Page 14 - The Islander - October '23

Page 14, The Islander

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Panama City: Three Cities In One

Previously submitted by the late Don Kiselewski, MCC, D.S., Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders

Panama is the most traveled Núñez de Balboa forged his
country in the world, even way through the jungle of the
though most tourists never isthmus, and discovered the
touch the ground during their Pacific Ocean. Panama got its
visit. The great “cruise through name from the first Indians
the canal” is always high who lived in the area; it means
on the priority list of world “place of many fishes.”
travelers. The experience of This discovery by Balboa
seeing how the Panama Canal became the impetus for the
operates is unsurpassed and it location of a staging area on
has truly earned the distinction the Pacific side of the isthmus.
as one of the seven wonders It became a key position
of the modern world. However, the greatness of such a voyage for the Spanish conquest Casco Viejo. Photo by Dirk van der Made
seldom, if ever, includes a stop at Panama’s exciting capital city, of the Pacific as well as a
Panama City, because of the cruise line itineraries. transshipping location between the two oceans for the gold
One of the most beautiful cities in Central America, Panama that was being mined in Peru and shipped back to Spain.
City is in fact three distinct cities that have grown out of each The Spanish first founded Panama City in 1519, and it was
other. Unlike most cities that are reborn again in the same Spain’s wealthiest colony in the 17th century.
location, growing from the rubble of the past, the three cities With the gold and other wealth being transferred
of Panama have retained their individual identities. To best through Panama City, it quickly became the target of
understand this process and set the stage for the unique city English privateers. Sir Henry Morgan did a real number
growth, it’s best to take a glimpse back in history. on Panama City when he and his men invaded, looted and
Five Indian cultures made up Panama before Columbus completely destroyed the city in 1691.
made his first visit in 1502, however it was the Spaniard Today, Panama City has a population of almost
Rodrigo de Bastidas who created the first European presence 900,000 people (Source: World Population Review, https://
a year earlier in 1501. A dozen years later in 1513, Vasco worldpopulationreview.com/countries/cities/panama), or not
quite one-third of that of the entire country (Source: https://
worldpopulationreview.com/countries). The majority of Panama The National Theatre in Casco Viejo. Photo by Don
City inhabitants are involved with the management of the canal, Kiselewski
shipping and/or trade of that which passes through Panama. The
city is a fascinating place to visit, although few do.
The area founded by the first Spanish settlers remains in
rubble from the devastation caused by Henry Morgan and
his men. Known as Panamá Viejo or Old Panama, it contains
the brick and mortar of the dozens of buildings that made up
the original colony. The area is maintained with manicured
lawns that allow visitors to walk around and through the
various buildings that formed the community. The original
plans of the buildings can be viewed on a placard within the
settlement. Interestingly, the Scottish attempted to establish
a rival colony on the isthmus in 1698/99. Known as the
The soaring skyscrapers of Panama City. Photo by Don Darien Scheme, it was a total failure.
Kiselewski In 1821, 130 years after Morgan’s devastation, Panama Aerial view of the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific
declared its independence from Spain and joined Simón entrance to the Panama Canal, with Panama City in the
Bolivar’s Gran Colombia. It was in the latter portion of the 19th background. Photo by Don Kiselewski
century when interest in the transportation needs and advantages
of cutting across the isthmus came to the forefront, and a French area; it was recently demolished after falling into disarray.
company started with the construction of a canal. The French Like most metropolises, the “New City” is filled with glass
colony that was established to perform the task of building the and metal skyscrapers that reach for the heavens. The city is
canal chose an area near the original site of Panama City as the truly international because of its location at the center of trade
nucleus of their activities. The location and the buildings that between the countries of the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean.
followed have become known as Casco Viejo or the old quarter. To the south of the old quarter, right at the mouth of the canal,
As one might expect, the French influence in the old quarter lies Balboa, the port for Panama City. It is here in Balboa that the
can be found in its architectural image and reminds one very Panama Canal Authority is located as well as the headquarters of
much of New Orleans, with wrought-iron terrace railings and the United States Army South. For those who have experienced
other ornamental sculptured fences and ironworks. Casco Viejo a voyage through the canal without stopping, I would highly
is alive and vibrant today, with many of the classical buildings recommend a trip to the Miraflores Locks the next time through.
Panama la Vieja Cathedral in Old Panama. Photo by Don being occupied by artists, actors and professionals and being It’s the last in the chain on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal.
Kiselewski returned to their original stature. One of the area’s most striking It is only by watching huge transport ships, loaded with hundreds
buildings is the National Theatre. Built in the style of an Italian of containers, as they sink slowly into the locks of the canal,
Southern Exposure Technologies operetta theater, the interior contains multi-story boxes for the that one can truly appreciate its magnitude.
Computer Install/Setup/Repair patrons that have been carved and gilded, projecting the richness The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal experiences,
of the building and more importantly, the era. Panamanians boast
having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans, seas
(561) 315-0144 of the list of entertainers who have performed at the National and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders,
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com Theatre, including Pavarotti and others. his family owned and operated agency, is located at Mirasol
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install It was in 1903, after the floundering of the French Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6,
* Networking, Troubleshooting company that tried to dig the canal, that Panama gained its Palm Beach Gardens. The agency has been serving the travel
* Instruction independence from Colombia. This came with the support needs of the South Florida area for over a quarter of a century.
* Hardware/Software Installation of President Theodore Roosevelt, which in turn led to the Contact them at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup agreement between the United States and Panama that
* Business Consult/Startup/Move created the Panama Canal Zone. This was the impetus for
* Website Design/Maintenance the Americans to finish the canal. Decades of negotiations
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer between the two nations followed this treaty, and in 1977,
and wireless network”! under the direction of President Jimmy Carter, an agreement
GET S.E.T. GO! was made to give the canal to the Panamanians. The actual
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES turnover was a gradual process splitting the governing board
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR, membership into increments over a period of two decades.
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH,
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED Just a few blocks from the well-maintained theater you’ll
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR. find the ruins of former dictator Manuel Noriega’s private
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS, beach club. The building was left gutted after the 1989
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND invasion by our United States Marines when we invaded
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT!
(561) 315-0144 Panama City. Before he was deposed, Noriega had a mansion
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS! in the posh residential area known as the San Francisco A large container ship crosses over the Miraflores Locks at
district, located in the greater Panama City metropolitan the Panama Canal.Photo by Don Kiselewski