After a week of violent protests, Panama is returning to normal. I covered the crises in detail on my other blog last week. If you do not know the details, visit my other blog by clicking on the 'Hot Topics' link on the left
Legislators Reconsidering Panama Laws on Dams & Mines
Legislators in Panama have agreed to reconsider a law on dams and mining that set off disruptive protests by Indians and their supporters. The decision is a partial victory for the Ngobe-Bugle tribe, which has led highway blockades since Jan. 30 to oppose the new law. Its initial approval last month drew anger because it would theoretically allow the construction of dams on Indian lands in western Panama.
A congressional commission decided late Wednesday to return the law to debate, and Indian representatives and legislators have begun discussions on possible modifications. Laws in Panama must win approval in three separate votes in Congress.
Agro Loses $3.2 Million Due To Protests
While we had plenty of veggies, fruit and milk, here in Chiriqui Provence, Panama City was literally cut off from us during the riots. That cost producers and shippers a lot of money.
“The closure the American Highway by the Ngäbes Bugle Indians has caused losses to the agricultural sector estimated at $3.2 million, however, the figure may be higher, said Oscar Osorio, head of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA),” reported Prensa.com.
Vegetable growers and milk producers are experiencing the largest losses from the 8 day closure of the American Highway by the Indians of Chiriqui. In addition, upland farmers’ harvests were spoiled when they became stranded or because of fuel shortages.
“When calculating the losses for agriculture another factor taken into account was the lack of labor for harvesting crops, bearing in mind that 80% of the workers in horticultural production are indigenous. (…) For example, a potato farmer usually employees 92 Indians, during the protests only two went to work,” exemplified the website.
It’s Carnival Time In Panama
For those of you who have not experienced Carnival in Panama, here are some absolutely essential terms you need to be familiar with. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, these terms, and a lot of cerveza will get you through the day – and the night.
The important Carnival terminology:
Culeco: During the heat of the day, revelers need to cool off from dancing and drinking under the hot sun so they congregate to continue dancing under the stream of refreshing water from a fire hose in a tradition called the “culeco.”
Murga: The brass band that follows the Carnival queen, playing the “tonadas” or music that her followers sing.
Tuna: A group or camp that supports a certain Carnival queen, her followers.
El PH: An important term at night, PH stands for Pub Herrerano, which usually plays the loudest music at the carnivals and brings the top musical talent to its temporary venue.
Bloqueador: Literally translated “blocker,” in case you forget your sunscreen, remember to ask for some “bloqueador anti solar” to keep the rays of the sun from tainting your Carnival experience.
Starbucks In Central America
I am not sure if I like this news and I certainly do not look forward to any expansion in Panama. I can’t imagine $5 a cup coffee here. However, Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) plans to open its first Costa Rican location in May as the world’s largest coffee- shop chain boosts its presence in the region.
“Starbucks has purchased Costa Rican coffee for many years,” Pablo Arizmendi-Kalb, general manager of Starbucks in Latin America, said in a statement. “With this opening, we are committed to expanding our role in the rich coffee heritage present in Costa Rica.” The cafe will be located in San José, the nation’s capital.
Manuela Velásquez, marketing director of Starbucks Central America, said in a phone interview from El Salvador that the company anticipates adding locations this year in Costa Rica.
Starbucks currently operates 535 coffee shop locations in Latin America, Velásquez said. Since announcing plans to enter the Central American market back in August 2010, Starbucks has opened six locations in the region, including four in El Salvador and two in Guatemala.
Starbucks, which has more than 10,700 U.S. cafes and 6,200 abroad, gets more than 20 percent of revenue from international stores.
Forbes Tells Why Panama Is So "In"
In the travel section of a recent edition of Forbes magazine, writer Carolin Patek asked why Panama should be your next trip. Rightly so - The New York Times just ranked the isthmus as #1, touting the bustling economy, a wild destination called Bocas del Toro and the expansion of the Canal.
Forbes took the angle of how Panama's strategic global position at the crossroads of the Americas is attracting an unexpected amount of foreign investment considering the tough economic times, driven ahead by the $5.25 billion dollar expansion of the Canal. The article states that Panama City as a result is becoming an "energetic and modern metropolis" with lots of luxury options for first-class travelers.
The article also covered the record-breaking investment made to build Latin America's tallest building, Trump Ocean Club, which opened last year in the Punta Pacifica neighborhood and the upcoming opening of the Waldorf Astoria near Calle Uruguay.
The Frank Gehry designed Biomuseo, currently under construction in Amador and set to open in early 2013, got a mention too which included a reference to the visit to the site that was made by famous American actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie a few years ago.
True to the form of the current spin machine on Panama, this Forbes article couldn't wrap up without dropping some dining recommendations in the Old Quarter, Di Vino Enoteca and Manolo Caracol restaurant in Casco Viejo.
My Book – ‘Angels in Panama’
My book is still available at a reasonable price paperback from the publisher.
A great gift – available for instant download. The book is also now 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.
Paperback from Publisher $9.95
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
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