Asian Civilization Museum
February 12, 2015
Singapore at it stands today, is world class at nearly every level. But, of course some people prefer an urban setting and others suburban, others the mountains or the coast…so, it is all in the eye of the beholder. But, if you love a highly modernized urban setting with all the up-to-date features, then Singapore is your place.
One of the highlights of this trip was spending time at the Asian Civilization Museum. Based upon where you have grown up in the world, we tend to learn history in a vacuum that emphasizes some of the immediate roots but ignores highly significant aspects of the formation of civilization in other continental arenas. As we experience more interaction with other cultures and ethnicities, seems to be a good idea to get a base level understanding on what was taking place in other parts of the world while our own cultures were forming. Awareness of the simultaneous formations of civilization and societies can go a long way to developing a more global personality. So, when I saw the Asian Civilization Museum, I thought it highly pertinent to take a walk through.
The exhibit on display is called the “Beginning of the Becoming”. I always find it interesting to compare the creation stories of the various civilizations. This one goes as:
“At the beginning of time nothing existed but the heavens above and the ocean below. The first god, Mula Jadi Na Bolon, whose name means “the beginning of the becoming”, lived in the highest reaches of heaven. Mula Jadi created three sons, and then three daughters to give to his sons as wives. He did not, however, create the earth. That was the work of his granddaughter, the goddess Si Boru Deak Parujar.
Si Boru descended from heaven on a thread she had spun in an effort to escape marrying the hideously ugly son of her uncle. Three times she tried to create the earth by flinging a handful of soil, given to her by Mula Jadi, upon the water below. Each time her creation was destroyed by the Naga padoha, the serpent who ruled the underworld. Finally, Si Boru succeeded in subduing the naga by pinning him between a sword and the land, which she piled upon his back. Till this day, the Naga Padoha’s struggle to free himself causes earthquakes.
The stubborn Si Boru eventually relented and married her suitor when he agreed to change his name and was transformed into a handsome young man. The couple settled at the base of a volcano to the west of Lake Toba, where they had many children. One of their grandsons was Si Raja Batak, and he became the father of all the Batak People.”
As you can see, women were the same in the beginning as they are now – stubborn and demanding!! Awwww…just teasing…interesting story of the beginning of the Batak People overall 🙂
Walking through this museum, you immediately recognize the high quality of the presentations. It is replete with all the interactions with other civilizations that historically made Singapore what it is today. There are multiple exhibits that show the artifacts as well as historical interactions with the Chinese, Malays, Arabs, Portugese, Sultans, Dutch, Indians, Siths, and the British….not to mention all the religious interactions and how that embodies Singapore today. The presentations are not made simply in a matter that highlights cultural tension and wars, but show the contribution that each made to the ultimate development of an eclectic Singapore. Much of this, you can still see today. Very high quality displays, similar to what you would find at the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC. Tells a wonderful human story – a must see!!
China Town – Singapore
February 9, 2015
Now, I am what you call a China Town aficionado…if there is a China town in the United States, for the most part, you can bet I have been there and sampled – Most of them anyway 🙂 The most authentic China Town in the U.S. is by far located in San Francisco…the foods, the markets, the clothes, the smell and the feel…unparalleled! Definitely, not just a few Chinese food shops within a couple of blocks. Soooo…it is only proper to delve into China Town in Singapore. Particularly now, since one of the major celebrations of the year is about to take place – Chinese New Year!!
Walking into China Town, you can see the major preparations for the festival and you can feel the excitement from the people. It is absolutely PACKED!!
And, this is just a sample of what it looked like for blocks and blocks and blocks…it got to a point where you could barely move around…
So much Red, seemed as the entire area was completely infused with RED…obviously, somebody loves Red. Plenty of stores such as this so that everyone could get their favorite ornamentation to celebrate the New Year
Of course, if you are going to hang in China Town then you will have to eat. Now please note this. When we are talking about eating in China Town, we are not talking about the typical buffett in the U.S. No Sweet and Sour Chicken, No General Zhao’s Chicken….in fact, most of these items you won’t even find in the United States. Once I went to a Chinese New Year Celebration in the U.S., there were only a few other people there that spoke English. They brought out a seven course meal…steamed fish, light flavorful sauces, the greenest fresh vegetables…nothing you would find on the typical menu in the U.S. When I asked what we were eating in terms of the vegetables…they talked amongst themselves for a few minutes, then came back to me and said, “sorry, there is no English word to describe it”. So when we carry stereotypes, or what we call acting on cognitive shortcuts, about other cultures…often times we are only aware of the small part that we have, and are quite unaware of the fullness of their culture. The fact of the matter is, many of the items on the Chinese food menu in the U.S., the Chinese don’t even eat. This should speak volumes of information for those of us attempting to be aware….
