Panama Public Transit

Public transport in Panama (and most Central and South American countries) consists of a vast (and seemingly disorganized) system of taxis, vans, and buses. In and around major cities, it is common to find that a majority of the cars on the road are taxis and buses (as opposed to private vehicles).

Apart from large, air conditioned coach buses that are used for longer highway travel, most buses and taxis are privately owned and operated. This has led owners to invent new ways of making their 'ride' more attractive than others. The fantastic result of this competition is the most elaborately painted, airbrushed, decorated, and 'tricked out' school buses you may find anywhere in the world. These buses are called 'Chivas' and are sometimes decorated in a theme. Anything from scantily-clad women to the Virgin Mary, to famous actors (we saw Bruce Willis on the back of one Chiva) can be found. Often the inside of the bus is painted and decorated with brightly-colored feathers and padded leather ceilings to give them a classy feel. Most Chivas have TVs for playing movies on longer rides and no Chiva owner would dare drive around without a "bump'n" sound system (which can sometimes be heard for blocks announcing the bus's arrival).

Taking the bus is easy. The bus stations in major cities are always buzzing and the right bus is not hard to find. Buses also usually stop for people waiting on the side of the road, unless they are completely full (meaning 3 to a seat and no more isle space).

Buses are also cheap. A Chiva ride from Colon to Panama City takes about 1-1/2 hours and costs $2 U.S. Air conditioned coach buses usually run the same routes but don't usually stop as often for new passengers. As a result, these buses are slightly more expensive. The same ride to Panama City on a coach bus with A/C costs $2.50 U.S.

Some differences are in the details; unlike U.S. buses which often run on a schedule, it is not uncommon for buses in Panama to leave for their destination as soon as they are full of passengers! Obviously this can be good and bad (depending on if you are one of those passengers). Besides the longer rides for which you purchase a ticket in advance, you usually pay your fare at the end or in the middle of a bus ride. A 'money taker' is in charge of this so the driver can concentrate on driving.

Taxis are different in Panama as well. Instead of charging with a meter or a mile counter, a flat rate for certain distances is usually assessed. For example, $1.50 will take you to the supermarket. The wise taxi rider will negotiate the price of a ride before getting in the car.

Though disorganized and a little daunting at first glance, Panamanian public transit is a well-oiled, people moving machine. Whether by Chiva, air conditioned coach, or taxi - public transit is the only way to go in Panama (and depending on the bump'n ride, certainly the most fun!).

SWC

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The Panama Canal, Walter Reed, and Human Experimentation…

Another post from our Medical Advisor! This one has a secret link between our home port of Gloucester, VA, and our current location in Panama!
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Walter Reed was a U.S. Army physician who was instrumental in helping the United States oversee the completion of the Panama Canal.  Thirty years earlier the French had tried but failed, partially because so many canal workers died from yellow fever.  Today, thanks to Dr. Reed, we know that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes (and the EYE of the World crew can safely transit into the Pacific).

At the turn of the 19th century, however, people thought that yellow fever was transmitted by dirty clothing and bedding.  Attempts to contain yellow fever focused on separating those sick with yellow fever from the healthy.  Such attempts to control yellow fever failed.

It was still firmly believed that contact with people who had the disease spread yellow fever.  To disprove it, Dr. Reed undertook some drastic human experiments.  He had some of his assistants sleep in beds with dirty blankets from patients who had died from yellow fever.   However, Dr. Reed did make sure that no mosquitoes got into the room.

His assistants remained healthy and did not die from yellow fever!  As a result, he was able to convince the U.S. Army to undergo a campaign of mosquito control in Panama – thus limiting exposure to yellow fever and saving thousands of lives.

Today human experimentation continues, albeit in a more controlled and regulated manner.

Questions:
1) Would you ever agree to be a subject in a human experiment?
2) What if the experiment was to help find a cure for cancer? 
3) What if you had cancer?  What if you didn't?
4) What if the experiment was for a new skin cream that could eliminate acne?
5) Should a medicine be approved for market if it has never undergone any human trials (experiments) first?
6) Should animals be experimented on before doing experiments on people?
7) What could have Dr. Reed done so that his experiment was safer for his "assistants?" 
8) Could he have done any other experiments to prove that contact with yellow fever patients did not cause yellow fever.
9) Would Dr. Reed's experiments have convinced you that sleeping in the dirty bed of somebody who died of yellow fever was safe?
10) Where was Dr. Reed born?

Classrooms, send us your thoughts at crew@eyeotw.org!
Mark Domanski, M.D.
Eye of the World, Medical Advisor
TSS

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A Basket of Goods: Colón

Although the city itself is relatively dangerous and a mere glimmer of a much richer past, we have been astounded by the amount of goods available here. Since the city is a major shipping port, the main drag next to the commercial pier (a free trade zone) has almost anything you could want.

We made a trek several blocks to the city McDonald's to check on our local basket. There were pairs of police officers every two blocks, without which we would have felt much less safe. It proved to be a successful trip, and here are the local prices (the local currency is the US Dollar).

Big Mac: $1.55
Coke: $1
Haircut: $5

ABG

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EYElympics: Haiku Results!

Thank you to everyone who sent in votes for their favorite haiku! Even though judging was open for only a short time, we had a tremendous response! The votes have been tallied, and here are the results:

Gold: Alan
17 votes
Poem #1
Cold, sweet, can't be beat
When our lips meet, you just melt
See you soon ice cream.

Silver: Trevor
11 votes
Poem #3
Dreams of ice cream cakes
Replaced by salty foulies
It's my turn for watch.

Bronze: Adam
8 votes
Poem #2
One, vast horizon
Songs and stars call young sailors
Landfall comes too soon.

Well done everyone!

EYElympics

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The San Blas Top Ten!

The San Blas Islands are part of Panama, but since they're administered separately and are vastly different from anything else we've seen so far, they're getting their own top ten!

10) Coconuts are a staple of life - they are exported, cooked with, and even used as coals for cooking and smoking fish. Even their chickens are kept plump with shredded coconut meat.

9) Standard meals consist of rice and fish (often infused with coconut somehow). Sweet ketchup has been served with every rice dish.

8) The primary (and only) mode of transportation throughout the islands is by dugout canoe. Paddled, sailed, or powered by outboard motor - it's the best way to get around!

7) Older women wear traditional Kuna clothing. Skirt bottoms with 'Mola' blouse tops are the norm. Their shins and wrists are often adorned with colorful bracelets, while noses are often pierced with gold studs. Younger girls, however, dress just like girls in the US do.

6) Although they adhere to a traditional lifestyle, every Kuna we met had a cell phone. From older women to young children, everyone liked keeping in touch.

5) The Kuna culture is changing along with the times. Elliot (the 14 year old we met) grew up in a fishing family, but he has dreams to move to a big city and work with computers. A great opportunity for Elliot, but it would mean that his family would lose the right to stay on their piece of land.

4) The coconuts here are harvested only after they fall - no climbing trees to get the sweet juicy ones!

3) The Kuna are an autonomous group. They do not directly identify with either Colombia or Panama, but rather adhere to their own culture.

2) Every Kuna was at least bilingual. Everyone studies Spanish in school, and many know English as well. Courses in school are taught in Spanish from sixth grade onward. When speaking to each other and at home however, they speak their native language (also called 'Kuna').

1) The local currency is the US Dollar (or the Panamanian Balboa), however a strong barter economy exists as well. Coconuts, fish, and molas are all a medium of exchange.

Tekimalo!!!!!!!

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