
Just as an aside, the "probable cause" thing is getting tested more and more in the USA. Patriot Act has done more to push back our constitutional guarantees than it has to protect us I'd say. TSA at airports sounds a good deal like the security guards in Panama.
@Opiateoftheone At Panama's airport you get searched at the security checkpoint, then again when you are boarding the plane. Pretty redundant, sometimes I just wonder if they do it to create more jobs for people.
@halfthrottle They do it in reaction to the statement made by the former U.S. embassador to Panama, Barbara Stephenson, that Tocumen airport is not a secure airport. Prior to that, they only searched you once.
@53398 airport doesn't bother me so much. But visiting a retail store, bank, etc. and being treated like a criminal just get inside the store really bugs me. I have to check my bag at the door so I don't go inside and shoplift? I have to be patted down to go in the bank. I guess it saves me money because it keeps me from going out shopping quite a bit.
@halfthrottle, i wondered if u still have contacts in the military. Is there a legit way to make use of base post offices. I think i am right in your being a vet?
As educational as listening to your gripes was, the view from the helmet cam was equally educational. Thanks for taking the time and sharing. Good to have you back!
Good to see you're back out riding but....man you totally talked me out of moving there ever....LOL , The advice to stay for a year and the see if you like it is a good one though , never thought of it that way. And my wife knows what yours means by being grumpy and not riding :-)
One more thing has been nagging me, either you have heavily farkled your bike or got yourself a substitute one? Maybe it's just me not noticing before that your dashboard is much different than in european version?
@cynik45ACP The little gizmo on the dashboard is a Vapor motorcycle computer. It has things like RPM, MPH, ODO all in a digital read out. It also keeps track of what your max speed was. The odometer on mine isn't working, I think I'd prefer just the normal dash. I don't need a lot of fancy stuff especially for a KLR.
What about personal packages. LIke if I sent you a "Present" clutch through USPS? Would you still have to pay the import tax? I just sent you a email with my address. If it's cheaper I could send things to you instead of having to order them. Cheers from Boise!
@fayerz1 Yes I have to pay taxes even on presents. My wifes aunt once sent us some Easter candy. I ended up paying $65 in shipping for some pastel colored M&M's. Once I was finished cursing I enjoyed them throughly.
@jeffkatzer Sometimes its nice to go for a ride in the cold. As long as you have heat grips and are dressed for it. It can be much more enjoyable than sweating all day in Panama.
I think I would move to Thailand. My daughter lived there, and she really liked it. She said one could live very comfortably there on Social Security.
@cashstore1 People from the UK that want to retire cheap usually end up in Thailand. People from the US normally head to Central America. I would love to live in Thailand, but it's just so far away from friends and family. It's nice to be able to jump on a plane and be back in the states in a few hours. 3 hour flight to Florida from Panama City, sometimes for less that $100 one way on Spirit Air.
The problem with the insurance company in Panama may be that the insurance companies are corrupt and don't pay out. That would piss off the insured. Possibly the insurance companies are not corrupt, but the insured thinks the insurance company is ripping them off. That would be the case if the insured is ignorant of the insurance contract. Ignorance, can cause big problems. All of our Social security offices have armed guards. People here want that check if they deserve it or not.
Excellent Video. Extremely Informative.I had often wondered what long term would be like in a 3rd world country.The Philippines is like that from what i had Experienced only for 1 month while there. The Guard & Shot Gun @ EVERY Business front is what seams to be like Branded in my memory.And also the Corruption i seen Every Night. Police stopping cars @ random.Never did it seam anyone got a ticket.People would pay with Pigs,Rice,Other things.But more often then not u could see $money passing.
I know what you mean about shorts when I went to my wifes church in Juan Dias Tabernacul de Fa in 1996 I didn't know that Panamamainians regard that as disrespectful so I learned. We discused this that long pant's on men & women are concidard as more suava but shorts are confortable. My wife conciders people in the us to be sloppy dressers in general.
wow, I'd have the exact same pet peeves.. I have some here in Hawaii as well but they are pretty minor.. Tires take forever to get here and you absolutely cannot order any "dangerous" liquids online.. IE: if they don't carry the lubricants etc you want for your wheels, you'll have the hardest time getting them.. I suppose I could do the 3rd party shipper but by the time it gets here a can of chain lube would be $40 bucks.. urrrr.. How's your cost of living?
