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The Good News From Panama
N. Y. Times Ranks Panama As #1 Destination
The new year brought a welcome surprise when the country was ranked first in a Travel Section piece called “The 45 Places to Go in 2012” in 'The New York Times'.
Appealing to travelers who could be seeking refuge in the current global economic storm, the article outlines conditions that justify declaring Panama’s economy to be “booming:” Expats and investors who “banked” on real estate, a steady stream of immigrants, construction, the “recent passage of the United States-Panama free trade agreement” and the expansion of the Canal, among other factors.
And there were some big names dropped: The Panamera (Waldorf Astoria’s first Latin American hotel), Trump Ocean Club (the Trump brand’s first project off US soil - shown here on right) and Frank Gehry (the architect whose name is on the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain). Gehry designed the BioMuseo, scheduled to open at the Pacific entrance to the Canal in early 2013. A truly innovative project, experts say it is possible that the museum could surpass the Canal in numbers of visitors before the end of the decade.
The Times article also gave a big plug to other places to see in Panama: Bocas del Toro, a Caribbean banana province that’s become a must-do among
adventurous for its “snorkeling and zip lining by day and raucous night life after dark”.
And Panama’s budding diamond in the rough, its Old Town, got special mention as well. ‘Casco Viejo’ was praised for being a “trendy” and “stylish” Unesco World Heritage site. The article called this area “transformed”, touting the arts, restaurants and boutique hotels.
And That’s Not All…
Panama was also featured as a top ten dining destination in the Spanish version of TripAdvisor.com. A 24-page special supplement on Panama in the current edition of the Spanish travel magazine ‘Excelencias’ proclaims that “Panamá está de moda” - Panama is in fashion.
And National Geographic Too...
The January edition of National Geographic featured a story (on the cover in the Spanish edition) that has been six years in the making, the discovery of the most recent burial site for chiefs and high-ranking members of pre-Colombian society at El Caño.
Smithsonian archeologist Julia Mayo’s dig in central Panama, said the magazine, could lead to a new era of discover and understanding. There is still much to be learned from this area, where mummified chiefs adorned with gold were found buried face down, adjacent to their families and slaves who were slain in sacrifice to accompany these lords to the next world.
Panama, according to National Geographic, may well hold the answers that will help the archeological community find answers to the mysteries that surround the gold-worshiping post-Mayan society that occupied lands ranging from Costa Rica to Colombia. It seems that Panama is where its most prominent members came to find their final resting place.
The Bottom Line
Panama is ‘on a roll’ and it’s allure is strong. Just before the end of the year, on December 23, the country counted it two millionth tourist arrival. The excitement in the air is tangible for favorable times ahead in the tourism sector. As more and more people discover all that this little isthmus has to offer, they, just like the press, will pass on their recommendation: that it’s worth a visit to discover Panama. (La Visitante)
That Time of Year Again - Big Crowds in Boquete
Boquete, the mountain town with spring-like climes in the Chiriquí province, is hosting The Flower and Coffee Fair, a tradition that began in 1950. They expect that over 100,000 people visit the fairgrounds from January 12 to 22,
“Boqueteños” have worked hard to set up the always-impressive flower gardens, arranged in bright symmetrical patterns. The setting is perfect for a sunny stroll alongside the Caldera River. Roses, geraniums, chrysanthemums and marigolds are just some of the flowers on grand display. Orchids are also a special sight to see. The variety seems endless.
Coffee tastings are the other prominent feature. And the true essence of the fair is enjoying the outdoors and the sun. The fair also marks the beginning of the sunny, dry “verano” season in Panama and begin of the country fair season.
A daily program includes live entertainment, music, dancing, crafts, diverse dining options and rides for children.
Throughout the town, at virtually all of the establishments that could be of interest to persons on holiday, the festive spirit can be felt. Restaurants pull out all the stops to impress diners and tour companies are ready to exceed the expectations of those seeking a new experience - be it an adventurous zip line or a relaxing birder’s tour.
