Although Panamanian people don’t go to Casco Viejo, they like to believe that they’re the type of people who enjoy it. You can witness this when a foreigner comes to Panama. Their Panamanian host might say, “Oh, and you just have to explore Casco Viejo,” but when it boils down to actually taking them there, Panamanians will suggest “meeting afterwards somewhere…closer.”
When they do end up in Casco Viejo, Panamanians will do one of two things: 1) eat ice cream or 2) call everyone they know who lives in Casco Viejo and suggest they join for a drink at Casablanca. Oppositely, upon leaving, Panamanians will call all their friends outside of Casco Viejo and say how much they loved it and that they need to go “more often.” Oftentimes, Panamanians will take photos of themselves in Casco Viejo seeing as the whole point of going there is to prove to other Panamanians that you went there. These photos will show up in email strings and on Facebook under titles that make Casco Viejo’s seem treacherous and far away such as “Insane weekend in Casco Viejo” or “LOVE Casco Viejo! We’re still ALIVE!”
You say this blog is to help foreigners assimilate in Panama. But actually, I have to say that the reverse is true. Foreigners have made the Casco Viejo a place that I like to go to again. I am a 31 y/o Panamanian woman and never would have wanted to touch Casco Viejo until slowly and surely, foreigners from great places like USA/Europe moved there and proved to me it was an amazing neighborhod. I would say it is thanks to them that Casco Viejo is the only interesting place in Panama City and thanks to them Panamanians are now starting to visit again. I know they have lots of challenges too in that neighborhod and they are probably challenges that Panamanians would not fight. It is almost like we need them to give ourselves some motivation:?
I dont go to Casco Viejo because I dont feel it safe… it’s near El Chorrillo, and I dont know what maleante is wandering around to kill me (not rob, now they kill to rob). So if you know a road to drive it safely, tell me
gringo cueco “i dont go to the bronx because they will kill me” FAG
Cholas Love Casablanca!!!! They really do.