Today is June 22nd, 2009 and I am sitting on the plane back to Maryland for three weeks to see my family and friends. Since I started this blog so much has happened. I’ve moved to Panama, fell in love, developed an idea for a business in a foreign country and with that person I love am turning that idea into a reality. It’s been almost 5 months since I’ve turned 23. I think this year might be one of the most amazing years of my life because of these risks that I have taken to try something different. I have been so fortunate to do this with the support of my family and friends.
It will be a full three weeks back in the States. Justin and I return to Panama July 15th with much optimism and excitement to start out our business venture. We have already purchased some of our equipment and are anxious to do our first project. Since being in Panama City we met with several realtors and owners of real estate companies that are interested in hiring us to do HD quality video tours for their properties. For those who are unaware, I worked in Maryland with my father at ReMax selling real estate and am a licensed realtor there. Though I did like the area and the job, I knew it wasn’t my passion. Going to school for 4 years in New York City, studying communications, journalism, the arts, and having two internships in the television industry, I wanted to incorporate my other skills into a job that I would enjoy. That is how I came up with the idea of starting up a video tour business, specializing in Panamanian real estate that features not only that individual property, but also gives a look into the surrounding area’s unique neighborhood and amenities. I’m not going to go into too much more but what Justin and I have put together as a business plan and have set up so far is extraordinary and something that we are so proud to create together.
When we return to the States we have some equipment to invest in (electrics are insanely expensive in Panama) as well as spend some quality time with friends and family. We know that when we return we plan to be workaholics with this project of ours as well as continue our studies in the Spanish language.
We found a place to live in Panama City for a really good deal. The area is called Casco Viejo and it’s the older part of town surrounded by the ocean. 
Some of the buildings are restored and beautiful while others are falling apart but it’s a different feel than the high rise monstrosities of what most other neighborhoods in Panama City entail. We love it. The community feel in this area is unlike anywhere else in Panama City with cafes, bars, restaurants, and parks. The cobblestone streets and city skyline views are remarkable. What Panama is doing day to day to attract tourism is amazing and we are so excited to be a part of the neighborhood of Casco Viejo.
Since we have found an apartment to live in when we return we feel a lot more settled in than we did almost three months ago when we first entered Panama together April 7th. We spent one month in Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast near Costa Rica, almost two weeks in Boquete, the beautiful highlands of Panama, and about a month in total in Panama City. The beaches, mountains, and the city were all very beautiful and interesting in their own unique way. Though I did LOVE living in Bocas and hiking in the mountains of Boquete, the city provides the most opportunity to be successful in our business. I’m looking forward to our friends and family coming down to visit because that will give us an excuse to explore more of Panama as well as return to the beautiful towns of Bocas del Toro and Boquete. So now is the time to start figuring out your schedule and planning your next vacation down to visit us. Surely you know Justin and I will be more than excited to play tour guides to our friends and family! : )
My schedule for the next three weeks are June 23rd-29th in Maryland, June 30th-July 3rd in New York City, July 3rd-6th in Massachusetts with Justin visiting his family, July 7th-10th back to Maryland, July 11th-12th Pennsylvania to visit my cousins, July 12th-14th back in Maryland, and then July 15th-? Panama!
I really look forward to seeing everyone back in the States! : )
Love,
Mara
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