about to say goodbye to Panama

friends,
I have just 8 days left in Panama, so Rice and Beans is coming to an end. But here's what's been up the last few days.

Been interviewing more people and have some cool stuff coming up. On Monday, I had two great meetings at the US Embassy. Brian Naranjo was first; he's the chief political affairs officer and a really smart guy. We talked for about an hour and he helped me understand the trajectory of the campaign and why it took so long for the poll numbers for the Yes side to respond to what everyone figured would happen in the election. He said it was a combination of the Yes side sending out politicians to hold info sessions rather than technocrats who aren't as dynamic, a private group of business leaders who pooled funds and ran a parallel ad campaign that posed the vote as a question of progress or move backwards, and the public support of a number of Panamanian celebrities for the Yes side. Great talk though.

Second was Manny Rubio, who was much more of a character. He made it huge it private equity in NYC and retired when he was 38. Ok. Then he applied for the foreign service after a few friends died in 9/11. Got the job as chief officer for economic affairs and has been in Panama for a few years. He knows vast amounts about the shipping industry and the Panama Canal. And told me great stories and called people out on their bs. He's a little too young to be so disenchanted with the entire world. But thats ok...

Last night I went to the Universidad Latina de Panama with Alejandrino, one of the contacts I'd made. Heard a great presentation by an American who's been here studying corruption fo rthe alst 10 months. Nothing about the Canal or the Canal Authority, which is kinda expected because people see it as something completely set apart and above the normal workings of politics. Others have confirmed that this perception played a key role in how the Yes side won so handily. We grabbed some dinner after at La Tablita, this 45 year old outdoor diner that's still incredibly popular with the politically inclined in Panama. Best grilled chicken I've ever had in my life. Glad I got to go to this Panama City institution.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Electoral Tribunal , the govt branch that runs elections in Panama. Should be good stuff, and once again I got the contact through Alejandrino, who has become an enormous help here. What a guy--

This weekend is my last adventure in Panama. I'm flying on Friday morning to Bocas del Toro, a cool series of islands in the nw of Panama. I'll spend a few days hiring locals to drive me around on their boats and snorkeling, then Sunday or Monday start to meander my way back to Panama City by bus. last chance to see the country!