Susanna Perkins

When we were deciding to move overseas, and then choosing the place to move to, my husband and I were intrigued by Las Tablas’ reputation as the folkloric center of Panama. Of course, it’s well known that Las Tablas is

Since moving back to the US, I’ve become painfully aware of one huge difference between living here and living there. Meeting people and making friends in Panama was easy. Doing it here is hard. A vibrant social life was one

There were no weather-related clues that meant anything to me. It didn’t get colder, leaves didn’t turn color or fall off trees any more than they normally did, days didn’t get appreciably shorter. . . . Not until after my

Those of you who’ve been following my column for a while know that, after 2-½ years in Panama, my husband and I have returned to the US. It was a combination of family concerns and a job opportunity that brought

“Repatriation is a bitch,” I’d been warned. Somehow I suspected it might be. After two and a half years in Las Tablas, Panama, my husband and I and our two dogs arrived back in the US. It wasn’t something we

One month ago, my husband and I were dealing with a drinking water crisis in Las Tablas, Panama. We had chosen to move to Panama in part because we’d have access to potable water. So when we learned the drinking

As a US citizen and resident for nearly six decades, access to potable, safe water is something I’ve always taken for granted. Of course I know that’s not true everywhere. I’ve seen the heartwrenching statistics, and the pleas from charities

As an American who’s living and working in Panama, I rely heavily on internet connectivity. I’m a freelance writer and WordPress website builder, so I need the internet to work quickly and all the time. Now I’ve spent the past

“What’s your name?” she asked. “Susanna.” “Where do you live?” I told her, and mentioned we’d been there for two years. “Oh,” she replied, “my mother lives in that neighborhood.”Realization dawned. “Yes, she’s my next-door neighbor,” I responded, beaming. We

“You’re unpatriotic!” Two years ago, I arrived in Las Tablas, Panama, with statements like that ringing in my ears. Moving abroad was a rocky road, for us. Something I’d always wanted to do – live overseas – became an urgent