Thread: Looking for 90 year old lady in Colon

I am looking for an old friend in Colon, of whom I have heard nothing since 1950. Her name is Clementine Hooker and she was born in Cartagena. I think were she alive she would be about ninety.

I live in Maine and have visited Panama recently but have not ventured to stay in Colon. I would like to hear any ideas about a safe place to stay in that once wonderful city. I grew up on Tenth Street and Roosevelt Avenue, next to Bilgray's Garden. I have seen the neighborhood recently and it is heartbreaking.

What was it like before?

What was Colon like before? It was prosperous, beautiful, safe. I think the Free Trade Zone has slowly strangled the economy. The irony is that now that all the businesses in the Free Trade Zone are owned by foreigners, the Zone will act to sap the Panama economy as it has the that of Colon. The pathos of the mess in Colon is that the victims who have no out are blamed for what's happened.

Originally Posted by quarryheights

What was Colon like before? It was prosperous, beautiful, safe. I think the Free Trade Zone has slowly strangled the economy. The irony is that now that all the businesses in the Free Trade Zone are owned by foreigners, the Zone will act to sap the Panama economy as it has the that of Colon. The pathos of the mess in Colon is that the victims who have no out are blamed for what's happened.

Very interesting to hear how it has changed. I believe from what others have told me that the CFZ is controlled by a handful of very wealthy families, including Panamanians living in Panama City. I wonder what the impressions are of the cruise ship passengers that are dumped off and left to wander around? Sounds like the locals remain relegated to low paying jobs in the CFZ and little wealth has trickled down to them. That's a shame. Maybe some day with a lot greater demand and lots of renovation money the city can be restored to its glory.

Colon is a city that has an unfortunate stigma associated with it now. Rampant poverty, crime etc.. hamper investment in what should be a thriving area of Panama. While it is admittedly a monumental task I believe transforming this city could be done with proper security, investment, opportunity and most importantly rebranding it's tarnished image.

Have you any names for the "handful of wealthy families"?
When I was last in Colon about three years ago, tourists were loaded onto buses at ship side and taken to the CFZ, no wandering around. About 25 years ago, against a cousin's advice, I drove with my mother (age 75 at the time) to Colon and we got out of the car to enter the church we had gone to--on the edge of New Cristobal. Getting out of the car, she was mugged and her purse taken.
When I was a kid, Panamanian friends would often ask my mother to buy things for them in the Commissary. When I first heard of the CFZ I was sure it spelled disaster for the Colon economy: no one with any connections (that is money) would buy any big ticket item except in the CFZ. Has anyone written a study linking the CFZ to the disintegration of Colon?

So long as the CFZ is there, this will not happen.

Originally Posted by quarryheights

Have you any names for the "handful of wealthy families"?

Ha ha. No, I sure don't, but you'll know them when you see them - well protected.

Originally Posted by quarryheights

Have you any names for the "handful of wealthy families"?
When I was last in Colon about three years ago, tourists were loaded onto buses at ship side and taken to the CFZ, no wandering around. About 25 years ago, against a cousin's advice, I drove with my mother (age 75 at the time) to Colon and we got out of the car to enter the church we had gone to--on the edge of New Cristobal. Getting out of the car, she was mugged and her purse taken.
When I was a kid, Panamanian friends would often ask my mother to buy things for them in the Commissary. When I first heard of the CFZ I was sure it spelled disaster for the Colon economy: no one with any connections (that is money) would buy any big ticket item except in the CFZ. Has anyone written a study linking the CFZ to the disintegration of Colon?

You mentioned the cruise ships, my mother is taking a cruise from Florida to San Diego thru the Panama Canal. The ship stops in Colon and I have already advised her not to get off at that port because of how dangerous it is. She also knows beside junk to buy there is nothing to see there.

She would enjoy taking a taxi around. From googlemap I see that much has been done to enhance the seafront from the Hotel Washington and Christ Church by the Sea along the bay. Hotel Washington is in great shape and has a long and wonderful history.

Originally Posted by quarryheights

She would enjoy taking a taxi around. From googlemap I see that much has been done to enhance the seafront from the Hotel Washington and Christ Church by the Sea along the bay. Hotel Washington is in great shape and has a long and wonderful history.

two 70 year old women wandering around colon is not a good idea. She knows she can visit me in Panama and have a much safer experience and see allot of cool stuff. So for her getting off the ship in Colon is not a big deal. Heck on port days when the ship clears out is when you can actually use some of the ships amenities without crowds.