Children march in Casco Viejo to celebrate the Day of the Earth

They are the voice of the next generation asking to raise awareness on all the global issues that they will inherit from us!

Marching in Panama is one of the most popular school activities. It is almost the equivalent of being int he “cheerleaders” team (which we don´t tend to have) or for the boys to be in the football team. Kids take it death serious: they practice under the sun for months to get ready for November, where most of our national holidays take place. During the year, different causes provide the perfect frame both to practice outdoors, reinforce discipline and build some muscles! of course, it is also the perfect opportunity to learn about these causes and make them visible to others.

So here you go…. Earth Day in Casco Viejo! 

Thinking on getting married? Cost effective, fun, ecological… Casco Antiguo!

This past weekend was the best weekend ever. I got married right here, in Casco Viejo. It was a simple, fun wedding. Ceremony at the beach with caribbean congo dancing and then a reception at Canal House . Something like Tailand/Hawaii meets Panama style. All my decoration was fruits and flowers so it could all be reused or non pollutant.  Very relaxed, the perfect setting for a life together full of exciting things! So for all of you who are thinking on something really special, here is a small peak of the party… Of course, for those of you who like the formal stuff, Casco Antiguo has at least 4 active churches!

New Business in Town: Caribbean Art Gallery in Casco Antiguo

Diversity is Panama´s strongest feature. We have so many cultural influences! and not all of them are properly celebrated. So we are very glad to announce the openning of a special gallery where you can acquire art from Portobelo, which is located in our Caribbean Coast at Colón Province.

These pieces where done by local artists lead by Panamanian photographer Sandra Eleta ( http://www.answers.com/topic/sandra-eleta-1?cat=entertainment    or see photos at: http://www.fotografiasdepaisajes.com/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=57  )  where they express mostly through their “congo” culture.  The “congos” of Portobelo is an interesting culture dating from the Spanish colony where slaves had to disguise their beliefs into dances and even language. They speak backwards, and the dress in raggs, dolls and used things in a mockery of “their masters”.  Their dances are voluptous, mainly at the rythm of drums and a chorus of girls singing and clapping.

If you would like to learn more about the congos of Portobelo, don´t miss this gallery! It is located at 3rd street, in front of the Arco Chato, beside the Office of Casco Antiguo.

Buying Real Estate in Casco Antiguo, Panama

Buying real estate in Casco Antiguo is a research intensive task. It is about information (of course) but also about gut feeling. A mix between what you want and what you can afford plus what is out there that could make a good match.  Very different from buying anywhere else in Panama City. This is not a mall with thousands of equally looking, lined up products; but a boutique shop with trully special items made to last a lifetime.

So, what to look for? Where is the best, less risk investment? Am I looking for a home, for a retirement or vacation apartment, or for a project? So many things to consider.

Questions can pour like rain, but focus is your best ally. And always, always, go back to basics. So here it is, your own guide to get organized and analyze each opportunity:

1. Home vs Investment?: This is a very important question. Home owners look at things differently, more detailed. Investors may be focused only on appreciation and cashflow. So many times it is a combination, where you are looking for a vacation home that you can rent now and live in later. Having these scenarios sorted is extremely useful.

2. What is your Wish List? :  This will give you a starting point. Take a piece of paper and write it down, all the things you would like. As you research, you’ll start cutting things out, it is normal. Especially when it comes to the financial part of the analysis!

 3. Pre Construction or Existing Unit? : it all depends on your personal needs. An existing unit is great because you can already see it, walk it, rent it (if it isn’t rented already) and you might get some locations that might be very difficult otherwise.

 However, keep in mind most early projects (mainly before 2001) in Casco Antiguo had a different quality than current ones. The market back then was not as international as it is now, so unless the owner re selling the unit lived in it and made some important changes most likely you’ll have a closed kitchen, plain finishes and in some cases your ventilation won’t be as good.

 Modern pre construction designs offer better finishes, beautiful layouts and since they will be delivered within 2 years, they’ll be worth far more than when you signed them. Depending on the project you may even have central air conditioning or central gas, a choice for parking and some might even offer storage space. Also, developer prices reflect the current market. Owners of existing units tend to price using a different criteria.

4. One or Two Bedrooms, View or no View?= Budget:  Now we are getting to an economic issue. Two bedrooms offer you more flexibility and views definatly add value to your unit forever. But as these type of apartments come in a truly “Limited Edition” they tend to be more expensive.  

Meditate about where is your “top case scenario”.  There is always a ceiling for a purchase. Of course it will highly depend on the unit and your gut feeling, but this is the most defining factor on your capacity to acquire a unit that has all the items in your wish list. Think about what is absolutely important for you. Sometimes you can get the view, but it will be a smaller apartment or maybe more expensive than what you want to spend. Sometimes you’ll get the space and the parking for the price you want, but not with plaza or water views. What is really important for you?  

Also, remember financing is always available if your credit is good. Banks in Panama tend to require a lot of paperwork, but they do provide credit to foreigners!

5. Location?  Ten years ago, when Casco started to develop most buyers wouldn’t look past First and Second Street. Today, the strongest area is actually 10^th street. One street per year!…. well… almost! So don’t worry about being on the “right address”. There is no right address, it is all Casco Antiguo. It is all protected and will all appreciate. Think more on terms of how you feel when you walk this or that area. Research about what is going on around it in terms of projects, future hotels, etc. Open yourself to new corners,  take a fresh look at those streets that right now look like the movie “Black Hawk Down” but where there are several projects going on.

