Leaving on Thursday, we had a nice and relaxing weekend on a beach in Chitre. On the way to Chitre, we were able to see a part of a traditional
festival at a church in a city called Parita. The church, Iglesia
Parroquial de Parita was completed in 1723, and is one of the few
churches in Panama that remain Spanish-style. This church has a unique
festival in May, where people depict the biblical story of the battle
between the devil and Archangel Michael. People were wearing colorful
costumes and the road were very pretty with decollations. Here are some
pictures from there.
After arriving at the resort hotel, we had a craft lesson, where we made
a small devil-mask from the festival. The instructor was telling us a
story that people used these devil-masks to scare locals to guide them
into the church. With the language difference, the devil-masks played an
effective role to increase the religious feelings. I thought it was
interesting that people 400 years ago utilized the symbolization to
inform and educate others just like we do with icons and signs for
foreigners in many places.
The beach was very nice without much humidity and warm water. At the
both hotels that we stayed on this weekend, people were committed to
protect the environment. We were told not to keep the air conditioner on
while we are out, and the other hotel has a system to turn off all the
electronics unless people key is inserted. I liked how Panamanian
community is trying to save the environment.
Continued to the next entry…!
Yuki
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