Well, it's February 4th today.  That means Carnival in Panama starts in 3 days.  Wow!!!!  The year has gone so fast, Carnival 2012 seems like just yesterday.  I'm sure it will be the same great experience as last year, except one thing, this year I am selling real estate.

Everyone in Panama celebrates at Carnival time.   Well, except the poor workers at the grocery stores and some resaurants and gas stations.  But between the dates of Feb 7 and Feb 12, if you are looking for a lawyer, real estate agent, or homeowner to show you their property, you just won't find it.  

I will probably be available to answer the odd email, but for the most part, I will be soaking wet drinking cold cerveza's in the streets of Las Tablas, listening to local music, watching the parades, fireworks, and cheering on this years new Queen.  The country just abslolutely shuts down, and party mode begins.

There are several celebrations throughout the year, and as I have said before, it has been difficult to get used to the fact that one cannot expect a business transaction to proceed with the same efficincy and stealth as it might in North America.  It's a fact that buyers and sellers here absolutely must embrace, thus they be driven to the brink of insanity.  To change the care free attitude of the Panamanian people is to change a stone into gold, or to stuff a pool ball into a wine bottle.  It just doesn't happen.  

So, I am shutting down for 5 days and going to work with the Panamanian system.  It will drive my clients crazy, but will give me some much needed rest.

Happy Carnival 2013!!