Panama City Tour (Shirley’s view)
I took the included panoramic tour of Panama City and walking tour of Old Town. My guide Mylene was very entertaining. She grew up in Panama City, the daughter of immigrants. Her father came from Barbados and her mother from China. When we visited Panama City, she told us the stories her dad would tell of how it was before all of the skyscrapers were built. As a child she did not like being called an “isthmian” until her mother explained the term referred to being from an isthmus and was special because there were only 4 such places in the world.
As we drove through Colon, she pointed out the Zone Librede Colon, the 2nd largest tax free zone in the world. Not just a duty-free store, it included acres of large buildings with many security gates. Many commuters eat breakfast at one ocean and lunch at the other because the drive from Atlantic to Pacific is only 1 hour and 15 minutes. The currency of Panama is equal to the United States and US dollars are used, but there are several interesting coins. My favorite was designed by a 16 year old girl who won the contest for design to celebrate the visit of Pope Francis for World Youth Day in 2019. Young Catholics from around the world visited. They were housed by locals and many stayed with Jewish or Muslim families and had a great visit.
We are visiting in dry season which is December through February. This is school vacation time. Even in dry season, there is a lot of rain! She noted they are getting more rain in dry seasons as the climate is changing.
As we arrived in Panama City, we passed the very large port which is controlled by the Chinese. At this point, Mylene made it clear that the Canal is NOT controlled by the Chinese. In fact, anyone who works at the Panama Canal must have been born in Panama. That is a very strict rule!
Here are the skyscrapers of Panama City
On to the Old Town which is quite lovely. The Cathedral was beautiful and has quite a history. It was the center of the old town for many years. Inside the High Altar was beautiful and they displayed some very unique reliquaries.
After our tours we were quite tired and made it a low-key night. A lecture about Costa Rica, dinner at the world Café and bed were all we managed.
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