 6. Final Advice: follow your gut feeling.  Walk around. Imagine. Do you like how you feel about the area right now, before it changes?  Then you are ready to make a decision in Casco Antiguo.

Local Entrepreneurs open VIP Fruit and Sandwiches…. in Casco Viejo!

Entrepreneurship is a beautiful thing to see. Especially among a local population not used to get organized and to think ahead or take control of their lives.  But once motivation and the right tools are in place, wonderful things happen, and this is how a neighborhood can get trully integrated into the revitalization process rather than just see it happen from a distance. At any scale, this is the right step towards a better future!

So, I´m ultra- proud to announce the opening of a small but very significant Mother & Daughter business: VIP Fruit and Sandwiches!  right beside VIP Barber shop at Avenida A and Calle 4ta. I just had a great fruit milkshake for a $1, right in front of the Art Deco building.

Each milkshake or hamburger contains:

1. 517 calories of self esteem and pride
2. 600 calories of positive work and good vibe

So go ahead and support this venture!
 

 

Historic Picture Contest! How well do you think you know Casco Viejo?

Here are some great pictures of the Casco… can you tell where they are or what they are? answers will be given in two days!  To go to the picture gallery:

http://www.arcoproperties.com/blogs/main/PermaLink,guid,11db6bee-2804-4f3c-80c0-4b7103724ab2.aspx

 

 

Two important Dutch in Panama: Rembrandt and KLM

It is official, KLM is already flying back and forth on direct flights to Panama. I just downloaded something called the timetable, where you can play around with the dates and destinations and it´s quite fun. Europe used to be so far away! Remember when poor Columbus had to spend months and months, almost ruin a country and loose a lot of lives in the way just to get to Dominican Republic? Today, we are there in less than 14 hours and hopefully no lives at steak.

But KLM isn´t the only “Dutch” around! Netherland´s most celebrated artist, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (better known as Rembrandt) will visit Panama and will stay in Casco Viejo from April 17th to June 8th. He isn´t considered only one of the best portrait painters of all time, but also a fantastic printmaker. And is this part of his work that will be in exhibition at the Canal Museum at Casco Antiguo.

You can learn more about his life and work at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt and on KLM service at: www.klm.com

Casco Antiguo Beach Lifestyle

Casco Viejo has beaches. This is Casco´s most guarded secret. It actually has several beaches, this one below being one of the biggest and most used, especially on Sundays when the local softball, beisball or  soccer leagues show up with their group of fans. The entire Sunday becomes a bundle of screaming: “corre, corre” (run, run!) “dale, dale” (hit it, hit it!) or ayala vida! ( polite version of: #%&#). Carne en palito everywhere, pollo asado and beer to cheer both winners and loosers.

How was it that Panama lost it´s beach lifestyle, I don´t really know. I am glad, though, that this extint way of lifestyle (for the modern Panama City) is still very much alive here. Granted, you won´t see girls running around in bikinis or guys in tight pants, but it is really enjoyable and relaxed. Next Sunday you are around, don´t forget to visit them!  ps. just don´t get into the water yet, we are still working on that one.

 

Is Casco Viejo Safe?

A classic scene: tourist wants to go to Casco Viejo and asks a taxi driver to take him. The taxi says, oh no, it is dangerous. Don´t go there.  Actually, ask most Panamanians and you are crazy to even consider living here. But somehow a miracle happens: the visitor (now really curious about the place) gets to Casco Viejo… and has a blast.  Interviews people living in the area, and everywhere they tell him is quite “tranquilo”. Notices that somehow, even where there are obvious economic differences among the population, the community as a whole seems to work very well and everyone mingles.

The reason isn´t really that there are more policemen than anywhere else in Panama, although I have to say we have a strong police force presence, but the small town scale that makes everyone behave better. 

Now, if it makes you feel better, Casco Antiguo has 3 different types of police forces. Why? because this used to be Panama…. the entire city of Panama. So we ended up with the Presidential Police (or SPI), the National Police Station and now the Tourism Police. Although they all take their jobs very seriously, my own “town-like” view of the difference between station and station is the following:

The Presidential Police are tall guys standing in B Avenue by the Presidential Compound, mostly strong and good looking. They also like flirting a lot with the girls passing by, so don´t take it personally, they do it with everybody. It is part of the “latino thing” they have going on. Remember our last President was a woman, I´m sure she picked them personally. Good taste in most cases!

The Tourism Police are the “tropical nice guys” of the town. Wearing tight shorts, they run around in bicycles and they can give you a tour of Casco Viejo. Somehow the government thought it was useful (or fun?) to have policemen be tour guides. Well… but they are very helpful, basically they are the true neighborhood police.  If you get lost or need to go anywhere, they´ll do their best to point you out in the right direction.

The National Police is more of a “normal” police in the sense that they direct traffic and handle crime cases.  Most of them remind me of the classic police image of the guy with a belly and a donut, but they really want to help and do their work.

So there you go! the best part is to see them training. Of course, the SPI trains like hell, starting at 5 a.m. in the morning, running through the streets of Casco singing songs and doing some serious gymnastics. The tourism police (see picture below) does some exercise and participate in football leagues. The National Police… well, haven’t seen them doing much physical training at all!

Beautiful Santa Ana at Night

For me, Santa Ana is a great place, full of life. Shops opening to the street, people everywhere, vegetable markets on the sidewalks and the great park full of people doing nothing or discussing politics, which is pretty much the same.

I just came back from shopping and took these pictures. Enjoy!