Who knows when Matildo Escudero, a native of the town of Pocrí in the province of Los Santos, developed the "bad habit" of collecting discarded artifacts. The truth is that his passion not only provided him with an entertaining way to make a living, but has also transformed him into a veritable expert of Panamanian history.

"Trastos", a Spanish word for "junk", is the name of Mr. Escudero’s establishment –a large warehouse filled with antiques of all shapes, sizes and epochs. It is located on the Pan-American Highway between the towns of La Chorrera and Capira –a 45 minutes drive from Panama City.

Mr. Matildo Escudero at work.

A maker of metal and glass ornaments and furniture, Mr. Escudero said he started his antique business in a rather informal manner. His clients, some of them customers of very demanding tastes, soon started to request more and more of his "junk". "The concept evolved from my desire to preserve our history and national traditions", he said.

A 19th century sewing machine.

"Trastos", hence, is a museum where visitors can find everything from a 19th-century church pinnacle brought from Colombia, 200-year-old bottles and century-old coins to a movie projector of the 1930’s. There are also sewing machines from the mid-1800’s, a facsimile dated 1902, old books, Victorian-era furniture, early 20th-century Panamanian coins, tools used by the French during their ill-fated venture to build the Canal; weapons used during Panama’s "One-Thousand-Day War" in 1900 and old cast-iron water pumps donated by the U.S. government to Panama in 1912. The list is as fascinating as it is endless.

Mr. Escudero is a "living encyclopedia". Just stop by and he will give you a lecture about the history of each object, his experiences in Europe and the complexity of Panamanian culture. Nevertheless, he retains much of the open, easy-going and unpretentious spirit of the people of Panama’s hinterland.

In the picture youcan see an early 20th century telephone.

For more information, call 672-7494.

Mr. Candelario Vargas.

The Visitor has a new distributor in the province of Chiriquí. His name is Candelario Vargas Araúz, a tourist guide specializing in his native province as well as in the neighboring Bocas del Toro. Mr. Araúz will be responsible for delivering our newspaper to over 50 locations in Chiriquí each week.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Panama, the westernmost province of Chiriquí is also becoming a Mecca for foreign families and retirees, most of whom have purchased properties in the mountain communities of Boquete, Volcán and Cerro Punta. The coastal area of the province has also been experiencing a lot of tourist activity in recent years.

Distribution points of The Visitor in Chiriquí

David
Hotel Nacional
Hotel Occidental
IPAT David
Turistica Int.
Hotel Castilla
Hotel Aleska
Hotel Palacio Imperial
Hotel Puerta del Sol
Residencial Toledo
Las Olas Beach Resort
Carta Vieja
Aguilera Franceschi
Travesias
Hotel Panamá Rey

Boquete
Hotel Fundadores
Hotel Panamonte
Hotel Rebequet
Villa Marita
Pension Topaz
Hostal Mozart
Pension Minilos
IPAT CEFATI
Panama Rafters
Pension Palacio
Hostal Boquete
Isla Verde
Los Establos
Cafe Ruiz Coffee Shops
Villa Lorena
Kelnix
Profesional Center
La Huaca
Valle Escondido
Valle Primavera
Cabañas B/B Momentum
Highland Real Estate
Pension Virginia
Residecial Campestre
Los Pinos
Palo Alto
Java Juice

Cerro Punta
Los Quetzales
Bambito Tourist Resort
Hostal Cielito Sur
Cabañas Kucikas
Hotel Bambito
Hotel Cerro Punta

Volcán
Hotel Don Tavo
Hotel Dos Rios

Paso Canoas
IPAT

A number of professional unions, representatives of the business sector, religious entities and government officials are taking part in the talks to solve the crisis caused by Law No. 17, which seeks to regulate Panama’s social security system.

Last may, the Legislative Assembly passed the controversial legislation which, among other things, raised the age of retirement of both male and female beneficiaries of the system. This prompted a national, four-week strike in late-May lead by the country’s most important unions (construction workers, teachers and doctors) –the worst in over a decade. Last month, President Martín Torrijos decided to suspend the law for 90 days in order to further discuss its repercussions and alternatives with all segments of society.

The presence of the wave of retirees and other newcomers settling in Panama has evidenced itself in two new community newspapers. In Boquete, the mountain town beneath the peak of the Baru Volcano, "Noticias Barajeque Times" has hit the streets. "Barajeque" is Spanish for the misty rain which swirls through the mountain passes and causes the rainbows for which Boquete is famous.

The paper is tabloid size, partly in color and printed in English and Spanish.

On the Caribbean side of the Cordillera in Bocas del Toro, the other area which is attracting many foreigners, the "Bocas Breeze" is published in English once a month in a magazine format. Now in its second year, it is popular for its compendium of news and photos and the advice it gives to "gringos" on all aspects of their new life.

A "mayor’s corner" seeks to bond the newcomers with the Panamanian community. "I would say that my objective for the paper is to foster the spirit of community by sharing interesting and valuable information with locals and tourist alike. I want the paper to belong to the community", said Melody Burt, the paper's editor.

"Bocas Breeze" is in English, which is almost a "first language" for native Bocatoreños, so may of whom are descendants of west Indians who moved there to work in the banana plantations of the old Chiriqui Land Company and construction workers who settled in Bocas after the Panama Canal was finished.

Construction of Boquete’s new golf course at Cielo Paraiso is progressing fast. Three holes are already finished and ground is being broken for a number of the homes planned around the course. Owners are anxious to complete construction of their houses before August 2006 in order to qualify for tax breaks before a new law comes into force eliminating property tax exemption as part of a new set of fiscal reforms.