So here is a list of all the things of mine that has broken in Panama, because now I’m convinced that everything breaks in Panama unless you live in a totally inclosed air conditioned house/apartment. Saying that, I don’t know if those people are able to keep everything in order, but I’ve seen someone’s apartment where everything seems to work well, but I should have asked.
It could also be that some people have cleaning ladies that come in every week. I do not.
I live in a house that has no air conditioning & even if it did, there would be no way for me to afford it running 24/7, nor would I want it to run like that, as I came here to be around warm (not hot) weather, not live in an icebox.
I want to make it clear that I NEVER EVER break my household items.
I have had furniture & electrical items AND clothing for years & never ever had a problem keeping them intact.
Before I left, I sold a wall/bar unit that was in wonderful condition that went through move after move with me & I bought it back in 1991. I also sold a very comfortable leather couch that had a few scratches on it & the pillow I sit on had to be replaced, but it was in good condition. I also bought that back in 1991.
You get my point.
So not only did I sell or give away most of my household items before moving to Panama, UPS lost 2 of my boxes that were to be shipped to Miami. I lost over $1,500-2,000 there, & no, I didn’t have insurance. I live to learn. I’m not a person who ships, so I wasn’t thinking & of course they never asked me if I wanted shipping because we are talking to Filipinos here. The boxes I shipped weren’t part of my major shipment & I wasn’t thinking clearly as I was very very stressed rushing to get ready for this major move. It didn’t even cross my mind that UPS would lose 5 boxes on their way to Miami. I am telling you this because if you decide to move here, you are going to have to get rid of all your belongings (or most of them) & I want you to think long & hard about that.
I felt I was cleaning up my life, now I feel like I have Nothing!
Anyway, that coupled with everything I did ship & moved here that has broken, means it’s just downright depressing for me that I have almost nothing left that is in good working condition except my printer.
- A non stick stock pot – a cleaning lady (they are VERY VERY stupid here) decided to shove a screw driver into the pot. Once it’s scratched like that, it’s useless. It costs around $50.
- My vegetable steamer. Yes I steam a lot, but suddenly it stopped working. I can only steam on the bottom now, the second basket doesn’t steam properly & forget about steaming on the third. It was around 1-2 years old.
- My shelf stereo – was fixed a few months before I left, it stopped working around 8-10 months after I arrived here.
- An office phone, the digital display is all broken up so I can’t see the time, the number, the timer, nothing.
- My cordless phone set. Was fine before I moved here.
- My UPS which was an APS broke down within 3 months AND I barely had a chance to use it because I didn’t get it until month 3. The electricity in this country will kill anything you have.
- My office chair – besides the fact that customs sliced it open – YES, they are assholes here. The seat lever no longer works, & the seat tilts forward which is NOT good for your tail bone & all I do all day is sit in this chair. The padding is also so worn out I have to use towels for cushioning.
- The mattress I bought here is warped. Granted it was cheap, but I’ve only had it for 1 1/2 years & it became warped several months ago, so that’s around a year it lasted.
- My calculator – the buttons stick sometimes. This isn’t a great one, so we won’t blame Panama, but it’s one more thing.
- My portable CD players – I had 2 of them, they are both toast.
- My clothes – the material is ruined by the laundry mats here & gawd knows what else.
I will continue to add to this list when I remember something.
An expensive diffuser that diffuses essential oils into the air. Broken. Thank gawd I had another one sealed in a box which is working.