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Panama - crossroads of two oceans

Tiwy.com (July 2007)
page 1 - page 2

Skyscrapers of the capital of Panama

The land in Panama-city, like in any other capital of the world, is very expensive, therefore, building companies, pursuing the profits, erect towers-skyscrapers that give the capital of Panama the appearance of the so called «centralamerican Manhattan».

«InterContinental Miramar» «InterContinental Miramar» Skyscrapers of the capital of Panama Among unique buildings one can name hotels «Plaza Paitilla Inn» and «InterContinental Miramar», «Panama World Trade center», «Global Bank», «Credicorp Bank» etc. One day journalists will seriously get interested, what conditioned invasion of banks to Panamanian shores? What money comes to the armoured vaults? From where and for what goods? There will be a lot of sensations...
Hotel «Plaza Paitilla Inn» «Panama World Trade Center» (WTC Panama) «Global Bank» and Credicorp Bank» Skyscrapers of the capital of Panama


Panama-city Panama-city Panama-city The capital of Panama is situated in the «fraught with earthquakes» zone. That is why, while admiring the city panorama, you can't help asking one question: «Have civil constructions norms been observed and will these concrete giants remain standing if one day it shakes?»

View of Panama-city from Casco Viejo Panama-city

Avenida Balboa, stretching along the bay, is rather picturesque. It, as avenida España, is mentioned in the political detective of John le Carre «The Tailor of Panama».
Avenida Balboa, stretching along the bay Avenida Balboa, stretching along the bay
The monument to Balboa. The full name of this historical hero is Vasco Nuñez de Balboa (1474-1517). He is famous by the fact that in 1513 was the first to cross the Panama isthmus and reached the shores of the Atlantic ocean. Monetary unit of Panama is named after Balboa. The monument to Vasco Nuñez de Balboa The monument to Vasco Nuñez de Balboa

Gulf of Panama during low tide Gulf of Panama during high tide Gulf of Panama. During the low tide one can see its sandy bottom, and during high tide – strained power of water coming from the ocean.

View from avenida Balboa to colonial center of Panama-city View from avenida Balboa to colonial center of Panama-city View from avenida Balboa to colonial center of Panama-city.


Panama la Vieja

Ruins of the ancient capital Ruins of the ancient capital (Panama la Vieja) Ruins of the ancient capital, ransacked and destroyed by pirates. Residents did not restore the city, most of all, because of prejudice.


Colonial center of Panama-city (Casco Viejo)

Paseo las Bovedas All history of the country has been concentrated in these ancient quarters. From Paseo las Bovedas opens a magnificent view over the capital, its modern buildings. If you get enough patience, you can view the natural attraction – low tide that exposes the bottom of the gulf for several kilometers.

From Paseo las Bovedas there opens a magnificent view over the capital, its modern buildings

Square of France Square of France is decorated with busts of politicians, national heroes and outstanding people (not necessarily Panamanians), who contributed into establishing of Panama as a state.

Monuments to C.J. Finlay Monuments to P. Arosmena Monuments to C.J. Finlay and P. Arosmena

Carlos J. Finlay (1833-1915) – is a Cuban who discovered the mystery of transfer of yellow fever. If it were not for him, much more people could have died during construction of the Canal.

Pablo Arosemena (1836-1920) twice was a President of Panama (1910-1912 and 1920). It was he who conducted negotiations with Washington regarding construction of the Canal.


The bust to King Carlos V (1500-1558) The bust to King Carlos V (1500-1558) who did a lot for «regulation» of colonial property of Spain in the New World.


Monument to the Liberator Simon Bolivar Monument to the Liberator Simon Bolivar Monument to the Liberator Simon Bolivar One of the best monuments in Latin America, devoted to the Liberator Simon Bolivar.


..
San Francisco church San Francisco church Panama National Theatre Among of most impressive buildings of colonial center - San Francisco church and National Theater.


Presidential palace Las Garzas (Palacio de las Garzas) Grey heron in Presidential palace Las Garzas White heron in Presidential palace Las Garzas Presidential palace Las Garzas (Palacio de las Garzas) Presidential palace Las Garzas. Its name, from olden times, owes to tamed grey herons that have been living in its yards (although, by the way, among them there are white herons as well).


