Independence Day

November 28th is Independence Day in Panama - well really it is one of 3 Independence Day.  On November 3 is celebrated the Independence of Panama from Colombia in 1903, also known as Colon Day, that jump starts Panama’s Patriotic Month. While on No
vember 10 is the day that Panamanians remember the ‘uprising in Villa Los Santos’ against the Spaniards; and finally on November 28 is celebrated the National Day, a celebration of Independence from Spain in full for Panama.
From my understanding there are only a few parades held in the country and the largest being right here  in  Boquete.  The parades are not what we have back in the states - no floats - no candy throwing -no tractors or firetrucks- but miles and miles of bands.  Almost every public school in the country will perform that day.  This year we found the bands played more "real" music- they had many different instruments not just drums and and xylophones.  The most impressive is the outfits they were .  All the girls it seemed were in knee high boots with high heels.  They had many girls with batons and many others in traditional dresses.  They are all beautiful.     

We went down to the apartment building that we will be living in later this month and spent the day with friends.  It give us a great viewing place.  We arrived shortly after 10 and the parade was in full swing- we stayed until 9:30 that night and the parade was still going on. It rained on and off all day but that did not slow it down.
One of the more interesting marching groups was a union - the workers were protesting that President Martinelli had raised taxes to 7%.  The group involved adults and kids, Indians,and Panamanians.  What caught our attention was that the banners they carried contained swastikas and likenesses of Hitler.  But what was really different was that evidently no one wanted to follow them - there was a break of over 20 minutes that no one marched.  I will admit it was a nice break from the drums though.

We were at one of the main street - at the other end of main street was a viewing stand that held the dignitaries of the city and the country.  Last year the President was there but this year he sent is right hand man the vice president.  As we watched later in the afternoon we watched as he did the typical politician thing of walking through the crowds waving and shaking hands and I am sure he actually kissed a few babies.

He is the front runner for the election in 2 years.  He and the president are elected separately from my understanding. Politicians can only serve 5 year terms and they cannot get elected back to back. 
The day seemed to fly by.  Each band marched - did dance routines.  They do not play drums here they beat drums.  Many times breaking either thetop of the drums or their sticks.  Most drums had tap across the top holding it together.

The town took on a feel of  carnival.  Street vendors selling everything from food and drinks to clothing, hats, noisemakers, hats, firecrackers.  It was wall to wall people and cars.  The one things you do not see is drinking in the streets.

Other than bands there were marchers of policeman, border patrols, fireman etc.  It seemed strange to me that this country has no military other than police.  Yet so many of the costumes reflect military attire.  There was such a large group of the border patrol that I joked that no one was actually guarding the border!!!

The day is one of my favorites of my stay here.  On this day I can get the true feel of the Panamanian culture.  There are some  Gringos that do not even come into the town that day - they feel it is too crowded too noisy- too Panamanian.  I do NOT understand this attitude- Panama is their country and they are kind enough to allow us to stay here.  Embrace their culture and enjoy what they teach us.