When traveling to new countries, eating at different restaurants and meeting people who live there is at the top of my list. So that’s exactly what I did. 

I’ll share with you some good spots to eat and what I did that didn’t make me feel like a tourist. 

The Food Scene

The food scene here did not disappoint. Living in the DMV (DC, MD and VA) area, we have a lot of great restaurants, so I would say most were on par with what I was used to. Of course, there was more variety of seafood and I definitely had my share of red snapper throughout the course of the week. 

Azahar Panama

The very first place we ate on arrival was Azahar Panama. It’s located in the Yoo Panama and Arts building where our Airbnb was, so it was very convenient. After traveling all day it’s nice to have somewhere to eat in the same building. 

There is indoor and outdoor seating and the restaurant faces the bay, so we opted to sit outside. The food was good and the prices were comparable to a higher end restaurant in the states. 

I wondered why we were the only ones sitting outside, but about 20 minutes in, it started to rain. Thankfully we were under a covering and it didn’t last long, but I did slide over to the empty chair.

La Tapa del Coco

La Tapa del Coco is in the San Francisco area of Panama City, so from our Airbnb it took about 10 minutes in an Uber. It’s known for Afro-Panamanian cuisine and very popular with the expats that I follow online. So we decided to check it out.

Of course like most restaurants in Panama, there is outside seating and you can choose where you want to sit. I’m not sure if it’s the area or the time of year, but I didn’t see a lot of bugs flying around. I can remember in Belize trying to eat fast so the bugs wouldn’t get there first.

This was the only place I was able to get a fresh coconut since I didn’t go to many street vendors as I had liked this trip, but the coconut was refreshing.

I ate a typical dish with fish and coconut rice. I realize that I don’t like the flavor of coconut rice. It didn’t taste bad, it’s just not what I enjoy. I had coconut rice for the first time in Belize and I wasn’t too fond of it. Now I know it’s not the restaurants, it’s just me. 

Fonda Lo Que Hay

We took an Uber to the narrow streets of Casco Viejo to get to Lo Que Hay. On the way we were able to see the small streets, quaint stores and architecture that make this area a place to visit. We didn’t have time on this trip to venture out, but it’s definitely a stop for next time.

This restaurant was amazing. All the places we ate had good food, but there are restaurants that really stand out. This was one of them.

If you come here, make sure you have reservations. We went on a Tuesday around 2pm. It was busy with patrons and we ended up waiting about 10 minutes for our table. The plates are meant for sharing so don’t be surprised when your meal comes if it seems like a lot.

Here’s a tip. Go with friends. 

Making Friends Overseas

Abroad Ability

I’ve watched many YouTubers over the years, especially when it comes to traveling or living abroad. But this was the first time I met someone in person. Special shout-out to Aisha and providing insight on Panama through her channel Abroad Ability. 

We were able to meet up at Café Lavanda which is a local breakfast spot in the San Francisco area of Panama.  Great way to start my birthday celebration! And fun fact, hers was the day before. 

Black Expats in Panama Meetup

We arrived on a Wednesday and you’d think we would have just called it a day. However, that evening we attended BEIP Welcome Wednesdays hosted by Charlotte Van Horn. It was amazing to see expats who had decided Panama was going to be their home for a while. When you see others achieve similar goals, that gives you the idea that it’s possible. 

The meetup place was at Emotions which is located inside the Hilton. We were in luck because it was the building right beside us so we were able to walk.  

The conversations and connections were priceless. We met people from Chicago, Atlanta, and the DMV area. Something to look forward to when we visit again.

Healthcare event by DemButlers

Later in our trip I attended a Healthcare seminar hosted by DemBulters. They are another couple that I follow on YouTube with great insight about moving abroad. The event was packed. It was at the Julian Rooftop and it had a beautiful view of the city. 

More and more expats in one setting. I didn’t know anyone, but I never felt out of place. The location was a little hard to find since I went through a parking garage, then a small hallway and then an elevator. I made it with the help of others going to the same place.

The information provided was helpful. But what I enjoyed seeing was people old enough to be my parents use their cell to translate to the bartenders on their order. If they can move abroad while being in their 70s, what fear should I have? I walked away knowing that information was available to those willing to seek it out.

Out on the Town

StarBay Casino at the Hilton

I’m not big into gambling, but we ventured over to the StarBay Casino a few times since it was next door. It was a nice place to hang out with food, games and entertainment on two levels. I tried a few slots and figured out how to play with the directions being Spanish. 

The food was decent and the prices were average. One of the nights we went had live entertainment with dancing and singing. 

Umani Bodega

I’d say visiting the Umani Bodega was one of the best places we went. And unfortunately we went on the last night of our stay. But we can always go back on the next trip to Panama. The club is located in the San Francisco area of Panama and it was about a 10 minute Uber from our Airbnb. 

The Umani Bodega plays jazz music on Tuesdays and Reggae on Thursdays. We went on Tuesday and the music was amazing. The music was less like elevator music and more like a soulful instrumental twist to songs we know. The band played a version of Solange’s “Planes in the Sky” among other great songs.

