Panama: Echoes of the Canal

After careful consideration, I chose Panama City, Panama, for our next Latin American team meeting. A decision I hoped would benefit the entire team.

I came from Bogotá, Colombia, a relatively short hop compared to other agonizingly long flights, such as Dubai, Delhi, or Beijing. Tocumen International Airport is modern and efficient, lacking the usual horrors one might encounter in other unfamiliar places around the world where I've had the pleasure of hanging my hat and, even better, leaving unscathed. Once on Panamanian ground, I was happy to see the familiar face of Manuel, my good friend and business colleague, waiting in the international arrivals section. The drive to downtown Panama was an easy 25 miles over excellent roads. One learns to appreciate the little things in life. The view of downtown Panama is genuinely something to behold, looking more like Miami shimmering in the heat, juxtaposed against the bright blue waters of the Gulf of Panama. I had made a calculated move to arrive in Panama at least before or after the rainy season. I had an unfortunate habit of timing my arrivals just in time for the monsoon season, as I did in Vietnam and India, experiencing torrents of rain, floods, and intense humidity. The only relief could be found in a hotel bar, joining others, numbing our senses, and waiting. Fun. The weather here in Panama City was different, totally manageable, yes, hot and humid—an all-too-familiar scenario but otherwise, an actual walk in the park.

I was gathering the Latin American team for a two-day strategic planning and team-building event, which meant that business owners and our customers from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina would all be attending. My usual approach was to assign someone to handle the necessary on-the-ground logistics; typically, this responsibility fell to the country representative. For Panama, my go-to person was Manuel, a sophisticated and well-educated individual who ran a thriving international export business with his father. He would be in charge of scouting local hotels, ensuring adequate meeting space, and, equally importantly, organizing a group event for the entire day following the meetings. As in the past, I knew that "all work and no play made Juan a very dull boy."

Manuel, true to his word, arranged for all of us to stay at the very comfortable Hard Rock Hotel Panama. This towering 66-floor hotel culminates with "BITS"—Bar in the Sky, an elegant rooftop bar and lounge on the 63rd floor offering an unparalleled view of Panama Bay. The ride reminded me of the Sheraton Hong Kong with its rooftop bar on the 118th floor and its glass elevator offering a breathtaking view as you ascend into the sky. The view is lovely, especially at night, as long as your fear of heights and the feel of your legs turning to jelly doesn't start to kick in.

Since my last visit to Panama, the iconic Hard Rock Hotel has been rebranded to the Hard Rock Panama Megapolis, offering a revamped experience for travelers and locals alike. The new Hard Rock, still located in the heart of Panama City's bustling financial district, is just a few blocks from the now notorious law firm Mossack Fonseca. This firm is best known for its involvement in the "Panama Papers" scandal—a leak of 11.5 million confidential documents revealing the often murky world of wealthy individuals, public officials, and private banking.

The documents exposed numerous personal secrets and financial dealings previously kept private. Among those named in the leak were a dozen current or former world leaders, 128 public officials and politicians, hundreds of celebrities, businesspeople, and other wealthy individuals. The old saying, "Everything is legal as long as you don't get caught," certainly applied here, with the case involving $1.36 billion—a number that will likely continue to rise. Ultimately, I suspect it was not so much the financial losses per se that were hard to swallow but rather revealing their financial misconduct for all to see in the glaring light of day!

The annual planning session on the first day was a resounding success, marked by the delighted reactions of our Latin business partners. The purpose of the gathering was to unite diverse business leaders with the common objective of exporting their products to the USA. Fluency in Spanish was essential for all participants. By the end of the day, country business leaders were sharing product ideas and individual business strategies. Their numerous photos clearly showed their enjoyment and satisfaction with the process.

I took a few moments to observe the interactions "live and in color." On one side of the room, I watched the representative from Chile discuss an export issue with our Costa Rican representative. On the other side, our colleague from Peru detailed a chemical testing process to the representative from Argentina. Meanwhile, our representative from Bogotá, Colombia, was making an intimate sales presentation. And so it went all day.

My good friend Manuel had a double play in store for us. We were all taking a bus to visit the Panama Canal, specifically the Miraflores Lock.

The Panama Canal, one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, is a must-see for anyone visiting the country. This 82-kilometer (51-mile) artificial waterway cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and dramatically decreases travel time for ships between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is a vital conduit for maritime trade and has seen over 900,000 vessels pass through.

Witnessing the Panama Canal in operation, especially at one of its locks, is truly awe-inspiring. If you're fortunate enough to be at the Miraflores visitors' center as one or more massive ships pass through, consider yourself lucky. Watching a boat navigate the lock is a beautifully orchestrated, majestic process, and waiting for it is undoubtedly worthwhile. I've had the privilege of witnessing this spectacle twice and would eagerly return for a third visit.

After departing the canal, Manuel arranged for a brief stop so we could tour Old Panama or Panamá Viejo. This area is the remnants of the original Panama City, which served as the capital until it was destroyed in 1671 by the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan. Today, it lies in the suburbs of the current capital.

Our last evening was at the "Bar in the Sky," an elegant rooftop bar and lounge on the 63rd floor. To get there, we had to change elevators on the 25th floor, where I was prepared to change my mind, before reaching our final destination. After taking the obligatory photos, enjoying drinks, and dancing, I left early to avoid the elevator congestion on the way down. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Meanwhile, our lively Latin American team stayed on to dance the night away, eventually closing the bar.

Overall, it was a memorable trip, blending the awe of the Panama Canal with the joy of hosting our Latin American business partners in such a spectacular setting. Their presence and participation added a special touch to our event, and I looked forward to more such opportunities.

Don't leave Panama without buying your Panama hat.

This story is adapted from my upcoming fourth book, "Whispers of the Americas: Tales of Food and Culture Spanning Two Continents," set to be released in Fall 2024. #Panama #PanamaCity