@AccidentalBroadcast I've already thought of more, I think I'll be making a pet peeves part 2 vid soon. I rent a 2 bedroom house for $250/month. Food is a bit cheaper here than in the states. Gas is about the same.
Good to see you back on the motor and filming. Back when I rode I could not stand to be bikeless for even a week. The pet peeves are universal to many Latin countries. When I was in Venezuela, the OFF bug spray bought there didn't work. I asked a local why and he said the deet made their skin sting so the OFF make in country stopped adding it. That, of course, is the active ingredient! haha
I live and work in New York, and when I retire, I'm moving right back to Panama. The U.S. is not exactly paradise, either. I guess we are all used to our own country.
@halfthrottle That's true. I met an older couple in a bar the other day. They told me they rented in Panama, they loved it, and now they are moving there permanently. They hated Panama City, though...lol
@53398 I could never live in Panama City. Traffic is such a nightmare there. They are building a metro there now and some new roads in and out of the city. Hopefully that will ease the cluster a bit.
When you get stopped a pay a bribe for speeding, are you saying you are stopped even when not actually speeding or is the stop legitimate but then they want a payoff? Just curious if they are doing a double whammy on you.
@ExitRomeo Little of both. I've been stopped while doing nothing wrong, and I've also bribed my way out of speeding tickets. It's easy to speed here and not realize it. The limit changes often along the Pan American, they just aren't good at putting up signed or keeping trees from over growing them. If they want to get you they will.
@MotorcycleGuy2000 Panama doesn't have a real mail system. No one here has a mailbox in front of their house. It's all P.O. boxes, and when the USPS hands over the box to the Panamanian post... well you would be crazy to send anything of value.
I live in Canada and occasionally order from US online retailers. Cheapest way to ship is USPS. There are no customs broker fees using the postal service.
Oh believe me, stay in Panama, the constitution is basically meaningless now and the Senate has basically declared war on the people. They are are about to pass a law that anyone "suspicious" of being against the government is a terrorist and you can be held indefinitely or killed under military law. No trial, no nothing. This is a 3rd world country now.
@MetalHeadKLR650 Yeah I've heard about that mess. I really hope people come to their senses. I need to head back to the states and make some money. I'll end up back in Panama open up a little hotel or something. But I'm not ready to retire down here yet.
@MetalHeadKLR650 It's a Vapor motorcycle computer thingy. Something is wrong with mine is doesn't clock miles. I have no idea how many miles are on that bike, or when I'm about to run out of gas.
@secregistrado KLR650. The Panamerican runs right through town I was riding on it for part of this video. I don't have any plans of visiting South American anytime soon. I'd love to do it, but I'm just a little to poor right now.
- Im watching u from Argentina and the police random controls are the same here.
- The looked doors of retail shops also make me crazy!
- Fortunately, the shorts are accepted.
- Lawers and goverment employees are a little bit better when you need something from them. Maybe as a gringo, merchants are more used to take advantage from you.
- No overzealous security guards.
- Online shopping works pretty good, specially those with freeshipping from China.
@secregistrado Free shipping from China would be awesome! Do you still have to pay import taxes on stuff? That's usually what makes it so expensive to ship to Panama.
@icpchad I've already remembered a few more things I left out of the vid. People cutting in line at the checkout or when you are trying to order food at fast food type restaurant. If your not piggy backing on the person in front of you they'll just cut right in.
You know, it's a real shame you live on the other side of the world, because I *know* for an absolute fact you'd be one of my best friends if you lived close to me. Keep smiling bro.
@svengalie My wife and I have dreams of a Europe trip. One of these days we'll meet up and go mildly injure ourselves in the name of adventure and youtube and ratings.
@DesmosediciAlice oh wow they got check points too ? Just like in U.S. of A they have check points on I-40 and the airports, you either be sexually molested or go thru "micowave", I was born in eastern europe and it wasn't that bad what we see here in the states, i love your videos btw
Just watched your vid. Great info, but one thing that was "on my nerves" was seeing your bark buster flapping in the wind! LOL. JK! I can see why all of those points you made would get on your nerves, I think most of those would make me stay here in the US. Thanks for the video! Glad to see you're up and running with your bike again!
