Episode Summary
In this episode of The Expat Files, Johnny Mueller explores a range of topics that reflect the complexities of life in Latin America and the broader implications of modern work culture. He begins by discussing the concept of 'bullshit jobs' as introduced in David Graeber's book, which critiques the prevalence of meaningless white-collar work. Johnny shares his current reading of the book, highlighting its provocative title and its exploration of how such jobs contribute to societal issues. He reads excerpts from the book, discussing examples of individuals who have transitioned from meaningful work to jobs that lack purpose, and reflects on the broader implications of such jobs on society and individual well-being.
Johnny then delves into the distinction between 'shit jobs' and 'bullshit jobs,' noting that while the former are often manual and low-status, the latter are white-collar and perceived as prestigious but ultimately meaningless. He contrasts the attitudes of Latin American workers with those in the first world, suggesting that Latin Americans do not view their jobs as useless, even if they are mundane or repetitive. He also reflects on his personal experience living in Latin America, noting the shift from reading physical books to using smartphones, and comments on the general characteristics of expats, suggesting they are more curious, creative, and above average compared to the average American.
The episode also touches on the trend of Americans moving to Latin America, attributing it to the high cost and regulation in their home states like California, Colorado, and Oregon. Johnny criticizes these individuals for creating problems in their own countries and then trying to impose their values on Latin America. He notes that most expats don't speak Spanish and instead form their own 'gringoized colonies' in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. Johnny also mentions that expats often express strong political opinions, but he finds that Latin Americans generally don't care about international current events unless they have relatives sending remittances. He suggests a potential solution to reduce illegal immigration by taxing remittances, citing Western Union's profits as an example. Finally, he addresses the ease of residency in Panama, noting that while it's possible, it comes with many restrictions and he personally doesn't recommend living there.
Johnny then discusses the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Panama Canal, particularly the involvement of China and the potential for large-scale conflicts. He recommends a podcast by Michael Yahn, a journalist with deep connections in the third world, who warns against living in Panama due to its strategic military significance and the risks associated with the region. Johnny also highlights the historical context of Panama, including the construction of the Panama Canal, the challenges faced during its development, and the tragic fate of workers who died building the Panama Railroad. He notes that many of these workers were Chinese laborers whose bodies were used for medical education, contributing to the funding of medical facilities during the project.
The episode concludes with Johnny discussing the history of the Panama Railway, which was built in 1850 due to the California Gold Rush. The railway was the most profitable in the world, with a cost of one ounce of gold (equivalent to $20 today) and a travel time of three hours. It was constructed to provide a faster and safer alternative to the dangerous and lengthy routes to California gold fields. The railway's success influenced the decision to build the Panama Canal, as it demonstrated the feasibility of such a project. Johnny also mentions the 1902 U.S. decision to build the Panama Canal over Nicaragua, citing a volcanic eruption in French Martinique as a pivotal event. He concludes by promoting his expat seminars as a way to help expats plan their new lives in Latin America, with the next seminar scheduled for August 15th, 2025.
Episode Notes
Johnny Mueller unpacks the idea of meaningless work, the experiences of expats in Latin America, and the historical significance of the Panama Canal. This episode is a deep dive into the complexities of modern work culture, expatriate life, and the geopolitical undercurrents of one of the world's most strategic waterways.
For more episodes, seminar information, resources, and the full archive, visit ExpatPlanB.com.
