Happy Independence Day, Panama

Today is Panama’s celebration of their Independence from Colombia. We’re usually there for the big party, but this year we’re putting it off (opting for Carnival instead) .

Although I’m very proud to be an American and very grateful for everything this country has given me and my family (including my two daughters who were born in Panama), a piece of my heart still lives in Panama.

So excuse me for not talking about the election for one minute.

My wife’s family legend is that her grandfather came with the Colombian Army to put down the rebellion in 1903 and after a brief skirmish and brief imprisonment, he elected to stay in Panama instead of returning to Colombia. Her other grandfather was a Chinese laborer who came to build the Canal and he also stayed. Take it from us, Panama is a real hard place to leave.

Here’s a video I took two years ago of the parade;

And here’s a funny video from last year’s parade made locally – it’s much funnier if you speak Spanish;

Oh, and did I mention that John McCain was born in Panama?

Category: Politics