Panama City

Panama City is an exciting mix of old and new. I'm staying in the Hotel Montreal which is a few blocks from the waterfront right in between the old part of town and the new banking district which is the second largest banking district in the world.

The people here in Panama have found a racial harmony which I haven't seen anywhere else. This is most evident in the large numbers of mixxed couples. An American immigrant who manages the bar at my hotel told me this too. He said that he is getting back at his ex wife by enjoying life way more than her.

Yesterday, I went to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal. A couple of things that I found remarkable were that there are no water pumps - all of the work is done by gravity. The other is that the doors used to let the ships through and hold the water are the original ones built about 100 years ago. Traffic moved through faster than I would have expected and they charge ships more than I would have though around $120000. A guy swam the canal and was charged 36 cents for his water displacement.

Today I met a girl Marlyn. She showed me some nice air conditioned malls and told me about the city. Later, we went with her sister and cousin to a Christmas festival which featured half a dozen santas, some beautiful Christmas trees and what would Christmas be without reagaton stars rapping and contests where little kids dance as sexy as they can. If I video taped some of those kids on stage and took it back to Canada, I could be arrested. It was a nice family time here though. I had a nice time with Marlyn. I wish I had more time to spend with her.

Tomorrow, I fly to Cartagena. It really is one of the most beautiful cities on could imagine. As much as I like exploring, it will be nice to go to a place I have been and already know. Colombian people really are the most friendly I have met and the rich history and culture in Cartagena is magical. The thing I am looking most forward to is going back to Tyrona National Park. There is still much of the park that I have yet to explore and I like to call it my other paradise. The first is home which I am also looking forward to. I hear that there is going to be a lot of snow there to greet me.