One of the things that make Casco Antiguo special is that is a community where small things can be implemented resulting in big impact not only in the resident`s lifestyle but in Panama`s tourism.

You know, most Panamanians when talking about Casco are still afraid of coming here or recommending others to come. "It is dangerous... don`t park your car just anywhere"... I guess they where right! strange things do happen here... check out this photo...

Walking to the office, found this incredible surprise! straight from mother nature... reminding us wildlife is exactly that... crazy wild!

El Casqueño, Casco Viejo`s newspaper has now a website! beautifully done, you`ll find the articles both in Spanish and English. Check it out! El Casqueño, el periódico del Casco Antiguo, ahora tiene un sitio web! bien diseñado, ahí encontrarán artículos del Casco Viejo tanto en español como en inglés. Visita el sitio aquí:

Bar hoping, poetry reading, surfing, reading, everything is reachable in and from Casco Viejo.

If you are a pet owner, ticks are one of your worst nightmares. But ticks in tropical countries are everywhere... so what can you do? AVACA`s members got together into a fumigation program, hopefully with good effects!

Taking care of street cat and dog population is part of taking care of the city. Families in Casco Viejo had the opportunity to get their pets operated at no cost this Sunday through the ngo Spay Panama. Also, another event took place in Santa Ana when artists gathered to create awareness about the importance of keeping the city beautiful.

Panama Viejo was founded in an undefendable and unhealthy swamp. The Spanish back in 1673 corrected this error by founding the "new city" at a rocky peninsula and surrounding the area with an amazing wall. Today, walking outside the wall is a beautiful experience... check it out!

Did you know Panama uses and throws away 500 million plastic bags a year? each person on a single visit to the supermarket uses about 9 bags. We go to the supermarket once a week, and our population is about 3.5 million. What can we do? this is affecting our ecosystems... and we are part of it.

I had some incredible dreams, all water related. No "mystery of the brain" here... outside it was pouring rain! When we came out for our morning workout, a beautiful rainbow had formed...

Some projects take a long time, this one started in 2006. However, it is crucial for Panama not only because it reorganizes the sewage system but because it is crucial to recover what is mainly our trademark: our oceans and rivers.

I know this month is ALL about the soccer World Cup. However... we do have other things going on! (which won´t compete with your ability to see the games).

This past weekend, a small event to celebrate the Environment Day turned into a hughe success. Beautiful palms were planted, but also the seed into our children´s minds about taking care of trees and the environment.

Tomorrow, at 9:30 a.m. the Casco Viejo Neighborhood and Friends Association will celebrate the United Nation´s Earth Day in Casco Viejo. AVACA, as it is known in Spanish, will have a small but fun event, where they´ll replace 7 royal palms that used to complete the landscape of Casco Viejo´s waterfront next to the National Theatre.

This morning was so nice: cool breeze running by the beach, cozy clouds and a dramatic scenario of rocks, water and sunrise. Again, I´m not the best photographer, but well.... here are my best shots. I had some sort of zen experience that made me think about roots and hidden beauty.

Spring is here for most of the North Hemisfere! in Casco Viejo, we have a little bit of it. We wanted to share its beautiful colors and wish you a fantastic season!

Thursday night was full of romantic music and art. Friday promises to be exciting and - yes- a bit chaotic!

Tonight! a group of businesses will gather into what is becoming a monthly art party in Casco Viejo: Diablo Rosso, JungleWood, Super Gourmet and Relic are coreographing different events so you can enjoy all places and offers. What and when here!

Spring in Panama only lasts a few days, while robles bloom in pink and guayacanes in a bright yellow. After, a romantic carpet covers the plazas...

In the last 8 years, Panama has had an incredible growth. Tourism, construction, the Panama Canal, banking, every area seemed to be thriving, and got the country to touch amazing growing rates comparable only with China (9% - 10%). But there was an area that was left behind: public transportation. Today, we got good news about it.

Waste less, workout more, better eating habits, drink more water... so many thoughts cross through your mind when thinking about this upcoming year. But they are only thoughts until you work at making them real. As Nike said... "Just do it". This should be called the "Just Do It"- Year.