The final bell just rang, but I must say my Geography class is going to see this tomorrow! I like how you go over the cons of living in Panama, but what about the pros? I think I'd like to get out of the US myself someday, learn Spanish, and teach somewhere south of the border.
@eveRideorg Some of the pros I guess are. Low cost of living. I rent a 2 bedroom house for $250/month.
Slow pace of life (but sometimes that's a con).
Great weather, Hurricanes can't hit Panama.
There are a lot of benefits to retiring here. Tax breaks, discounts at restaurants, plane tickets, prescription drugs, etc. I'm not really an expert in that area, but they really want people to retire here.
@halfthrottle , God Bless your Patience; at 62, no amount of free shit is worth any of that crap to me! They literally could not pay ME to live there and absorb that shit!! trb
@trbfshmn A lot of people move here thinking it will be great, then move right back home. That's why I say give life a test ride down here just to make sure this is really what you want.
Oh man, so many LOL moments in this video. The peanut butter thing, the burning yourself alive for the security guy thing... just gold in so many ways.
u got some good points but why would u care about the tickets i rather pay $10 than get a ticket and why didnt u mention driving i would think an american would hate it
BigFloppyTaco 1 week ago
@BigFloppyTaco Because the cops know you would rather pay the $10 and they target gringos living in the country. I've seen their eyes light up when they see me coming through a checkpoint.
halfthrottle 1 week ago
@halfthrottle ya u have a point theyll stop anyone but theyll stop gringos more often but u probably get better service at restaurants and things like that with people thinking youll tip more
BigFloppyTaco 1 week ago
@BigFloppyTaco There is only 1 restaurant in David that I consider to have good service. It's called Cuatro. Amazing food, fair price. Only difference I've noticed being a gringo at food places is sometimes you end up paying more. The gringo price, they call it.
halfthrottle 1 week ago
@halfthrottle ya they expect more money but most places are good and im from the city and people tend to be more rude and lazy since they dont make much from tips
BigFloppyTaco 6 days ago
Could someone get by speaking only english in Panama (I don't speak spanish)?
boomtao 1 week ago
@boomtao I don't speak much Spanish and I get by just fine.
halfthrottle 1 week ago
awesome video, this is what i love, make more like this
wojtekc27 1 week ago
Thanks for information on living in Panama. I have a friend that was thinking about it.
Uriel1816 2 weeks ago
THANK YOU!!! Finally someone telling the truth about your personal pet peeves. The information you share is really helpful.
Crynwolf 1 month ago in playlist More videos from halfthrottle
Good info man
DUBSAC 1 month ago
You complain alot you must remember you are in a foreign country and can't change their ways, the people there are used to it so you need to also or come back to the U.S.A. My mother is from Panama so I know what you mean!
mred1962dec 2 months ago
Hooray for replaced springs! Good to have a cheap fix.
GOTTshua 2 months ago
Pretty funny. At least beer and rum is cheap though.
WheresHomey 2 months ago
I commented on there Facebook site
martyman5000 2 months ago
@martyman5000 nice.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
I'm pissed at Canada also that I can't buy a small diesel truck for my work...you can get them all over Europe/Asia/South America.
martyman5000 2 months ago
@martyman5000 Yeah everything is diesel down here. I have a Hyundai Galloper SUV that's a diesel.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle Progressive replied to a comment and said you are cool and you're in a Tropical country so you must be cool.
martyman5000 2 months ago
@martyman5000 A comment on YouTube?
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Its like me shipping parts from the U.S. to Canada...Its very expensive
martyman5000 2 months ago
1991 Kawasaki KLR650 Kelly blue book $1300
Hey Ryan Grassley I saw your interview on the Dennis Kirk Ch on youtube I hope that this can lead to parts for your bike. God bless.
KeithCindyPanama 2 months ago in playlist More videos from halfthrottle
Nicely shot vid., and valuable running commentary: many thoughts came to mind, but one should do.
