Surf in Casco Viejo, Panama

Wake up, go surfing, come back, shower, go to work.  Only for the adventurous type! you can actually surf in Casco Viejo when there is a good swell. Actually, the current Panama Female Champion, Samantha, taught herself how to surf on this wave. A neighbour right next door to us, she is a firecracker.  Today, she competes internationally, her last competition was in Chile earlier this year.  Made it to the top 13, her biggest challenge being the water temperature… we have such nice warm waters!

 Here are two pictures, one of her surfing alone and the other one is the wave taken yesterday in Casco Viejo at Las Bovedas Point.  Enjoy!

Is Casco Viejo Right For You?

The Casconian Personality Test

You read our newsletter and you think you like the place, but still not sure if Casco is right for you? This short list can help you out.  

 

 1. You enjoy traveling to undiscovered places in small groups rather than big groups and mass destinations.     

2. Someone splashes you with water while walking down the street and your immediate reaction is to laugh and look around for something to splash back with. 

3. You hate highrises. (add 50 points just for this)

4. You love to mingle with local communities and learn their culture and language, and you can´t get your hands away from that delicious street food. 

5. You enjoy volunteering and organizing community events.

6. Your tolerance for Friday night music is high… very high. Well, it might actually be Saturday and Sunday as well. Or pay day... And if you are known in your own neighborhood as the one with the loud music, add another 10 points. 

7. Your glass is always half full, never half empty.

8. You have a good time at Disney with your kids for a day once a year, but would hate to actually live there. 

9. You are a creative type, even if not working formally on a creative field, you have a romantic vein that spreads into anything and everything you do. 

10. You are a treehugger… even if you don´t admit it.   

Scored high? you might be the “Casco Type” … send us an email! 

Patrizia@arcoproperties.com

Want to learn more about Casco? visit us! www.arcoproperties.com

 

Is Casco Viejo for you?

Still undecided? Take our  Casconian Personality Test

1. You enjoy traveling to undiscovered places in small groups rather

than big groups and mass destinations.

2. Someone splashes you with water while walking down the street and

your immediate reaction is to laugh and look around for something to

splash back with.

3. You hate highrises. (Add 50 points just for this)

4. You love to mingle with local communities and learn their culture

and language… and you just can´t get your hands away from that

delicious street food.

5. You enjoy volunteering and organizing community events.

6. Your tolerance for Friday night music is high… very high. Well,

it might actually be Saturday and Sunday as well. Or pay day,

anytime… And if you are known in your own neighborhood as the one

with the loud music, add another 10 points.

7. Your glass is always half full, never half empty.

8. You have a good time at Disney with your kids for a day once a

year, but would hate to actually live there.

9. You are a creative type, even if not working formally on a creative

field, you have a romantic vein that spreads into anything and

everything you do.

10. You are a treehugger… even if you don´t admit it.

Scored high? you might be the “Casco Type” …  Know someone who would? send them this post

Casco Viejo Footbal TShirt helps local children get books to start their school year

March is the month when most schools start in Panama. In a few weeks, the Casco (and the country) will be filled with excited kids running around like crazy in their blue uniforms (either new or inherited ones from older brothers and sisters) with smiles on their faces walking to school.

Despite all their enthusiasm, truth is that most parents from the community find it very difficutl to buy all the necessary books and materials.

This year, they will have some help from Fundación Calicanto (as long as this campaign works!!!) through the funds of the Casco Football TShirt.  It is only $10 per TShirt, but is a huge improvement for each kid.

How to buy: either email us at: patrizia@arcoproperties with the size and a phone number we can call to get your credit card number or call us directly at (507) 211-2548.  If you want a donation receipt from Fundación Calicanto, please let us know.  Or email directly the foundation at: fcalicanto@gmail.com .

Either way you would be making the world a better place!  plus, the TShirt design is quite cool…

Twelve virtual tours on Casco Viejo, Panama

For those who love to see pictures and are curious on how the thing actually looks and feels. Click here ( http://www.arcoproperties.com/about-casco.aspx ) to check out twelve different virtual tours including the National Theatre (inside), Plaza Bolivar, The Presidency, Plaza Catedral, and much more!

Casco Viejo´s flea market

FYI: Casco Viejo has it´s flea market every first sunday of the month. This past sunday we were there giving out information on our low income housing (for the people of the barrio to be able to buy their own home in the neighborhood: http://www.arcoproperties.com/blogs/main/PermaLink,guid,a29debad-4590-4c40-9cd0-96cb8a44025d.aspx ) but you can find so much more!From traditional clothing and handcrafts to antiques and ethnic “fusion” clothing. Postcards, “checheres” as we call it, handmade jewerly, pots, food, delicacies and local. It even had a small show organized by the Oficina del Casco Antiguo, with traditional dancing. Of course, under Panama´s summer sun, the best is to have a “raspao” (shaved ice). In Panama, raspao comes in 3 flavors: red, purple and lemon. (doing???). For extra 10 cents you get extra condensed milk. Don´t miss it! perfect for a lazy sunday.

