Local Culture

With COVID affecting last two Carnivals, Panama has high hopes.

After two years on hiatus, this 2023 the Carnival festivities in Panama resume: shows, dances, music, algorical costumes -feathered and sequined-, parades of wagons, tunas, culecos and mojaderas.But beyond its appeal, Carnival is also a driver of economic dynamism. In Panama, historically, the carnival festivities or the god “Momo” have …

"JB"

Have to post. This actually just occurred to me.

Perhaps, being an ex-pat and living here has made me obtuse over the years to something that is very clear.  Panamanians as a WHOLE,  do not speak English very well. (if at all). We have travelled to Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic to name a few. All have in general …

Art/Entertainment

Panama and DISNEY intersect on stage in surprisingly entertaining way.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/cultura/220915/moana-guerrera-llevada-teatro-aba?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc The adventures of Moana Waialiki, one of the most seasoned princesses in the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios, have been brought to the Aba theater since last Sunday, under the direction of Agustín Clément and the production of Anina Horta. The plot of the play ‘Moana’ is very …

Bocas del Toro

Money to be spent in Bocas and Pedasi. AMAZING

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/destinoestrella/220827/renovaran-centro-visitantes-bocas-toro?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc In order to provide national and international tourists with a quality experience, Iván Eskildsen, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), gave the order to proceed to the company RCContractors, Inc. to begin the remodeling works of the visitor centers of the districts of Boquete, Bocas del Toro and …

Local Culture

International Book Fair reveals Panama reads ,ore than one would think. Great Interest

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/cafe-estrella/cultura/220822/feria-internacional-libro-demostro-panama?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc ‘Panama does read’, one of the slogans of the 2022 International Book Fair (FIL), was demonstrated with a full house during the five days of the event. After two years of being done virtually, it returned in its face-to-face format to a new home, the Megapolis convention center. The attendees …

Local Culture

EX-PATS and Locals alike: Take advantage of MUSEUM MONTH in Panama.

I personally have visited both “Rainforest Doscovery Center” and “Biomuseo”. Had a great time at both. https://club.prensa.com/mes-de-los-museos/ Museum Month: Museums tell stories In the month of May we celebrate the month of the Museums and we have organized together with the Network of Museums and Visitor Centers of Panama a special tour:  Museums …

Bocas del Toro

18 months on sidelines, and Bocas still a MESS.

An unprecedented crisis is experienced by the Municipality of Changuinola, in Bocas del Toro, as a result of the fact that the municipality has been closed for 26 days in protest because the eight representatives of the Democratic Revolutionary Party refuse to ratify the treasurer appointed by the mayor Yesica Romero . …

"JB"

Ex-Pat Lifeline: The raft has been afloat for awhile.

I have expressed my thanks to those that have stayed in contact long after Covid and my time in the hospital. Not a army of people, but I am thankful that PNO and the ExPat Exchange has allowed me to meet some great people. I have been a huge proponent …

"JB"

ANATI delivers TITLES to “well deserved” in Veraguas. So why haven’t EX-PATS got theirs in 12 years from developers?????

He has his TITLE…….where is YOURS EX-PATS??? OP ED: by “JB”– In a sign of good charity and humanity, ANATI, the final word on land ownership in Panama has awarded legal title of property to 70 families in need, and a Health Center in Veraguas. Good news indeed. So why …

Economy

Panama City crawling back to life as restaurants are up and operating.

With dividers and panels up…..dining sees an uptick in the city. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/80-de-los-restaurantes-estan-operando-ventas-suben-10/ Four weeks after the restart of operations after being closed for more than 7 months, the Association of Restaurants and Related Products of Panama, reports that 80% of the stores are operating. Domingo de Obaldia, president of the …

Human Interest

As does rest of world, Panama facing hearing the voices of growing LGBT community on marriage rights.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201005/cidh-enciende-debate-matrimonio The debate on the right to equal marriage ignited in Panama after the hearing held last Friday at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) requested by the Fundación Iguales. At the hearing, the IACHR condemned that Panamanian legislation is discriminatory in the sense of not having adjusted it …

"JB"

Hoping all PNO couples had a pleasant Valentine’s weekend.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson Sorry for the sporadic posting lately, but much has been going on behind the green Oz curtain over here. Not only are we following some corruption cases pretty closely, but we are trying to organize a fundraising function for WOUNDED WARRIOR in Old Town over …

Conservation

The Panamanian Capital of “Illegal Logging” is actually RICH with History.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200126/expedicion-darien Since the discovery of the South Sea by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, the great powers of the world saw the need to make a passage between the two oceans that would facilitate trade and navigation in times of war. There were many expeditions and studies carried out since …

"JB"

Indigenous of Panama: Native inhabitants fall victim to religious “Bubba Miseh”

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As my readers know, I am not a member of the Jewish faith, yet my granddaughter is being raised between two faiths, as her father is Jewish. That is how I first learned of the Yiddish term of Slavic origin above. “Bubba Miseh”, as I …

Environmental

Take a 500 year walk into History.

https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/Ruta-transistmica-paso-mulas-neopanamax_0_5418208190.html Because of its importance for global communications, the colonial transistmic route has remained in force until today. From the Hispanic trail, following ancient tribal paths on foot and mule to conquer a new sea, to the construction of an interoceanic canal, there are 500 years of history marked by …

