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A Blog focused on Exploring Panama & Sharing the LiveWalk Experience

Favorite Drinks: Agua de Pipa, Coconut Water

10/30/2015

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As the Food Babe says “there is nothing better than drinking water straight from a coconut.” I agree! The coconut health food rage has resulted in the production and worldwide distribution of all sorts of packaged coconut waters. With costs usually US$3 or over and additives and production processes that impact the quality of the packaged water (see: http://foodbabe.com/2014/07/15/how-to-buy-the-healthiest-coconut-water-and-avoid-the-worst/), the selection process becomes difficult to navigate.

Luckily in Panama, finding fresh coconut water in its natural container is easy. You can pick up a large green immature coconut (the brown, hairy coconut is a mature coconut) for about US$1 in most small, informal grocery stores. Ask for an “agua de pipa.” The immature coconuts are informally referred to as “pipa” – the translation of coconut, however, is “coco.” The folks at the store usually open the pipa with a machete right before your eyes – talk about unprocessed!
 
The coconut has infused itself in Panamanian culture - from local cooking (especially along the Atlantic Coast – coconut rice is a must try during your stay!) to artisan goods to Panamanian slang! If you are bald, you may be called a cocobolo; if you are snobby, you may be called a cocotudo; if you are surprised by your good luck, you may exclaim “qué cocón!”

For a bit more information on Panama’s coconuts, see: http://www.biomuseopanama.org/es/node/269
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Favorite Panama City Walks: The Marine Viaduct

10/21/2015

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To fully admire the Casco Viejo’s defensive structure and to take a lovely walk while you’re at it, head to the approximately two-mile marine viaduct that encircles the Casco Viejo and forms part of the City’s famous coastal beltway, the Cinta Costera.
 
The marine viaduct opened in April 2014 and has a bike path, walking/jogging path, water fountains, viewing areas, and a plethora of flowers! As you walk, you will enjoy fantastic views of the Casco’s walls (which were so expensive, the Spanish King was rumored to have looked west and expressed his expectation to see the walls from Spain), the mother of pearl laden spires of the Cathedral, and the old military barracks among many other points of interest.
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Admiring the view of the Casco Viejo from one of the Cinta Costera's many rest points
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A nice place for a siesta!
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The marine viaduct was built primarily to help ease traffic in Panama City but has been quite controversial given that it interrupts the beautiful sea views from the Casco. Residents also feared it would impact the Casco’s World Heritage Site status (thankfully, it didn’t). To learn more about the controversy, see: http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2012/10/121022-Panama-City-Highway-Stirs-Controversy.asp
 
Despite the initial controversy, the Engineering News-Record recently awarded the third phase of the Cinta Costera, which includes the marine viaduct, the 2015 Global Best Project in Roads and Highway Award. For more information, see: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/engineering-news-record-selects-panamas-cinta-costera-3-for-best-road-and-highway-project-honor-2015-08-2 
 
How to get there:
If you’re staying in the Casco Viejo, you can easily walk to the entrance. If you're driving,  you can park your car in the lot right after the roundabout en route to the Casco Viejo (flagged on the map below). If you take a taxi, you could ask to be dropped off at the Mercado de Mariscos (which is just a short walk away from the start of the viaduct) or at the parking lot indicated below.  
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