Where to Stay in Casco Viejo, Panama

Don´t trust our picture in this post… Hotel Grand doesn´t exist, this is Panama´s Ministry of Culture at Casco Viejo suddenly transformed into a hotel by the James Bond 007 crew.

Actually… Casco Viejo is a wonderful place to stay… but we don´t have hotels yet! so where and how might be tricky but not impossible. It only takes planning ahead.

So here is the short list!

1. Stay at a private apartment:

You can rent private apartments in different locations in Casco Viejo. All of them are great, nicely furnished, well located. Most include breakfast service. For high season, most of them are over $150 + tax per night.

How to book:

Email Arco Properties at info@arcoproperties.com Or visit the page at www.arcoproperties.com The apartment called “Café de Asis” faces one of the cutest plazas: Plaza Bolivar. Is a 2 bedroom, with 2 queen size bed. Phone: (507) 211-2548.

You can also visit http://www.loscuatrotulipanes.com for more options on apartments.

2. The Backpackers option:

Hostal Casco Antiguo: Backpackers places in general don´t tend to take reservations. However, talk to Richo or the manager at Hostal Casco Antiguo ( http://www.centrodereservas.net/Default.asp?Page=204 ) . Rooms

Grand Hotel day version

go from $11 to 14. Write at: cascoviejo@centrodereservas.net or call (507) 269-6166

Luna´s Castle Hostel Casco Viejo: the most recent adquisition on the guys who own Mondo Taitu and Heike hostal in Bocas del Toro. They are expanding to Casco and the place is beautiful. Give them a call at: 262-1540. http://wakansadhana.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post.html

3. The higher end option: Canal House Panama

A beautifully restored colonial mansion at the heart of San Felipe. Ideal to rent the entire house, it has 3 suites, most of them with inner offices, all of them with internet. Fully staffed 24/7. Check it out at: www.canalhousepanama.com

View Cafe de Asis
Arco Properties

Cafe Asis Bedroom

Casco Viejo Summer Event Calendar for 2008

There is something special about every season, but summer in Casco Viejo is without a doubt the most fun. Starting with the jazz fest and following with all small and big cultural events. Sunny days, wonderful ambiance…

Don´t get jealous…come down and join us!

Jazz Fest PanamaFifth Edition

www.panamajazzfestival.com

Casco Viejo starts the season with one of Panama’s most important events: the Panama Jazz Festival. Usually held at the ends of January, this Fest is the brainchild of Panamanian musician Danilo Perez and is far more than just music: they host a number of music clinics, master classes, auditions and fellowships for local Panamanian students.

On this year´s Jazz Fest (Jan. 24th to 26th) we had a bunch of international artists mixing with Panamanian talent. Names like Stanley Jordan (the guy is truly unbelievable, check him out at ( www.stanleyjordan.com ), Catherine Russell (www.catherinerussell.net) , the Caribbean Jazz Project (www.dsamuels.com ), Tia Fuller Quartet and Kelly Johnson Quartet (www.kelleyjohnson.com ).Past festivals included fantastic voices like the sensual tones of Neena Freelon and many others.Every Fest starts with a Gala opening at the National Theatre at Casco Viejo and ends with a wonderful free open air concert at the main Plaza, right in front of the Cathedral. The best spot to enjoy the festival is at one of the apartments at the side of the plaza, but it is equally fun to take your camping seats and claim your space under the guayacanes. If you are considering to travel to Panama during January this event is a must. You can even stay in Casco Viejo, as long as you book ahead. There are choices for each budget, from backpackers to high end check out the last post at this email for some options. There is nothing like the Jazz Fest to experience Panama at its best.

Summer Art & Events Calendar… so far!

1. James Bond Film– Dates: right now! Quantum of Solace is being filmed right outside my balcony. The full James Bond crew will be in Casco still for a couple of weeks. The only drawback is that it is supposed to be Bolivia… well… can´t have it all!

2. Movies Under the Stars: from January 25th to the ends of February , the Alliance Francaise has organized a cycle of French movies at the colonial ruins of Arco Chato. Enjoy the breeze and movies with Gerard Depardiu for free.

3. Alexandre Saada and the Panama´s Latin Jazz band — February 19th at Plaza Herrera and Mano de Tigre. Free Concert.

4. Discantus: Organized also by the Alliance Francaise, and celebrating Women´s Day, a choir of seven women will sing a capella medieval sacred music at San Francisco de Asis Church at Plaza Bolivar.Quite appropiate! March 8th.