Local Culture

Ministry of Culture seeks to restore National Fortress Landmark.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Ministerio-Cultura-Castillo-San-Lorenzo_0_5412208757.html The Ministry of Culture uploaded to the Panama Buy portal a public event for the restoration of the Castillo San Lorenzo del Chagres, in the province of Colón, will be restored. This colonial fortress is part of the Monumental Complex of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, and since 2012 it …

Entertainment

SEPT.5th starts Icarus Film Festival in Panama.

http://laestrella.com.pa/vida-cultura/cine/festival-cine-icaro-panama-presentara-diez-peliculas-nacionales/24136090 From September 5, Panama will receive the 12th version of the Icarus Film Festival, with the aim of achieving recognition of Central American audiovisual expressions, within which Panamanians are an important part. “We are making cinematographic works that represent us as societies that have their own cultural identity and …

Local Culture
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Back to the “brunch” thing. SIETE MARES. Thumbs Up.

by James “JB” Bryson OK, so there is not a damn thing to eat in Portobelo. At least not up to the standards of what my wife and her friends wanted to eat. So after literally spending the day swimming around and looking at fish, what a better way to …

Human Interest

5K Run competed to support Plastic Ban.

OP ED: by James “JB” Bryson– If I wasn’t too big with shot knees, I would have loved to partake in this great cause. If they can arrange one for fishing or poker, I’m all in. http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/dicen-chao-plasticos-corriendo/24133115 The MarViva Foundation announced that 200 people participated in the # ChaoPlásticoDesechable 5K …

Local Culture

The Bryson’s are becoming socialites…..? Ballet on Sunday

by James “JB” Bryson So if you see a big guy at this event sitting with ear buds in his ear it may be me. LOL. In all actuality, I am sure it will be a nice event. My wife and her friends are quite into ballet. So if your …

"JB"
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EX PAT TIPS: This new thing called “BRUNCH”

by James “JB” Bryson So I managed to go through 51 years of life back in the US and can truly say that I NEVER really planned a “BRUNCH”. I mean I may have had a late breakfast or early lunch, but to my wife this brunch business is a …

Local Culture

Barrio decorates streets in striking colors for Corpus Christi celebrations.

http://laestrella.com.pa/vida-cultura/cultura/villa-santos-viste-calles-colores-corpus-christi/24126338 The main avenue of the Villa de Los Santos, in the province of Los Santos, was colorful with works of art made on sawdust. They are paintings of different colors that mix religiosity, culture and that give beginning to the celebration of the festivities of Corpus Christi. The festivity that …

Agriculture

Panama to receive $2M grant for Jaguar. (Nice start….but MUCH MORE needed)

OP ED by: James “JB” Bryson While I applaud the attention, and literally “anything” that is allocated to this important issue,……is it just me or does $2Million in 2019 to protect the only apex mammal indigenous to the entire country of Panama seem a bit on the “cheap as shit” …

Environmental

Metropolitan Park to receive $5Million facelift.

$ 5 million will be invested to create cultural and artistic areas, as well as new trails and facilities to increase the influx of visitors. https://impresa.prensa.com/economia/Parque-metropolitano-ampliara-atracciones_0_5322967709.html Enter the domain of the Metropolitan Natural Park is a blow to the senses. The change in temperature is immediate and, despite being a …

Infrastructure

5 year delay about to end as Amador Convention Center set to open.

After five years of delay, including the abandonment of the first contractor, assignment of contract and failures in the execution of the works, everything indicates that the construction of the convention center in Amador is about to end. The company China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CCA) informed the Administrator …

Entertainment

Alfredo de Saint Malo Musical Festival mixes together the best that Panama has to offer.

A musical exchange The 13th edition of the Alfredo de Saint Malo International Music Festival links and bridges between different musicians to offer quality concerts to the country. The event starts from today. https://impresa.prensa.com/vivir/intercambio-musical_0_5315468430.html From today, we will witness a cultural exchange between various musicians of our country and the …

"JB"

PNO.com visitors: Personal Plea to Aid in this cause for all of PANAMA. Protect the JAGUAR

by James “JB” Bryson PNO.com is proud to support and solicit any and all people to be more aware of this cause. The Jaguar is the largest indigenous mammal in Panama, as well as being one of the strongest of the big cats. It has been considered since the days …

Human Interest

Ex-Pat Forum: Upcoming Opera event looks to be a nice cultural experience

Starts in 1 day Tue 28 May 18:30 – 21:30 Costs 40.00 USD Donation at the door 24 attendees Favorite arias and ensembles from Opera, Operetta, Zarzuela and famous popular songs. Residence of the Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Judith Edwards. Tuesday, 28 May 2019. Donations at the door. Schedule: 6:30 …

"JB"

June starts musical journey at the Allegro Art Gallery.

by James “JB” Bryson While speaking of music, please click on link for new PNO.com visitor “JOHN CARNEY MUSIC” on our homepage. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ In this fourth season of jazz at Allegro, the saxophist, composer and educator Luis Carlos Pérez indicates that he wants to share with the audience “the cultural …

Local Culture

Panama born hotel chain now expanding the tropics to the World.

The hotel chain Selina, which was born in Pedasí by the hand of entrepreneurs and travelers Rafael Museri and Daniel Rudasevski, currently operates 46 locations in Latin America and Europe; and by the end of the year he expects to have more than 60 open. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ http://laestrella.com.pa/economia/marca-hotelera-nacio-panama-famosa-mundo/24121642   Worldwide, different hotel …