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I was warned various times by different people that Panama City is quite boring and there is nothing to do. Not in this case. I was hosted by a nice family that I met in Boquete.

My personal experience was different and I really enjoyed spending time with my hosts and meeting this city and country through their perspective.

The biggest surprise? Chinese influence on Panamanian culture and life. There is between 5-10% of Chinese people in Panama that migrated there in the 1980s. They have their own districts in the city, there are Chinese-focused parties in the night, most of them are market owners etc. even the food is quite present and many specifically Chinese snacks and pastries became a part of typical Panamanian life. I was there the weekend after Chinese New Year and there was a huge celebration in one of the parks. With all the shows, dragons, foods and decoration I could feel I was in China for a brief moment, which was definitely not an experience I was expecting to get in Panama, in the middle of the Americas.

Second biggest surprise?

“Josip Broz Tito”

The words spoken by my host in the perfect accent and pronunciation struck me in surprise so hard that I literally awed for five minutes. She remembers that Tito visited Panama when she was a kid and huge parade that was made in his honor. Contrary to the most countries outside the Europe that I visited, in Panama most people have a good understanding of what happened in the Balkans, and at last, where Serbia is. Is it good education, somewhat common history or just curiosity and chance…I don’t know. But it did leave me wondering.

The brand new apartment where I was hosted was overlooking the city and what once was a very poor neighborhood. Across the street from the building was the place where the mother of my host was born, when her ancestors were diligent workers who still didn’t have much.

With Lizzie, the daughter of the family we explored the city in the coming days. First day we walked Calzada de Amador - a long walk alongside Panama City’s three artificial islands that were made from the earth/rocks taken out when making the Panama Canal.

Casco Viejo - an old colonial part of the city now full of bars, restaurants and clubs.

On my last day there, we realized there will be a carnaval like-celebration of authentic folklore dresses from Panama. It’s for a reason they call it festival of 1000 colleras. I was positively surprised how many local people have come and how beautiful it all was. Panamanian people are so proud of their own culture and tradition.

Maybe not the most beautiful city ever, but I really enjoyed the cultural and historical diversity that Panama City offered.Read more