Jim and I drove into the outskirts of Panama City yesterday.
We were stuck in 2 lanes of gridlock traffic for about
35 minutes because an axel had dropped off a truck in the middle of the
"Bridge of the America's
and not a tow truck in sight.
You can not come to Panama and expect things to be the same as in Canada or the USA.
Thank goodness it retains it's own charm and frustrations.
Nothing is done quickly here, learning to live the Panamian way is so refreshing.
It is such a country of contrasts. We just love this place.
ABOUT CASCO VIEJO
CASCO VIEJO IS THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND CULTURAL GEM OF PANAMA CITY. DECLARED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY UNESCO IN 1997, CASCO VIEJO WAS ESTABLISHED AROUND 1673 BY THE SPANISH COLONIALISTS, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND OTHER SETTLERS. HISTORICALLY ONE OF THE RICHEST AND MOST DENSELY POPULATED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE AMERICAS, CASCO VIEJO WENT ON TO EXPERIENCE DECADES OF NEGLECT AROUND THE 1950S. THE STREETS ARE FILLED WITH BUILDINGS THAT SERVED AS HOMES, CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS OVER CENTURIES AND MANY ARCHITECTURAL PHASES. SOME OF THESE STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN PAINSTAKINGLY RESTORED AND NOW HOUSE MUSEUMS, GOURMET RESTAURANTS, QUAINT SHOPS AND UPSCALE RESIDENCES. OTHER BUILDINGS STAND IN DISREPAIR OR COMPLETE RUIN AND THE HOMES OF POOR FAMILIES JUXTAPOSED NEXT DOOR WITH A REMODELED, EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OFFER A AN EXCELLENT PEEK INTO THE VARIED HISTORY THAT THE DISTRICT HAS EXPERIENCED.
I
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2 comments:
What a great photo of the two of you! Lovely!
And an audible "awwww!" at the kitty of course ;)
Beautiful architecture - sad to see so much neglected, hope it all will eventually be saved and kept up for future generations to admire.
Wow … love the old buildings … and seeing the laundry strung out reminded me of Mexico … great picture of you and Jim … and I did notice the delicious little dessert treats … mmmm xoxo
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