The intolerance for males wearing shorts in certain buildings seems no different in kind to the intolerance for women failing to wear the burka garb in some Middle East countries. Rationally, such rejections have no foundation---they are based in traditionally entrenched prejudice, malodorous habits of intolerance. It is bloodcurdling to think one lives amidst a volatile hostility of type RWANDA!
Austyg 2 months ago
@Austyg Are you volunteering for my Army of revolutionaries?
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle ... LOL . . . no.
Austyg 2 months ago
re short/pants check out "travel pants" from companies like Kathmandu, Mountain Design or North Face. They're not cheap but they're really cool (temperature wise) and not hideous. I have a couple of dark gray pairs and wear them all the time.
That phenomena where it seems like its everyone's first day. Its what my dad calls "talking underwater." You say something simple and everyone reacts like you're speaking in riddles. You just keep repeating yourself and eventually you get there.
magictravelblog 2 months ago
our company ships to Miami for that same reason.. I am not sure of the company they are using but they can be a headache on our side as well
Short @ 90*F ? Guys where you are from tend to wear shorts @ 40*F
maybe I will move there and be a lawyer... is it hard to be a store owner there? sounds like it would be fun to move there and open a small grocery store.
kary1982v6 2 months ago
Love the unbiased information that you provide about the country also. It's extremely hard to find solid info that can be trusted so thanks very much and hope you will continue to tell us about your experience there.
Just as an aside, the "probable cause" thing is getting tested more and more in the USA. Patriot Act has done more to push back our constitutional guarantees than it has to protect us I'd say. TSA at airports sounds a good deal like the security guards in Panama.
Opiateoftheone 2 months ago
@Opiateoftheone At Panama's airport you get searched at the security checkpoint, then again when you are boarding the plane. Pretty redundant, sometimes I just wonder if they do it to create more jobs for people.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle They do it in reaction to the statement made by the former U.S. embassador to Panama, Barbara Stephenson, that Tocumen airport is not a secure airport. Prior to that, they only searched you once.
53398 2 months ago
@53398 airport doesn't bother me so much. But visiting a retail store, bank, etc. and being treated like a criminal just get inside the store really bugs me. I have to check my bag at the door so I don't go inside and shoplift? I have to be patted down to go in the bank. I guess it saves me money because it keeps me from going out shopping quite a bit.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle Lol...I have to admit, that's overkill.
53398 2 months ago
it might be the shoplifters 1st day.lol
papazeb832 2 months ago
I think it's a major achievement for a Central American country if you don't have a 'pothole' pet peeve, lol.
53398 2 months ago
@53398 Yeah I'm going to have to make a part 2 to this.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@53398 Panama does have some pretty good roads though. Much better than neighboring Costa Rica.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle, i wondered if u still have contacts in the military. Is there a legit way to make use of base post offices. I think i am right in your being a vet?
flimluvr 2 months ago
@flimluvr That might be possible but there are no U.S. bases in Panama.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
You know.... Ive often wondered if DUI checkpoints in the US are unconstitutional.
Nice to have you back grumpy old man...:)
tractorkingc 2 months ago
As educational as listening to your gripes was, the view from the helmet cam was equally educational. Thanks for taking the time and sharing. Good to have you back!
ddavidv 2 months ago
Good to see you're back out riding but....man you totally talked me out of moving there ever....LOL , The advice to stay for a year and the see if you like it is a good one though , never thought of it that way. And my wife knows what yours means by being grumpy and not riding :-)
bakker46 2 months ago
@bakker46 Fellas, I got a fever and the only cure is more motorcycle.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
One more thing has been nagging me, either you have heavily farkled your bike or got yourself a substitute one? Maybe it's just me not noticing before that your dashboard is much different than in european version?
cynik45ACP 2 months ago
@cynik45ACP The little gizmo on the dashboard is a Vapor motorcycle computer. It has things like RPM, MPH, ODO all in a digital read out. It also keeps track of what your max speed was. The odometer on mine isn't working, I think I'd prefer just the normal dash. I don't need a lot of fancy stuff especially for a KLR.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
What about personal packages. LIke if I sent you a "Present" clutch through USPS? Would you still have to pay the import tax? I just sent you a email with my address. If it's cheaper I could send things to you instead of having to order them. Cheers from Boise!
