Casco Viejo with hugs and kisses

Two months into our life here in Panama and we are still riding life in high spirits, despite missing Carlota terribly! The sweetness of the Panamanians is amazing, not to mention the many hugs and kisses we get everywhere and mind you, it's me who is surprised with this hugging and kissing thing, me Odila!! While living in HK, I didn't know I was a person who stood out for kissing and hugging until our very dear and great friend PW wrote a very funny and warm Ode for Joel and I, to be read out by him at our farewell party. At a certain point, the Ode goes like this:

"Joel’s big grin extending from here to here.

And Odila approaching with arms as wide as this:

“My dear, how ARE you? Big hugs and a big kiss”

Everybody hugs and kisses here. I am so at home, LOL!! P & J, you must come and check it! We walked into church for the first time, just the two of us and sat down. We knew nobody. A few minutes after the service started, there is that thing of people greeting each other and there you have it... although nobody knew us, we were greeted with hugs and kisses. Than it was time to buy a car. After vising all the dealers, we picked Honda and Joel went back a few times to take care of business. When the car was ready to be collected, the three of us (with Carlota, of course) went to the shop . The dealer had seen us, Carlota and I, only once before but nevertheless, greeted me with a hug and a kiss and a pat on Carlota! The bank people who are dealing with our loan, first a girl and now a man, hugs and kisses every time we meet. Just awesome!

A couple of weekends ago, Joel and I went to see this very old part of town called "Casco Viejo". As I have already mentioned in another entry, it's like Disneyland for photography lovers! This area is not only the berth of Panama City, but of course, Od the Country too. The city was founded back in 1519. It grew rapidly from the moment of its establishment, maintaining its position as chief post of the Pacific and terminus of the first transit route across the Isthmus. The old Panama City saw all the great output of gold and silver from the rich mines of Peru and the mines in the province of Veraguas, as well as the products from the pearl fisheries in the Bay of Panama. The city survived several disastrous fires, but finally was destroyed by a band of pirates under Sir Henry Morgan in 1671. Today, Casco Viejo is an area protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, so somethings have already been restored, some are being restored and some are still to be restored.

So, walking through the streets of Casco Viejo, you just can't help but let your imagination fly, wishing cobblestone streets could talk, bringing you into the historical picture of then!! Voila, Casco Viejo for you!!

And here, the photos we loved most!