Larry's Central American Travels
Happy New Year From Panama
A Panamanian New Year's Tradition.
You thought you had heard of everything? In many of the small 'interior' cities in Panama there is a long-standing New Year's tradition to create life-sized dolls using straw, paper mache and clothing items called Judas-es. The dolls, which are displayed along side the highway, represent major figures in the news during the past year. In some cases the Judas is dressed/accessorized to allow on-lookers to identify the news-maker represented. In other cases, the creator just puts up a sign next to the Judas as part of the display.
At precisely midnight on New Year's eve, the spectators who have gathered for the show, are treated to the spectacle of the Judas(s) being set on fire. Some of the more dramatic exhibitors wrap their Judas in a firecracker string, thereby blowing it up and setting it on fire simultaneously. Sort of like the ball dropping in Times Square, I guess?
The tradition says that the symbols are burned to symbolize starting the new year with a clean slate. Well, OK. What doesn't make any sense (at least to me) is that the Judas may represent either a 'bad guy' or a national hero. Many of this year's Judas figures where either disgraced public officials or corrupt politicians who were exposed in 2008. However, there were also many Judas figures displayed for Panama's Latin American Idol winner, Margarita Henriquez, and Panama's one-and-only-ever Olympic gold medal winner, Irving Saladino. Go figure!
Speaking Of Things That Don't Make Sense
Latino logic is often elusive, especially to the uninitiated. For instance, all good businessmen want to prominently post their establishment's operating hours so that their customers have no doubts about when they are open for business. Right?
Well this beauty of a sign is posted on the front door of a large appliance store in downtown David. Tell me that you can figure out what time they open on Thursday. OK, now convince me that tomorrow you will be able to remember the store hours. Ha!
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
Panama Musings
Progress With Panama's Embera Indigenous Tribe.
In recent years, a number of members on Panama's Embera tribe fled the harsh conditions of the jungles of the Darien area of southern Panama that borders Colombia, both to escape the harsh environs and in search of health care and other services. Quickly dis-enchanted with city life, many of the Embera settled in a verdant swath of rain forest about 1 1/2 hours south on Panama City, on the banks of the Chagres river that feeds the Panama Canal. There village is next to the Chagres National Park Nature Reserve.
As Panama's eco-tourism business began to flourish, visits to the reserve began to thrive. So did the plight of the Embera, who quickly adapted to the tourism business, which now accounts for as many as 170 free-spending craft-buying visitors a day to their village. In addition to the traditional arts and crafts, one of the elders is famous for reshaping U.S. quarters with a hammer, and selling them as earrings for $10.
This has led to changes in the Embera's lifestyle, many of which are welcomed. Life expectancy of the village members is estimated to have increased by ten years in the last ten years, due to both improved living conditions and available health care. Illiteracy, which traditionally ran almost 80%, is becoming a thing of the past as well. The village now has a school where the native language is taught along with Spanish. Donated solar panels provide some electrical power.
Some of the changes are incongruous - kids playing soccer in loincloths taking a break in the shade of the thatched-hut satellite phone booth in the center of the village. Some changes are resisted - young Embera woman have begun to marry 'outsiders'. For years this was not allowed and the young girls were indoctrinated by elders that sex with 'outsiders' would result in the young women turning into los monos (monkeys).
By contrast, Panama's Tourism Minister has not been successful in convincing the indigenous Kuna tribe of the virtues of eco-tourism. The Kuna, whose autonomous territory includes 230 miles of Panama's island-spangled Caribbean coastline, have resisted tourism activity other than there own. The Kuna, who gained autonomy in 1930 after a violent uprising, have their own tourism laws which restricts tourism activities in their territory to only those activities they approve. This has restricted any investment by outsiders, including the Panamanian government, to encourage tourism in one of the most interesting and scenic areas in the entire country. In addition the Kuna resist any intrusion of modern civilization in their territory. Those inclusion include not only electricity, transportation and communications systems, but, sadly, education and modern health care technology.
The Noriega Legacy
The daughter of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega has filed with the country's Supreme Court to stop the auction of Noriega's property. In 2004, several years after Noriega was found guilty in multiple trials of three murders, money laundering, embezzlement, and corruption charges, the Panamanian government seized 14 luxury properties. Actions were underway to auction off the properties over the next year.
However, the court action may be of little significance. In October two of the multi-million dollar estates here in Chiriqui were put up for auction. And, although there is a lot of money here, and lots of multi-million dollar real estate sales, there were no bidders on these two properties. Maybe the 'Big House On The Hill Where The Whole Family Was Murdered" syndrome?
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Biography
Born/raised in Kansas City, Kansas. Graduating in 1963 from Kansas City University (now the U of Missouri at Kansas City) with a BBA.
Joined the USAF in that Spring, subsequently retired after 20 years in June 1983
Next 20 + years I was in home remodeling sales with several Washington, D.C. area companies. My primary expertise is Kitchen Designer.
Semi-retired 2004 and moved to beach - Wilmington, N.C. Along the way become student of internet marketing and sales.
Separated from my wife, kids all grown and just traveling around where notion takes me. At each stop help people out with Web Sites, Internet Marketing, etc. HAVING A BLAST!
Interests
Internet sales and marketing, Web Site Design and Optimization, Ebay Sales, NFL, golf, warm weather, fun people
My Video About Children´s Smiles Seems Appropriate For The Season
The Cruise Season In Panama Has Started
Source: http://larrytravels.typepad.com/larrys_travels/2009/01/panama-musings.html
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