This year our family decided to go with eco wrappings for Christmas. I´ve been wrapping with newspapers for a long time, but only now it seemed to "catch on". I´m sort of proud of my collection this year, so here it is! hope you like it...

I have to say, I worked at the Smithsonian and once of the things I never got tired of was visiting the Panama Canal. Nothing like navigating through pure jungle, checking out the monkeys (cariblancos, titis, howlers), the crocodriles, the birds and of course, the huge Panamax ships.

Home delivery Italian Style! Going green with their pizza home delivery, Caffe Per Due starts the bicycle spark in Casco Viejo.

Eco Friendly Christmas Tree using newspaper, garden pot, a stick and your imagination! Also, a mini Chrismtas tree for your table made out of magazines...

Casco Viejo is more than ever connected to the rest of Panama City thanks to the Cinta Costera. The original plans, however, included a piece that would literally connect Terraplen and somehow it didn´t get done during the past administration. A controversial project from the start! We finally have the plans.

Her name and her work are legendary...

Direct flight from Panama to Amsterdam: ten hours (and a half) later I had passed from full tropical weather to Amsterdam´s chilli autum, and eating dutch pancakes wrapped in four layers of clothing. Being from Panama, for me, cold is an exotic destination. But really, While I can take a plane at night and be in cold weather the next morning eating pancakes, anyone in Amsterdam can do the same and be on a boat at the Panama Canal lake in the afternoon watching monkeys or even hiking at one of our 15 minute away national parks and discover what the rainforest is all about.

Our friend and neighbor Steve sent us a great video!

Casco Viejo community woke up early this Sunday. Their goal: clean one of Casco´s most recognizable beaches, but also create awareness about garbage disposal in the old quarter.

Morning walks are quite an adventure in Casco Viejo. Treasured pieces of history and weird creatures awaits in every corner.

And you thought you were into organic and recycling. But nothing like the "old days"! they knew how to use EVERYTHING and beautifully.

What a great weekend! learned about paddle surfing and good old pirates...

A recycling company will join the Mercado de Pulgas this Sunday. Check it out!

The old Union Club has been an iconic building in Casco since its foundation in the 1920´s. This weekend, due to a very windy storm, it lost it´s chimney (and the tree that was holding it together).

The famous (or infamous, depending on who you are reading) Cinta Costera opened this Sunday. It will change the way many think of the city, its water front, its parks. And the best part of it: it takes you straight into Casco Viejo ... in no time!

Passing the rocks, crossing the dunes, there are still unexplored places in Casco Viejo...

Weekend is coming! here are the upcoming eco adventures and cultural events.

Speaking of surf... (at my blog early this morning), I just got this video article that was posted at Surfing Magazine about surf in Panama (check out sites at Bocas del Toro):

"Raindrops are falling on my head".... but it doesn´t stop the carnival! Panama is entering into the rainny season, hated by many but highly appreciated by all nature lovers. Check out the event calendar for the month: art, music, theatre and ecological trips at Casco Antiguo´s nearby jungles and beyond!

I am not joking when I say I have never seen anything move so fast in this country. I don´t know if it is because the Presidential Elections are so close now (in May)...

One of the things I enjoy living here is that I can choose from a range of activities. Casco Antiguo is a step away from the countryside, which we call the "interior" (not really sure why....). We are also so close to the Canal Zone, that hiking primary jungle is possible within 15 minutes. Fishing at the lake, kayak around, so many things you can do! Check out the list of upcoming hikes by local clubs... join!

After a weird La Niña day (sun and light rain at the same time) the day was crowned... literally! with beauty.

When I was little I had dogs, cats a rabbit and even a hen. But I lived in a house in the suburbs, and pets where the "must do" of the area. When I moved to Casco Viejo, one of the things I never imagined having, as I´m living in an apartment, was to have a pet. But last week,

After a year of several shocks, ups and downs in value, and true uncertainty regarding the future, we wanted to start fresh this new year with an inspirational thought

One of the well known tactics to attract children anywhere is to have them make fun stuff. Aprojusan, a local ngo, uses art as honey to get local children to assist to their center. While they are there, they receive help with homework, basic healthcare and emotional support. Now, while we where trying to have a serious conversation... check out the madness around us! I was about to skip office to join them...