fayerz1 2 months ago
@fayerz1 Yes I have to pay taxes even on presents. My wifes aunt once sent us some Easter candy. I ended up paying $65 in shipping for some pastel colored M&M's. Once I was finished cursing I enjoyed them throughly.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Good to have you back on the road. Headed out on my FJR in the cold and fog after having just climbed off the KLR with you in Panama...
jeffkatzer 2 months ago
@jeffkatzer Sometimes its nice to go for a ride in the cold. As long as you have heat grips and are dressed for it. It can be much more enjoyable than sweating all day in Panama.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Damn dude, don't ever do that again. It was a stupid time, that period without your videos.
cynik45ACP 2 months ago
@cynik45ACP You, me, and my wife all agree. Lidia: "Why are you so grouchy all the time... Oh yeah your motorcycles broken."
halfthrottle 2 months ago
I think I would move to Thailand. My daughter lived there, and she really liked it. She said one could live very comfortably there on Social Security.
cashstore1 2 months ago
@cashstore1 People from the UK that want to retire cheap usually end up in Thailand. People from the US normally head to Central America. I would love to live in Thailand, but it's just so far away from friends and family. It's nice to be able to jump on a plane and be back in the states in a few hours. 3 hour flight to Florida from Panama City, sometimes for less that $100 one way on Spirit Air.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
The problem with the insurance company in Panama may be that the insurance companies are corrupt and don't pay out. That would piss off the insured. Possibly the insurance companies are not corrupt, but the insured thinks the insurance company is ripping them off. That would be the case if the insured is ignorant of the insurance contract. Ignorance, can cause big problems. All of our Social security offices have armed guards. People here want that check if they deserve it or not.
cashstore1 2 months ago
Can you do one on the pros & cons of Panama living? Thanks.
Keith y Cindy
KeithCindyPanama 2 months ago
@KeithCindyPanama Well these were some of the cons. The pros are all my other videos when I'm out having a good time.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Thank you for sharing the up" & downs on living there.
KeithCindyPanama 2 months ago
It's great to see your Back Ryan. And as always. Ride safe.
davidshackford 2 months ago
Excellent Video. Extremely Informative.I had often wondered what long term would be like in a 3rd world country.The Philippines is like that from what i had Experienced only for 1 month while there. The Guard & Shot Gun @ EVERY Business front is what seams to be like Branded in my memory.And also the Corruption i seen Every Night. Police stopping cars @ random.Never did it seam anyone got a ticket.People would pay with Pigs,Rice,Other things.But more often then not u could see $money passing.
davidshackford 2 months ago
@davidshackford Yeah there are things that get really annoying over time. Gotta give a new place a test run before up and moving.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
I know what you mean about shorts when I went to my wifes church in Juan Dias Tabernacul de Fa in 1996 I didn't know that Panamamainians regard that as disrespectful so I learned. We discused this that long pant's on men & women are concidard as more suava but shorts are confortable. My wife conciders people in the us to be sloppy dressers in general.
KeithCindyPanama 2 months ago
@KeithCindyPanama Was she wearing her "short shorts" from the 80's?
halfthrottle 2 months ago
wow, I'd have the exact same pet peeves.. I have some here in Hawaii as well but they are pretty minor.. Tires take forever to get here and you absolutely cannot order any "dangerous" liquids online.. IE: if they don't carry the lubricants etc you want for your wheels, you'll have the hardest time getting them.. I suppose I could do the 3rd party shipper but by the time it gets here a can of chain lube would be $40 bucks.. urrrr.. How's your cost of living?
AccidentalBroadcast 2 months ago
@AccidentalBroadcast I've already thought of more, I think I'll be making a pet peeves part 2 vid soon. I rent a 2 bedroom house for $250/month. Food is a bit cheaper here than in the states. Gas is about the same.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
i got shot in the knee with an arrow. so im done
oddbrothers 2 months ago
So, do we get a flip side of the coin & hear the things that you love about Panama that's different from the states?
