Panama Casco Viejo Blog

La "Dolce Vita Awards": Special Mention to a Great Blog

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:31:50 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Food was, is and will always be a vital part of our lives. In our early days, it was pure survival. As we got sophisticated, food got complicated. But today, stripped away from a lot of things, gone back and forth from fusion & fashion to freaky or just fabulous, we have turned food into an art. But an interesting art, something everyone can understand... and in a very visceral way.

I had the most interesting talk with a client today. He is a passionate guy from Catalunya (Spain), someone who not only loves food but understands it to its roots. He mentioned he had a blog, so of course I ran to check it out. I was incredibly surprised to see my favorite Casco Antiguo spots in them, detailed reviews of GrandClement and his experience buying at the Fish Market. You´ll see also his reviews on other panamanian restaurants, everything written with such a joy that I just had to bring it up and give him an honorary "Arco Blog Award" for the "Dolce Vita" category.

Here it is! Oriol in Latin America.

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Urban Revitalization in Casco Antiguo

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:32:39 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

A friend forwarded me a NY Times article the other day on how Buffalo, a historic city in USA was looking to the future. It described an active community and a common vision to see their city not become Disney World, but an authentic, green and thriving place. Yes, even in today´s world. The article had so many paralels with Casco, I feel like taking a plane just to check it out.

Yesterday, talking to a client, she was asking me "but when is it going to be all done, finished" and when are "all these people" going to move out. If we do it right, there will never be a "finishing" line, and hopefully, all that people is going to continue to be our neighbors. Our little town will always have that "change factor" in them with an authentic flavor that, like Rome, New Orleans and so many others keeps atracting the human curiosity. People keep falling in love with them and it isn´t only for one element but for a combination of them that together make magic work.

And it is such a great process! check out the Buffalo article here. I think they are right on!

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Panama Press: Financial Times article compares Tel Aviv with Casco Antiguo, Panama.

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:28:12 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Panama, Casco Antiguo

Cities are a reflection of the people who lived and built them. There is no doubt about that, as architecture is made to our own meassure and that of our dreams and comforts. Here is an interesting article by journalist David Kaufman at the Financial Times which compares the eclectic styles of Tel Aviv to Panama´s Casco Antiguo.

ECLECTIC AVENUES
By David Kaufman
Published: November 7 2008 19:50 | Last updated: November 7
2008 19:50

South Tel Aviv’s Yehuda Halevi Street is an exercise in urban aesthetic contrasts. Located at the meeting point between the Israeli city’s historic, Ottoman-era Neve Tzedek district and modernist, mid-20th century White City, it heaves with compound-like buildings. Many – elegant in their austerity – are designed in pristine Bauhaus style, with form-follows-function façades, port-hole windows and rounded balconies. But, between these boxy beauties, there are unexpected riots of ostentatiousness:
Romanesque columns, Arabic arches and bijoux Venetian balconies. These buildings are startling stand-outs amid the quarter’s clean, calm character – examples of an overlooked but widespread architectural style known as “eclectic”.
Found in cities across the world, from Asia to the Americas, the genre flourished from about 1900 to 1930, just prior to the Bauhaus era, marrying myriad styles that were popular at the time – from neo-Egyptian to renaissance revival, classic Ottoman to art deco and arts and crafts. A result of an early version of globalisation, its ascent can be linked to the mobility of migrants between the various British colonies, who imported and incorporated the cultures they encountered beyond their home shores.

This article can be found at THE FINANCIAL TIMES

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Casco Antiguo Lazy, Lazy Sunday

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:09:42 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Time almost stops in Casco Antiguo on Sundays. It is the best time for strolling down the plazas and enjoy the "dolce far niente" (the sweet "doing nothing"). If you are good at those table games like chess, backgammon and checkers you can try your skills against the best at Santa Ana park and get your boots cleaned while you are at it. But beware: the laid back atmosfere might take you over, not even the dogs escape from its spell!!!

I have to say I fell in love with these guys last Sunday. I mean, really... the world is going so fast and news are always gloom. People are living in the eye of several hurricanes and had forgotten how it used to feel not to be in there. And while I was walking around thinking about all the economic news, I ended up in Santa Ana, and suddenly my blood pressure dropped down, I started breathing better and I smiled. They say petting a dog lowers your blood pressure, but these guys might get you killed!

And I thought, all things considered if I was in the middle of the economic hurricane, with debts to my neck and hardly getting by with $5,000... wouldn´t I be better off getting out and coming here to wait it out, where those same $5,000 can buy a cook, maid, chofer, apartment in San Felipe, spending money and time to play backgammon with these guys on Sundays or if not, just hang out at the beach?