Sooooo….everywhere you look, there are either huge food centers or street hawkers/street food. Amazing to observe, at any given table there may be four generations within one family sitting at a table eating and enjoying themselves.
Another interesting dynamic about Singapore overall, and this is in China Town, that you have so many different ethnicities, religions and nationalities living harmoniously next to each other. This doesn’t mean that there are not problems or tensions, but it means that tensions do not trump there overall community. As an excellent example, here are pics of a Hindu Temple, right down the block is a Mosque, and across the street a bit further down is a Christian Church…Who would of thought….
I included this picture of the Mosque because they even had a very visible sign at the entrance explaining Islam to visitors. It explained how they do not adhere to extremism and why they were able to co-exist with other religions in such close proximity. A Hindu temple was down the street from them, and a Hindu Restaurant was right next door. They went out of there way to show the beauty of how Islam fits into this community.
On the way out of China Town, I ran across this fine gentleman…actually had a chat with him and in many ways he epitomizes the Culture in China Town…love his outfit and his strumming…funny, I think he was more focused on making his money than on the authenticity of the traditional music he was playing…but, what do I know…I enjoyed him and came back to look for him the next day….either way, he definitely drew a crowd 🙂
And what would a trip to Asia be without at least a picture of the Monks 🙂
Oddly enough, not just in China Town but throughout Singapore…you can hear not the noise, but the quiet. Even in China Town where there were tens of thousands of people…nothing sounded obnoxious. Even so, throughout Singapore. For, people talk to each other…not talking so loud that it is as if they are talking to the entire room. Immediately, you can tell that there is a tremendous amount of respect for the environment. Very little to none – noise pollution. No cell phones ringing and everyone paying attention to each other. If someone speaks to you, typically you have to move towards them so that you can even hear what they are saying…
This China Town ranks at the top…but, I still do LOVE my San Francisco 🙂
Out into Singapore – The Botanical Gardens
February 9, 2015
Now, usually when I travel internationally I focus on public policy, and community challenges whether it be development, economics, planning, training, housing, and poverty. This time I am flowing extemporaneously – good word eh? 🙂 Well, thing out Singapore that is immediately obvious is that it is probably one of the most modern and up-to-date cities in the world. If you read my earlier posts then you are familiar with a lot of other places I have worked. Well, Singapore is what Panama would look like it if addressed all of its problems – expansion of the Panama Canal, encroachment on the watershed, rising immigration due to problems in neighboring countries, informal settlements, lack of a civil service system, major transportation issues, developing area reverted from the U.S., and managing development. Well, when Singapore needed to expand its financial district it bought sand from Indonesia and Malaysia and expanded land base; when it needed fresh water, it closed of the ocean entrance into its historic harbor and built a dam to create a fresh water basin; it also used its multi-ethnic ties to build economic relationships throughout the region; it developed a trifecta transportation system, metro train, transit, and road systems to manage traffic…more on these things later…with Singapore being what some would call the “City of Light”…this ideal modernized state…well, I decided to go a different route in absorbing the culture….
Well, one of my first introductions to Singapore culture, outside of history, policy and economics was through the show “No Reservations” – Anthony Bourdain. To see some of what I am seeing, you have to check him out…he has to have one of the best jobs in the world!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHdsLQ5qYnU
Aside from the food, how do you go to Asia without trying to calm your mind. And, trust me, I am of those who needs a mind calming experience…So my first stop is the Singapore Botanical Garden. In the middle of this oasis of modernization, sits an area similar to Central Park in New York with the exception…this is a Botanical Garden:
After walking through so much urbanization, it was a welcome compliment to walk into the Botanical Garden. It was like walking through an organized rain forest, a rain forest with order. It really touches all the senses…to see so much greenery and the animals blending in that it facilitates an awareness that allows you to smell life, to feel something unseen that is sustaining it all, to sit silently and hear things that our pre-occupied minds would normally filter out…and if you quiet yourself long enough, you can even taste something that if you added it to your life, you can find a way towards more inner peace. While the built environment is amazing, this is such an excellent contrast that modernized building and developed neighborhoods do not serve as the complete puzzle.