The fair is a great place to pick up unique and original souvenirs. Local and foreign artisans will have their works on display. Traditional Panamanian arts and crafts compete for buyers alongside works brought by craftsmen from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
The Bad News From Panama
Bus Accident, Two Killed, 24 Injured.
Why is this incident worthy of note, particularly to those of you who are looking at Panama from afar? Well there are some things about Panama that are baffling - make no sense. Such as the ‘adventure of a group of people living in San Miguelito who very early on a recent morning started their trip on a "Red Devil" bus.
The passengers were soon surprised as the driver was tearing down the road, often going at full speed, and people were yelling at him to slow down. But he did not, and according to a witness on board, "Suddenly, the bus lost control and went sideways, then onto its side ... Everyone here screamed, it was chaos.”
The bus slid down the road on its side for several meters on the newly paved road. Two young men who were crushed to death," said one of the occupants of the bus, who got the shock of his life.
In addition, 24 people were injured with scrapes and bruises on various parts of their bodies, and were rushed to medical centers in Sabanitas and the city of Colon. The other people who were uninjured were taken to a nearby church to await a bus to carry them back to their homes in San Miguelito.
But as the dust settled from this accident is when things get crazy:
- After the accident, according to witnesses and residents of the area, survivors asked the bus driver for an explanation, and when he did not answer them, they tried to attack him. The bus driver, finding himself cornered, fled and went into the bush on the edge of the road. "So far, he has not shown his face and no one knows where he is," said a police officer.
- The traffic accident caused a tremendous traffic jam on the roadway, and criminals took advantage of the situation to rob the occupants of vehicles who were in their cars waiting for the road to clear.
You Gotta Be Kidding Me. The bus driver gets you in a serious accident because of his crazy driving, so you just gang up and beat the crap out of him? And a big accident where people are killed and others injured, and because it is in an isolated area, bad guys are robbing people caught in the traffic jam? No Martha, there is nothing '3rd world' about that. Just makes you want to go for a nice Sunday drive out in the country and see the ‘interior’, doesn’t it?
National Police Conduct Surprise Urinalysis Tests.
The National Police conducted a surprise urine test to all staff of the institution, as a measure of control to detect the use of illicit substances by police officers. The test was ordered by the Director General of the National Police, Gustavo Perez. (TVN)
Don Winters (Panama Guide) Comment: When I was in the military they would conduct surprise "piss tests" all the time. I worked in elite units and everyone had security clearances, and those tests caught practically no one (but, we kept having to do them anyway.) I can only imagine how many Panamanian police officers are going to get "popped" on this test. This is the first time that I can remember hearing about an institution-wide testing program, conducted by surprise, across the board, on the same day. Man, no one had time to study...
9% of Panamanian Students Held Back A Year
During the 2011 school year in Panama a total of 63,359 students failed one or more subject. The Ministry of Education was quick to point out this is a lower number of failures than what was recorded in 2010. However, according to official figures released, this year 41,373 students failed three for fewer subjects, which means they had the right to attend summer school remedial courses (rather than be 'held back' a year).
But, 21,986 students failed four or more subjects, meaning they will have to repeat the school year (about 9% of all students). There was a decrease this year (from 2010) in both the number of students attended summer school remedial courses (about 49,504), and the number of students who have to repeat the school year (27,457), however the Regional Director of Education admits 'the figures are alarming'.
Don Winter (Panama Guide) Comments: Get this - the subject failed by most students - Spanish. In any case, these numbers represent an overall decrease of 21.4% in the failure rate compared to last year. Panama's Minister of Education and the government overall is working hard to improve the school system. These efforts center on an overhaul of the national curriculum - which has been heavily resisted by the entrenched teacher's union - mostly because they don't want to have to learn new materials or be held accountable for their performance.
My Book – ‘Angels in Panama’
My book is still available at a reasonable price paperback from the publisher.
The book is also now (finally!) available in e-book form as well from both Amazon (for the Kindle) and Barnes & Noble (the Nook).
The links below are for the various formats of my book. I have also included a link to my website where you can read excerpts of ‘Angels in Panama’ if you want.
Take your pick and why not buy a copy for a friend?
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
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