Panama City The capital only catapults some to skyline heights, while most are left behind.
______
just a glimpse, stay tuned for more to explore · MilesAstray unfolds in retrospect. I was living these stories full time, now I’m penning them down. Head over to the countries page for the latest places/stories.
______
a glimpse
.jpg)
glimpse: GENTRIFICATION | An old town, truly, by the looks of it, Casco Viejo is a living witness to Colonialism and the origins of Panama City. It might be in decay – on its deathbed really, architecturally speaking – but it’s alive with people that descended a long line. Many of them are dwellers, who’ve occupied the brittle buildings for generations informally at no charge. But their eviction is imminent, wherever it hasn’t happened yet, ever since Casco Viejo became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fame ushered in foreign investors and a swarm of tourists, so now the old town is getting a facelift to house fine hotels, chic restaurants, boutiques and frozen yoghurt parlors. The gentrification of Casco Viejo is supposed to be in accordance with a framework of guidelines, leaving some room for locals and their culture, and supporting those being evicted. But if you ask around, if you look at the banners and demonstrations, the bottom line is that many are forced out of a place they call home, no matter how rotten, or how much better off they might be elsewhere. I’m dizzy from seeing the same pattern on repeat: yesterday’s colonialist halfheartedly disguised as today’s capitalist, still subjugating those who belong.
The rainy season washes out most tourists and leaves behind this lonely Eden.
_____
Bluff Beach, Bocas del Toro
__________
places / stories
yet to be written
Bocas del Toro / Sammy
yet to be written
Panama City / Hostel or Couch?
Bocas del Toro / Sammy
yet to be written
stay tuned
Panama City / Hostel or Couch?
yet to be written
stay tuned
_____
related
photos | people
Human Shake
what a fine blend we are
This collection is a blender, so watch out that you don’t end up in it one day. see more
photos | urban
Night Delight
allures of the dark side
...for the daring nocturnal creatures among us, there is a deserted, silent world waiting after hours; and like moths we flutter towards its discoveries, wherever a speck of light flecks the darkness. see more
photos | landscapes
Americas
wilderness heart
The glaciers looked like petrified tsunamis, and the psychedelic lagoons like glitches, and that altitude canyon like an abyss in the sky. see more
photos | urban