We had a 7pm table reservation so we had time to eat. Another great meal before the music started at 8:30pm. 

If you visit, get there early to get a good seat and you won’t be disappointed.

My Panama series is almost complete. Stay tuned for my next post covering city travel, family moments, airport departures, and final wrap-up thoughts!

The post Savoring Panama: Food, Locals & Nightlife first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

Visiting Colón

I knew I wanted to visit Colón after researching Panama. The Panama Canal is what is usually highlighted, but there is more to see. 

Colón gets a bad reputation for being dangerous and unsafe because of the vacant buildings and higher unemployment rates, however that didn’t stop us from visiting. And I’m glad we didn’t let that scare us off.

I reached out to Omar, who founded Sightseeing Panama and still runs its daily operations. We used his transportation service from the airport to our Airbnb and he had plenty of other tours we could choose from. We chatted, booked and we were set with Colón.

Getting There

Omar picked all of us up from the Yoo & Arts Panama building. My cousin and her husband joined us for this trip to make it a family affair. The drive was over an hour but it didn’t seem that long. As we traveled, we were able to ask any questions about Panama and of course when everything is new, time flies by.

On the way to Colón we crossed a few bridges, but the majority of it was countryside until we got to the heart of the city. 

Fort San Lorenzo

Our first stop was Fort San Lorenzo. Since drones aren’t allowed in that area, Omar took us to a remote area to take some footage and get some pics before heading to the fort. It was such a serene place. A family was doing some fishing and I was told you don’t have to have a fishing license to fish.

Then we headed back up the hill to the fort and started our tour. I’ve never been a history buff before, but I was intrigued about the past of Panama. Fort San Lorenzo was built to guard the entrance of the Chagres River and protect routes. We were able to see parts of the fort and the castle. Some areas had to be rebuilt because it was destroyed during battles.

During our time here there were several school age groups doing a field trip. Summer break for them is Dec – Mar. I wasn’t expecting to see all the kids, but that was the reason.

Next Stop, the Canal

We made our way to the Agua Clara Locks, which is the tourist area of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side. The canal works the same way as the site in Panama City, except we didn’t hear the Morgan Freeman video. There was a shortened 10 minute version we watched to get some of the history. The viewing deck at Agua Clara was more enjoyable because it was less crowded than the one in Panama City.

Even if you’re not into engineering, I would recommend visiting either one. The Panama Canal saves ships an average of 14-20 days without having to go around South America. Depending on the priority of the ship they can “jump the line” in front of others. Ships will hang out to sea for days.

Walking the streets of Colón

Now it was time to really see the heart of Colón. Omar shared with us more of the city and also met up with his Uncle Raul. I love being able to get insights from a native and the personalized touch. The area does not have the polished look of Panama City, but everyone we encountered greeted us. We never felt threatened, which is a wrong perception of Colón.

After all the walking between Fort San Lorenzo and the Panama Canal, we stopped at Cafe Portobelo for lunch. From the outside, the restaurant looked deserted, but we were pleasantly surprised. Inside, there were many customers finishing up their lunch. We ate upstairs where there was more space. Thanks to Omar and his uncle for translating for us. My red snapper was amazing and hit the spot. 

A few more stops

Once we finished lunch we stopped at a nearby park to see a different view of the ships and the Duty Free Zone for some shopping. That’s where the cruise ships dock when they come through Colón. Shopped for a little bit and then headed back to Panama City. It was a long day but I felt like we got our money’s worth.

I’m glad we were able to see this side of Panama and learn more about the Afro-Caribbean culture. The Colón natives are kind and welcoming but aren’t getting enough breaks. Money goes to the other parts of the country, but not Colón. If you ever visited a major US city, you know there are some nice areas and some you tend to stay out of. Colón was eye opening and I will definitely be back.

There is still more to come of our Panama adventure. Check out part 3 to see our experience on the food, events, and meeting new people.

The post Off to Colón, Panama: Not just the Canal first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

The last 2 years have been different to say the least. I had 5 family members pass away within that times, including my father, who passed away in May of this year.

This trip to Panama was not just about a birthday celebration for me or seeing if this could be “the country”, but a time to reflect and enjoy some time for myself. It had been over 2 years since my last international trip, and that’s not normal for me.

My sister-in-law, Lidia, is Panamanian and travels back about once a year. I don’t know why it took me so long to put Panama on my list of countries to visit. But we finally did it, and my cousin and her husband came along to help celebrate my birthday. Everyone needed this break. 

The next several blogs will be dedicated to Panama. I didn’t want to cram everything into one long post so you can look forward to the others later.

Copa, Copa Cabana

Once I booked our tickets on Copa, I kept singing the song “Copa Copacabana”. I may be dating myself, but that’s what I replayed in my head to signify I was heading to Panama.

If you are looking for direct flights to Panama, check out Copa Airlines. It’s a direct flight from Dulles (IAD) to Panama (PTY) of about 4.5 hours.

Side note.. There is a “Panama City”, Florida. It is not the same. So if you are trying to get to Panama City, Panama, check that the airport code is PTY.

