Visting Miraflores Locks

Over the years, I've visited Miraflores Locks many times. It never fails to fascinate me. ACP (Autoridad del Canal de Panama) has done a marvelous job on the Visitor's Center, and even though I consider the price of admission for non-residents to be a bit high ($5.00 regular or $8.00 for the deluxe tour), it's only $1.50 for resident pensionados and senior citizens. I've always found it strange to have two-tiered pricing, but no one's listening to my thoughts. Even so, it's still a bargain to see ships lock through, and the four-floor museum alone is worth the price of admission. During the rainly season, you are likely to get rained on and the main observation deck has no covering, so either take an umbrella or wear clothes that can get wet.

There is a buffet restaurant, but at over $22.00 per person, we passed, so I can't comment on the quality of the food. For my money, and taste, I'd rather drive down the road toward Pedro Miguel and eat 'Shark Fish' at the Lakeview Restaurant. (Newsletter #46)

If you come to Panama, Miraflores Locks is a must-see. You will pay a bit more than usual for taxi-fare ($5.00 ~ $10.00 depending on your negotiating skill). If you are driving, take the Gaillard Highway past Albrook and Clayton toward Gamboa. The entrance to Miraflores is on the left about a 1/4 mile past the Clayton front gate.

Haircut Update

First, many thanks to all who wrote me with tips on where to get a good haircut in Panama City. I finally got around to trying the first of them, Ruben at the YMCA building in Balboa. Thanks to Bob Askew for recommending him. I'm very pleased with Ruben's tonsorial skills. (Yeah, I know, that's an unusual word for a Deep East Texas good old boy to use.) Ruben's english is good enough that you can explain to him what you want. He cut my hair just the way I wanted, which is the first time that's happened in Panama in my memory. In fact, he almost matches Charley Craddock's skill. Charley is the barber who cut my hair 50 years ago when I was in high school, and still does when I get back to Hemphill, Texas.

Ruben not only knows how to cut hair the old-fashioned tapered way, he's very reasonable. He only charges $4.00, and for the quality of his work, that's a real bargain.

While you're in the YMCA, try the ham and cheese sandwich ($1.00) at the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the first floor.

Recovery

I apologize for the missing Newsletter last week, but sometimes I just need a rest and my left eye was bothering me a lot last Monday. It's much better now, and it appears I will regain most of my lost sight.

Next Week

My brother Richard and his bride, Tammie are visiting from exotic Palo Gaucho (Pollygotch in Deep East Texas vernacular) on the banks of Toledo Bend Lake in Sabine County Texas, and we are all going to Decameron later today. Next week I'll have an update report on Decameron and El Valle de Anton

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