My Life In Panama

Carnival in Panamá

Panamanians take Carnival very seriously.  Many people prepare themselves for months to participate, in any way, in the Carnival, and visitors book their flights almost a year in advance to enjoy these four days of music and dancing.
 
A version of Carnival is called "Fiestas del Rey Momo" (King Momo party), which is celebrated throughout  the country, but mainly in Las Tablas, on the Azuero Peninsula.  Lately more and...

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Christmas Tradition in Panamá

Holidays......
 
Panamá is a 90% Catholic country, and Traditional Panamanian Christmas ham – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Livingfollows "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".  Based on this tradition it is customary that more than Christmas trees, Panamanians focus mainly in their Nativities at home.
 
Since childhood, you learn how to make your own Nativity (see the YouTube at the end of this post), and take pride in making the best one you can.  Wherever you go in Panama, you see different...

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The "Black Friday" Phenomenon in Panamá

Panamá, trade center.
 
One more time, Panamá honors its history of being "World Center and Heart of the Universe", as his canal slogan says.
 
Since 1960 when this idea was taken in consideration, mainly in the United States, lately, due the great success in sales, several countries have adopted the idea to increase their economies.  But the phenomenon was Panama this past Nov. 29, so called:  "Black Friday".
...

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Ethnic Native Groups in Panamá, Part I

The Guna Yala´s, from San Blas, Darién, Republic of Panamá

Ethnic facts
 
The people living in this region were first called "Tunelagá".  Then after their 1925San Blas Guna Yala Women, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living rebellion, their name was changed to "Republic of Tulé".  According to historical information, this community was helped by a Canadian adventurer named Richard Marsh .  Then, they were known as the "San Blas district", and their name was based on the first name that...

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Panamanian Music / Great Musician

Panamá is very small country, but full of surprises.  From biodiversity to pre-colony (15th century) famous path, to music, to technology and growth.
 
But I want to refer specifically to one man who made the difference in music.  Born and raised in Panamá, he become an icon to locals, and is internationally known.  His name was LUCHO  AZCARRAGA.  He was called to entertain at every important  public or private event.
 
You...

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Report from Panama - October 2013

Reprinted with permission from Bob Adams of Retirement Wave.
 
Additional Note to readers: you may wonder why, whenever I mention the word "billion" as a statistic, that I immediately follow that with the same number, expressed differently. For example, I may write "$2 billion ($2,000 million)". The simple fact is that there are two different definitions of "billion", each used by many nations. By presenting "billions" in this manner, I am simply clarifying exactly what I...

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Rainforest and Summit Park in Panamá

Biodiversity in Panamá is well known worldwide.  Case in point: Panamá's prime humid forests, especially in Darién, with one of the oldest jungle areas, as well as Gamboa, Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro.  Rainforest tours are very popular, and many adventure tour operators offer them, in combination with bird watching.
 
But there is a place, almost unknown to visitors and foreigners, called the Summit Botanical Park, situated 30 minutes from the city, with an area...

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Pride, Glory and Accomplisment In Panamá

 
(This video is of the Panamanian band that will be at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.  Make sure to click the "make full screen" at the bottom right of the frame so you can see it better. More at bandaherbertolopez.edu.pa)
 
Pride is a very common trait among the human race.  Everyone shines when they talk about their grandchildren, children, pets and accomplishments in their life.  But, what about when...

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Baseball in Panamá

Baseball has always been the main traditional sport in Panamá.  Boys practice it from the time they are very little, with whatever they have on hand, and wherever they find a place.  Little and major leagues compete locally, nationally and internationally.
 
Lately, leagues in Panamá have gone more and more international, with exceptional scoring and winning important games, to the point that Panamá is now positioned as a leader in the region.
 
...

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American Football in Panamá

 
Fútbol Americano is alive and well in Panamá. When my wife and I first arrived in Panamá we assumed soccer and baseball were the only popular sports in the country. That assumption changed one day when we were taking a power walk on the Amador Causeway. As we were heading back toward the Balboa Yacht Club, I noticed a familiar spherical object being tossed through the air on a field where soccer was usually played. My curiosity aroused, we...

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