Do The Festivals Ever End in Panama?

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Now It Is Country Fairs Time

The Panamanians' love of fiestas of all kinds, based on virtually any theme, comes out in full bloom at this time of year.  March starts the national cycle of country fairs.  'Country' is not a typo - in Panama they are country (not county) fairs.  This may be because the fairs draw people from all over the country, even from all over Central America.  Also, keep in mind, you can drive from one end of the country (from the Columbian border to the Costa Rican border) in 5-6 hours. The cycle starts with two fairs here in David (Chiriqui Provence) March 6-16, and run continuously until the final fair in Los Santos Province April 24-May 4. (Phew!)

The fairs here in David reminded me of county fairs in Texas and Oklahoma probably because, as described by the newspaper El Visitante, "Chiriqui is the cattle and cowboy province of Panama."  Yes, there were 4H-type contests, rodeos and a tractor pull.  Part of the grand finale was this parade through downtown.  It took almost an hour for what must have been thousands of los vaqueros (and las vaqueras) to parade by. I say "part of the grand finale.."  because the real grand finale was provided by the Atlas and Balboa tents in the park (the two beer companies), plus a long string of mariachi bands.  "Senor, what is the Spanish word for Wahhh-hoo?"  The only thing missing was Toby Keith!

Government Efficiency At Its Finest

Panama has a 'government transparency' law that requires federal government agencies to provide certain limited information via the agency's web site. The information required includes contracts it issues (and to whom), list of employees (and their salaries) AND any family or business relationships between and among employees and contractors. This law was passed to combat (quote) the government's frequent attempts to hide its business from the public (unquote).  The law required the information be posted within 15 days of law passage and updated weekly.

A coalition of interest groups are complaining that seven of the 12 Ministries are not complying as required. (quote) ... some are no more than a year behind in publishing the information, but four Ministries have never filed the required information..(unquote).  The Ministro de Gobierno says that his agencies non-compliance is "due to computer problems", which he hopes can be resolved soon. 
Note that the law went into effect 4 1/2 years ago.  Also note that The Ministri de Gobierno is the government agency responsible for the federal government's computerization and automation programs. Computer problems????

Another Quick Trip to Bocas del Toro

I spent a couple of days revisiting Bocas del Toro, a beautiful place in an archipelago off the coast of Panama.  This time instead of flying, I rode over there with my friend Ron from Golfito, a beautiful drive up and over the mountains to the Caribbean side of Panama.  On the drive we stopped in a couple of places that are some of the only places in the world where, on a clear day, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean at the same time.  And, pine trees in the tropics?

We then took a speed boat-type ferry from the port city of Almirante directly to the dock of The Galto Bar in Bocas del Toro (island of Colon). "Houston we have landed, I'll take a rum and coke." The town of Bocas del Torro is a scenic, almost quirky little place with a charm all its own.

The next afternoon, we took a panga boat taxi over to the Island of Bastimentos (about 20 minutes).  The island was named by Christopher Columbus and translates (roughly) as The Island of Storage - this is where Columbus and his crew stored the caches collected on their 'visits' to the other islands in the archipelago until they were ready to sail off home. The panga boat drops you off in a protected cove on the leeward side of the island, and it is just a short walk on a nice trail through the rain forest across the island to the beach side of the island.

Isla Bastimentos is famous for several reasons. It is home to one of Panama's most beautiful surf and swimming beaches, Red Frog Beach. Isla Bastimentos is also the only place in the world where the red poison dart frog lives in its natural habitat.  When you get to the beach you find the third wonder of the island - The Columbus Beach Bar. The open-air bar, nestled in the shade of palm trees was so comfortable we canceled the plan to hike around the point of Red Frog Beach over to the adjoining beach, Playa Largo, to view the sea turtles. The turtles probably weren't home anyway.

Private Enterprise Isn't Always The Right Answer

Panama's bus transportation system is a gem.  I can go to the bus terminal here in David, go to the correct departure parking slot (clearly marked by destination), crawl on the bus (no ticket lines - pay the porter on the bus), go anyplace in the country (regardless of how remote), on a clean, modern, air conditioned bus, traveling on good highways, for next to nothing fare-wise (for example, $2-3 for a long 3-4 hour trip).  The 'red-eye' to Panama City leaves at 11PM and arrives in downtown about 5AM, costs $7 and features airline (lay back) seats and en route movies.

But, once you arrive in Panama City bus transportation is a different situation.  The backbone of the public transportation system is the fleet of diablos rojos (red devils).  The diablos rojos are former school buses, owned and operated by private operators who bid on specific routes within the city.  The name stems from the buses distinctive appearance from a very specific shade of red paint highlighted by elaborate mural-type decorations. There are a number of very successful artists in Panama City who make a nice living painting seascapes, landscapes and such on the buses.

So what's the problem?  Last week there were four people killed and 31 injured in two separate bus accidents in Panama City.  In the month of February, the total was eight killed and 14 injured. Buses operated within the city?  How does this happen? The buses are racing! Racing?  Think about it.  This is private enterprise and two buses are coming down the street, coming up to a known busy stop.  Which bus is going to get the bulk, if not all the passengers (fares)?  The first bus! So a race ensues to be the first bus.  In the latest accident, ".riders on one of the buses said they begged the driver to slow down just before the crash." 

City officials are quoted as saying that although they have been looking, they "have found no viable alternative to the diablos rojos."  Maybe they have never been to the David bus terminal???

Gotten Rave Reviews on this One. Am Really Proud of My Latest Video (Sound On?)

Till Next Time - Pura Vida