The Botanical Garden provides amazing walks, views, and a sense of peace that really represents the peak to which Singapore has arrived. And, it stretches for miles…if you come to Singapore it is definitely worth the time!!
Wonderful trails and wildlife; coy ponds abound…
In this Garden, even the pigeons chill out…this little fellow…when I walked up on him…he looked up at me, gave me a “I’m so full” look, turned his head, and went right back to sleep…I’m feeling him…indeed, I could learn something from this pigeon…
Off to China Town….
Touring South East Asia – Singapore
February 7, 2015
Usually when I Travel and Blog, I rush to make my posts of thoughts and pictures to share the experience. This time I am posting more from the back end of the experience. Functioning from the mantra that we can learn quite a bit about ourselves and the universe through the experiences of others, I decided to listen a bit more. Because so much of what I am observing I have observed in other parts of the world, I don’t want to simply duplicate self-evident commonalities. Rather, I want to add to the accumulation of previous experiences. Within the context of the political stalemate, social and political fragmentation across the United States it appears obvious that not only is minimal listening taking place, but also a pervasive inability to feel compassion for the plight of others. This could be because of an absence of compassion or an overinflated sense of self-exceptionalism. Certainly this trip provides an opportunity to absorb other cultures in a manner that heightens the ability to listen and to develop humility by recognizing that exceptionalism exists all over the world. Travel with me through South East Asia:
Time:
Leaving Savannah for a two (2) hour flight to Chicago; absorbing a two (2) hour layover in Chicago; then boarding a flight that goes over the north-western minimally populated areas of Canada; flying into Alaska, across the Bering Straits into Siberia; down through Russian Airspace; over Mongolia; into China, brushing by Beijing to land 15 hours later in Hong Kong; after a two (2) hour layover; then flying over Vietnam and mainland Malaysia and five (5) hours later arriving in Singapore. Twenty Six (26) hours, talk about wanting to punch yourself in the face 🙂
Now I am not an airline critic, but just a side note. If you want an authentic Asiatic experience from the time you board your flight until you land in Asia, then go with Singapore Airlines (#1), Korean Airlines (#1.5), or China Airlines (#3). This particular flight was on United Airlines. I would call it the low cost carrier currently to Asia. The best thing is that the arrival was safe. But, if you also want high levels of customer service, an Asian flight experience and safety, well…now you have it!!
This time around, Air B &B was the experience of accommodations to look for…while many cities are grappling with what to do with Air B&B particularly as they challenge the hotel industry, many other areas see it as a viable way to boost competition through allowing homeowners to engage in the free-enterprise system. This place was absolutely awesome. Located in the central city by Gaylon/Guillemard and by Metro Station Paya Lepar…it was ideal:
And, check out this view from the back porch:
When down time is available, or when the day is over and the evening is the context of the moment…they had this wonderful roof top pool where you can see much of Singapore from all angles and feel the flow of the city…not to mention chilling at a very high level 🙂
Time to try to deal with a 12 hour time change…ugh…but, it is worth it…time for a walk and a swim. More to come…
Introspective Boot Camp
October 7, 2012
Sometimes we reach a point in our lives where we look back at a particular event or scenario and realize, as we say to ourselves, wow, those were the days…..Then with maturity, the hope is that we can get to a point where we don’t have to look back…we can realize how good things are right now…in the moment!
This was a trip such as that…where I could feel the significance of the moment in real time…and allowed myself to live it! Living the Dream…Day-by-Day…
For me, this Begs the question: what do we need to crack open our minds…to make our perspectives and thoughts malleable for change…to make change in the world, we ourselves have to bring about internal changes. I am a firm believer in our ability to shape our minds through experiences. Some would even say that our minds are the sum accumulation of our experiences.