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Related guides: Healthcare in Latin America · Cost of Living in Latin America · Residency in Latin America · Renting and Buying Property
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Topics
The Expat Files podcast, Life in Latin America, Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber, Meaningful work vs. meaningless work, Societal implications of meaningless jobs, Shit jobs vs. bullshit jobs, Attitudes toward work in Latin America, Personal experience of expats in Latin America, Characteristics of expats, Expatriates in Latin America, Political opinions of expats, Illegal immigration
Chapters
00:00:00 Opening 00:00:14 Introduction to The Expat Files Podcast 00:01:19 Introduction to 'Bullshit Jobs' by David Graeber 00:02:09 Excerpts from 'Bullshit Jobs' 00:06:06 Shit Jobs vs. Bullshit Jobs: A Contrast in Status and Meaning 00:06:59 Bullshit Jobs in Latin America: A Different Perspective 00:08:24 No Shit Jobs, Just Jobs: A Cultural Perspective 00:10:33 Expats: A Self-Selecting Group of Curious and Creative Individuals 00:11:36 Why Americans Move to Latin America and the Impact on Local Communities 00:12:01 The Rise of Gringoized Colonies in Latin America 00:14:19 The Economic Impact of Remittances on Latin American Countries 00:16:35 Residency in Panama: A Closer Look at the Process and Restrictions 00:17:52 Geopolitical Struggles for Control of the Panama Canal 00:17:56 China's Involvement and the Darien Gap 00:18:16 Strategic Military Target and Nukes 00:18:28 Michael Yahn's Expertise and Recommendations 00:18:41 Potential for Large-Scale Conflicts in Panama 00:19:28 Historical Context of Latin America 00:19:50 The Tragic End of Balboa 00:20:12 Historical Books on Latin America 00:23:21 The Panama Railway and Its Profitability 00:23:51 Why Was the Panama Railway Built? 00:26:13 The Volcanic Eruption and the Panama Canal Decision 00:26:43 Johnny's Expat Seminars for Plan B
Transcript
Automatically transcribed from the original recording; names and wording may contain errors.
[00:00] South of the border down Mexico way That's where I fell in love when the stars above came up to play and now as I wonder Hello there all you ex-pad wannabes. I'm Johnny Mueller and you're listening to the expat files living in Latin America The show that tells you just what it's like to live work play and or retire down here in Latin America It's a mix of the good the bad the ugly and the great and it's all right here. So let's get started Let's start with an email from Carrie. He says Johnny. I wish you could tell us what books or audiobooks you've been into lately What are the podcasts you listen to just curious longtime listener Carrie from, Minnesota?
[00:48] PS he says I wish I could read more and listen to more audiobooks, but I'm working two jobs That's what happens when you get divorced and get whacked with child support for two adolescent kids who don't even like you Okay, Carrie. Thanks for that. Sorry to hear your kids don't like you, but you're still stuck with paying their bills Sorry to hear that luckily I dodged that bullet. I don't have any kids by the way I get emails all the time from people asking me pretty much the same questions. What do you read? What audiobooks you listen to what podcasts do I listen to? Well, these last couple days have been reading a book called bullshit jobs not kidding. It's called bullshit jobs I know it sounds lowbrow, but it's not don't think by the title. It's pure fluff the guy that wrote this thing His name is David Graber graduated with a doctorate from University of Chicago
[01:36] He taught at Yale University and finally became a professor at the London School of Economics So he's no lightweight. He is a total lib lefty, but that doesn't mean his book isn't super interesting You know if it's interesting and thought-provoking, I don't care who wrote it. I'll read it. At least I'll give it a shot I mean with that title who wouldn't remember this book is called bullshit jobs And you know how Elon Musk and doges all in the news these days in today's environment No book could be more on topic than one called bullshit jobs, right? Man is pretty shocking Let me read a couple of choice little paragraphs from the first couple chapters In fact the book starts off with this story. It starts off like this not long ago I got back in touch with a school friend who I hadn't seen since I was 15
[02:24] I was amazed to discover that in the interim. He'd become a poet Then a front man for a well-known indie rock band I'd heard some of his songs on the radio even having no idea the singer was someone I actually knew He was obviously brilliant innovative and his work had unquestionably brightened and improved the lives of people all over The world yet after a couple of unsuccessful albums He lost his contract and played with debts and a newborn daughter ended up as he put it taking the default choice of so many directionless folk Law school now he's a corporate lawyer working in a prominent, New York firm He was the first to admit that his job was utterly meaningless Contributed nothing to the world and in his own estimation should not really exist
