The first leg of my shopping spree took place at El Costo—sort of a poor mans Macy's or Sears. Now usually asking me what I think about department stores is like asking a fire hydrant what it things about dogs—but El Costo is different. It's magical.

Other than the gust of artic air conditioning, the first thing that struck me as I entered was the prices. Racks and racks of imperfect sports replicas, designer jeans knockoffs, and an overall theme of disregard for copyright infringement: random tzachakes with fake Polo logos and charlatan sneakers with backwards Nike swooshes. But everything was so cheap! Linen pants for $.50? El Costs has got em. Full-fledged cutlery sets for $1.99? El Costs has got them too. Anything you could dream up, El Costo has got it and it wont cost you any more than the loose change camping out underneath your passenger's seat.

I am pretty fast in whatever I do—so fast, that a lot of times people can't even see me. Shopping for my apartment was no different. I loaded up two shopping carts in about 20 minutes and between my furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, spent less than $500. The cashier girl was startled (and honored) to be part of such a big sale. As she rung me up, she was trying to explain to me a story that (as best as I could understand) involved her taking steaks out of her mom's freezer, putting them in a food processor, then re-shaping and returning them to the freezer so that when her mom went to make dinner, the steak would melt into a meat puddle. I liked her. I liked her ideas. El Costo: cheap prices, rich rewards.

Leg 2: At El Machetazo, I was mildly accosted by an old lady with a pimp-cane as we both tried to squeeze into the pet food aisle at the same time. Shopping-list-wise, I was equally successful here as I found an area rug, refrigerator, and cleaning supplies for sub-sale prices. As with El Costo, you could find just about anything here—things like this 9-foot birdcage, which reminded me of the kind that Gargamel used to put the Smurfs in—even though the Smurfs always escaped. El Machetazo: your one-stop-shopping enclave.

Leg 3: Econo Precios. As I walked through the sliding doors, I thought for a second that I had gone to furniture heaven (or hell depending on your tastes). A nice young lady named Iris (pronounced ee-reese—not like the flower) helped me pick out a couch that transforms into a bed in under 2 seconds, as well as the matching loveseat (which transforms into a werewolf at midnight). I negotiated the package down to $325 and I even managed to convince her to throw in a decently-sized bundle of ornamental bamboo. Econo Precios: bargain furniture? Where else!

2 hours and a $50 investment in some tropical plants later, I was back in my bare apartment. I would spend the next few days building bed frames, nailing up mirrors, and angling TV screens. But this was a fun project. Sure the bright colors will fade and the comfy fabrics will wear, but my first memory furnishing an apartment in Panama will be with me forever. Until I forget it at least.

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Comments (8)

gael dixon: mrs. i enjoyed your article. we are buying a condo at the neo tower which is in pre construction phase. we will probably be moving there in 2 years or a little more. i've been reading a book called "living in panama" by sandra t. snyder which has been very enlightening about most aspects of life in panama. one thing she mentions is the effects of the humidity on so many things and the ease of mold growth. i will be very interested in learning about which materials hold up the best in that climate in panama city. she mentions that she carries crazy glue in her bag for a quick shoe repair, as the glued parts in shoes are affected by said humidity. this is going to be some adventure!! best regards, gael dixon This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 1 January 15, 2008 jeff beer: Econo Precios Website http://www.econoprecios.com/ It doesn't work too well, and prices aren't listed, but you can get an idea of what they have. I like the huge fish tanks, and they even have furniture for your bar or resturant. Oh - the site hasn't been updated since April 6th, 2006, so your mileage may vary 2 February 13, 2008 john oughton: retired money broker Thanks again for the tips.I gotta work out if it's better to ship over my posessions(sic)from Europe or buy in situ.We're in Panama 30th March and will sure add these shops to our "must see" list. I'll let you know how we get o,! 3 March 20, 2008 Trudith: Writer Thanks for the humor, and the wisdom of living in Panama. I was just there for two weeks, spent a lot of time at the Dentist, but I received great service, & care, the best in 40 years! I am thinking of bringing a few personal things to Panama, as I noted there is a tendency to "cheapness", I like my desire for quality and good taste, and saw that it was not really a strong issue to provide quality over quantity. I did not find the two stores you mention, I did go into several furniture stores and felt the construction was rather dismal. Love Panama, met some wonderful, sincere, and gracious people. I found lots of changes, and I noted in "Lonely Planet" they were a little out of date. The American Embassy is at Clayton for example, not at the Yacht Club, the Yacht Club is also gone from its mooring. The Skyline is unbelieveable, changes are a coming and no one recognizes the Old Panama that they knew, I am excited to make this my new home this Summer. I have lots of questions, lots of interest in making this a great experience! 4 May 22, 2008 TravelerChris: Need a driver Our condo at Destiny will be done in October, hopefully. At that time we'll be back down here to equip it. We went to Albrook Mall on Sunday 5-25-08 and found that Conway, Titan, and El Costo are probably a good start for dishes, utensils etc. Our problem is the fact we have no friends here, never mind friends with trucks or SUVs. Any suggestions on a driver that can stay with us to shop and then take our loot back to the condo. What would the cost for something like that be? 5 May 27, 2008 Patricia Blasser: Area rugs If you are looking to furnish a new home in Panama. Check out www.alfombraspanama.com. This company has ove 200 area rugs for sale whihc are made of 100% Olefin whihc is a manmade fiber that wers wvery well in the humid climate of Panama. All different sizes and styles available and great prices too. The company is owned by an American. The phone number in Panama is 227-8194. 6 June 01, 2008 jim weir: Destiny Hi Chris,I also have bought in Destiny.But,I read an article to-day saying it would be ready early 2009.I visited this April,and I cannot envisage the Project will be finished 2008.But,I may be wrong. you may wish to swap stories. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 7 June 20, 2008 pintota: Dentists Hi Trudith, You mentioned going to a Dentist that did a great job. Which Dentist did you go to? Any recommendations are welcome. Also, any one has any ideas on reasonably priced cottages on a beach 8 July 18, 2008

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