We are born into a world that already exists, and our personalities in large part our shaped by our response to what already exists. Our experiences can support what exists…. which then concretizes our personalities. Or experiences can undermine our perceptions and acceptance of what is actually not real…this can send us in a completely different direction…. towards reality. At times, our response to what exists gives us a burden to carry. That burden may be shaped by culture, family, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, economics…I know mine…do you know yours?
What would it feel like to release the burdens of history, those that are real and those that are figments, and to live and experience life without the burden…like a fully grown newborn baby 🙂 The feeling of releasing the burdens of history! No longer trapped within an idea…the idea that makes you consistently and continually relive an experience…relive a self-projected vision only taking place in our heads and not rooted in the reality of the globally human experience…
Personal experiences, at times, can narrow our humanity…focusing singularly on our own experiences makes us ignorant…makes us ignore the experiences of others…it makes us ignore the world around us…and how others feel…and how those experiences shape our interactions and engagements…that is one reason why knowing history is important…but not just our own history…this story needs to be told within the context of the history of others…
Many lessons about personal development come to mind as I reflect on the Panamanian experience…much of it is based upon the diversity of its people and its built environment…even the architecture of the old world and the new world, the meticulous nature of the old world provides the foundation for a new world…looking at some of the buildings and the streets, the size of the materials used in their construction represents the artisan…they used materials small enough for them to handle…versus the designs and the forms that represent a preference for mass and speed over individual units and patience….
Those individual units represent a person that has dedicated their life to something and it is so unique and excellent that we shall wait on their product…so, what about our own individual units. What are we using…what materials are we using to build our own lives. With growth comes new buildings next to old ones…a contrast…a comparison…can we see that type of diversity in ourselves. If we can, we are growing. If not, then our growth has stagnated. If we are not growing and if we are stagnated then there are reasons for such…the key is to be aware of our growth or lack thereof.
To grow, there are times when we have to adjust what we are exposing ourselves to…meaning we may have to create experiences that may feel asymmetrical or counter-cultural…they may go completely against the grain. But, when someone asks us what we are building our lives with, we have to be able to say something other than I am developing my life with nothing other than my life…I say, “I am using the experiences of others to construct my ideal life…for to me, my personality and my life are much more than a response to what existed before I got here”…
In essence, I don’t want to be a product of my environment…I want my environment to be a product of me…. (Got to Love Jack)!!!!
Thank You to all of my Panamanian friends…Thanks for the new building blocks…
Several Days around Panama City
October 7, 2012
‘A man’s got to make his own way’….all over the city you see plenty examples of people doing whatever they can do to make ends meet….this fellow was pretty good!
Now this gentleman was very interesting….several times a week I would pass him by….we would sit there on his stool with a violin…most times when I saw him he was tuning it…or so I thought…one day I walked closed to him while he was playing…in reality, he couldn’t not play that thing any better than any random person could speak yiddish…he would just glide the bow back and forth over and over…look up at you…and expect you to put some change in the cup….well, it’s working for him…so I am for him as well 🙂 Get your hustle on 🙂
I really enjoyed this one! This guy reminded me of an artisan working his craft…Old School Style Shine Booth…He even had quite the tune going … made that rag sing!!!!
Having spent a significant amount of time appreciating Historic Preservation in Savannah, GA, I can tell you that there are some amazing examples of historically significant structures in Panama…this Catholic Cathedral….the architecture and craftsmanship are amazing…to the degree that I even went to Mass 🙂 Of course it was all in Spanish…but, again…some things need to be respected on their face….
Growth and Development at times forces the new to be mixed with the old. This is a great example of the New Buildings standing in contrast to the Old Buildings in the forefront…certainly there is duality in how those observations apply to our own lives 🙂
Now the F & F Tower speaks for itself…standing by itself is one view…when observed within the context of the skyline…it seems to give Panama an additional nuance of uniqueness….
One of the reverted areas has been dedicated by the government to the advancement of knowledge. thus the name ‘Ciudad de Saber’…’the City of Knowledge’….love the name and the purpose…
To go along with that…they even have a governmental ministry dedicated to innovation…the Ministry of Innovation…it resides in a building named after the man that helped address Malaria when the canal was being built…beautiful structure…
Another governmental building with an old world feel to it…great use of cloth and structure…
The picture doesn’t do this building justice…but the color array stood out, as well as the crisscrossing nature of the balconies…right down by the waterfront…
A Panamanian of Jamaican descent…master story teller….and is serious about getting his hustle on… 🙂
The common view around the downtown area….in Panama City…Traffic Traffic Traffic 🙂 The metro line may alleviate that…let’s hope so 🙂 This was my daily view when walking over to the Super Market….See the Red Devil?
