I love the contrasts we´ve found so far in Panama. There´s the Garifuna Carribbean culture on the Bocas del Toro, quiet highland towns like Boquete, hot and dusty transport towns like David, Cowboy country on the Peninsula de Azuero and the modernity of Panama City.
Even in Panama City itself, each district throws up a completely different perspective. From the highest point in Panama City, Cerro Ancon, you can see as many sky scrapers (it seems!) as Hong Kong, the ruins of Panama Viejo - the original city that was destroyed by Henry Morgan, the wonky charm of Casco Viejo - where the city was rebuilt in the 1600s - and a queue of immense cargo ships waiting out in the Pacific to enter the Panama Canal and the Miraflores lock.
It´s a crossing point for people too....there are ex-pats from everywhere here, though predominantly from the US. There´s a whiff of scandal from the slick looking guys in their fancy E-type jags and a story of money and intrigue to imagine for the immaculately groomed lady sipping coffee in the square.
There´s poverty too though. The hostel we are staying in (Luna´s Castle) has a view on one side of the business district and the bay, while on the other there are people PACKED into houses that look like they´re about to collapse. These are the people that the city government is trying to move on, and out of their homes. They´ve realised the value of the old part of town, but it´s just a little too close to the poor part of town for comfort.
Even in Panama City itself, each district throws up a completely different perspective. From the highest point in Panama City, Cerro Ancon, you can see as many sky scrapers (it seems!) as Hong Kong, the ruins of Panama Viejo - the original city that was destroyed by Henry Morgan, the wonky charm of Casco Viejo - where the city was rebuilt in the 1600s - and a queue of immense cargo ships waiting out in the Pacific to enter the Panama Canal and the Miraflores lock.
It´s a crossing point for people too....there are ex-pats from everywhere here, though predominantly from the US. There´s a whiff of scandal from the slick looking guys in their fancy E-type jags and a story of money and intrigue to imagine for the immaculately groomed lady sipping coffee in the square.
There´s poverty too though. The hostel we are staying in (Luna´s Castle) has a view on one side of the business district and the bay, while on the other there are people PACKED into houses that look like they´re about to collapse. These are the people that the city government is trying to move on, and out of their homes. They´ve realised the value of the old part of town, but it´s just a little too close to the poor part of town for comfort.
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