[03:11] the definition of a bullshit job Then it says the most intelligent people in pointless jobs are ultimately aware of it in fact I'm not sure if I've ever met a corporate lawyer who didn't think their job was pure bullshit The same goes for almost all the new industries created by social media There's a whole class of salaried professionals that should you meet them at parties and admit that you do something that might be considered interesting Let's say you're an anthropologist or geneticist for example Then watch how the person you're talking to will want to avoid even discussing their own line of work entirely But give them a few drinks and they'll launch into tirades about how pointless and stupid their own job really is It goes on to say how can one even begin to speak of dignity in the labor force when you secretly feel your own job
[04:00] Should not exist how can it not create a sense of deep rage and resentment within you? Getting paid and working in a bullshit job yet It's the particular genius of our society that its rulers have figured out a way To ensure that the rage directed against bullshit jobs is precisely directed against those who actually do meaningful work He goes not to say it's not entirely clear how Humanity would even suffer if all private equity CEOs lobbyists PR researchers actuaries Telemarketers bailiffs or legal consultants lawyers bureaucrats, etcetera would suddenly vanish Would humanity suffer or markedly improve if they all just suddenly disappeared? In fact, this is a worldwide phenomena take the recent you gov poll
[04:48] They recently polled thousands of working Britons Asking them the following question. Does your job make a meaningful contribution to the world astonishingly more than the third 37% said no Thus 37% of Brits say they work bullshit jobs What's more a later poll when Holland came up with almost exactly the same results In fact a little higher as 40% of Dutch workers reported their jobs had no good reason to exist at all it says Bullshit jobs are not just jobs that are useless or pernicious a garbage man or traffic cop are not bullshit jobs They may be low-paying and undesirable, but they're not useless He says to be a bullshit job There has to be some degree of pretense and fraud involved as well
[05:35] The jobholder must feel obliged to pretend that there is in fact a good reason why his or her job exists Even if privately he or she finds the claims ridiculous There has to be some kind of gap or personal feeling you have between The pretense that you're actually working a useful job and the reality that the job serves no useful purpose. Oh And do note Shit jobs are different from bullshit jobs shit jobs tend to be blue collar and pay-by-the-hour and and often involve repetitive actions whereas bullshit jobs tend to be white collar and salaried The other differences those who work shit jobs tend to be the object of indignities Shit jobs can be very useful jobs, but often held in low esteem for example plumbers cooks dishwashers fishermen
[06:25] Whereas those who work bullshit jobs are often surrounded by honor and prestige They are respected as professionals well-paid and treated as high achievers Yet secretly they have achieved nothing and in moments of reflection. They know it They're good at justifying their jobs to others while lying to themselves Anyway, you asked what I'm reading now And I'm halfway through that book if you want to read it yourself send me an email the expat files at gmail.com And I'll send you off an e-book copy now of course that book bullshit jobs is based on a first world writer's first world experiences But what about down here in Latin America? Well from my experience there are just as many if not more bullshit jobs The difference is Latino workers don't secretly lament over the fact that their jobs are completely useless in fact
[07:12] I've never met a Latina or Latino that felt his job was useless no matter how mundane Idiotic or repetitive down here a job's job And when it comes to white-collar jobs it almost always boils down to the feeling that the less you do the better Though most Latinos never see it in themselves Gringos and expats see it in Latin society all the time You see it every time you walk into a hotel or clothing store or restaurant There is one person working in two or three people standing around and when it comes to blue Collar government jobs. It's more the same you'll often see a street department crew with five guys and one shovel and Every single one of those guys believes his job is absolutely necessary and useful and when you go into a Latin American hardware store Wow, the staff just might overwhelm you chances are though
