Interview with Panama writer, William Friar
The interview of the month is guide of Moon Author William Friar. He is their Panama writer and shares his knowledge in this rapidly developing country and what he thinks is in store in the future
Nomadic Matt :. How did you as a leader writer at the end of
William Friar: This will really annoy someone trying to break in writing guide, but I would not even think about until a publisher myself found and offered a contract for an adventure travel guide Panama. I had grown up there and had recently published a coffee-table book on the Panama Canal, which helped my credibility in the foundation. I was a newspaper reporter who suggested that I could write, and maybe even make the occasional period.
The wage was pathetic, but somehow I addicted. I've written three books only to Panama. - The second edition of my moon manuals leader came in November
I always think of each project will be my last, but I'll write to guide again. My wife is from the UK and when we married there a few years back even I wrote a little guide in town for our wedding guests.
If leaders think writing as glamorous as people want it, or is it a hard-working, labor-intensive task? It seems to me to fall in the labor-intensive category.
There is nothing glamorous about the actual work. When I'm on my way, I often spend 12 hours a day, seven days poking around a week. That can mean anything to hang by checking out sites, restaurants, hotels, laundries to interview Bus driver so I can nail down plans no one has ever bothered to write.
Everything you do and see is part of the work, so you never watch from. If you are serious about what you do, you do too much research you feel as a graduate student. I spend countless hours combing newspapers, out-of-print stories, environmental reports, obscure sites in English and Spanish. In a place like Panama, especially, can be hard to find solid information on any subject.
If you adventure type do writing, life can be a bit dangerous. I 6 can spend months things like jungle trekking, rafting, fly in small aircraft scary to do, and about dodgy areas of cities. This is fun for a short vacation, but spending do every day increases Foolish greatly the chances of something bad happening to you.
All that said, a being guide writers may explode sometimes. I've seen things and done I would have never done if I had not felt obliged to end to wander every street and every sketchy experience I try could.
You think the Internet will change the way people travel receive information in a way that the paper make the guide outdated?
the Internet already changed the way people travel. It is possible to obtain information online-even for out-of-the-way places-that a few years would only get from guidebooks to find before. It is also to democratize travel literature: travel review websites such as tripadvisor.com you many travelers opinions rather than relying on the judgment of some leaders writers survey
So I think the challenge writers leaders can go. far above the medium ends is used for her writing. I think what will happen, that the paper guides and the Internet begins to converge, or at least work in tandem much more than they do today. Guides are at least somewhat out of date before they are even shipped to bookstores; that is inevitable given published in always a book, the delay time and distributed. The Internet, of course, enables the immediate publication and distribution. to find ways to upgrade guides on the Internet, would extend their life. The Internet is also a possibility, the reader to more content to capture images, and maps than ever could fit into an affordable paper guide, which is smaller than a phone book.
A simple thing that I do, is a start site (Panama Guidebook), specifically for the new edition of my moon Guide to Panama. A section lists changes in Panama places that have closed, new places have opened, updated prices and so on, as soon as I get the information. The section will be formatted so travelers can print what interests them, and wear it as an additive, if they like. There is also extensive photo galleries contain and give travelers the opportunity to ask me questions and offer advice to other travelers.
to think I do that every leader has a personality. LPs backpackers are placed on the market, Rough Guides focus on history and culture, DK has those great 3D drawings. What is the personality of your book
The moon handbooks series has traditionally been known for two things: has His encyclopedic and genuine personality. Fortunately, in recent years they have removed so compulsively including pulled away. Moon Handbooks are still responsive to a broader range of budgets and interests are focused more closely than other series that tend. But they are now more concise, and a redesign in the last few years has to find it a lot easier, which the author considers the best it has to offer each destination. I think redesigning the books has become even more attractive and user-friendly.
For my own moon leader, I think readers can feel my genuine love for Panama and what it has to offer. But there is now a lot of hype about the place of people with something to sell control property or tourist services, and I try to cut through that. People will experience much more enjoy when they have a realistic idea of what to expect. If travelers should avoid a place or experience, I will say straight out. I also try with a sense of humor and tolerance which I believe is the key to enjoy a country like Panama.
Panama is yet to be overrun by far with tourists in the way that, say, Costa Rica. It is still easy to find a beach or island, you have all to yourself, or spend the night in a village that has seen almost never a tourist, also Panamanian ones.
But Panama is definitely off begin. It's great natural beauty and got an amazingly rich history; There is much to see and it's easy and affordable to get around. Retirees move there because it is relatively inexpensive and it has clean water, good infrastructure a dollar economy, great medical care and a pleasant climate. Each influx of foreigners inevitably brings an increase in the rip and crime, and Panama has seen some that, though not nearly as much as you might fear.
The construction boom has there been so huge a shortage of sand for construction. The last time that I was in Bocas del Toro, I watched as workers shoveled sand beach in day and night pickups for use in construction projects. It is illegal, but the complaints had no effect. If Panama is not careful, greed, corruption and short-term thinking will destroy the great natural beauty that makes it such an appealing place.
Panama still gets a bad rap. The majority of Americans see it as the most dangerous country in the 80s. Why was that the myth maintained so long, even though more Americans go there now?
I think most Americans not a picture of Panama have ever. is about the only thing that they know that there's a kind of channel. But it is true that to the extent Gringos have a picture, it is cocaine, snakes, tropical diseases and Noriega.
Why has not yet changed the picture? Partly because Panama has done a lousy job of promoting itself, and it still has to promote mixed feelings about tourism. Wrecks Panamanians about the fact that their paradise to care. Tourism is much less important to its economy than it is to its neighbors who leave usually on tourist and agriculture and little else. Most people do not know, but Panama is the richest country in Central America. It has the channel, an international banking sector, the second largest free trade zone in the world, the registration of vessels, etc. Agriculture is a small part of the economy and tourism is a relatively new project.
Also, not enough Americans have gone the journey and home to spread the word of what Panama really equal, it does not reach that tipping point yet done. Travelers tend to trendy place of the moment to rally. When people discovered that Costa Rica was a nice place to visit, everyone started flooding there. Meanwhile, it is practically insensitive to bad PR, regardless of the reality. Those who know both countries tend to think Panama has more to offer, and it is certainly far less touristy. But it will take a long time for the reality to overcome the hype.
If you had to pick three must-see things in Panama, what would they be?
First, the Panama Canal. It is truly a wonder of the world, and endlessly fascinating. There is nothing else in the world.
Second, where the Bocas del Toro archipelago, a group of Caribbean islands, which are spectacularly beautiful and have a funky charm, has not been homogenized. It has become an unconventional destination for international backpackers, but it's easy to get away from the partiers and in a hammock with a quiet stretch of beach.
Third, the western highlands, especially the town of Boquete. It has a cool climate and a garden, which is home to many foreign retirees appealing, but it is also natural attractions such as world-class rafting, Quetzal-Spotting and vast national parks.
You've read about William Friar and Panama in his travel guide or behind him on Twitter @PanamaGuide.
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