La Merced parade around Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo

Panama

Check out this photo and see if you can recognize what`s going on….

I`ve written about it before, but it is always fun to see how culture in Panama works. You pick up the paper and read about so many religious fights around the world. But the prove Panamanians are just happy go lucky about anything and everything is this photo. If you read my previous post about Panama`s Caribbean culture you would probably understand what you are seeing. For those who didn`t, well, basically the guy dressed in white with a white hat is a Babalao, a priest of Santeria (African religion that probably was made famous by Cubans… another similarity between Cuba and Panama). Right behind him, a catholic priest from La Merced church. All the girls dressed in white with head covered in white are santeras.

Why both there? because La Merced was the “front cover” back in the days for black slaves whose real deities where Obatala and other orishas from Santeria. In Panama, La Merced is also related as La Caridad del Cobre (Ochun). According to their tradition, Obatala was the first orisha created by Olodumare and represents the father-mother of humanity, who brings peace, harmony, creativity and justice. Ochun, on the other side, is the orisha of love, something of an Aphrodite with all her good and bad tempers.

And then you have the catholic side of it, which probably you are more familiar with.

What a sancocho! but well, such is Panama! I believe the sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup with a big mix of vegetables) responds to the fact that this country was always a mix of cultures and we had big waves of black populations coming either from colonial times (Africans) as slaves (mostly in Portobelo, you can still see the congos there), or Afroantillians which brought their own flavor to the pot. One of the reasons why we have a special “Panamanian” accent when we talk, and we dance similar to Cubans… and very different from, lets say, Costa Ricans… (no offense! we are just different!)

And all this I could experience right out of my office in Casco Viejo.  Nowhere else in Panama you are able to do this! Love this neighborhood…

Casco Viejo`s community at Beach Cleanup

Casco Viejo, Panama
Panama, Casco Antiguo
Real Estate at Panama`s Historic City

Sunday, 8 a.m., San Felipe.  The 300 year old UNESCO World Heritage city of Casco Viejo is still half asleep but a group of neighbors, members of  Casco Viejo`s Neighborhood Association (AVACA)   gathered early near the National Theatre with a wonderful goal: to celebrate the Ocean`s Month with a beach cleaning, an activity organized simultaneously in other parts of Panama City by environmental ngo`s such as Fundacion Natura and Alianza Contaminacion Cero.

The  Casco Viejo target:  Santo Domingo`s beach, better known as Calle 3era.

Foreigners and locals  joined hands to pick up what ended up being a lot of garbage. At least over 600 plastic bottles, two bags of broken foam, ten bags of miscellaneous plastic items, two bags of shoes (brands?…well, that would be the next thing to point out in a beach cleaning!), one full bag of bottle caps, one bag of clothing and at least another ten bags of general garbage.  Between the most curious objects they counted one fire extinguisher, a bed frame and a plastic toy in the shape of a foot.

Sweaty from head to toe, the end result was amazing:  a clean beach to enjoy. Immediately, a softball game was in place, and children and adults ran everywhere.

Korean Binari Drums in Casco Viejo

We where having cocktails the other night at Plaza Bolivar, Casco Viejo, enjoying the pleasant night under the stars when suddenly all hell broke loose. But with rhythm and enthusiasm!

Of course, curiosity did kill the cat (died knowing?), so I had to go take a look. The street in front of the National Theatre was packed around a group of drum musicians from Korea. I asked one of the people around me, “what is going on”? and he showed me his flyer “Binari” Korean Music. I have to say the powerful sound was overwhelming at the beginning, but after your ears got used to it, the energy it spread out was great! It had something of a carnival ambiance (especially with everyone in the street), and somehow I felt for a moment that maybe Asia and America where probably closer in their hearts than most would admit.

Danilo Perez “Providence” is making history

In Danilo`s words ““This record is based on the idea that whatever we do has an impact in the universe,” “The word ‘providence,’ for me, means standing up for the future of the next generation of children.”

And what a way to stand up. Danilo Perez and his wife Patricia Zarate are the soul and energy behind the Panama Jazz Festival, an initiative that celebrated its 7th edition in 2010 and has raised the bar of the region both as a Festival but more importantly, as a music school. The Danilo Perez Foundation provides economically challenged children from the poorest neighborhoods in Panama with the opportunity of discovering music and being really good at it. His students have reached international schools such as Berkley.

Their base is in Casco Viejo, Panama`s colonial quarter, once considered one of the poorest areas in the city and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site undergoing an interesting revitalization process that has injected energy not only into architecture but into community as well. The school, located at the old Conservatorio building (Music Conservatory) was a 10 year donation from a private developer that believes developing a historic city should not be separate from integrating the community to the opportunities that are being created.

When you first meet Danilo you sense the energy running through him. He is all about positive vibe. His family, his daughters are a clear inspiration. “What are you doing so we can have a healthy life in the future?” he imagined them asking. “What are you adults leaving us?”.

His efforts through the Fundacion Danilo Perez and now Providence are all trying to address musically or educationally those same questions.

Danilo has been acclaimed by jazz specialists and international press as a daring musician that goes where many don`t dare, over and over again.   His inspiration reaches wider and deeper than most think.  Seeing a kid from Chorrillo whose life was about survival now being able to stand in a plateau side by side young musicians from Europe and the States (and teaching others in  his barrio), you will be able to see and feel what Providence is all about.