[07:59] They won't know a thing about the products they sell and as far as shit jobs here in Latin America You know jobs that are absolutely useful necessary, but often disdained Well, they may be disdained up in the US in the first world But down here as mentioned a jobs a job even what you might call the lowest and dirtiest of jobs are not referred to as shit Jobs here in Latin America down here They're just jobs that put food on the table and send the kids to school seems down here in Latin America There are no shit jobs just jobs And of course as mentioned a plethora of bullshit government and nepotism jobs Even so Latinos in those jobs never seem to have an existential crisis Over the fact that they're doing something completely useless worse yet Most Latinos I know would love to have a high-paying useless job wouldn't lose a minute sleepover
[08:47] It might even brag about it enough said about that now personally I like to read biographies history books and science books how boring huh? And I remember, you know the first couple of years I was down here in Latin America in the early 90s I would always have a book on me an actual book made out of paper that was way before the internet You know or audiobooks. Remember once you move down here to Latin America You're gonna have lots of time on your hands and they'll be lots of times. They'll be standing in lines, too And back then man in the early days. I'd be standing in line. Let's say in a bank Government or telephone office, whatever Sometimes for an hour or more for one thing I almost always be the only gringo in there and number two. I'd be only one there with something to read Everyone else would be twiddling their thumbs or shooting a breeze with each other
[09:34] It would only be me in line or the occasional gringo backpacker with a dog-eared paperback something or other book And it was like that here in Latin America all through the 90s and till about 2005 That's when those early smart phones started showing up by about 2010 almost all Latinos became addicted to their low-end Smartphones and still in 2010 to maybe 2015 it was only the odd gringo and gringo backpacker who carried reading material with them Of course these days you don't have to do that anymore Almost no one brings a book with them people's devices are their whole world and still almost no one here in Latin America reads books Unless of course, they're in school and are forced to do it sound familiar. How about your own kids and grandkids? I bet they're not into reading books not
[10:21] Voluntarily anyway, of course, that's not the case for gringo expats living down here We seem to be much different than the hoi polloi up in the states in a lot of ways That goes for most all you guys and gals listening to this show It really is true that most expats and gringo is reaching for that plan B are almost all well above average I understand most of you guys and gals actually pick up a book and read it once in a while The average first world person has zero interest in becoming an expat. So us expats are a self-selecting group More curious more creative more leaning towards chance taking then the average American that's for sure I'd be willing to bet 99% of us are well above average and the ones that aren't well I haven't met any of them yet even expats I don't much like or have anything in common with like many of the retired schoolteacher
[11:09] Expats of the more liberal do-gooder more government is better socialism light strain Thankfully most of them moved to the gringo tourist trail mostly Panama and Costa Rica Funny how they come down try to create a cheaper version of what they destroyed themselves up north I don't get it retired US public schoolteachers who were responsible for Destroying states like California moving down here to Latin America Because their own state is way too expensive and way too regulated now Who do you think voted for all that and my question is always why did you leave, California? Or Colorado or Oregon whatever to come down here to let Americans start the process all over again. Yep They created the problem. They ruined their own state. Now. They're down here trying to force their values on Latin America
[11:58] Thankfully though most don't speak Spanish, so they stick to their own Create their own little gringoized colonies and now they're popping up all over Latin America mostly in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama Don't believe it. Just check out some of the expat fake book sites in those countries They're just loaded with Gavin Newsom lovers and Trump Elon Musk and RFK jr. Haters Mmm, I don't get it, but there's lots of things I don't get but I'll tell you living down here in Latin America As long as I have It's really nice being pretty much totally disconnected From what's happening up in the States Canada Europe and the rest of the first world by the way I do get emails here and there for people asking me what my stance is on the Israeli Palestine thing that goes for the Russian
