Trade & People at Panama Canal

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Panama Canal, Monday, January 18, 2010

We transited the Panama Canal from Atlantic to Pacific today. Much of the experience involves ‘watching’…both of the people of neighboring ships and at the viewing station.

Since the Panama government took over the canal operation, they have learned about free enterprise. There is a small island in the middle of Gatun Lake and for a few years the government encouraged cruise shops to make a stop at the Gatun Yacht Club. People from various clans were invited to bring their wares for sale We did this on our 2003 Canal transit.

The women of one of indigenous clans brought utilitiarian baskets in anticipation of selling them for extra money. Tourists bought the baskets, the women learned that if the baskets had a design they sold for more money. The world’s basket collectors (who knew??) discovered the baskets and realized that some were of them were of a uniquely high quality. Today some of these baskets sell for $20,000-plus. As the women were the basket makers, they began to hold the wealth and with it the power in the village. Today the men handle the distribution and the women make the baskets (both the tourist quality and investment quality). They continue to live a simple life but have gone from a male dominated village of hunter/gatherers to a very different economy.

Today cruise ships do not stop at the Gatun Yacht Club but when the Panamanian pilot comes aboard, he is accompanied by a supply of t-shirts and handicrafts offered for sale on board.

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Photos

Visitors Center Lookout
The Panama Canal has two shoreside visitor centers. They took pictures of us as we took pictures of them.

Sailors on Passing Ship
As we were going, this ship was coming in the lock next to us. I'm guessing these fellows would have been happy to change places with us.

Mule - Canal Style
This is one of many locomotives (called mules) that pull ship into the the locks.

Shopping - Canal Style
Display of Panama Canal merchandise

Comments

[Eva Hart]

commerce
...and the moral of the story? women should stick to weaving baskets!