RESET1776 2 months ago
@RESET1776 I like Panama, but that would probably be a very short video.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
At least you didn't complain about all the pasty white American tourists stealing the women and taking all the cool spots on the beach. lol
advfilmer 2 months ago
@808yewtube Drool... BBQ.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Good to see you back on the motor and filming. Back when I rode I could not stand to be bikeless for even a week. The pet peeves are universal to many Latin countries. When I was in Venezuela, the OFF bug spray bought there didn't work. I asked a local why and he said the deet made their skin sting so the OFF make in country stopped adding it. That, of course, is the active ingredient! haha
jimandnena4 2 months ago
I'm surprised how well developed Panama looks.
Charles2337 2 months ago
I live and work in New York, and when I retire, I'm moving right back to Panama. The U.S. is not exactly paradise, either. I guess we are all used to our own country.
53398 2 months ago
@53398 Definitely good and bad everywhere you go. Just have to find a place you love and stick with it.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle That's true. I met an older couple in a bar the other day. They told me they rented in Panama, they loved it, and now they are moving there permanently. They hated Panama City, though...lol
53398 2 months ago
@53398 I could never live in Panama City. Traffic is such a nightmare there. They are building a metro there now and some new roads in and out of the city. Hopefully that will ease the cluster a bit.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Glad you got the bike fixed, sorry it cost so much. Welcome back Mr Carter :-)
ride4fun2u 2 months ago
When you get stopped a pay a bribe for speeding, are you saying you are stopped even when not actually speeding or is the stop legitimate but then they want a payoff? Just curious if they are doing a double whammy on you.
ExitRomeo 2 months ago
@ExitRomeo Little of both. I've been stopped while doing nothing wrong, and I've also bribed my way out of speeding tickets. It's easy to speed here and not realize it. The limit changes often along the Pan American, they just aren't good at putting up signed or keeping trees from over growing them. If they want to get you they will.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Most retailers will ship directly via USPS.
MotorcycleGuy2000 2 months ago
@MotorcycleGuy2000 That is when packages start to disappear, and I think you still have to pay taxes on anything that gets imported to the country.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@MotorcycleGuy2000 Panama doesn't have a real mail system. No one here has a mailbox in front of their house. It's all P.O. boxes, and when the USPS hands over the box to the Panamanian post... well you would be crazy to send anything of value.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
I live in Canada and occasionally order from US online retailers. Cheapest way to ship is USPS. There are no customs broker fees using the postal service.
MotorcycleGuy2000 2 months ago
Oh believe me, stay in Panama, the constitution is basically meaningless now and the Senate has basically declared war on the people. They are are about to pass a law that anyone "suspicious" of being against the government is a terrorist and you can be held indefinitely or killed under military law. No trial, no nothing. This is a 3rd world country now.
MetalHeadKLR650 2 months ago
@MetalHeadKLR650 Yeah I've heard about that mess. I really hope people come to their senses. I need to head back to the states and make some money. I'll end up back in Panama open up a little hotel or something. But I'm not ready to retire down here yet.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Comment removed
MetalHeadKLR650 2 months ago
@coyote8047 It's still better than most places.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
What is that thing over your odometer/speedometer? I keep seeing those.
MetalHeadKLR650 2 months ago
@MetalHeadKLR650 It's a Vapor motorcycle computer thingy. Something is wrong with mine is doesn't clock miles. I have no idea how many miles are on that bike, or when I'm about to run out of gas.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Nice to see that clunker back on the road. :P
MetalHeadKLR650 2 months ago
Yeah, all that would drive me crazy too. Especially the short pants and security guard thing.
Glad you got the bike fixed. Looking forward to some more tourist map trips.
dahveed284 2 months ago
@dahveed284 Yeah it's great to be back.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Funny..a lot of that sounds living living in Canada.
davidhowellca 2 months ago
What bike are u riding now?
In one of your videos, i saw you name the panamerican highway, are you planning to get to argentina?
secregistrado 2 months ago
@secregistrado KLR650. The Panamerican runs right through town I was riding on it for part of this video. I don't have any plans of visiting South American anytime soon. I'd love to do it, but I'm just a little to poor right now.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Just to compare:
- Im watching u from Argentina and the police random controls are the same here.
- The looked doors of retail shops also make me crazy!
- Fortunately, the shorts are accepted.
- Lawers and goverment employees are a little bit better when you need something from them. Maybe as a gringo, merchants are more used to take advantage from you.
