Panama (March 2018): Panama City, Casco Viejo, and Canal

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Panama City is a place of enormous contrast between the tall ultra-modern buildings of its lavish downtown and its run-down impoverished neighborhoods (actually, most of the rest). An old part of the town (Casco Viejo), away the main downtown, has been renovated in recent years (and is still being remodeled) and has become a kind of tourist enclave. But local people are fighting back, as higher living costs chase them away from it.

 

Skyline of modern Panama City seen from Casco Viejo:

 

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In downtown modern Panama City:

 

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Avenida Balboa.

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Boats in the fishing port between modern Panama City and Casco Viejo:

 

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Casco Viejo:

 

Remains of the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus.

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Iglesia de San Jose. According to a legend, its golden altar was saved from Morgan′s pirate attack in 1671 by a subterfuge of the priest. After hiding the altar, the priest told Morgan that the altar was under construction and even asked for some money to complete it.

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Iglesia Nuestra Senora de la Merced, first built on another site. Its facade was transferred stone by stone to the current site after the pirate attack of 1671. The wooden roof and columns date from colonial time.

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[Poor Christ: Dressed-up statue from the 18th century. New clothes are periodically provided by devotees.]

 

In the streets of Casco Viejo, a short distance north-west of its gentrified area.

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Canal (Miraflores locks):

 

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Punte de Las Americas, at the western (Pacific) entrance of the canal.

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