There is something inherently sad about a place - any place - where the only people who are able to afford the good life are foreigners. Panama appears to be such a place. There is a lot of poverty around here; you don't need to travel to rural areas or the outskirts of town. It is right in your face. While driving on the highway you can see multiple run down buldings up front ... With those new shiny skyscrappers behind them.
And while most of the regular people struggle to make a living, my friend who just moved here has already heard multiple stories about the excesses of those select few who can afford whatever they want. From people who have multiple live-in nannies, one per child, to 7 year olds going to school in Gucci and Louis Vuitton bags - with full makeup on! Based on what she has seen and heard, wealthy women around here - who of course don't work - also fail to spend time with their children in favor of spending the day at the gym, getting a massage, etc. So the nannies are the ones who take the kids to the park, and therefore those are the only people my friend has managed to met so far. And although they are somewhat friendly, they are also guarded because they know she is just not one of them.
I feel extremely sad for the locals who struggle day in and day out to make ends meet and provide for their families, but I also feel sorry for the other bunch who live such an empty life.
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