[12:43] Ukraine war thing too. I mean look if you're gonna live down here in Latin America Don't you want to know what the Latin Americans think don't you want to know what Latin Americans think about the Palestine Israeli thing? About the Ukraine Russian war, etc. You know what Latin Americans of all Socioeconomic levels do not give a shit. They don't talk about it. They don't bring it up I've never been in a gathering Fiesta quinceaños party Concert barbecue coffee cluck anywhere where the subjects ever been brought up for Latinos that might as well be happening on another planet They just don't give a shit. Of course, they've all got smartphones So it's in their news feeds, but they don't pay attention. They scroll right past Oh and I remember a couple of months ago sitting at a table with a couple of gringos and some Latino guys 5050
[13:30] It was about that time the Houthis were flinging missiles at some ships in a Suez Canal. Remember that? Well, one of the gringos at the table mentioned the word hootie and the Latinos They're all smart guys with college degrees thought they were talking about some kind of Haitian voodoo practice I kid you not that's how much they knew or cared about the Houthis About as much as I care like zilch. So I guess it's just easier to say International current events and Latinos do not mix Latinos do not seem to care at all about the rest of the world unless of course They've got relatives living there sending back remisses Don't laugh almost every Latin American family I know has got a relative or two sending back remisses every month fifty hundred bucks two hundred bucks
[14:15] In fact, I just saw some stats that said Remisses for some Latin American countries make up quarter of their gross national product Oh speaking of remisses one gringle buddy of mine had a great idea. Well, you might not think it's great. I do It's worth exploring anyway Even as a thought experiment, you know It seems everyone's got a brilliant idea on how to stop illegal immigration flow to the states and Canada, etc Besides using brute force. There's got to be a softer kinder general way right to effectively discourage illegal immigration Well, how about this for a solution? You know a smart gringle buddy of mine he was in New York finance down here living his plan B life now He said Johnny, it's so easy. You want to really throttle down illegal immigration to the states
[15:01] Put a 100% tariff or tax on remisses Going out of the country to Latin America And when he said that man, I thought he's right that could work if you live down here in Latin America You know that remissa thing is a huge motivator to slip into the United States illegally And you know one of the top five remissa providers is Western Union I just looked up their remissa profits for last year 20 24 turns out their cut which is from 5 to 10 percent of what they send in remissas was four point five billion dollars last year and Western Union is just one remissa service. There are at least 15 more Absolute crooks to it. They take 5 to 10 percent of anything you want to send anyway
[15:47] There's a novel idea that'll probably never get authorized because it's way too logical for government What a great idea taxing outgoing remisses at 50 to 100 percent Or at least finding the point at which their text enough that people no longer use Remisses as an excuse to sneak into the states and work. Anyway food for thought You know earlier in their show we mentioned Panama, right? And you know, I get emails all the time from people saying Johnny You know that Panama has one of the easiest ways to get residency There are even some articles out there saying you could get residency in five days five days Yeah, well, I checked it out and you can but it's temporary residency with strings attached But it's true. Panama has all kinds of different residency programs including one called favored country status
[16:35] And of course the US is on that list as a favored country, but that also has a bunch of strings attached Well, you longtime listeners. No, I always say it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there I must have visited the place 50 times or more By the way, it's the hub for Copa Airlines, which is one of the biggest airlines throughout Central America So oftentimes when you take a flight you end up at the Panama Airport because well, it's the hub and that's where you change planes Nevertheless, you know if you listen to this show, I don't recommend having a plan be in Panama And if you like to listen to the alternative podcasters and alternative news sources as I do Many of those guys aren't recommending Panama either You've certainly heard of Doug Casey and his podcast Doug Casey's take he's an old guy now
[17:20] But sort of one of the very first big gold bugs a true libertarian world traveler and investor Anyway about a week or so ago. He had a guest on his show. His name is Michael Yahn YO n anyway Most listeners to this show and listeners to alternative media know who Michael Yahn is Anyway, this particular podcast which came out on April 30th 2025 I highly highly recommend because Michael Yahn provides a detailed update from Panama He talks about the ongoing geopolitical struggles for control of the Panama Canal The taking time bomb China who owned so much land around the Panama Canal and the Darien Gap Anyway after you hear that podcast and if you send me an email the expat files at gmail.com