We flew business class because why not, and the airfare was less expensive than Delta or United. You can’t beat a direct flight. People spend money on what is important to them, and traveling in comfort is important to me.

Our flight was around 6:30am, which means we had a very early start. I appreciate early flights out of the country because I still get some daylight when I arrive and it has a higher probability that my flight will be on time.

The Copa flight was on time and without issues. Definitely recommend. It is the major hub in Panama and flies to many countries in Central and South America.

PTY

Tocumen Airport had a lot to offer, but we didn’t really get to check it out until the return trip. More on that later. I don’t know if it’s been a while for me, or if this is how Panama does it, but we didn’t have to fill out a form on the plane before exiting.  

Immigration was straightforward. They asked us how long we were staying and where our accommodations were. After finishing through immigration, our driver was waiting for us. I recommend Sightseeing Panama for transportation tours. When we came through those doors, our driver (Carlos) had a sign for us and was ready to take us to our Airbnb on Aviendo Balboa. 

Just walking out of the doors of PTY brought a smile to my face. Finally was all that I could think of. The thought of my vacation officially starting, plus being in a new country… that was the feeling I’d been waiting for. 

The warm weather greeted me, and I couldn’t wait for what was in store.

Airbnb – Aviendo Balboa

I had researched where we would stay about 2-3 months prior. A few weeks after my father passed I decided it was time to book something to look forward to, knowing I had a longer journey ahead.

There are plenty of wonderful hotels and Airbnb’s and buildings that act as both in Panama City. After following several Instagrammers and YouTubers, I found one that was in a convenient area to shops and restaurants, safe, highly recommended and a nice water view.  I like Airbnb’s (internationally) because I can get two bathrooms and can spread out versus in a hotel you typically get one.

The Airbnb was on the 54th floor of the Yoo Panama & Arts Building on Aviendo Balboa. It’s a residential building, but there are several owners who rent their units. We had a view of the bay and could see the hustle and bustle of Aviendo Balboa. 

In order to check-in my sponsor met me and provided the access key. There is a front desk, but they work with the owners of the unit. Outside of the building were staff who kept the flow of traffic going.

The building was in a prime location. Easy for Ubers to pick us up, easy to walk to the local food market and other restaurants. There are a few restaurants in the building and we ate at Azahar Panama the day we arrived. More on that in a future post. 

One thing that surprised me was that on Thursday nights, the motorcade comes out in full force. You hear them revving up their engines and driving up and down Avenida Balboa for a good two hours. Thankfully it was just that night, but something to note. On the 54th floor, you don’t hear too much road noise, but you definitely hear the bikes.  

Even though we were high up, the elevators were incredibly fast.  It didn’t take too long to get down to the lower levels. 

From someone who doesn’t have a daily water view, waking up to this every morning was a great way to start my day. Of course we said, “I think we could live here”. But don’t we always say that when on vacation? Who knows what the future holds, but this was a great start to my trip.

Want more of our Panama journey? Check out Part 2 here: Off to Colon.

The post Birthday Trip to Panama – Back to Traveling Again! first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

This past week I went to my boxing fitness class as usual. We typically run through some strength training exercises before heading into the boxing fundamentals. But this time there was a different exercise mixed in. Imagine a kettlebell in one hand over your head but then you had to bend down.

My body froze. In my head I thought, “Not today”. I quickly put that weight down and modified the exercise. I looked around the room and others were having difficulty as well. On the 3rd iteration, our coach changed up the workout.

We’d get there, just not today.

Once class was over, I thought Coach must have made up that move on the fly. In my day job, sometimes that’s how it is. You want to try something different, but then have to pivot once you see how everyone reacts. During class I didn’t have a lot of gas in the tank, making the exercise even harder to get through.

Sometimes when you aren’t prepared for the day, outside sources that come at you can really take you down and you have to step back and regroup.

My coach didn’t yell, didn’t berate us, didn’t stay on that exercise for a longer period of time. Coach just adjusted so there was no interruption. The energy was still there because we kept going. The replacement exercise was doable but still effective and worked the same muscles. And class continued as usual.

I’ve been in meetings that could have followed that same formula. Imagine being on a call with about 5-7 colleagues. The Product Manager keeps harping on the same issue over and over but nothing is being solved. And you can feel the energy being drained out of the meeting or teammates feeling inferior because they don’t know how to proceed in new territory.

But if my Coach was the PM, she would have made some adjustments after noticing the energy dropped. Possibly offering a few suggestions on how to improve the issue and wait for feedback from the team. Or even table the whole thing until everyone had a chance to digest it or possibly wait till after lunch if people were getting hangry. 

I was in the gym, focused on my workout but having the safety net of a coach to guide me and get in a great exercise with a kettlebell without getting injured. Just like with the heavy weight, the weight of the corporate world can be a heavy burden on your shoulders too. Understanding how to lead, read the room,  make changes if necessary is key in both fitness and your career. 

Life can be your own teacher if you’re paying attention. 

Looking to make more impact to your life, check out what I read in one year for self improvement.

~Angela

The post What My Boxing Coach Taught Me About Product Management first appeared on Angela P. Banks.