Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - October '23

Martin Downs, Page 9

Panama City from page 8 Just a few blocks from the well-
maintained theater you’ll find the
buildings is the National Theatre. Built in the style of ruins of former dictator Manuel
an Italian operetta theater, the interior contains multi- Noriega’s private beach club. The
story boxes for the patrons that have been carved and building was left gutted after the
gilded, projecting the richness of the building and more 1989 invasion by our United States
importantly, the era. Panamanians boast of the list of Marines when we invaded Panama
entertainers who have performed at the National Theatre, City. Before he was deposed,
including Pavarotti and others. Noriega had a mansion in the posh
It was in 1903, after the floundering of the French residential area known as the San
company that tried to dig the canal, that Panama gained Francisco district, located in the
its independence from Colombia. This came with the greater Panama City metropolitan
support of President Theodore Roosevelt, which in area; it was recently demolished
turn led to the agreement between the United States after falling into disarray. Like
and Panama that created the Panama Canal Zone. This most metropolises, the “New
was the impetus for the Americans to finish the canal. City” is filled with glass and
Decades of negotiations between the two nations followed metal skyscrapers that reach for
this treaty, and in 1977, under the direction of President the heavens. The city is truly Aerial view of the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal,
Jimmy Carter, an agreement was made to give the canal international because of its location with Panama City in the background. Photo by Don Kiselewski
to the Panamanians. The actual turnover was a gradual at the center of trade between the
process splitting the governing board membership into countries of the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. canal, lies Balboa, the port for Panama City. It is here in
increments over a period of two decades. To the south of the old quarter, right at the mouth of the Balboa that the Panama Canal Authority is located as well
as the headquarters of the United States Army South. For
those who have experienced a voyage through the canal
without stopping, I would highly recommend a trip to the
Miraflores Locks the next time through. It’s the last in the
chain on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. It is only
by watching huge transport ships, loaded with hundreds
of containers, as they sink slowly into the locks of the
canal, that one can truly appreciate its magnitude.
The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
1 OUT OF 8 the oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach
experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised

Gardens Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated
agency, is located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North
Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens.
The agency has been serving the travel needs of the South
WOMEN Florida area for over a quarter of a century. Contact
them at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.

IN THE U.S. WILL DEVELOP

BREAST CANCER

Panama la Vieja Cathedral in Old Panama. Photo by Don
Kiselewski

Breast cancer can strike at any age. In fact, 5% of all
breast cancer cases occur in women under 40.

Cleveland Clinic in Florida offers the personalized screenings you The National Theatre in Casco Viejo. Photo by Don
deserve, close to home. With traditional and 3D mammograms Kiselewski
at convenient locations from South Florida to the Treasure Coast,
our breast health experts are here for you. For empowerment.
For peace of mind. For every care in the world.

Schedule your mammogram today.
Call 877.463.2010 or visit

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