These were a line of food stands that sit next to the municipal building. You can see the municipal building in the background…great variety…and great food…
Warning…McDonald’s delivers….Be Careful!!!! 🙂
And, as always…it is always about the people…and projects such as this always keeps me rooted on doing what we can to work on our humanity….
Life can be full of Life, if we let it….
And so, I could not very well spend all of this time in a Latin country and not get a little dancing in…and so I had the good fortune of walking into a place where the world renowned salsa singer Joe Arroyo was performing live with his band…
Yes, people…I got busy…in my own way 🙂
Municipality of Panama, Universidad of Panama
October 6, 2012
It’s been 30 days of some serious work…on a huge project….that actually means something…it’s not just work….it’s life….This project was organized by my new friend and colleague Magali Jurado, on my left,…has spent a career working for the central government but is now doing work for the Municipality of Panama to support its development! Her friend to the her left, is a dear lady also 🙂
Talk about Class! This is an experience that demands gratefulness…
Hiram…spent days with me, interpreting speeches, guiding me around the city, looking out for my well-being…translating my presentations…never complained, always looking out for me…touched my humanity…he organizes the flag-football teams for the kids in the City of Panama…and is a student, and those who are immigrating and seeking a better way…man…I came as a Fulbright…but, these people….they taught me so much…
Cindy, well…just as the sun rises….shes comes with a smile…warm, always there…the type of person you want in your office…certainly helped that she also spoke English…Next time I see you Cindy…my Spanish will be much better 🙂
Melana…always on the move…keeping things progressing…next to her is Rhonda Phillips…a Fulbright Colleague of Mine from Arizona…highly competent, her specialization is Indicators…our project focused on the linkage between Indicators and Geographic Information Systems…Go Rhonda! 🙂 Go Melana 🙂
This was the night of Rhonda’s first presentation…’She Rocked It’…also pictured is the Director of Planning for the Municipality of Panama….Talk about Sharp, Cultured and Refined…My Man…is Serious…a pleasure to be around….the consummate professional…provides motivation just by his presence!
My Colleague, provided an invitation to speak at the Universidad of Panama…School of Architecture….Phenomenal experience to spend a morning with their students discussing tools to associated with effective City and Regional Planning.
And yes, the slides are in Spanish…I don’t have an ear for the language because I haven’t been practicing the speech; however, I can read it fairly decently….what? back up now? 🙂
This is the Decanto of the Architecture Program…The Dean…grand the entire experience…
You’ve already got the scoop on Juan Carlos Diaz and Jaime Montenegro….What a fine group of people!!!!
Foods of Panama
October 6, 2012
When I am in an International Setting, then I want to be International! We have the rest of our lives to be and act accordingly to where we are…so, having the chance to immerse into a projection from another culture…well…bring it on…. 🙂 So, when I am in an International setting…they usually have American style restaurants around…but, I avoid those at all costs when I can! Because of U.S./Panamanian history…there is some shared culture…however…we find the nuances when we pay attention:
You see, being a Georgia boy…I know seafood markets…grew up shopping them..the smell, the feel…the vibrancy…it is a different kind of feel…so when I say ‘this is on point’…well…I get my drift 🙂
Lobster, snapper…sea bass…corvina….well, next time I am here..need to get a place where I can cook…because yes, this environment…makes me want to burn….
Feel it yet? Or are you still thinking about where is the McDonald’s…laughing…get off of my blog…right now!!!! 🙂 This was lunch on a Friday…seems in many places in the world…Friday is a fish/seafood kind of day…look close now…I know shrimp…this is shrimp with the head still on it…okay kids…this is grown folks business…’Melvin’ from Baby Boy :)…
Since I would rather have the authentic experience, I only did breakfast at the hotel…phenomenal every morning by the way….but after that…it was to the streets…this is a vendor that I came to see almost everyday….she helped me with my spanish…so I could learn to order wherever I went….Colombian Lady…kept a busy stand…in Asia…it would be chicken satai….here…let’s just say….some special sauce…a bit of salsa picante…muy calliente…mmmm….so good….after a month…felt connected…hope she stays well…good people!!!!
