Day 63, Panama City

So we were very adventurous in thinking that it would be a piece of cake to go from Bocas del Toro, to panama city in one shot. We left Bocas at 2pm, heading to the little town where we caught our boat from. Then from there a taxi took us to the bus station where we caught a van/bus at 4pm, that took us to David. David is located in the central interior of panama, its a main transportation hub to get anywhere in panama. We arrive there at 9pm and then we purchased a direct bus to panama that would leave that night at 12am. So essentially we were travelling for 16 hours in total. So we were all super sketched out by the time we got onto the direct bus that would take us to panama city. The huge factor here is that no one told us that these direct night buses are air conditioned to the point where you can freeze you water in a cup thats sitting in your lap. I cant remember the last time ive been that cold, and of course we are all wearing shorts and tank tops. As soon as we start driving all the locals around us whip out toques, gloves, blankets, jackets, anything you can think of that people wear in the winter. IT was horrible, none of us slept because we were so cold. But we finally arrived in panama city around 7am at the hostel voyager international.
I have to say that i love panama city, there is so much culture here and there is so much happening all the time. ITs like the cliche the ´the city that never sleeps´. In panama i spent alot of money on clothes, panama has the second biggest duty free shopping in the world. It is located north of panama city in the city of colon which also doubles as a war zone of crime. And it is also a location for drug trafficking with columbia. So we decided not to go to colon, which no ive met has even considered going there. However because colon is so close to panama city alot of prices for products are very cheap. So i admit i got the shopping itch and bought alot of shit. We visited the panama canal one day which was interesting to see. We watched the boats pass through the locks. Boats can pay up to 60-80 thounsand to pass through. It takes a boat on average about 8 hours to go through the canal, versus going around south america and taking at least 2 weeks. Im not sure if its worth the extra money to cut back on time, but i suppose huge industries want their products as soon as possible. Because of the panama canal, panama city is the third largest banking centers in the world. EVery street corner has a bank. there is probably a bank from every country in the world in panama city. Because of all these banks, the city has alot of money, there are huge skyscrapers being built everywhere and there are numerous 5 star hotels.
On a different day we headed for Casco Viejo in panama city, its called the old panama. Its an area in the south west area of panama city that is full of old colonial buildings. To get there you take a taxi through the worst part of panama city where even the cab driver is like do not walk beyond this point, do not get out of a taxi ever in this area. After we pass though its like we are going back in time to the early 1900´s where all around you is colonial architecture. Some of the buildings looks like they are falling apart, but the coolest thing is that the city is planning to restore and revitalize the whole area. It appears to be half done already. Fancy restaurents and clubs are located here and there, nice stores amid half torn down buildings. And of course a beautiful centre courtyard that is almost completely renovated with a beautiful church taking up one side of the courtyard.
That was pretty much all the touristy things i did in panama city, some more shopping and a few mercado de artesanias, where in the market the sellers refused to barter and would want ridiculous prices for everything. The only thing i purchased with a mola, which is a traditional weaved fabric by the kuna tribes. Who are this kuna tribes you ask, well that is in my next blog........
The other highlight of panama cities were suprisingly the casinos, yes thats right anita who hates gambling enjoyed casinos. It really helped that the two sisters from texas love to gamble. They taught me how to play blackjack, and i can win at it! One of the highlight nights was we went to the panama hotel casino where you play and get free drinks. They had a karayokee (cant spell) competition and tracie entered and she sang "i will survive" in english on stage in my dress, and next thing we knew she had two male backup dances swaying and swivelling from side to side, and she matched their beat. Really everyone it looks so ridiculous it was amazing!!! next thing we find out is that she had actually entered a competition by singing, so she came back out for the finals and the winner was based on who cheered the loudest and tracie got third out of 15. It was an excellent night.
OVerall panama is an amazing city, i reccomend it for anyone who comes into panama. I would love to come back here again. ONward to San Blas and the KUNA!!!

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