The Purple House

Hats off to Panama!

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June 30th 2009
I have to rate the Panamanian border officials at Sixalola as the most sneaky, officious and downright rude I have ever come across. Everywhere else they have happily been wave you through with the presentation of a few dollars. Here, the oh-so-friendly guy comes to meet you and conversationally asks how long you're travelling and when and where you're flying home from. He then goes and tells t ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Panama

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With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal ... ... read more