Hola Amigos - Lorenzo aqui.
I recently returned to the United States, I just completed my first trip to Panama and by extension Latin America.
This marks the 3rd continent I’ve traversed, in reflecting on this experience I am feeling positively emotional .
I’d like to share my reflection with you beginning with my reason for going, observations, and a question for you at the end.
Vámonos
Why Did you go to Panama?
Since December of last year I have been planning to go visit Panama with MPAGE (Morehouse Pan-African Global Experience) Program. Due to the protest in the Panama last year, the initial trip in 2023 was canceled.
Being the tactician I am, I spotted this as an opportunity to move swiftly and learn everything there was to know about the trip. Since January 2024 I have stayed on top of all related updates and consistently expressed my interest and intentions to commit to the trip.
Thankfully everything worked out and months later I have just completed a ten day tour around the country.
Why did you want to come to Panama?
I wanted to go to Panama to expand my empathetic capacity and exercise my Spanish. Also, I’ve been crafting something through out my time at Morehouse. That something has become expressing my life philosophy through empathy. Who are Panamanians? How do they laugh with each other? How do they form bonds? Who do they want to become? How do they love? How are they overcoming challenges?
(I will share more about my ponderings on empathy and empathetic capacity in another letter)
What is something that interested you?
To be honest, I had no idea how culturally rich and economically significant Panama is. I knew it had the canal, a large Afro-Diasporic population, distinct and sovereign indigenous communities, and a population prideful of their African roots.
Yet, I still couldn’t have prepared for the experience I had when I actually stepped foot in this country and locked eyes with people who had a mixture of features notably of Spaniard, African, and indigenous descent. It dawned on me very quickly that the intersectionality of identities that make up Panamanian culture is not exclusive to a few communities but rather it is a reality for every single person and an integral aspect of daily Panamanian life.
Here is a country with several protected indigenous communities each with their own sovereign territories, two distinct waves of African and Afro Caribbean population, amongst other Latin American, European, Arab, Chinese, and Jewish migrants.
The melting pot like demographics amongst the preserved/refurbished residential buildings and fortresses from colonial Spanish rule, create a melody of historical nuances, modern relevancy, and cultural perseverance unlike any where I have ever lived.
Apparently Latin Americans dream of coming to Panama as the capital of Latin America, Is this true? Some one in Panama said this too me but I’ve head that’s Miami’s title. In any case, Latin Americans can confirm in the comments.
En la noche, you could really appreciate the subtleties of the area. Imagine feeling a gentle ocean breeze on a warm evening. Soft, intricate rhythms and soothing melodies evoke a sense of intimacy, calm, and nostalgia. It feels both deeply personal and universally inviting. We went from several rooftop bars each with their own personality, some more quiet perfect for watching the city lights with no rush to leave, others more colorful and electric meant for meeting new people and catching a little salsa dance here and there.
As one of the commercial banking capitals of Latin America and the gate keeper of commerce between between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, Panama feels like a society that is both economically stable and perfectly supported for longevity. Panama will be here forever. With out a doubt for the next thousand years.
Closing thoughts
After 10 days: In the country waking up at 6am to get on the road at 7am to travel here and there —I became aware of my identity changing.
I ate the food of the country and incorporated it into my body. Coconuts, rice, and plantains grown from the rich soil and soaked in the sea’s rain.
My eyes kissed the beautiful sky line from several different angles on several different days, early in the morning and late at night.
I’d wake up to the sun’s heavenly golden light shimmering over the sea.
The day would go by.
I’d catch it just in time to wish it farewell as the sky stretched violet and the sun became an red-ish dwarf of a flame, smoldering back under the horizon.
I exchanged palabras with clerks, waiters, tours guides, drivers, college students, biologist, attorney and priest, kids, merchants, bar tenders, German back-packers, dancers, models, chiefs, indigenous children, Americans, ambassadors, and the historian of the royal palace.
My heart resonated
and beat
at the same pace as each of them.
Their stories crossed my mind and weaved through my heart.
I was surrounded by Panama,
my flesh became of Panama,
my breath flowed with Panama.
I lived as Panama
Viva Panama.
Is Panama for you?
If you are looking to spend time in the Caribbean come to Panama. Its got the similar vibes to Miami, plus a history that’s integral to the global economy and the African diaspora.
There is a little something for everybody and the best part is the people!
Next time I go to Panama, I am going with my friends at the Afro-Latina Panama Tour. Lead by the amazing Elzi and her wonderful family. They will not only guide you to the most fun activities, delicious food, and culturally rich communities, but they also will treat you with a love and kindness you can’t possibly find anywhere else in the world. I am eternally grateful for their hospitality and for welcoming my Morehouse brothers and I into their beautiful country.
To Elzi and family: With Love, thanks for everything and all you do <3
So now I will ask you this:
Where are you going to go next?
Why do you want to go there?
and—
Who do you want to become while you are there?
Thank you for your attention and support.
I look forward to sharing more about my journey and crafting even better letters for you.
Until the next page —
Peace and Blessings,
Lorenzo Lugo
What a rose for my soul this was! I have devoured every single word in this letter. Viva Panama !
Now to answer your questions:
1) Where am I going next?
Hopefully Panama :) Again !
2) Why do you want to go there?
I want to keep exploring the history of the African migrations in Panama and spend more time in the isthmus to meet individuals and potential partners for some projects. Anddddd, I want to Spanishize :)
3) Who do you want to become while you are there?
A cross-cultural coalition builder
WaOo Aniahba just know that you guys have a Family here in Panama next time you come back.