Welcome to America! Copious modern high-rise buildings, mostly banks, credit unions and insurance companies (supposedly has the highest density of banks in the world). Modern in the city centre, ghetto-like just a short walk outside. The Old Town reminded me so much of Cartagena, well what it would probably have looked like 10-years ago. There was an awful amount of construction going in within the small old town which was a shame.....roads were blocked, scaffolding everywhere, detours etc. But the buildings being refurbished were similar to the that of Cartagena, a classic colonial feel to them. The key difference was that many of the empty and abandoned buildings (at a guess 50% of all of them) were in complete ruin, unsalvageable. It is quite easy to imagine this area in 5-10 years, a colourful eclectic mix of homes, hotels, restaurant and cozy cafes and bars. The one thing, perhaps three things, holding it back are the mud flats that surround the edges of the town during low tides (and possibly high tide), the ugly concrete pier the jets out from one corner and the uncomfortably close (and dangerous) ghetto areas to the immediate north. It will change rapidly, for the better, because it has so much potential.
You can spend half a day in the old town and see if thoroughly. Visit the fish market at its entrance and grab yourself a cup of fresh ceviche (many varieties to choose from) then visit the Panama Canal museum and do you head in trying to read all the Spanish text (there is some English)....you could spend a day in there if you read all the explanations.
Most people do a day trip to the Panama Canal from the city, whether it is by train, bus or part of an organised tour. I had plans to do this as it is supposed to be quite a good tour and spectacle to view in the mornings and afternoon - there is a dead time during lunch when boats are transiting within the gates and you wont see the gates in action. When I flew into Panama City it was quite a sight seeing all the boats queueing in the harbour.....must have been at least 100. Anyway, as it turned out I never made it on a tour.....explanation in the next post.
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