6:45 am
The first sun rays come through the window of my room with a distinctive blueish colour. The old curtains are to blame for this unusual filter which prevents the beautiful clear light from penetrating the four walls that comprise my intimate world. As I peer through the worn-out fabric I see how the rainforest comes to life as the city itself does with its impressive shades of green and mist arising from deep inside the jungle. It's precisely this sight what has nurtured my eyes through so many years.
I stay by the window for a couple of minutes to get my daily dosis of energy. Just the sight of this green wall relaxes and invigorates me. How can you not feel humbled by the sheer power of nature? At times calm, at times turbulent, Panama City owes its tireless and chaotic beat to the natural wonders that are inserted in its urban landscape. After getting ready for the day, I look outside the window again and tell myself it won't be long until I see those colours again...
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| Give me green! |
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| Panama City as seen from my favourite spot. |
8:31 am
One thing you learn from Panama City is the feeling of urgency. It surprises me how tranquil one part of town can be whilst one or two blocks away there's something going on. And you want to be a part of it. That's why you run and try to catch up with it. But it might already be over by the time you get there. It's almost like little and controlled explosions occur all over town and you have no idea where, but you know they're happening. It's a sensation that never leaves you.
Maybe one
diablo rojo (old US school buses used in the public transportation system) broke down in the middle of a busy road and all the passengers know they'll be late for work that day. Or a traffic jam is taking place somewhere because a taxi driver blocked the rest of the cars when he crossed with the red light.
So many daily events that only Panamanians know well. In fact, I believe we have developed a special code or set of behaviour patterns when these situations occur and we have learned to cope with them.
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| Wake up Panama! |
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| Metro scene. |
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| Funniest street name ever: calle de los ahuevados (street of the idiots). |
10:01
Wandering around the city has different meanings when you go out with your camera and try to capture the essence of a place. The question is how can you do that when there's simply so much out there. Well, during my wanderings across the city I've learned the essence of a place comes from its people and their interaction with their environment.
When I was still a university student in Panama I loved to go out with my camera, take the next bus and get off at an unexplored area. Sometimes we live in a place for so long and we forget to look closely and go beyond what we already know. Maybe that's why travelling is an eye-opener and makes us more aware of the wonders hidden in our own cities. And one of those wonders is the people we meet unexpectedly and the faces that we'll probably never see again.
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| Morning views. |
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| Smile! |
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| Buying lottery outside the supermarket. |
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| Panama City life. |
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| If it's fresh, it's the best. |
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| Central. |
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| -P.S. Panama City. |
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| Moringa plant vendor. Moringa is supposed to be a miracle plant that cures everything. |
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| Agua de pipa. |
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| Rush! |
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| Breakfast on the street. |
12:15
Panamanians still carry on with their routines when it gets really hot outside. The weather is not an impediment for fighting your way in this concrete jungle that we call home. Because everyone is rushing to get lunch, you'll see loads of people queueing to buy fresh pressed
chicha (juice) and
empanadas (pasties) or maybe a full meal consisting of soup, rice, beans, meat or chicken and
tajadas (sweet plantain slices).
Lunch is a sacred hour for the inhabitants of this city. I believe this is the most expected hour throughout the day, because locals anticipate to complete their duties fast in order to go home after work. Or maybe to a pub, casino or other spots like parks where you can unwind, let your imagination run free or just sit and observe city life as it unfolds.
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| 5 de mayo. |
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| La Central. |
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| Tropical metropolis. |
14:35
What never ceases to impress me is how Panama City locals find moments in their day for themselves. It's incredible how amidst the chaos and confusion, people find the strength to let go and forget their troubles for a while. Yes, maybe we have a lot to improve in our city. It´s not a perfect place, it is, in fact, at times hostile and harsh. But I must mention that Panamanians have the amazing and enviable ability of
echar pa´lante, which basically means that they keep going even if things aren't working in their favour.
Having a bad day? No need to worry. Just remember that in the end things will work out and you'll survive. This is the Panamanian mindset.
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| At the barber shop. |
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| Unwind. |
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| Shopping. |
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| Afternoon snacks. |
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| My faves <3 |
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| City life. |
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| Chatting. |
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| Afternoon snacks and your favourite soap opera. |
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| Raspao. |
17:17
By now the working day is over and people start heading home. The city is chaotic once again, everyone is anxious to get home or wherever it is they 're going. After shopping for some essentials, some head home, others meet with friends for one or two beers and
ceviche to discuss about life, politics or sports.
All you hear is the honking of cars, people complaining about traffic jams, the sound of the waves crashing against the newly built Cinta Costera (the coastal strip) now a beloved place for jogging, inline skating, cycling or just hanging out.
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| City life. |
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| Feierabend! |
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| Café Coca Cola, the oldest café in Panama City (1875), has had famous visitors such as Che Guevara. |
11:23
At this time of the day I peer outside the window of my room again and lights start to flicker and fade everywhere. However, one of them stays always lit even in the darkest night. The bright red light which shines at the top of the Ancon Hill, the most important symbol of Panamanian sovereignty, never goes out. I like to stare at it when I can't sleep.
While I stare at this light, there's still people out there working hard. I'm talking about the Panama Canal workers, who sometimes have shifts until very early in the morning. The Panama Canal functions 24/7 and is one of the busiest and most important waterways in the world. Just a glance at the impressive set of locks inserted amidst the lush greens of the tropical rainforest impresses even the most skeptical people.
If there's a feeling that unites all Panamanians, it has got to be the pride we feel when we look at the Canal and realise its capital role for trade in the world. This pride draws smiles in our faces and motivates us to keep working everyday towards the country we wish to be one day. A place where kids don't fear violence and gangs in their neighbourhoods; a city with pavements; a less corrupt system...
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| Fairy lights over the Canal. |
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| Miraflores Locks. |
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| Busy nights at the Canal. |
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| The Canal. |
This is the last post I'll write about Panama City, since I no longer live there. Just wanted to let you know that you showed me a world full of small wonders and miracles. You lead me to myself.But most importantly, you showed me that
"In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order"
-Carl G. Jung
