Panama City: Day 3, Casco Viejo & Three Coffees

Getting to Casco Viejo: This was a trip. I walked to a bus stop, bought a metrocard for $2, filled it with $1 and hopped on the Allbrook line, and a few stops later hopped off at the Estación 5 de Mayo. The driver and a woman seated across from me were talking about danger and killings, corruption in different countries, and millionaires, but muy rápido so I couldn't quite put it all together.

A tale of two Panama Cities: From the bus stop (where OMG there WERE crosswalks) I walked the rest of the way to Casco Viejo through some pretty rough neighborhoods. I felt safe only because it was only 8 in the morning and a bunch of people were walking around, seemingly to work. The scene was grim. I left my phone in my pocket because taking pictures would have been flippant. Picture the projects but with apartment buildings that look like they could topple over at any minute. Clothing hanging out of windows, trash everywhere. That said, the 4 or 5 Indian Reservations I saw in Arizona remain the worst living conditions I've ever seen. Then all of a sudden the buildings improved and I saw red-bricked pavement, a sure sign of Casco Viejo. I captured the moment below.

The view immediately upon entering the old city was a huge difference from where I had been 30 seconds ago.

Casco Viejo: Is the section of Panama City I would recommend to others hotel-wise. I love the little coffee shop near my hotel and the Argentina district is definitely cheaper, but it's far from both the canal and Casco Viejo, which is the prettiest (though a bit run down) area of the city, pics below. Or I'd say stay in the city center. The co-working space I spent yesterday afternoon at, Workings, was on the city edge and the rooftop had a great view of it. I'll get there before I go because I want to see more of the architecture. A number of buildings I saw were unique and modern.

Coffee: In Casco Viejo. La Bajareque had a ton of positive reviews online, and awards for best coffee from 2014 and 2015 in its shop, but I decided to try a simple cappuchino before I shelled out for the $9 Geisha coffee. I'm not an expert but it didn't blow my mind and the few food options looked really basic so I left and found Super Gourmet for breakfast.

Breakfast: Super Gourmet in Casco Viejo. My shredded beef arepa was pretty good and filling but $9. There were a lot of cheaper options, all looked very good, so I'll head back here for food if I'm in Casco Viejo again. It has a cool hipster vibe but felt too touristy for me to stay much longer because of all of the European products it sells. Which lead me to....

More coffee: Unido Casco Viejo. In a gorgeous building, crisply decorated, and the best (and third) coffee of the day. Bonus: free English/Spanish newspaper.

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