Two More Interviews

Two more cool interviews the last few days-

First was yesterday with Marco Gandasegui, a sociology professor and director of the Center for Latin American studies at the University of Panama. He was a quiet, older man who spoke to me in Spanish for about 30 minutes, then mid-answer changed and spoke perfect English. It was bizarre. But he had some good things to say, and passed on copies of the Center's journal, Tarea, that covered the referendum extensively.

One of the cool things we got to talking about was this small park on Via Argentina, near where I live and where his office was located. I asked about it because citizen participation seems to have influenced the zoning politics enough to where it won't be surrounded by 50 floor condo buildings. This is good, but Marco seemed much less optimistic. He said that one of the things Panama is known for-- and I've seen this in reading the papers very carefully-- is making bold, this-is-a-new-day announcements, then quietly shifting after public attention is elsewhere. We'll see what happens to the park, but it'll definitely be a new thing to ask people about, especially around the neighborhood.

This morning, I woke up early and ran for the first time since running on the beach in Rio. It was great to explore a little bit before it got too hot. I showered and put on my shirt and tie (I have one. Bad packing). Took a cab to Casco Viejo (French Quarter, but not nearly as nice) and found the Salon Bolivar where the Ministry of Exterior Relations is located. Went through 3 secretaries before I got to my appt with Dr. Nils Castro, basically the 3rd or 4th in command of Panama's foreign affairs. Wow.

No, wow. I didn't appreciate how cool that experience was when I was talking to him because I was focusing on not making myself look like an American clown. But it was great. He gave me a few articles he wrote on the subject, introduced me to a colleague that gave me some more information and promised to have a packet of things for me waiting on Monday. Very friendly guys. Got the appointment through Bill Smith, one of the professors who taught the class I finished a few weeks ago in Argentina, Uruguay and Brasil.

So that's my update. Went to the yacht club last night to meet some people who might get me on their yachts to cross the Canal. That's not looking as good bc its hurricane season. I hate hurricanes. But we'll see.

Davis