Impressions of Panama


Impressions of Panama

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Written by Administrator

Monday, July 10 2006

During our final approach I could see the lights of Panama City across the aisle. A Gazillion thoughts were racing through my head. But all my questions could be broken down into one very simple query: what would it be like?

Upon stepping off my plane one thing was apparent. It's humid- real humid. When I got to my apartment I took out wrinkly clothes from my suitcase and within a couple of days most of the minor creases were ironed out a la Mother Nature. It takes some time to get used to and not all
days are that hot and sticky. In fact, tonight it's in the upper seventies and is very comfortable.

Another thing that hit me was the smell. Despite all the hype of Panama City being developed and cosmopolitan which some parts are, it is still the third world and with it comes third world smells. On real hot days rotting food from garbage heaps can turn a midday walk into an olfactory nightmare and a trip near the Bay of Panama can be equally smelly. Construction compared to US standards is shotty. But despite this Panama City can be charming. Via Argentina is lovely at night. Each public bus is a work of art. The Parque Nacional Metropolitano lies within city limits and if you are lucky you can see toucans, monkeys and sloths. On Calle Uraguay the bars and clubs are lively and throb with Reggeaton and Salsa beats. But the thing that I find most interesting about Panama City is it's diversity of people.