- No overzealous security guards.
- Online shopping works pretty good, specially those with freeshipping from China.
secregistrado 2 months ago
@secregistrado Free shipping from China would be awesome! Do you still have to pay import taxes on stuff? That's usually what makes it so expensive to ship to Panama.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Hi, cool info man saying hi from cold country : )
msam1970 2 months ago
I have a lousy threshold for stupid shit ... all of this would KILL me.
icpchad 2 months ago
@icpchad I've already remembered a few more things I left out of the vid. People cutting in line at the checkout or when you are trying to order food at fast food type restaurant. If your not piggy backing on the person in front of you they'll just cut right in.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
You know, it's a real shame you live on the other side of the world, because I *know* for an absolute fact you'd be one of my best friends if you lived close to me. Keep smiling bro.
svengalie 2 months ago
@svengalie My wife and I have dreams of a Europe trip. One of these days we'll meet up and go mildly injure ourselves in the name of adventure and youtube and ratings.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle well when this happens I will definately suck you off / strike> look after you. I INSIST
svengalie 2 months ago
@svengalie Really hoping "suck you off" is one of those phrases that has a completely different meaning in the UK.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@halfthrottle well when this happens I will definately suck you off [/strike] look after you. I INSIST
svengalie 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@halfthrottle well when this happens I will [strike]definately suck you off [/strike] look after you. I INSIST
svengalie 2 months ago
do what Atlas Rider did and record the bribes, get those bastards sacked.
svengalie 2 months ago
@svengalie Well up jumped the devil; 31,877 subs are waiting for you to post!!!!! trb
trbfshmn 2 months ago
@svengalie Yeah I'd love to have the camera running next time one of them stops me.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
have you ever considered to take your wife and move back to the States ??
DesmosediciAlice 2 months ago
@DesmosediciAlice oh wow they got check points too ? Just like in U.S. of A they have check points on I-40 and the airports, you either be sexually molested or go thru "micowave", I was born in eastern europe and it wasn't that bad what we see here in the states, i love your videos btw
DesmosediciAlice 2 months ago
@DesmosediciAlice That's the plan actually. We'll be back in the state in less than a year I think.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Gov workers act like it there first day there, LMAO!!!
vegasstreetriders 2 months ago
Just watched your vid. Great info, but one thing that was "on my nerves" was seeing your bark buster flapping in the wind! LOL. JK! I can see why all of those points you made would get on your nerves, I think most of those would make me stay here in the US. Thanks for the video! Glad to see you're up and running with your bike again!
RimshotG19 2 months ago
@RimshotG19 Yeah I'm a really good mechanic. I always take care of little stuff like that right away....
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle Hahahaha! Safe riding!
RimshotG19 2 months ago
The final bell just rang, but I must say my Geography class is going to see this tomorrow! I like how you go over the cons of living in Panama, but what about the pros? I think I'd like to get out of the US myself someday, learn Spanish, and teach somewhere south of the border.
eveRideorg 2 months ago
@eveRideorg Some of the pros I guess are. Low cost of living. I rent a 2 bedroom house for $250/month.
Slow pace of life (but sometimes that's a con).
Great weather, Hurricanes can't hit Panama.
There are a lot of benefits to retiring here. Tax breaks, discounts at restaurants, plane tickets, prescription drugs, etc. I'm not really an expert in that area, but they really want people to retire here.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
@halfthrottle , God Bless your Patience; at 62, no amount of free shit is worth any of that crap to me! They literally could not pay ME to live there and absorb that shit!! trb
trbfshmn 2 months ago
@trbfshmn A lot of people move here thinking it will be great, then move right back home. That's why I say give life a test ride down here just to make sure this is really what you want.
halfthrottle 2 months ago
Oh man, so many LOL moments in this video. The peanut butter thing, the burning yourself alive for the security guy thing... just gold in so many ways.
eveRideorg 2 months ago
Comment removed
eveRideorg 2 months ago
I liked it very much!
Greetings – Dj Mario Afonso – Rio de Janeiro – RJ – Brazil
I love music, dogs, human beings and nature.
Much music, health and peace.
DjMarioAfonso 2 months ago