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Casco Antiguo News: Canal House Hotel at USA Today

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:53:57 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

For all of you James Bond Fans, USA Today published a travel destinations article about the whereabouts of agent 007. Features the movie locations in Italy, Panama and all around, but the most important part is that they feature Canal House at Casco Antiguo! Check out the article HERE.

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James Bond Behind the Scenes: take a look at his film locations in Casco Antiguo (VIDEO)

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:02:48 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

I´m still sort of new at this, but I´m very proud of my little video. It has good views of the filming locations of James Bond´s Quantum of Solace: where they did the party, the hotel, First street, where Daniel Craig stayed... and more!

Enjoy:

> > >

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Romantic and hot.... Panama Summer is Here!

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:46:16 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Summer is everyone´s favorite season. Blue sky, full suntan, ocean breeze... Casco Antiguo at its best! if you are thinking on travelling to Panama, consider lots and lots of sunblock, a hat ( Panama Hat!) and water. Stay in Casco Viejo! here is a picture of the view of one of our short term rental apartments... isn´t this romantic?

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James Bond´s Producers talk about making films in Panama

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:22:32 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Last night (finally!) I went to see Quantum of Solace. The line was unbelievable, even if we went half hour early which we thought was enought to get tickets. Everyone was so excited, and the reason is simple: a big chunk of the habitants of Panama City where either working as staff or as extras in the movie, so everyone was there.

After the first action scene that leaves you breathless and with your heart on your mouth, I could focus on figuring out what was filmed where, and who could I see that I knew. I was incredibly pleased to discover how Casco Viejo looked under Marc Forster´s eye: it was very raw in some scenes (specially Calle 17) but also beautiful and elegant (the Ministry of Culture alias the Grand Hotel never looked better!). I couldn´t hold my smile when saw all those "bolivians" walking down my own street at Calle 1era.... and a bunch of friends dressed in luxury dresses for the "party" of the bad guy at the old Club Union.

I went to the official website of Quantum of Solace to check if they had anything on behind the scenes and they did. Ana Endara, who helped with the casting in Panama talked about the "bolivians" who were indeed Gnobe Buglé indians from Panama (we have at least 6 different tribes here) and how they explained what the movie was about to them. I was also curious about how was the experience itself of filming in Panama, as we aren´t really known for having a filming industry (yet). Executive Producer Callum McDougall talked about it in a brief video. And here is their thoughts about the locations.

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Obama in Panama? misc shots walking around Casco Viejo

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:39:16 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Panama, Casco Antiguo

Last night, walking down the street by Casa Góngora in Avenida Central I suddenly saw this poster... Somehow someone decided to paste it to the wall and someone else decided to coment right beneath with what I think is a praise for the Panamanian presidential candidate Balbina Herrera. This is quite surprising as Casco isn´t particularly aware of international politics. Most people don´t think outside of what might be going on in the barrio! The poster made me think if maybe we should have a wall like in Rome where you can post your thoughts in a pice of paper (of course they do it in prose...) and make it a Casco Antiguo feature.

Then I got to the main plaza, called Catedral (or Independencia) and I took this other picture. It is lightened up to celebrate Panama´s patriot month... however it sort of looks like the Microsoft Windows logo...

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Obama and Latin America: how would this affect Panama and Casco Antiguo?

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:41:23 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Last Tuesday, Panama was stock to the TV watching Obama win the US Presidency. Personally, I was incredibly impressed by his speech, which was a very, very smart one. But Obama is an exceptionally smart guy himself, a package of charisma, brains and common sense (probably this is what I admire the most of him).

Latinamerica cheered Obama´s election. The reasons are obvious, as he is perceived to be closer to us than John Mccain (even if McCain was really born in Panama). However, after the emotional craze, analysts have cooled down and articles are starting to come out on the impact of Obama´s Presidency on Latinamerica´s (and Panama´s) economy.

This past weekend, I travelled to Bogotá, Colombia. Articles at their magazine Poder pointed out what I think is the most logical thought: Obama has way too much trouble at home to even have the luxury of looking outside his borders and fix other´s people´s problems. All he´ll be able to do in the first two years is dedicate time to his people in the US, and through doing so, helping the world regain stability.

The economic crisis won´t just "dissapear". It will take a lot of time, sacrifice, effort, and even more pain to get it to the point where things can be under control. It won´t be a task that can be done under one Presidency. He is just going to set the foundations for the next guy to work at it and maybe be able to collect the fruits (and probably take credit for "fixing" the economy).

Most likely, Panama´s treaty with the US won´t be ratified, nor Colombia´s. I doubt they´ll aprove any treaty at all. The best case scenario is that Colombia gets some sort of a deal because of their special relationship and the US interest in keeping the anti drug program alive.

