Category: Wanderings

What’s a visit to Panama without seeing the canals? 13,000+ ships pass through these gates transiting from the Caribbean to the Pacific and back. Perhaps they’re a metaphor for life (are you reading this?). One gate necessarily has to close before another gate opens for these canal locks to work. Or, rather, you have to choose to close one gate before choosing to open another; for nothing would move otherwise. Every moment there are doors closing and opening, the question is how long does one want to stay locked in one room.

Arrived in the historic district of Casco Viejo in Panama City. By chance, the gentlemen from NY next to me on the flight also checked into the same hostel; and being that he has frequented Panama often, I questioned him at length. But as things are by the previous observation, he will part tomorrow. So for one evening, we wandered the cobblestone alleys and colonial architecture suffused under yellow light. In the late night, the soft noises of the domiciles faintly echo down the alleys syncopated to each measured step. The calm is only punctuated by the presence of the Policias holding semi-automatic riffles posted on each corner.

After wandering a few short blocks, we turned into a dive-dive-dive “bar”; replete with corrugated tin roof and severely crumbled brick walls. Inside, the throb and rhythm of local life pulsated under the balmy April skies as the people moved to renditions of Guns & Roses (among other tunes). Can’t ask for a better beginning.

It’s now struck one o’clock local time. After 2 hours sitting on a balcony caressed by see breezes with a waxing gibbous over head, it’s time to rest up before exploring tomorrow.

April 5, 2009 Miami International Airport –
Seems life is ever caught midstep between here and there. The world moves in such random chaos with such strange synchronicity. Pausing here awaiting for a connecting flight to Panama, am struck by the sheer mass of humanity shuffling their feet hither and thither. But for a moment, total strangers are concoursed to this strange propinquity, so close and yet so distanced with our brethren. We each walk our paths, and for a time we meet, only to part.

Is it not a wonder that despite the vastness of the world and the almost insignificant measure of each step, we manage to span the globe? Long is the path – and here I go again.

There is cold, and then there is COLD. Some how I managed to the edge of Namtso Lake in Tibet, China. At roughly 5000 m. (about 16,000 ft) high, the temperature on this day was -25 Celsius. Nothing seemed more remote than this region; though the scenery is spectacular, I doubt anyone will willingly linger long.

Strange how memory fades so quickly with time. While combing over some old travel photos, I thought it prudent to update some here before fond memories are fogged over by relentless time. Only those wonderous memories that last stand out saliently like the Taj in the pre-dawn fog.  Note: all postings dated 2008 and before are post-dated.