Being awaited with a bright smile by someone you have known for your entire life and the hot weather, when arriving in a country far away from home, has to be one of the most warming welcomes one can imagine – especially, the hot weather part.
Having survived being cramped into a tin can for ten hours and flying 10’000 meters over the ocean, we were determined to spend the night in the city and fight the incoming jet lag!
Spoiler alert… it’s 4am and I am wide awake.
However, back to the night in Panama City! The road situation was as is expected from a Latin American country – chaotic, wild but working. Oh, and don’t even think about crossing the road thinking the cars will stop for you. When driving, you better don’t think about stopping for a pedestrian either, if you don’t want to feel the wrath of the cars behind you.
You could clearly see the North American influence on the cities buildings and car preferences merge with the seemingly carefree and enjoyable way of living life from Latin American. One example would be the party buses (chivas) – repurposed buses that lost their original function in the public transport system.
Casco Viejo
The old town combined with the skyline was something to behold. Charming, even romantic if it wasn’t for the flood of cars taking over the streets and creating constant noise – at least in the outer part of Casco Viejo.
Despite losing my wallet – let’s blame it on my jet lagged mind – it was a fantastic and intriguing first impression that strengthened the desire to discover more.
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