You are magnificent, charming and sophisticated

Two things remain irretrievable

Time and a First Impression

The capital of Panama is much more of a skyscraper skyline, but its old town and my new home for the month was built by the Spanish in 1673, is one of the colonial jewels of the Pacific . After decades of neglect, a massive rehabilitation program is restoring it to its former glory.

Given that Panama has implemented some very strict COVID restrictions, I was arriving on a Friday afternoon with just enough time to check into my apartment, find some dinner and get enough groceries to get me through the weekend because Panama has full lock down from 8pm Friday night until 5am Monday morning. This means for the next two days…my first two days in Panama, I am confined to my apartment.

Luckily, I am able to shift my schedule to work weekends and take two days off during the week when the city is free to explore…while still abiding by the weekday curfew of 8pm of course. (all things I fully accepted before I started this journey)

So, while Casco Viejo is the kind of place to wander around and get lost. Stopping at rooftop bars, have a coffee, or a raspao (Panamanian snow cone), enjoy the sound of people in the streets, music (which apparently never ends here) and the call of the street vendors which is apparently alluring and almost magical…I will have to wait two days before I can indulge in this glorious city.

First impressions are…holy crap bag you are magnificent, charming and sophisticated.

Jackelyn Approved