Another spot I frequented…the owner spoke a bit of English…he would practice on me and I on him…amazing how, you don’t have to really be fluent in the spoken language…but you need to be fluent in the language of humanity…which is the speech of humility…I came…with humility…he gave it back…few days later…we were conversing in Spanish and English….makes a person feel good….lesson for us in the U.S…Picture of the staff in the evening…
What would you order? 🙂
Fish Fridays! While I was eating….there was a lady standing next to me, fussing the entire time….I poured Hot Sauce all over it…she was fussing because she is the one that made the sauce and that it was too hot for me to do such…so as I ate…she fussed….I imagine she was telling me it was too hot for me to do that…smiling….man, I’ve eaten fire in Asia….I can roll with the best…for a little while anyway…retraction :)….it was delicious, I put on the right amount 🙂 The fussing was all in love!!!!
Gotta love the international setting where there are the baby coconuts….it’s like this all over the world…wherever you find tropical settings…Africa, Asia, Central America….He has Jugs full of coconut water and meat…fresh baby style….
Cool…Refreshing…Fulfilling…Man…I was full, like I had a meal after two cups…In my ‘Training Day’ ‘Denzel Washington’ Voice….’MY MAN’….”That’s what I’m talking about”….:)
On the left, a fish roll (corvina) stuffed with shrimp….on the right, shrimp soup with rice and vegetables….working with it….
Fish with the head still on is symbolic, now if you are still thinking about McDonald’s….well, you probably can’t relate…but while you struggle with relating…I’ll be treating this one line a piece of chicken in the south…cap the end of the bone…and pull the marrow right on out…served with papatas….
Corvina with fish salsa…authentic spot down the street…let me know my Spanish was coming along…had to read the menu, talk to the waiter and order from their intellectual space….and it was magnificent 🙂 ‘Papas Fritas’…fries 🙂
Okay, now we are getting into a very traditional soup in Panama….Sonchocho Panameno….something like chicken soup….boiled chicken with a root by the name of ‘name’…sip on it a bit…the root starts breaking down…and the soup starts getting thick…mmmm…..twisting my lips, and cutting my eyes “okay now”…laughing….
Sopa de Mariscos…Seafood Soup…little bit of everything…and a lot of octopus…nice broth…chunky…filling…satisfying…
El Trapiche…has it going on…if you go to Panama…make sure you get there…right outside of the banking district….yes, ordered in Spanish again…give me my props 🙂
Saw this fellow a few times….gotta love the person standing out on his own…hustling… “A man has got to make his own way…” Shaved Ice….on a hot day….
Many Thanks!
www.takingownership.org
Panama Canal: Colon, Lake Gatun, and Miraflores
October 5, 2012
Inter Alia, amongst other things, going further into the Panama Canal. This was an expedition that inspired a lot of excitement. Had not thought of the Panama Canal and its system of locks as being one of the ‘Wonders of the World’ and one of the ‘Great Engineering Master Pieces’ of our time….and now…I KNOW!
This morning started out quite early, taking the train the runs along side of the Panama Canal to the Atlantic Ocean/Gulf of Mexico side of the Canal. The train is an old style train, and had the type of feel to it that you could really take in the moment…if so inclined.
Boarding the train and settling down for a nice cup of cafe….we are on our way to Colon, Panama. The train rides right next to the canal, so along the way, there are plenty of container ship sitings.
And, there is plenty of the canal to see….
It is a nice ride full of serenity, and gives you a chance to consider all the lives that have gone into constructing the global chain of production that most of us pull our resources from. Getting to Colon, it is immediately obvious that we are still in the midst of a major trade zone. Containers are spread everywhere….
Colon is Panama but it also has that old world look to it…where if you consider what it looked like many decades ago…its vibrancy was fresh…it is still here, its just that the paint is not as fresh as it used to be 🙂
Driving along, next thing you know we end up at the Colon Free Trade Zone. I am talking about…this place is HUGE!!!! Nothing but shopping absolutely everywhere…items from all over the world…guess that has something to do with so much commerce traveling through the canal… 🙂 Okay, I’m more than guessing…this place somewhat reminds me of Seoul, Korea…and it is interesting that such a none-shopper as me…is back in one of the most intense shopping areas in the world!