[18:06] I'll send you the link anyway after hearing that podcast you'll never want to have your plan be in Panama So in case you need a second opinion, Michael Yahn definitely does not recommend it One of the things he mentions is something I brought up many times before on this show It's the only strategic military target in all of Latin America. We're talking about the Panama Canal now Guaranteed there are nukes pointed at it right now Anyway, Michael Yahn who's lived 30 or 40 years outside of the US world-class journalist knows five or six languages and has deep Connections in the third world. Anyway, he says Panama is no place to have a plan B And there's a huge potential for large-scale conflicts Meanwhile every day I get all kinds of junk in my email boxes from nice old retired expats living in Panama
[18:53] Most of them telling me they escaped to Panama from Costa Rica, which is about twice as expensive And of course, there are some retired expats in Panama who've started up Panama Relocation services and of course there are gringos down there running expats seminars and conferences funny How they never mentioned the Chinese or the Darien gab or the other things that Michael Yahn points out The five or ten reasons why Panama is absolutely not the place you want to live work play and or do business speaking of Panama or Anywhere in Latin America, you know before I even got down here. Oh so many years ago I read up on the history of Latin America read quite a few books about the conquistadors Cortez Balboa You know who discovered the Pacific Ocean by the way
[19:39] He was beheaded in the town square in Darien Panama on a trumped-up trees in charge By if I remember right the mayor who was jealous of Balboa's claim to fame What a terrible end to a historic career by the way, the Panamanian currency is called the Balboa Anyway, if you've got a plan B in mind and you're thinking of moving to Latin America It would serve you well to look up the history of the country or the region you're going to do a deep dive It really helps in understanding the locals when you know the history by the way One of the best historical books I ever read about Latin America was called the path between the seas The building of the Panama Canal got a Pulitzer Prize. So that means it isn't too shabby Anyway, if you want it on e-book or audiobook send me an email the expat files at gmail.com
[20:28] That said there are some very surprising things about Panama and Latin America in general stuff I've learned along the way and found that Latin Americans themselves don't know much about then again Americans Especially American kids don't know much about their history either, huh? Anyway, here's a few crazy stats about Panama, you know when they were trying to build the Panama Canal The big problem was the tide on the Atlantic or Caribbean side The tide was only one foot, you know, high and low tides are twice a day So on the Atlantic side one foot not a problem at all However on the Pacific side the tide varied by 20 feet So how do you bring big ships in and out when there's a 20 foot difference twice a day? When dealing with that last lock on the Pacific side, it was a huge engineering problem
[21:17] Of course, you probably know the French started the first Panama Canal and failed they failed for a lot of reasons But mostly because it ran four to five times over budget basically went bankrupt now at first They were gonna build across Nicaragua was a longer route But like Nicaragua in the middle of the country would have made the project a lot cheaper But the French pick Panama, you know why because there was an existing railroad over the isthmus the Panama railroad So they figured they just buy up the railroad and put the canal right next to it a proven path through the jungle Well, here's what you didn't know about that Panama railroad 6,000 to 12,000 people died of mostly malaria and dengue fever, etc Because as you see in 1850 when they built the railroad
[22:03] They didn't know it was mosquito vectors that carried the disease which brings us back to the reason they almost built the canal in Nicaragua because Nicaragua had much more highland and less jungle and before they found the mosquito malaria connection doctors figured malaria was caused by Jungle rot the so-called bad air caused by decomposing animals and plants in the jungle So in Nicaragua, they thought less jungle less bad air less malaria wrong, of course, but that was the theory back then so anyway 6,000 to 12,000 people died building the Panama railroad in 1850 how about this were a crazy fact most of the dead were Chinese coolies and Most of those bodies were packed in formaldehyde and shipped off to medical schools around the world
