Kuna Culture
by mikey_e
Panama has several indigenous groups and, like in Guatemala and other Central American nations, these groups preserve their language and culture, in the face of the Spanish language and a globalized culture. In Panamá, the two main groups are the Kuna, who live on the Caribbean coast, and the Emberá, who live in the Darién region and towards the Colombian border. The Kuna are often the most visible indigenous group in the capital, as the women still wear traditional costume (which includes a lot of orange, bangles, and colourful print dresses). They frequently sell their traditional handicrafts in areas that are tourist hotspots, showing the colourful quilts and masks that are characteristic of indigenous cultures of Panamá. The Kuna actually have their own Republic that is associated with Panamá, although this distinction is not generally recognized internationally. Despite the fact that those Kuna who live in the city can still be heard speaking their native language, the characteristics of the culture are gradually being lost in urban centres, as the young look to assimilate into the cosmopolitan culture of the capital.
Monumento a Balboa
by mikey_e
Vasco Núñez de Balboa was responsible for the "discovery" of the Isthmus of Panamá and, as such, he holds a fairly important place in the country's national narrative. While he is probably not particularly popular with the Emberá and Kuna nations, he does rank fairly highly in terms of national heroes, with the former currency named after him, as well as the main Avenue along the Pacific and a large monument along the said Avenue. He was the first European to reach the Pacific's eastern shores and founded numerous settlements in the region of Darién, in the south-east of the country. Although Balboa did not in fact found the City of Panamá, he is important for the founding of the country's first Spanish settlements and for the attraction of the Spaniards to the region's importance in the gold trade. Today, a large monument to him, atop a white globe, dominates the southern end of the Avenida Balboa in the capital.
LENOS CARBON STEAK AND SALAD BAR AMADOR CAUSEWAY
by sfphototraveller about LENOS CARBON PARRILLADA
I ate at the Lenos Carbon Gourmet in the Amador Causeway by the waterway.Its a bit upscale with the prices to match, Its a Steakhouse. I had the Filet Mignon 350 g. My dinner came with 2 hand size round patty of meat wrapped around bacon. Came with rice,fried banana i think small salad for $ 15 dollars. This area is almost like pier 39 or along the Fishermanswharf in San Francisco where I am from and the size and quantity of food i got for $ 15 would be $ 30 in San Francisco.
We sat outside in the open deck area and watch the sunset. There are many other type of places to eat along the Amador area.
Panama Canal crossing
by flavoredtoothpaste
Wow.................thats what comes to mind when i think about Panama Canal transit. Actually, i did the whole thing twice, just because i liked the first time so much. Just a little warning for travelers.............the country sits on the ecuator so its incredibly humid all the time. Other than that, it was a ton of fun. The city is booming with skyscrapers growing like crazy. They just build a brand new shopping plaza downtown with HardRock cafe included. Awesome vacation.
Museo del Canal Interoceanico
by elsadran
The Interoceanic Canal Museum is a non-profit institution that collects, conserves and researches testimonies of Panama's history and the Canal for educational purposes. It is housed in a beautifully restored building on Plaza de Independencia (or Plaza Cathedral) which was the former Gran Hotel and then served as the headquarters for both French and Americans when they were building the canal. The evolution of the country is narrated through displays and the difficult task of the canal building comes alive through historical documents, films, photos and man-sized figures of workers in action.
Entrance is 2$. Open from 9:00am-5:00pm. Closed on Mondays.
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Flowers in the Casco Antiguo
The interior of the Church
Monument to navigators outside the Station
MiraFlores Locks at the Panama Canal.
