Panama Canal, Panama & Casco Viejo

So after nearly two months in Panama I finally saw the famous Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal. Phillip (another PCV) and I left early one Sunday morning on a Diablo Rojo to Albrook and then took another bus to the locks. We couldn´t have timed it any better. We watched a quick 8 minute film about the canal in general and then were fortunate enough to see not one, but two large container ships pass through. Absolutely amazing considering the technology that was around when American construction began in 1904. The first ship was such a tight fit that it literally scraped the sides of the canal. The ACP, or Panama Canal Authority, is constructing a larger set of locks to accommodate larger ships and to deal with congestion. There is also a museum located on site that´s full of information. When and how the canal was constructed, the people involved, the transfer of the canal from U.S. to Panamanian hands, and the current construction underway. The canal employs about 6,000 people and charges a premium for ships to pass through. One of the ships we saw paid $90,000 for the use of the canal. No wonder there´s such a markup on our products! If you want to know a little bit more about the canal, check out the ACP´s website at PanCanal.com or just look it up on Wikipedia. The ACP website has live cameras that monitor the locks if you want to see ships pass through on-line.

Now that's a tight fit!

After the canal I set off solo to Panama Viejo to check out the museum there (not much to speak of) and the ruins left behind from the 1500´s. At least one person out there will get a kick out of knowing that I spent four or five hours reading all the plaques that explain the history behind the ruins and taking lots of pictures of some really old rocks. One of the coolest things there was an old church bell tower that has been partially reconstructed. You can ascend the tower to catch a bird´s eye view of the city and the numerous skyscrapers that seem to be growing faster than kudzu.

Some old rocks and a big dork.

After Panama Viejo was literally overrun by pirates and burned to the ground, the city relocated to what is now known as Casco Viejo. I´ve visited the area a couple of times now and although most of the neighborhood is poor and full of empty buildings, there are signs of hope. Some of the buildings have been renovated, the Presidential Palace is located there, along with other government offices, and the national theatre of Panama. There are some restaurants and businesses in the area as well. Of course they cater to foreigners and charge eight bucks for a cheeseburger and four bucks for two scoops of ice-cream when I can get the same two scoops in Chorrera for 35cents.

Casco Viejo

Nevertheless, if you´re ever in Panama you should make it a part of your itinerary. It reminds me of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Well, the architecture and location next to the water; not the jazz music and heavy drinking. And while you´re here don´t forget Panama Viejo, the Miraflores locks, and you can see them all using the public transportation of the Diablos Rojos! Enjoy the ride!