Dear Luke and Leia,
Today we are strolling through Casco Viejo where its brick paved streets make you feel like time has warped and you’ve stepped back into an age where life was much simpler and details were more fascinating. The Spanish architecture, with its bright colors, wrought iron and bold arches, give such a warm appearance to match that of the people living here.
National Cathedral
There are so many shops and restaurants in this area that one could spend two weeks in Casco Viejo and not eat at the same place twice. We found a place on a roof top with spectacular views of both the old Casco and new modern metropolis Panama City.
Brick streets and bright colors are the norm in Casco.
Spanish details are everywhere.
Market tucked into a ruined building attracts many souvenir hunters.
Rooftop bar offers views and booze.
Contrasting views of old and new from your table.
The culture and character of the people are displayed in the lives and crafts surrounding you as you take in the sights. Children play in the streets with the simplest of toys, while around the next corner a local dressed in the national dress is proudly walking towards a festival. Arts and crafts tell of the history of these people who now make up the Panamanians whom we have come to know and love.
Little boy playing with a plastic bag in Casco Viejo.
Lady wearing la pollera, the traditional Panamanian costume, for a local festival.
Masks made by the indigenous Emberá tribe are available at souvenir shops in Casco.
Baskets from the Embará tribe can be woven tightly enough to hold water.
A tale of three cities
It seems wild as the contrasting views of old and new come together here in Casco Viejo, especially knowing its history. Panama City is actually a tale of three cities with birth, disaster and recovery to final world-wide glory. Panama Viejo (old Panama) is the oldest of the settlements and sacked by Captain Morgan in the 1500’s.
Tale of 3 cities: Original Panama City now known as Panama Viejo, dates from the 1500’s.
The survivors relocated to a more defensible location on a small peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean and this is today’s Casco Viejo.
Tale of 3 cities: Casco Viejo settled in a more defensible position on a peninsula.
Tale of 3 cities: Modern day Panama City and its financial district.
Finally the modern day city, with buildings touching the clouds, is a full display of abundance and victory as any other modern city in the world. Panama has burst upon the world financial scene, completely overcoming the disasters of her past, to now be called the Singapore of the West.
Beautiful architecture as the sun set for the day on Panama Viejo, Panama City, Panama.
Yes, we love Panama City and especially Casco Viejo.
Love,
Nana and Pap
♥
P.S. – If you have Pinterest you can click the top left of any photos in our story to add them to your Pinterest boards. We would actually like that a whole lot.
Vendors selling their wares along the waterside in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama
Tower on top of a church in Casco Viejo, Panama.
View of Panama City from the tower in Panama Viejo, Panama.
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