Okay, I won’t freak out…they have street food 🙂 I’m Kool!
Along with the savory taste of the street food 🙂 You have to love an open air market…the fruit…so much fresh fruit…it has a completely different feel to it…often times in the commercial markets, they have to ship the fruit when its so young, that it matures differently…here, as in many other countries…it’s right where you need it to be 🙂 Papaya’s as big as children… 🙂 Love the feel!
And, how wonderful it is…to see the ‘little people’ being little ones no matter where you go…conversation looks deep!!! 🙂
Just spent enough time in Colon to get a feel for the place…lots of things going on in this side of Panama…not far from here a mining operation is starting up…looks to bring some jobs to the region…however, just as in many other places, the hope is that those jobs will be more than just resource extraction and will produce some skill sets that are higher up the chain of production…that way the progress can be sustainable….and who knows…maybe an agglomeration style economy will start up and expand….
Heading back into the Canal…you can definitely feel the presence of an older world here…it’s remnants remain, and they do speak volumes…always like to capture a picture of someone unaware and doing there thing…regardless to the circumstances, ‘a man has to try and make his own way….’….
Okay…here we go through one of those extremely rare places on the planet…may not seem as much to some; however, here are one of the locks in the Panama Canal…specifically, one of the Lake Gatun locks…behind this gate are 100’s of thousands of gallons of water…we are actually driving through it…heading to the other side…through these gates/locks…many a ship has traveled…in fact, more than likely…your underwear came through here 🙂
This is the back side of Lake Gatun…the Lake actually serves as a major section of the canal….the locks actually work to life ships from sea level up to the level of the lake…and then back down, as they progress through the canal…during certain times of the year…they close this section off…because the water you see rising up…covers the road we are currently on…
Stopping at the Miraflores Locks so that we can check out a few ships moving through, get up close and personal, and catch some fine dining…
These are the locks through which much of our global trade a commerce passes through…
Here is a ship that is currently in process, and there is a line of others waiting…it takes approximately 8 hours for a ship to make it all the way through…however, they may have to wait a few days in line on the outside of the canal…waiting for their turn to progress…during this time, a ship captain who works for the canal will board and guide the ship…captains working for the canal are the only ones allowed to command ships in the canal….
At this point, the ships are under control of the canal command. Those machines you see on the rails are called mules…they pull the ships through the canal with cables…
Here you can see the locks in operation….the water level will even out…then the gates will open…then off to the next area…
As always, must find the human being in the story….he was on the ship that was passing by….I wonder where this fellow is from, where he is heading, what’s his life story….and what is he doing now…so connected yet, not knowing so…
Full Day, I’ve got plenty now to think about that…so that when I am up at night contemplating everything in the world… 🙂 I now have this to think about also 🙂 The Shrimp Soup was like nothing I have ever tasted…outrageous…the food was fresh, and the ‘Cerveza’…well…a friend of mine always has a reply that he is ‘living the dream’ day by day….well, like I said on the side of that hill in Bali…. “Life’s Good”!
Deeper into the Corregimiento’s
October 5, 2012
Going deeper into Panama takes me away central downtown area out into the Corregimiento’s….I have to admire the sincerity of my hosts, for they just aren’t showing me certain sections of the city. They don’t want me to support them with a myopic vision. Thus, I get a chance to really get to know Panama!
Heading out into the districts…we will visit Ancon, Chorrio, San Felipe, Bathania, Tocumen, and Mananitas! We’ll also be talking with some of their district representatives to get some much deeper insight into the quality of life and what is influencing it in their respective communities. First stop – Ancon.
Ancon resides fairly close to the canal zone, and faces a major dichotomy. One one side there are thriving communities, beautiful architecture, good economic activity….very warm aesthetics…on the other side, you have many of the individuals staying who came primarily to work around the canal…including the recent expansion projects. Great meeting with the local representatives….great discussion on issues that many cities face: quality of life, housing structure, storm-water drainage, etc. Great Start!
