Panama
We were still the same compañeros, Elisa and Pablo from Spain, Mileide and Rafael from Brazil and me. I would say we were already a small travel family know =)We arrived in Colón at the afternoon. The way to Panama City was the first nice trip. With a taxi boat form our ship “Calypso” to the main land, Colón. After a long search, we found a nice taxi for five persons to Panama City. Up to Panama City….
The first impression of Panama City was different than expected and it was completely different than the other citys in South- and Centralamerica. The buildings in Panama City are awesome and huge. In the middle of the bank district, you don’t believe that you are in Central America. I’ve never seen anything like that, such buildings or skyscrapers. Or rather, if you’ve been in the pampas for several months, skyscrapers look even bigger. After a quick search we found a cheap, good hostel. Of course we all slept together in one room because we are a family =)
I would also like to give you some information about this wonderful country, PANAMA:
Panama is a transcontinental country in Central America and South America, bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The capital and largest city isPanama City, whose metropolitan area is home to nearly half the country’s four million people.
Panama was also part of Gran Colombia (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela and parts of northern Peru and northwestern Brazil).
Panama got independence from Colombia in 1903. After that, the country was long under the influence of the USA (the reason: panama canal). In 1999, the US finally gave full control of the Panama Canal to the state of Panama. Thanks to the income from the canal, Panama is now one of the richest countries in Latin America and you can see it.
Panama occupies the narrowest part of the Central American land bridge, which is broken by the Panama Canal. The narrowest width of Panama is only 60 km wide. The highest mountain in the country is the Volcán Barú with 3477 m.
The most important sources of income for the Panamanian economy are the Panama Canal, in whose administration, operation and maintenance around 8,000 people work, as well as the registration of ships. Most ships in the world are registered in Panama, almost one in five. The reason for this is the comparatively uncomplicated procedure and the low taxes.
Enough with the borring information, now we will come to my experiences in Panama City =)
One thing is clear for me, capital is capital. During my trip, I became aware of one thing, I’m not a city kid =) you will see it at the first pictures, big awewsome buildings. I rent a bike and drove a whole day through the city. You see many opposites. huge bank buildings, rich districts, beautiful squares and churches. But if you leave the main streets, you will see other pictures of this wonderful country! Poor districts, dilapidated ruins, poor quarters and poverty. Anyway, I met very nice and helpful people everywhere. starting with homeless people, workers, police officers, up to bankers.
The day has come. two family members left us, Rafael and Mileide. But before that, I got a private Land Rover sight seeing tour. I have to say, it is a really fine vehicle – good job =) Those people who want to get a land rover declaration in portuguese, here the link: “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAUCjpz7njo” have fun with Land Roots – Raizes Da Terra
I also have to admit it was a sad farewell. Rafael and Mileide, you are know into my heart. I really enjoyed the hours we spent together!! The short but intensive portuguese lessons. the sewing lessons (my pants and patches are still working) but also the wonderful conversations during the sailing tour. Thanks for all, you are really nice people. I hope you are healthy and well! I am also sure that we will see us again! let me hear from you!!! love and Boa noite =)
The night before last, Pablo and Elisa gave me an introduction to her camper. Also a nice toy =) the name ore the slogan of this car was “Historias de Hojalata” –> “Blechgeschichten” =)
During the whole explanation I was thinking to myself, I would like to have this camper =) and nice to see how much fun people have with their own car. But it is clear, there is so much sweat, heart and work behind it. However, after my last photo it happened for the first time. I droped down my camera. The display stopped working =( ahhhhhhhhhh……
but with a youtube tutorial, pablo’s tool box and two tech-savvy men, we made it. The camera was fully usable again =)
Now our family consisted of only three people. We went on our last trip together to the fishing market and after that by car to the panama canal. A wonderful last day together, but of course, it got even better =)
My bus (direction Boquete) drove away late in the evening, so we had many final drinks at the bus station =)
During our last drinks and our last good chat, Pablo made a mouse trap. simple but efficient. They also had some natural healing stones, which they made chains. With this work they financed part of their trip. In every country where they were traveling, they bought the existing or local stones there. I got a stone as present and I bought many chains. I loved their idea and I loved the chains. A nice present for home and of course, a nice present for myself =) Pablo and Elisa, I really cherish this stone and I always wear the necklace when I’m traveling or on a tour. It is really one of my nicest gifts I have ever received. thanks for that. And also, THANK YOU for everything! For the nice hours together, for the conversations, for the spanish lessons, and and and ……..
I really hope that we will see us soon!! We also need to check our language success. bet is bet =) I don’t say to you “you have to write me” because first I have to write back =) this is an old suffering of mine, I am sorry =) I miss you all, really, it is really hard to be back in Austria =/
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