Thumbs up Danilo and Patricia!!!!

La Traviata in Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo
Real Estate at Panama`s Historic District

La Traviata, the famous opera by Giuseppe Verdi will be playing at the National Theatre in Casco Viejo in October!  The performance proceeds will go to the creation of opera schools in Panama. The initiative is from the Fundacion Opera Panama, an organization who has actively promoted opera in the past few years. The performance will have Panama`s National Orchestra and international artist Angelo Ferrari (Italy) on the main role.  Tickets will be anywhere from $5 for students (with carnet) to $75.  More info: 390-8622

Casco Viejo Love

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo, Panama

Real Estate at Panama`s Historic City

Last night I was driving past Plaza Francia at Las Bovedas and saw this sign in the middle of the park.  “Sara, Cásate Conmigo”… in English:  “Sara, Marry Me”.  I immediately thought of all those love declarations I`ve seen in the movies where someone pays to have it come up at the Super Bowl sign.  And then, the cameras point out to the couple and the surprised girl… would she accept?

Of course, in Casco we are far from having it so pinned down, but I thought it was quite romantic.  It was a “Casco – First” as far as I know.   I hope she did say yes!

Casco Viejo welcomes two new businesses!

Panama, Casco Viejo

Casco Antiguo, Panama

Real Estate Investment For Sale, For Rent

At Panama City Historic District

August was a busy month for Casco Viejo! Two new restaurants opened: Beluga, a sushi bar at Calle 1era and Avenida A (PH Paseo Las Bovedas) and St. Phillipe Cafe, a small hangout at Calle 4ta (next to Arco Properties office).  While Beluga is more of a full restaurant with dinner hours, the Cafe is more of a light lunch (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).  They have an executive lunch and you can make your requests at 228-0400.  According to Ahmed and María Emilia, the café`s owners, they`ll be soon open also at night.

Welcome to Casco!

Casco Viejo`s community works with the government to improve garbage collection system.

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo
Real Estate Investment at Panama`s
Historic City

AVACA, Casco Antiguo`s neighborhood association celebrates its one year birthday this
month. At its birth one year ago, the community identified five focus areas, being
the garbage disposal one of them. Since then, the association has done different activities
(from beach cleaning to educational workshops), many of them side by side with local
authorities. However, the recollection system in the neighborhood was working only
half way.

Tomorrow, AVACA`s Garbage Committee, the City (Municipio), along with Oficina del
Casco Antiguo and the support of local politician José Blandón will inaugurate a new
recollection system for the area. It is a first time for the neighborhood, as historically
citizens and government had lived and worked in different spheres. But through AVACA,
Casco`s community has been able to get organized and slowly lobby towards their goals,
which is a very unique situation within Panama City. Only a handful of neighborhoods
have organized, working associations.  Success depends completely on a full collaboration
of both parties and continuity.

For Casco Antiguo, the first step has been to include local schools into the process.
On Thursday, three schools will receive awards for a small art contest where children
presented drawings of their vision for a clean Casco Viejo.  The winner drawing
will be used as part of the campaign, which will include signs along the recollection
trucks and fliers.

The event will also have a small theatre play where clowns and mimes will get the
point across using what Panamanians and children love best: laughs.

The new recollection system will be simple: garbage will be collected at night.
From 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. residential garbage, and then from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. a special
car will come for commercial and restaurants. Garbage will be outside each building,
and the use of bags is mandatory.

As simple as this sounds, it is a radical cultural change for the neighborhood, used
to dispose garbage in any bag (and only if applicable) and at any hour. Education
will be key to achieve this goal and for the next two weeks members of AVACA and Municipio
will walk the area talking to every resident and handling educational material.

Another important element of the program is the coordination with local authorities
to fine those who don`t comply with the new regulation. The Corregiduría will be able
to process all the phone calls regarding improperly disposed garbage.

“We know this is the beginning and we`ll need probably to make adjustments as we verify
execution, but we can make of Casco Antiguo a roll model neighborhood. It is a small
site, and we are excited about getting this project started.” said Eudes Quijada,
area supervisor for Panama`s Garbage Department (DIMAUD).

Some of the local restaurants have started to recycle, which makes for an interesting
second phase of the project.

Spring art in Casco Viejo

Panama Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo Panama
Real Estate Investment For Sale For Rent
At Panama City`s Historic District

It is so good to come back home after long vacations. Europe is fantastic and I enjoyed
visiting historic cities, but somehow I always end up missing my Casco.

Yesterday, while still wondering what time was it, I decided to take my doggy for
a walk found this cute “spring art” at the plaza with the fountain in Calle 2nda.
That`s when I realized… I`m back!!!

Frit Arte has reopened

For Casqueños, the news that Maria Consuelo Orozco, the owner of Frit Arte, has re-opened is exciting.  The décor has a fresh new look. Regular hours have been extended from noon to 10 pm so we can have our evening belly dancing and yoga classes. In addition to the Executive Menu, Frit Arte is offering a variety of Thai dishes which can be served mild or “picante.”  The staff includes Tatiana, Maritza, Daño and Maná.

Clara Keyes Hardin