Had to wake up frigging early(8AM, on VACATION? God...) to get my diplomatic status renewed. We drove to Casco Viejo and as always, I was amazed at the difference between the ex-zone and the outside. Literally as soon as you crossed over, the green, lush grass and the tidy houses turned into filthy streets and run down buildings. It's sad, it's pathetic, but it's Panama. When I got closer to the center of the area where all the houses are renewed it started to remind me of where I lived in Brazil, Sao Luis. Parking, as in all places in Panama, was a bit of a bitch, but we got a space.
For those of you not familiar with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Panama, I"m just going to say one thing.
They have a really, really nice place to work in. Their headquarters is in one of the many palaces in the district, and it is pretty big. There is a huge square with a Christmas tree only outdone by the one they always put up in Albrook Mall in the middle of it. They have possibly the nicest ocean view from any of the ministries, and have a pretty clear view at that multi million dollar island they are building far out on the coast of the city.
When we finally stopped gaping at the view and the place itself, we went up to get our cards...
That's when me and Evert got caught off guard.
Although it was only our FIRST day off, we had already lost the proper use of our hands, so when we did have to sign something our terrible handwriting was twice as bad. But hey, at least it's renewed.
Diplomatic status can get you just about anything in Panama, you avoid taxes on everything, and can get out of any minor crime just by showing your card. Your car CANNOT be given a ticket, and a whole bunch of other fun bonuses too. Although my family doesn't really abuse those privileges, we always like to keep it, it IS our Visa, after all.*
After going to the National Museum for the first time since I went there in January 2006, we drove back home. The renovated part of Casco Viejo really reminds me of Sao Luis, which was an beautiful city. Shame there are so many friggin cars and idiots on the streets, I swear I saw some kid looking into car windows for something to steal, he wasn't even being subtle about it, he was just shoving his head on the window to look through. Brazilians never got CAUGHT doing that, I mean really, Panamanian thieves could really learn a lot from Brazilians. Only difference is, this area isn't half as beautiful as Sao Luis and it isn't really a restaurant area like the old part of town was back in Brazil.
Here's what I'm talking about:
I guess us beautiful people come from beautiful places.
*Note: You dont actually have to have anything to do with being a diplomat to get this status, UN and just about every NGO gets this.
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