A tight squeeze

Trip Start Sep 06, 2006

Trip End Sep 01, 2007

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Flag of Panama Panama City, Panama
Friday, January 5, 2007

On route to Costa Rica we had a free stop over at Panama City for one whole day. An interesting place. A place in constant change as money flows in from the world, mostly from the States but mainly it seems from Trump Towers, turning it into a tax haven location for the idle rich and the corporate world. They are building sky-scraper style appartments in the most outrageous postmodern way I tell you, that makes you think your in toy-town. As investment increases, property developers rub there greedy mits together although Donald Trump hasn't bought all of the place, yet. However, travel along the harbour wall and there are lots of places of interest. The Old Town is being renovated and smartened up at present still retaining its colonial style and local culure. It makes for a very pleasant stroll around the cobbled streets with a view across the bay, however, what with the sun beating down, I was quickly forced into a cafe for a cold beer.

You can't but notice the amazing 'Diablo Rojo' (Red Devil) Buses in Panama City

At the canal

. They are everywhere and make quite a statement. Old school buses are shipped over from Miami and artists then individualise them through graffiti paintings of Panamanian culture along the sides. The buses have names splashed across their fronts and are usually named after girlfriends or family members. However they are being replaced with a new public transport system soon and these unrecognised artists will not only loose their livelihoods but the freedom to express their culture.

We got up extremely early, something like 7.30, to go and see the Panama Canal. Apparently this is the best time to see big cruise liners and cargo ships, and these are exactly what we got to see. It does seem a little odd, such big ships slowly going through the country side. When they are in the lock the ships are only a mere 24� away from each side, this is due to most ships being built with the Panama Canal dimentions in mind (very interseting eh). Most ships have to pay millions of dollars to pass through the canal, still a saving on going round Argentina but the lowest fee was payed by a guy who swam it, 36 cents. So what else can i write about big boats and locks, not a lot, but it was cool to see . I had a go on the simulator in the museum, where you can steer your own big vessel into the lock. (Wahey! Inuendoes ahoy! ) Some kid started to bark orders and who was he telling me what to do, this was my bridge, so i purposely put it up to full steam and crashed it against the walls and other ships, then jumped ship and ran away

At the canal again

. I never was good at taking orders.

The only time we had left was to visit the hospital. Cath was convinced that we had picked up some strange tropical disease or skin disorder from Ecuador as we were covered in welts. The very chirpy Cuban doctor, who incidently kept on dancing in her chair, shaking her breasts about and laughing, said that they were flea bites. I thought we might be in the wrong department like the crazy ward. On the way out Cath craked a joke saying �Fleas a�o!� For those who don't share our amazing language skills, it is the spanish for 'Happy New Year' but obviously is spelt differently (as if i would know!) its spelt �feliz a�o� but you get the joke right??????