I did it!!!!!! I´m so excited, we got a video camera... oh my god... Casco Viejo, watch out! I´ll finally be able to film how everyday life is at Casco Antiguo. From our edible garden at our balcony (now you´ll be able to see my tomatoes.. live!) to our morning jogging excursions at the jungle 10 minutes away from Casco. Don´t believe me? check it out! here is my debut as a film maker, please don´t laugh too hard..

An international Piano Contest and the first Urban Art Award, check out the details here!

High season has officially arrived: breeze days, more sun than rain and cruise ship passengers walking around Casco Antiguo. But if you are not into "window shopping" Panama by bus and would like a more local (and budget) trip, here are some interesting options!

When Al Gore launched his “ Inconvenient Truth” he touched many nerves world wide. Liked it or not, people reacted in such a way that has forced all relevant presidential candidates ( like Barak Obama and John Mccain) to take note of these issues seriously. The energy crisis is real. Just today (and to make things worst) I opened the newspaper and read how hurricane Ike has at least a dozen of refineries closed in the United States. Food crisis is coming up next. What can we do?

The good news: my eggplant just gave two little and beautiful "berenjenas". The bad - ugly news: somehow it just got a horrible pest!!! help!!!

Last night, the United Nations Environmental Programee inaugurated at the National Theatre in Casco Antiguo their "For the Earth" Festival. It will last a month, with several activities withing Casco Antiguo, ranging from poetry to rock concerts. Most of the activities will be held at

September´s agenda is full! check out the calendar to your left, and you´ll see the details. But here is a "panoramic" view of what´s going on for September.

September in Casco Viejo starts with interesting events: dance and music all over. Check out the new events here...

Casco Viejo will host a very special event in September. The United Nation´s agency for the Environment (known in Spanish as PNUMA) will present an art festival featuring artists from different disciplines, from poetry to street painting. Check out the event calendar here!

I swear I had this great-very-serious article about the gas refinery projects that are coming to Panama, but someone just sent me this amazing picture and I just couldn´t help it. Check it out and you´ll see what I mean.

Ah! La Bella Roma! From the cradle of Western civilization to a huge melting pot, for those who have visited or lived in Rome it blows your mind away and steals a piece of your heart. But if you actually want to own a piece of Rome, you’d better be prepared to give also your kidney away (the good one), an eye and seriously consider adding up one of your lungs to sweeten the deal. Wao. The incredible thing isn’t that prices are astronomically high; it is that at over $20,000 US dollars per mt2 or $2,000 per ft2 people are still buying.

A wonderful vacation on Europe gave me a refreshing view of what life and lifestyle is in the old continent. There is so much to learn! Starting to get my thoughts organized...

Almost a month ago we launched an Urban Composting Contest aimed to provide the comunity of Casco Antiguo with a system to not only recycle their organic trash but also to be able to grow food that would balance their diet and ultimately even sell to restaurants. The results so far are interesting...

It almost sounds like the title of an experimental movie! but well, I had so many little pictures and happenings this weekend and upcoming week I couldn´t just "cluster" them in a theme. First, of course, the tomatoes...

This morning it felt like a scene from Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The sky was a beautiful plomb color, the air felt almost chilli. Hundreds of seagulls flying over the roof catching all sorts of things for breakfast. A bit of rain still falling, but not enough to carry an umbrella. We call that "bajareque". I stood there, just watching this silent, beautiful dance for a few minutes. It was really peaceful.

For those who wondered what was the last plant, here is the answer:

After composting for some time in my balcony, I had a wonderful (but completely accidental) turn of events! check it out!

With all the world’s climate issues, we would like to take this opportunity to get everyone thinking about a more sustainable Casco, an example to the rest of Panama City. The seeds are already getting planted... join us! there is a fun contest here, where you can really make the difference.

Panama Real Estate Investment: This is a small project which we hope plant the seed for a big change and help raise the bar in developments in the area. It will be the first project in the old city to have...

Green Panama: Here is an exciting project on the move: transforming Casco Antiguo into an organic garden. Our friend and organic specialist Spencer is already working on it, and I have to say it´s fascinating.