Beautiful home with the traditional roof…man, feels like I am hosting HGTV or something….not my thing, but amazing things do demand respect and acknowledgement! An issue that has required a resolution is population density. Next to this home you see a multi-family style residence. That is their attempt to increase density throughout the area and reduce population sprawl. Again, the contrasts are constant, I found this next house to be really interesting on the eyes 🙂
There are plenty of other photo’s I could show for the other sides of this neighborhood, but I don’t want to be overly repetitive. Some of these areas, although in different districts, look quite the same. So, I won’t show all the areas…just the representative ones…
Heading out to another district, we stopped to get some refreshments:
This stand sells ‘Sugar Cane Juice’. You know, the juice that comes from a stalk of sugar cane….it is somewhat greenish in color (light)….and it is sweet to the tongue. Really highlights the difference between commercialized juice and non-commercialized. The juices here are ridiculous. Pineapple, Melon, Papaya, Orange, Baby Coconut…don’t have the acidity and thickness associated with what you would by the store. This stuff is fresh and light, makes it seem as though you will outlive Zeus 🙂
Next stop is Bathania. Took a really informing ride-a-long with their officials….we went deep 🙂 I’ll save that information for the strategic plan 🙂 However, their community center resides right next to their athletic facilities.
If you know anything about Latin America, then you know that they will ‘cut’ you over Football (Soccer) or Baseball! 🙂 To the left of the main building is an indoor soccer area….clean…very very clean….
And, just so happens that a scout from the Washington Nationals was there to observe a few young men strut their stuff. This facility is located right next to the soccer area….some of these kids start playing baseball as young young children…driven by their aspirations to make it to the big leagues….and the big leagues are always down here looking to oblige the local talent.
Heading out into the other districts, we find similar structures. It’s as if Public Housing has a particular design that is used all over the world. Remind you of anything particular in Chicago:
Something that is readily apparent here though despite any circumstances or challenges….faith is something that permeates this culture. Everywhere you go, you see tributes here and there as reminders of faith:
and at another park in the middle of a small neighborhood:
Interestingly enough, for what could be said about some of their challenged communities…they have done a pretty decent job of getting the private market to engage these communities. All over the United States there are discussions on how to get markets, stores and other service providers to establish locations in challenged communities…well, obviously, there are some things to be learned from Panama:
Have to make sure there is balance in the perception. While Panama has its share of high rises…and its challenged communities, it also has its share of regular neighborhoods…although the colors at times let you know that there is nothing comparatively regular here 🙂
I was once talking with a friend of mine about overseas travel, and the discussion led to how there is a perception, at times, that in the U.S. we warehouse our older people. That concept, I found to be really amazing. And, as I have traveled, I can see where that perception gains its strength. Driving through this community, we see where the government is installing machines in the parks. These machines are for mature and elder citizens, so that they can have a place to exercise to maintain and improve their health….quite interesting:
Heading further out into the periphery of the city, we get to areas such as Tocumen and Mananitas. These areas have been influenced by high degrees of migration from across the region. The infrastructure was not necessarily in place to manage this growth, and so what you find in this area are the ‘Informal Settlements’.
Some of these areas can pose challenges to maintaining a good quality of life, the rains and the drainage here always must be faced! But, I don’t feel the need to focus in on the challenges, they do deserve to be addressed; however, the ‘little homey’ here seems to be doing his thing…and I find that to be more delightful 🙂
I certainly am grateful for the opportunity to become immersed in such an educational experience. This was our guide for the day, who took us throughout the district and explain life in her community.
On the way back to the central city, we are reminded that in the world we live in…someone has to be around to, as we say, ‘hold it down.’ At any given time, you may see these gentlemen…two on a motorcycle…weaving through traffic….’Nino Brown Style’…trying to keep the peace!
And, although this world has its challenges….it’s always nice to have a truck load of fresh pineapples to remind you how sweet life is….I bet some of you saw the Mcdonalds sign in the background and though I was referring to the sweetness of Mac D’s…NO…not the case…what did I say earlier about contrasts…
But, at the end of the day…whether we are discussing sweetness or challenges, we have to remember that this should be about helping humanity….can we look passed the environment, regardless to whether it is challenged or sweet, and see a person’s humanity….and work to maintain that pearl….
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