5. Slideluck Potshow Panama: this gastronomic audiovisual experience is a platform for artists to show their work in a familiar ambiance where friends gather and share their favorite recipies. Date:March 4th, 7 p.m. at Arco Chato. Free entrance… bring food and drinks! Check it out at: www.slideluckpotshow.com/panama.php

6. Contemporary Dance Company “Mulleras”: Date: May 17th, at National Theatre.

For more events and happenings go to our CascoViejoBlog here [http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ArcoProperties/2b8b2872bd/TEST/5590020536]2

New Café in town!

Café per Due inaugurated during Carnivals. Nice pizzas and great pastries on the corner of A Avenue and Calle 1era. Right beside it, “Sibaritas”, a new bar- lounge is gearing up to open at the ends of this month.

More cafés and restaurants in Casco Viejo? see the full directory here

[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ArcoProperties/2b8b2872bd/TEST/083f8856cb]

Where to Stay at Casco

From Shaby to Chic

In Casco there is a bit for everyone. As long as you book in advance, you can either go “backpacking”, or rent a nice furnished apartments or go luxury style by renting either a suite or the entire house at the Canal House Panama, which is ideal for big groups of families travelling together (www.canalhousepanama).

More…[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ArcoProperties/2b8b2872bd/TEST/e04411c163]

Investing in Casco Viejo, Panama to weather US recession storm

I held a very interesting conversation the other day with two young fund managers who have bought properties in Panama, and spend some considerable time here. Both from very different parts of the world, very international guys. One of them even decided to move completly to Panama out of convenience for his lifestyle and business, which he does all around the globe. The conversation was, of course, the US recession. It was interesting because one of them is a complete pesimist and the other is an optimist, myself being basically in the middle but slightly bent towards optimism, it was a lot of fun to argue on both sides. However, one of the common grounds on investing in Panama was that it has one of the best blessings you can have: it is it´s own niche and economic microclimate. Why? it just happens that the country is benefiting from many things at the same time: democracy & stability (of course), geographic position which makes it a regional hub for businesses to move their headquarters here, great projects (long term) like the Canal Expansion, and the migrations of neighbor countries looking to inject the economy with their own energy (and funds). Remember, Panama only has 3 million people, all this is huge for this small country.  We seem not to be the only ones thinking this way. Early february, Bear Stearns (BS) recommended investing in Panama in its last regional report about Central America and the Caribbean. They estimate that inflation would keep the same level than 2007: 6.4%.  According to the news presented by La Prensa, they forsee a growth for 2008 of 9.5% although other regional reports (like the one I presented recently on CEPAL) are more conservative showing 8%. Bear Again, according to the note, Stearns doesn´t seem to worry too much about the US impact on the Panamanian economy. Most of the construction demand is not only fueled by American retirees but also by Venezuelans and Colombians looking to move their families due to political reasons. They consider the banking system to be strong and trust that the Canal revenues will increase for 2008. And within Panama, Casco Viejo, which is a niche within niche. Sometimes the best thing you could own in a globalized world facing recession is something so unique (trully valuable and scarce, like gold) that it will hold it´s true value on the face of the storm. Many love real estate as the best and surest way to keep your money safe. Within real estate, historic properties are the long term winners all around the world. They are the real estate gold.  Even better if the “gold” is in the right region, with the right economic fundamentals that would keep the boat afloat with style during the storm. Want to learn more about Casco Viejo? www.arcoproperties.com

Slideluck Potshow in Casco Viejo, Panama

I have to admit it: as a spanish speaker (and naive one when it comes out to words and literal meanings) I had no idea what a Slideluck Potshow meant. Having grown up watching movies where “pot” is used to refer to a very specific aromatic herb I was getting the idea this artistic event was getting way too artistic! Also, the blend of slide with luck really made no sense at all. But then I found out is actually a cool event, and a good thing I kept my ignorance to myself while the organizers explained everything in details…

For those who are not familiar with this type of event: http://www.slideluckpotshow.com/ 

Slideluck gathers artists, in this case photographer Casey Kelbaugh (http://www.caseykelbaugh.com/) to show their works in a slideshow in the homey ambiance where you can bring your own home made food and share with others.

Slideluck Potshow Panama (can you say that 10 times in a row?) will be held at Arco Chato, Casco Antiguo, which will give a fantastic setting for the slideshow. Date: March 4th at 7 p.m.  You can bring your own food,beverage and friends.

If you are an artist you can sign up to show your work (but hurry up, time is only until February 23rd) writing to panama@slideluckpotshow.com  or ck@caseykelbaugh.com

 Patrizia Pinzon

Want to learn more about Casco Antiguo?   www.arcoproperties.com