After months of being a beach bum in Bocas del Toro followed by a week "roughing it" in the mountains of Boquete, I landed in the airport in Panama City for a week-long visit with my unkept hair wrapped in a scarf and dirty sweats on. I soon realized that I was grossly underdressed for this occasion (if you’re wondering what the occasion was, it was a line for Baggage Claim fit for the red carpet).
Welcome to Panama City, the Miami of Latin America...or just the other Miami #pty
Posted by Habla Ya Spanish Schools on Sunday, March 13, 2016
I sort of wasn't ready for this...
The Panamanian women standing beside me awaiting their luggage were all in high heels, hair blown out, and full make-up on in the middle of the day! I was no longer sure if I was waiting for my luggage or Leonardo DiCaprio to waltz through the doors but, either way, this "Country Mouse goes to the city" routine just wouldn't do for me.
I grabbed my suitcase and went straight to the Allbrook Mall for outfits that would turn heads, then to the nail salon to get the callouses scrubbed off my feet, got my eyebrows waxed and tamed, headed to the spa for a facial, then washed and brushed my hair. Finally, I emerged ready to take on Panama City.
I first fell in love with Panama City in Casco Viejo years ago as a handsome Panamanian police officer explained the history of La Iglesia de la Merced to me in the square in front of the church. Thus, when I came back to Panama City, this was the first place I returned to. I found the streets of Casco Viejo unchanged. Carefully restored buildings dating back to the foundation the city in the 1600s stood side by side original structures, chipped and fading gloriously underneath the sun. Casco Viejo’s narrow streets were lined with bars and restaurants, wide-eyed site-seers and frolicking children.
I loved sitting at the cafes in the Plaza Bolivar to people-watch while enjoying my lunch. When I continued my stroll, I tried to peak through the gates of the ruins of the Iglesia de Jesús to admire what was left of the facade of that ancient church.
On a hot day like this, don't forget to grab a "raspao" (a snowcone flavored fruit syrup, malted milk, and honey), a traditional Panamanian street food
Posted by Habla Ya Spanish Schools on Tuesday, March 15, 2016
As I made my to the promenade built atop the old city's outer wall, the Paseo Esteban Huertas, one of the young artisans greeted me and asked if he could escort me around. I’ve found that Panamanians will readily stop to offer a hello or a helping hand. Never one to turn down gallantry, I agreed to let him accompany me. His name was Renzo and we wound our way back through the Casco Viejo, this time with him pointing out local hangouts and street art that I would not have known to look for. As the sun beat down on us, he stopped at a street cart to buy me a "raspao" (a snowcone topped with malted milk and honey).
Afterwards, with the old city of Casco Viejo behind us and the high rises that made up modern Panama’s new skyline ahead, we strolled the Cinta Costera. This waterfront boulevard with a park running alongside lined with palm trees overlooks the Bay of Panama. Joggers, lovers, dancers, and vendors alike filled the boulevard with activity. I watched as a burgeoning gymnast practiced his routine in the open-air workout area. A group of dancers counted off their steps to a beat only they knew. Kids sailed past young lovers to preoccupied with staring deeply into each others eyes to notice them.
This was the kind of place where you could feel the pulse fo the city. I looked back at Renzo who had been watching me take it all in and flashed him a wide grin. “There’s one more thing,” he said as he took my hand and lead me to the overpass. There, in the shade underneath the highway overpass was a set of swings swaying in the breeze. I sat in a swing and swung back and forth. Once again, I’ve fallen in love with this city.
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