[22:52] So most medical students in the middle to late 19th century learned their human anatomy and dissection technique Mostly from the bodies of Chinese workers who perished building the pan-american railway Turns out the Panama railway made so much profit by selling those bodies to medical schools They were able to completely fund the doctors clinics and hospitals that were set up in the Panama railway construction zones By the way after the Panama railway was finished It was the most profitable railway in the world to go from one side of Panama to the other about 40 miles Took three hours cost one ounce of gold price then $20 equivalent today $2,000 oh and get this to Panama railway, which was opened 50 years before the canal
[23:43] Turns out because for 50 years it was the most profitable railway in the world It was the highest priced stock on the New York Stock Exchange Now here's a brain stumper. Why do you think they decided to build that railway in 1850? It was the world's most expensive railway 47 miles highest cost per mile of any railway in the world Well, it was built because of the California gold rush in the late 1840s Turns out people on the east coast of the US and Europeans had gold fever There were only two ways to get to the California gold fields one by wagon train Fighting Indians natural disasters, and it took three months the basis of most cowboy movies, right? Or number two if you were from Europe or on the east coast of the states and wanted to get to the gold fields
[24:31] You took a boat took a month or so and you had to go around the Cape the tip of Argentina Also a grueling terrible costly journey took many thousands of lives But you see the Panama railroad cut that journey in half the trip by train from Panama City to Cologne or vice versa three hours So that train through Panama made the trip to the California gold fields 8,000 miles shorter Oh and by the way after the French failed with the Panama Canal and the US and Teddy Roosevelt took up the cause in 1902 they had a two-week conference of engineering experts deciding on whether they were going to do the Panama or Nicaragua canal It was a hundred and one for the Nicaragua canal Mostly because of two main thing that 20-foot high tide problem did not exist in Nicaragua
[25:20] Number two it was predicted that thousands fewer would die from tropical diseases if the canal was built in Nicaragua Since it was mostly in the highlands and in Panama the route was mostly through swamp And it seemed like the main point against Nicaragua was that it had something like 21 volcanoes a lot of them active But no one seemed to care about that because they weren't in the direct path of the proposed canal but then just two days before the US was to vote on where they were going to put the proposed canal a Dormant volcano blew off in French Martinique killed every person in the capital city 30,000 people with one lone survivor a prisoner held in a dungeon way below ground When that news was telegraphed to Washington May 12th 1902 that a dormant volcano had killed 30,000 people in one day and
[26:08] Of course the fact that Nicaragua had 21 volcanoes in Panama had none That's what swung the final vote in favor of the Panama Canal as far as the engineers were concerned So then is that all useless trivia? I think that I believe you have to know a bit of the history of the country You're planning on settling in it's funny though when you're running to gringo expats who seem to know a lot more About their new adopted plan B country than the locals do hmm very strange speaking of selecting a plan B country You know the only way to do it is to get boots on the ground and the best way to get a two to five Year head start on your plan B is of course to attend one of my week-long expat insider seminars The next one's gonna launch August 15th 2025 so mark your calendar and get ready to drink from the fire hose as they say
[26:56] We'll get boots on the ground in two Latin countries Guatemala and El Salvador to check out the plans the itinerary Etc. Just go to expat plan B.com and click on Johnny's expat seminar link Don't forget if you sign up before June 1st You'll get in on those early bird discounts after June 1st the price goes up 500 bucks Oh and for all you expat seminar repeat offenders out there Don't forget that you get a thousand dollar discount off that early bird discount price Isn't it funny how we always seem to have repeat offenders might that not be a big hint as to the quality of the seminar itself Take a second and think about it You've been listening to the expat files living in Latin America If you need some help with your own plan B We can schedule a one-on-one phone or Skype consult
[27:42] Just send me an email the expat files at gmail.com And if you want to get on the waiting list for my next week-long expat insider seminar in Central America Where you're guaranteed to get a two to five year head start on your plan B Send me an email the expat files at gmail.com