Special Features
Altos del Maria
Famous climber atop Cerro Picacho
Guatemalan mountaineer Jaime Viñals at Altos del Maria.
Recently, Grupo Melo’s Real Estate Division had the honor of receiving renowned Guatemalan mountain climber Jaime Viñals at the Altos del María development in the scenic mountains above Panama’s Pacific. Jaime was the first Latin American ever to reach the top of Mount Everest, and the only person from the region to climb the seven tallest mountains of each of the seven continents.
Jaime participated in a discussion with residents and other special guests, in which he shared experiences and achievements from his remarkable career as a professional mountaineer. On the following day, he and special guests hike to the top of “Cerro Picacho”, the iconic mountain peak that is used in the branding of Altos del Maria. There, they admired the exceptional view of the Pacific Coasts and Altos del María.
At the end of their journey, they climbed the newly-named “Cerro Jaime”. There, Mr. Viñals received a special recognition and a plaque at the top of this peak, which is now named after him.
On the Cinta Costera!
The City Carnival by the bay
Panama City Carnival Queen Yinnela Yero Torres.
From March 5 to 8, Panama is busy enjoying its 101st celebration of Carnivals. This is also the first year that the Panama City Carnival will be held on the Cinta Costera. Set on the new coastal beltway, with Panama Bay to one side and skyscrapers to the other, this promises to be one of the most memorable Carnivals ever.
The City Carnival Queen is 21-year-old Yinnela Yero Torres, who will also be a tourism ambassador representing Panama at international fairs. Yinnela recommends that attendees “avoid excess, and enjoy the festivities in moderation.”
The exact location for the party, called “Carnaval de la City: Goza Lo Tuyo Panamá” (Carnival of the City: Enjoy What’s Yours, Panama) will begin at the Mercado del Marisco (Fish Market) and go to Calle 30 in Bella Vista.
There will be a theme for each of the four days of parades: Saturday is “Nuestros Mares” (Our Seas), Sunday is “Día Típico” (Typical Day), Monday is “Flora y Fauna”, and Tuesday is “Panamá Puente del Mundo, Corazón del Universo” (Panama Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe).
Extra police and medical units will be in the area to ensure that people enjoy the celebration in a safe and organized manner, whether it be the daytime “culecos”, where water is sprayed from a fire hose during the daytime heat on the crowds of dancing revelers or the evening parades featuring big impressive floats or the musical acts that will be performing throughout the event.
Avenida Balboa will be open for vehicles to navigate throughout the city.
Heading to the interior to celebrate Carnival
Culecos.Photo: Marco Tejada
For most Panamanians, Carnival time means heading out to the interior to take part in a countryside celebration of this tradition. The Carnival is this weekend, from Saturday, March 5 to Tuesday March 8. Tourists and foreigners have become more and more involved with the Panamanian Carnival celebrations in recent years.
The excitement of the Carnivals in Las Tablas, Chitré and Penonomé is attractive for those looking to be a part of a grand-scale show. But smaller, more intimate carnivals are also held in places like Pedasí, Ocú and all the way out to the smaller towns of Chiriquí is, which each have their own Carnival Queen. Bocas del Toro is also a popular destination, and the Carnival party here is held at the fairgrounds along the beach.
Carnival Queen.
Photo: Marco Tejada
Traditionally, two parades will be held each of the four days, with water being sprayed onto the crowd during the day, called the “culeco”. At night, splendorous floats are paraded through the towns. Day and night, the tireless Queens dance and blow kisses to please their subjects.
Carnival is to celebrate the “pleasures of the flesh” before the impending Lenten repentance for Easter and many Carnival-goers take this mission seriously. Others stay away from the crowds.
Whatever your inclination, however, it is most advised to stop by and get a glimpse of what the Panamanian Carnival near you is like – who knows, you just might get caught in and end up dancing with the Queen until dawn on Tuesday!
One of the things that takes some getting used to in Panama is standing in lines. For example, every 15th and end of the month, lines can stretch all the way out the door and around the corner at most banks. Many wage earners obviously want to cash and/or deposit their checks pronto, but that does not mean the bank is going to put on any more tellers. Oh, no – that would be something called “customer service”.
A strange phenomenon that Ol’Jack still can’t get used to here is that pensioners (aka “jubliados”) are often given a free pass to the front of the line or even have their own window at the bank. This rare respect for the elderly is about the only advantage I can see to getting old.
It’s funny when you spot one of the ladies who are obviously trying very, very hard to keep “up” their appearance, if you will, who is trying to cash in on the “elderly” perk to move ahead the bank. If she’s had three face lifts, then she should have to wait in line just like all the other youngsters.
Not so long ago, I was in a card store hoping to buy a Valentine for my lovely wife. There were about eight or nine people in front of me, with little progress being noted at the cash register. When the romantic at the head of the line finally was able to complete her transaction, the saleslady made eye contact with me and waved. I didn’t recognize her but being extremely gregarious I smiled and waved back. At that, she frowned and gave me that get-over-here gesture that teachers and moms use when they don’t want to wait for a tardy child anymore.
Nobody wants to define what “old” is. Except for tellers and cashiers in Panama, who apparently have no problem calling you out on your age. Hunch over and head to the front!
Ok fine, I’m old
That’s when I realized I was being called to the front of the line. Even then, I wondered for a moment how my “jubliado” status was determined before it dawned on me that my gray hair and drool collecting at the edge of my lips was a dead giveaway. It was a turning point for me because I finally admitted that I look like an old fart buying a Valentine for my sweetie. I quickly paid for the card and hobbled out of the store feeling my age.
It’s just not who I am
The reason I feel so uncomfortable about getting ahead of the line is because back home in the States we call that butting. A “butter” is someone who unfairly improves his or her position in line. In England they call it “jumping the queue”; but in either place the perpetrator is usually called on it, by somebody like me, who will say in a very indignant voice, “Excuse me, but there is a line.”
This would-be “butt-in-ski” then looks around stupidly as if he hadn’t noticed and then takes his rightful place at the end. However here in Panama, particularly at the movies; at the gates at the airport or bus station; or in lines waiting to get into sporting events, it always seems that a number of pushy people feel no reluctance at all to butt. More surprising, nobody calls them on it.
If you ever try to wait in line at the counter at a “Chino” (Chinese mini-mart) you’ll soon discover that everyone else from kids to cops isn’t even considering waiting. Instead they all elbow to the front, flash the product they have selected and throw their money at the clerk. If you try to wait patiently and politely for your turn, you might never actually get an opportunity to purchase your cigs or a bottle of water.
The prime butting in Panama – the real criminal stuff, however, takes place on the road at toll booths. Seldom are enough lanes open to handle traffic. Lines form and soon become extended. Then here comes a guy is his dented Prado. He goes as far up as he can between lines or tries to skirt around and then fully expects to be allowed in.
What amazes Jack is that he so often is let in. Come on people, you’re either too nice or too used to being in a line so you allow this jerk to cut in front. I don’t want to read too much between the lines, but I say don’t give an inch. There is no need to leave even an eyelash width between you and the car in front. Why shouldn’t he have to wait, just like the rest of us — even if he’s an old guy?