This doggie lives beyond the boundaries of the palace This doggie, unlike herons, was less lucky, it lives beyond the boundaries of the palace and is friendly with its guards.


Majority of the houses of the colonial center look rather picturesque, although needs restoration.

Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city


Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city Colonial center of Panama-city


The Cathedral Golden altar , which is located in San Jose church Some temples await their restoration Monuments of the colonial past – the Cathedral and San Jose church where a golden altar is located. Some temples await their restoration.


Chorrillo

Chorrillo – is a long-suffering «people's» district of Panama-city where before there had been the National Guard barracks. In the morning of 20 December 1989 on the Christmas eve, the Guards barracks were attacked by the US troops. The goal of the operation was to capture president Noriega who was accused by the North American power of all possible crimes – from «violating the democracy» to drug trafficking. They thought that Noriega was among the Guards. During bombing and firing the wooden residential houses of the colonial construction that surrounded the military unit, were set aflame. A lot of civilians have been killed, at least 1000 people, although according to the unofficial data those who died were 10 times more.

President Noriega at that time was in another place. After different kinds of peripeteia he was arrested and taken to the USA where he was accused and put to prison. The new president hastily developed that area, but the wounds of that aggression have never been healed in hearts of the Panamanians.

Multistoried building – the only surviving witness of that tragedy
Chorrillo Chorrillo
Chorrillo Chorrillo
Multistoried building – the only surviving witness of that tragedy Chorrillo


Routine life of the capital

Fish market (Mercado de mariscos) Fish market (Mercado de mariscos) Fish market in the old part of the city is always brisk. The Panamanians prefer fish to meat and other sea-food, from squids to «mariscos» (shellfish). Japanese, who are also basically fish-eaters, helped the Panamanians in restoration of the market building.

«China town» (Barrio chino) Not far from the fish market, on the border with the Colonial center, there is a «China town» where expatriates from PRC, Taiwan and former Hong Kong live. Their main occupation is trade and restaurant business. At least on the surface...


This poor birdie will have to pick at the garbage before it finds some food Demonstrative sessions of massage in one of the trade centers From the point of view of ecology the capital has not always been at its height. This poor birdie will have to pick at the garbage before it finds some food.

Demonstrative sessions of massage in one of the trade centers. As they say, on the off-chance at least one day without osteochondrosis.


Street food Sculptural group «Pillar of the Motherland» (Pilares de la Patria) Sculptural group «Pillar of the Motherland» (Pilares de la Patria) was created by a famous Panamanian sculptor Ricaurte Martinez to honour the contribution of Indians, white men, Blacks and peasants in development of the country. Owing to their efforts the Republic of Panama is a sovereign country, striving for the future. The human figures, symbolising the Panamanians, raised their hands to the national flag as if doing honour to it. But at the day, when made photos, there was no flag. With all diversity of monuments in Panama-city, this one from Amador is especially interesting: there is something native, sanctified both by socialist realism and the homespun truth of life.


At the curb of skyscraper-mirror-ostentatious existence of Panama-city At the curb of skyscraper-mirror-ostentatious existence of Panama-city At the curb of skyscraper-mirror-ostentatious existence of Panama-city there are such calm spots where the Panamanians of marginal faith reside. This village clearly lives by fishing and hopes for better future.


Panamanian souvenirs

For the Panamanian souvenirs it is better to go to the «Balboa Center». Here you can get everything – from the Indian molas to the Panamanian hats that are mainly made in Ecuador. Those who want can wrap even the Panama Canal depicted on wooden wall plates.

Panamanian hats «Balboa Center» Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs

Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs

Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian dolls Panamanian bags

Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs Panamanian souvenirs


Tocumen Airport

Tocumen Airport Aircrafts of «Copa Airlines» At the airport Tocumen the burdened by impressions tourist casts a farewell glance to the cloudy Panamanian sky. Over there, behind the panorama glass he is expected by an airplane of «Copa Airlines». And Panama will remain in the heart for ever, as in a collection – few exotic coins with the profile of proud conquistador Balboa.


> Go to the first page of the picture spread «Panama - crossroads of two oceans»


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