Bryan in Panama: Casco Viejo and Panama la Vieja

So Panama has some pretty old places! This week we were able to visit the original site of the city that was destroyed by Captain Morgan, the pirate! He ransacked the place and then burned it. Here are some of the first buildings we saw in the area.

This first one used to be part of an old church (I think that's what the plaque said.)

And there's a great view of the ocean and part of the Corredor Sur which is one of the main roads circling the city.

It was interesting to me to see how the people treated this area just like any other area. There's a football net and pile of trash just in the middle of the center. It was just an example for me of how Panama is still developing in many areas, even those with strong cultural/tourist interest.

Unfortunately, our trip was cut a little short because my fellow intern was robbed, so we decided to leave the area. We were both physically safe, we just left one camera short with what we came with.... I don't really know how to positively chalk that one up as one's cultural experiences in another country, but there you go.

Despite these set-backs we've still had a good rest of the week visiting a place called Casco Viejo a couple times. This site is where the town moved to after Captian Morgan destroyed it. I loved the buildings here. There's a big mix of styles as well as well kept buildings and completed emaciated ones. Sometimes there is just a well kept outside with ornate columns and carvings and then nothing behind the empty windows.

There are also a lot of buildings in the process of being restored or that were kept up well, and the detail is amazing.

I am also impressed by how they make the plants decorations.

And there are TONS of churches! Most are closed, but this one was open and impressive. I loved seeing the symbolism in the church, but I didn't really like how sad all of the saints looked. I can understand why people say it feels so somber in a Catholic church.

There's supposed to be a church with a golden alter that was saved from the ransacking by Morgan because it was painted black, but I haven't been able to see it yet. It was closed when I went last time.... I didn't approve.

And I LOVED the street art!