UXcamp, Information Architects in Panama & 2007 Panama Jazz Festival · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: Jorge  Arango reports on the first UXcamp – an user experience gathering in Panama.
Last night BootStudio hosted what is probably the first user experience gathering in Central America: UXcamp. We had a pretty good turnout, and folks (web desigers and developers, for the most part) seemed genuinely excited about the issues being discussed:
#2: Stephan Schuab reports on the same event: UXcamp, Information Architecs in Panama
Information Architecture is an interesting topic and important when you are working on web applications. It doesn't matter so much what technology (PHP, J2EE or .NET) you use to implement your application. From a software developer's perspective IA is about narrowing down the specification for the application and define the user interface (the user experience as they say, hence "UX"). To a lot of other people who do not create applications, but merely static websites IA is about structuring the information and creating a proper navigational structure. Note that it's not about graphics design. This is the last step and one of the goals of UXcamp is to teach people that the actual design comes last. Read the complete post here…
#3:  The Panama Report features Rob Rivera's "brutally honest" style of writing, this time the subject is "The Panama Sex Guide," or a comprehensive guide of what goes on in Panama when it comes to sex as a touristic attraction.
Yes, never have three letters combined caused such a polarized reaction depending on what side of the religious and socio-cultural spectrum you reside in. No matter where you stand though, it can't be denied that Panama is a downright paradise in many fields, and because this “little train that could” hates to disappoint, the business of sex is alive and well in a variety of forms that will sometimes make you think twice in regard to the most ridiculous sexual misconceptions about Third-World countries you and your frat buddies threw around in between keg stands back in the day. Sex in Panama is every cliché you've ever seen or read about Latin America, amped up to eleven…Continue reading!
#4: Chiriqui Chatter reports on one of the most traditional State Fairs in Panama: Feria de la Candelaria, in Bugaba-Chiriqui Province.
Bugaba Fairgrounds
Jan 26 to Feb 4 ;
I asked what time the fair opened and the reply was in the morning.
- Agricultural fair with dairy and beef cattle judged by judges from Mexico, Europe and Canada.
- Carnival rides
- Stage entertainment in the evenings.
- Many vendors
Rodeo.
1 Feb thru 4 Feb.
I believe the big main rodeo is on Sat, 3 Feb. i asked for details and the reply was ”everyday”. The rodeo stadium is constructed new every year and taken down after the event. It’s built out of bamboo, old and new boards and old metal roofing. I’ve been taking daily photos of the construction process and yesterday, I noticed the bamboo floor joists are tied down with strips of inner tube, quite a contraption!!! I worked in construction in the states and this errr… structure would never fly in the states but it works here. Get the scoop now…
#5: CaDs Online (ES) presents a pictorial reaview as well as a video from his last visit to Amador in Panama City: Paseando por Amador.
Aprovechando que el sol no estaba tan fuerte este domingo, decidimos aprovechar para ir a pasear por la calzada de amador, conocida también como Causeway.
Este, como ya sabréis, es uno de mis lugares favoritos de Panamá, un lugar idóneo donde caminar sin preocuparse del tráfico, disfrutando de la brisa del mar y el sonido de las olas. En esta ocasión iniciamos el paseo a la altura del Figali Convention Center y caminamos hasta el Instituto Smithsonian, donde estuvimos viendo la pequeña exposición de biología marina que tienen montada. Read the complete post...
#6: The Cooking Diva attempts to rescue one of Panama's oldest traditions, the Chicha making, sharing a step by step recipe with photos: The mysterious relationship between "Chicha de Maiz" and Latin Americans.
It is called "Chicha de Maiz" (a kind of corn beverage, made with corn sprouts. It is delicious fresh, or add  extra kick by fermenting it a few days).
The mysteriously idyllic, almost lost relationship between "Chicha de Maiz" and Latin Americans has been one of my ongoing quests, no expiration date for this one. I am just really intrigued by the different ways it's prepared in the different Latin American countries. It always puzzles me the fact that people do not prepare it any longer, as they used to do in the long gone days. Read the complete post…
#7: Greta Earle reports on the Panama Jazz festival 2007:
January 18 – Noche Panamericana: We couldn't make it on time, but fortunately do not appear to have missed much according to the program. Left me wondering how late, if at all, the event started. Once seated, I was pleasantly surprised when mere seconds later I heard Patricia Vlieg would be joining the Panamerican Big Band which was getting ready to play. I know this girl because she went to the same school as I did. I always remember her because she sings beautifully and, maybe because she is blind, seems to vibrate with the melody and the vibes travel around the room melting anyone who'll listen. Get more details...