After setting a new record for difficult bus journeys (3 days in total) we arrived in Panama City. It took us so long to get there because of poor choices (not waiting for the express bus), but also because it's about 1,000 km from Liberia, where we left George. This is, it turns out, a long way to go by bus. But we made it, and settled into a hostel in Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City.
We both really liked Casco Viejo. It's a walled city that was built after the first Panama City was destroyed by pirates in 1671, and was where everyone lived when the canal was begun in the early 1900s. As Panama became more prosperous, however, the city expanded out, and Casco Viejo turned into urban slums. It remained a dangerous neighborhood until only a few years ago, when it started undergoing many revitalization efforts. Today there are police on every corner, and high end boutiques and restaurants alternate with crumbling buildings and empty lots. It was really fun to explore, and so much more interesting than San Jose or Managua.
We both really liked Casco Viejo. It's a walled city that was built after the first Panama City was destroyed by pirates in 1671, and was where everyone lived when the canal was begun in the early 1900s. As Panama became more prosperous, however, the city expanded out, and Casco Viejo turned into urban slums. It remained a dangerous neighborhood until only a few years ago, when it started undergoing many revitalization efforts. Today there are police on every corner, and high end boutiques and restaurants alternate with crumbling buildings and empty lots. It was really fun to explore, and so much more interesting than San Jose or Managua.
Also, Panama City has a HUGE skyline. We were very surprised - the population is only about 880,000, but the city has almost 250 high-rises built or under construction, putting it 40th in the world. We explored part of the new city and got some pictures of this - also we found Flair-adise (see how happy Matt is?) and checked out a natural history museum.
Ok, we'll write about the locks soon! Also about our adventures in Costa Rica before going to Panama... also about our trip on the boat to Colombia, also about Colombia........
thank you. and yes, please, tell more
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