Chiricanos Are Fiercely Proud of their Province

Author: Linda

10 Oct

Maybe it is because the Chiriqui Province supplies 50% of all the fruits and vegetables for all of Panama. Or maybe it is because the Chiricanos are known for their beautiful horses and good horsemanship. Just Possibly it’s a result of the large and successful coffee plantations strewn throughout the countryside. The natives of this wonderful province that boasts beautiful black volcanic soil think there is no better place in the world.

Apparently there are many of us Norte Americanos and a lot of Europeans who agree. The most famous and 3rd largest city in the Province is David. Pronounced with the accent on the 2nd syllable. David is in the lowlands and is hot and steamy. A realtively pleasant city especially if you walk and do not drive through all the narrow unplanned streets. David is so typically Panamanian in that there was no plan to it - it just sprouted up.

As a rule Panamanians don’t do a lot of pre planning. I haven’t discovered why unless it is how much in the moment they live. But it’s mostly true that even if there is a plan it is always subject to change at the drop of a hat; Panama hat that is. But that is another topic to address later. We once had a whole family coming for dinner and they just decided not to come; didn’t have phone teception at their house, did not drive down the road to phone; just didn’t come. It is accepted and that is how it sometimes happens in Panama.

Admittedly the joy of not planning is that a local will almost never get upset by a landslide or a road closure that totally changes their day. I do mean totally changes it; as in they are no longer able to reach their destination. Most Panamanians will just adjust their attitude to the situation and do something different. As someone who is used to the pressure cooker of the US business world - this was astounding to me! Of course like most Latin cultures being on time is not revered or expected. Even with the Chiricanos.

Back to our Chiriqui geography.

Going North from David about 40 minutes you will come tho the lovely mountain town of Boquete. Ah, cool fresh air, 70 degrees F everyday and misty mountains in the morning and again in the afternoon. This is a truly magical place. Here many expats heve convened to make a new life. Boquete was discovered primarily due to the marketing efforts of one man who built an outstanding, beautiful, amenity filled gated valley community called Valle Escondido.

Since we primarily wanted to be very close to beaches when we first visited Boquete we thought it was nice but not so special. we now know that it is a place that grows on you like the moss grows on the stone walls here. It boasts a small town atmosphere with everything you need so you almost never have to leave, surrounded by exquisite mountains, nice people and lots of other expats so you can get a chance to speak English and sing a few tunes.