How does this affect Casco Viejo? we have mentioned before that we believe Panama has all the fundamentals of value, and that Casco Viejo is the best spot to invest and weather the storm. This is a very good place to spend the next three to five years of your life, as the cost of living is low, the banking system highly regulated and Casco Antiguo´s property value (as it is in a UNESCO protected historic site) will continue to increase as the town revitalizes. This is where you can take some time off, think, write, reinvent yourself. You can have a great lifestyle for $3,000 a month (including cook, maid and even a chofer, depending on what you want), and through it get the most precious asset of them all: time. Time to think, to wait, to plan.

Being at the eye of a hurricane isn´t always the best way to handle the hurricane. This is the time to look at things from another angle and make your next move.

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Panama Event: Yomira John in Concert!

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:46:50 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Panama, Casco Antiguo

Yomira John has a unique presence. When you see her, you sense that a bomb of striking colors just walked into the room. Her voice, sensual and smooth is her trademark, and on stage she is all fun.

November 11th, she´ll launch her latest album "Ida y Vuelta", if you are around you should check it out. Here is her website if you would like to learn more about her music: YOMIRA

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Panama Press Release: Colonial quarter at Panama City breaks poverty cycle.

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:56:36 GMT

A pioneer program at Casco Antiguo is changing the lives of underprivileged residents.

A year ago, Julia Sánchez was living on $5 per day, juggling to feed and educate her 4 children. But when she registered at CAPTA, a program that provides local women of Casco Antiguo with hotel training, her life changed. She got a steady job in a hotel in town and today, a year later, from surviving and feeding the kids her goals have changed to learning English, studying a full career and moving into a better home.

CAPTA (Spanish for Capacitación para el Trabajo) is one of the many community programs run by Fundación Calicanto, a local NGO determined to improve the way of life of the people in the neighborhood. It has already trained 60 women and growing. Heriberto Trejos, the foundation’s Director, summarizes the program’s main achievement: “The first step is to break the negative image women have of themselves. These women have been marginalized all their lives. The program wakes them up, makes them realize that they can get a job and grow as social human beings.”

Samantha Sagel, manager of Canal House, the hotel that hired Julia and a strong supporter of the program agrees. “The gradual change in our employees has been outstanding. I went from having a team that only expected instructions and had a bad attitude to a charming one that works with confidence, acts and thinks ahead”. The hotel is fully staffed with CAPTA women.

As Casco Antiguo develops into Panama City’s most genuine tourism destination, there is a true concern regarding gentrification, poverty, lack of education and a paternalistic culture inherited from the military days where food was given away in exchange for votes. But voices of hope seem to be everywhere.

“Our experience has taught us that the financial and emotional stability they receive through these opportunities extends to their families and communities, setting the foundations for sustainable development” says Carlos Vega, committee coordinator within the program.

“We hope to be a model for the rest of Panama” says Patrizia Pinzon, manager of Arco Properties, a brokerage specialized in the historic district and a director at the Foundation. “The beauty of Casco is that everything is mixed: architecturally, culturally and economically. Some need more help than others, but together we are building a community where everybody benefits. As I see it, this isn’t “charity” as in “giving stuff away”. This is what true capitalism was meant to be, capitalism meets common sense.”

For more information on Fundación Calicanto contact: Heriberto Trejos at fcalicanto@gmail.com , Patrizia Pinzon Patrizia@arcoproperties.com (507) 211-2548, Samantha Sagel manager@canalhousepanama.com (507) 228-8683.

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Panama Event: Museum on Panama´s early republican photography opens doors in Casco Antiguo

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:00:06 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo

Carlos Endara Andrade was the leading photographer of his time. He lived between 1865 and 1954 and is responsible for a big bunch of the pictures you know that are floating around the internet and other publications on Panama´s early days as a republic and surroundings (he did a lot on Taboga as well). His portraits provide a window to the diverse Panamanian society of the times, which in many ways are the basis of today´s society.

Most of his collection was spread throughout private homes until Mario Lewis, who fell in love with his work, put it together with the valuable help of Endara´s heirs. He bought and restored to the detail the house that belonged to Endara and has turned it into a museum, which - finally!- is able to open its doors to the public.

The museum is one of the finest restorations I´ve seen in Casco Antiguo so far. Not only because of the attention to detail but, as Ariel Espino was saying in his speech last night - because it was made with love. A love that inspires everyone who visits and opens them to the experience of being in Panama back in 1903, 1910, 20´s...

To thank Mario for his vision and philantropy, the best of Panama gathered last night at its inauguration. The museum will open on Fridays and Saturdays and will be run by the Office of Casco Antiguo. Later on, they´ll try to open more days. If you are in Casco, don´t miss the opportunity to visit this amazing place at Calle 12.

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