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The first
time I stayed at the Chu Hotel was in early 1950. I was a 17 year
old soldier stationed at Ft Kobbe. I was in Panama
for nearly my entire tour of duty, going home in 1952. I probably spent
more time at the Chu than any other place in Panana.
Needless to say, I loved the Chu and Toboga Island.
The last time
I stayed at the Chu was in early 1994. I had driven down the Pan
American highway. I drove alone to San Jose Costa Rica where
my wife Carol, met me. We drove down to Panama together.
We went to Toboga right away....Carol loved the place as much as
me. I was a little mixed up at first - I had remembered the
pier being located right near the Chu.
After being
told of the new pier, someone directed us to the new hotel, but we walked
down to the Chu. ($16) It was on a Sunday and we were the only
guests since everyone else was going home to Panama City. Mr Chu
gave us two keys - one for the room and the other for the front door of
the hotel! (Its hard for me to get people to believe that.)
Since the
Chu restaurant was closed we walked to the new hotel for supper -
and again the next day for breakfast.
I thought
all those years that my love for the Chu was that I was at an impressionable
age....but I loved it as much 40+ years later.....If Mr Chu is still with
us, I wish him well...if not, I'll see him in the Next Place....
Regards to
anyone who reads this....
Bill Emerson
Kansas City |
|
At last, after reading far too many
rose-colored biased articles about Panama, Escape from America has finally
published a really good piece about what's really going on in Panama City!
A must read! Congratulations!
Ann Hench |
|
Bravo! for publishing more of the
raw and nuanced truth in this month's articles on Dubai, Panama, and monolingual
Americans in Mexico (although it might as well have been about monolingual
American expats anywhere). Keep up the good work.
Diana Glasgow |
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I enjoyed the 'Top 20 Reasons Not
to Move to Dubai" article. Further proof that socialism does not work,
yet it still exists in this day and age.
Mike |
|
| I just read Tia O'Neill's article
on 20 reasons not to live in Dubai, and I'd like to respond.
I lived in Dubai for four years with
my family and wrote several articles about my experiences for EFAM.
All of what Tia says is true and it can be infuriating at times.
It's a shame that she's chosen to focus on the negatives, giving nod to
just a few of the positives (tax-free salary and the ability to mix with
people from around the world). There are so many more that she's
failed to mention. Read my articles if you want them listed.
We've been back in the US for three years now and are actually planning
to move back to the Middle East, most likely Dubai. In the past three-four
years I've been contacted by hundreds of people looking to move to Dubai
who have read my articles. I do think it's important that people
know about the negative aspects of living in Dubai, and Tia does list them,
but some seem exaggerated.
Some people do hate Dubai, and even
the ones who love it complain. But isn't that the case with most
places? I think Tia intended her article to be somewhat comical,
but she just comes off sounding angry and bitter.
Maura Madigan |
|
Loved the article; "Top 20 reasons
NOT to move to Dubai." So many of us romanticize living overseas but forget
that to someone in a highly privileged country, roughing it means something
completely different. I lived 18 years in Africa, and while I would
return in a heartbeat, I would do so knowing full well that much of what
I consider essential here would be unavailable. If you can handle
the difficulties, living overseas can be very fulfilling. But it is essential
to go in eyes wide open. Articles like this help people think hard
about what they really want and if they can tolerate the difficulties.
Bobbi Buchanan |
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| In response to Tia O’Neill's
"Top 20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai":
The list raises a few valid issues
such as semi/unskilled labour practices, non-standard address system and
blocked VOIP access (which is indeed odd, given how liberal the UAE is)
are valid criticisms. However, most of the list items frankly belong
on the "bollocks" shelf. E.g. "It is really hot outside" and "There
are too few trees, plants, and grass". No kidding; its called a "desert"
kingdom for a good reason, plus most people check climate reports before
deciding to move to a place!
"Public toilets in the king-of-bling
Gold Souk district are holes in the ground with no toilet paper or soap".
Its a local MARKET, not a mall. This lot of traders just happen to
be selling gold, not vegetables. Would you expect modern/posh loos
in the markets in say, Bangkok, Ankara, or Beijing?
"Alcohol can only be sold in hotels
and a handful of private clubs. A person must own a liquor license
to consume in the privacy of their own home." --Again, in case you
didn't check before moving there, its a MUSLIM state. They don't
even have to allow alcohol at all, but they chose to.
"People stare at you. I am
sick of being stared at." --Oh Boohoo.
"I have an idea: let’s all move someplace
where it’s not 120 degrees outside". --Excellent suggestion!
You should take your own advice. |
|
Comments: great article listing
the top ten reasons not to visit dubai! i was there a few months ago and
had the most horrific travel experience of my young life. a british friend,
a canadian friend and i were thrown in jail (mistakenly) for 14 hours,
subjected to horrible conditions and an unnavigable bureaucracy and eventually
forced to pay $2,000 just to get our passports back. I'm glad someone else
has seen the hypocrisy of that terrible country!
Weston Gaddy |
|
Kudos to your E-zine and writer
for publishing Doug Bower's excellent "Ugly American in
Mexico" article. Not taking the
time or effort to learn the language is the worst form of
ethnocentrism, not to mention the
arrogance and rudeness of the individual abusing the
Mexican workers. Makes me as an
American want to stear clear of American "enclaves" that
have unfortunately developed in
desirable locations in foreign countries.
Donald Hansen |
|
Reading the article about the stupid,
rediculous gringos, I AGREE...But, it works both ways. I am friends withthe
owner/manager/cook of a Mexican restaurant here in Ensenada. Yesteday she
talked to me about needing a vacuum cleaner bag but hadn't been able to
find any to fit her vacuum. This morning I went into town to buy some for
her. I went to seven (7) places and in five of them the conversation went,
approximately...Me.."Perdona me, Necesito bolsas para una aspiradora, tiene??"
(No, my spanish is not very good, but I'm trying and learning) Salesgirl.."No
speaka inglis!!" At one of the stores I turned to the girl standing
next to the girl I spoke to and asked..."Habla Espanol?" She
held her thumb and forefinger close and called for help on the PA..I eventually
found some vacuum cleaner bags at a Segundo (second hand store). I have
frquently had the same problem at the gas station. "Dos cientos de
Magna, por favor." "no speaka inglis!" There are several hundr
ed Americans in this area,
some of us speak some spanish. Some speak none!! Many Mexicans , not all,
assume that because you look like a gringo, you can't speak spanish. When
I got back to the restaurant, I blew my stack at the " stupid mexicans
" who worked there.They know me and we all had a good laugh, but obviosly,
I am annoyed at stupidity on bothsidesof the "language barrier"
Will |
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