Panama is in Carnavales mode and everyone wants to party, enjoy good times and have fun. For may of us, this is something we must experience once and know what's all about. If you venture out and it's your first time, here are some words that may help you:
Calle Arriba Upper street
Calle Abajo Lower Street
(choose sides, they usually do not get along during the celebration)
Tuna Band of trumpets and singers
Tamborito Drums and a singer followed by a chorus
Topon When the 2 Queens meet up and start competing to establish 1st place in categories such as better dressed, better float, larger and better Tuna, and who insults each other more (watch it, it can get rowdy)
Reina Queen
Princesas Princesses
Seco Referred to as Seco Herrerano, a typical very strong Panamanian rum
Pinta/Fria Beer
Cerveza Nacional National Beer
Cerveza Importada Imported beer
Abuelo Rum Abuelo, very popular national rum
Culecos or Mojadera a large gathering of people where a huge water truck and wets people for a couple of hours, accompanied by dancing, loud DJs and just bumping into each other
PH or Pub Dance with a stage highlighted by performers, you pay to get in and get a sticker in your hand. You can get one for all day, or for the entire celebration
Goma Hung over
Estacionamiento- Parqueo Parking
Carrosas/Carros Floats
Recorrido de la Reina Queens parade
Fuegos artificiales Fireworks
Pincho/Brocheta Meat on a stick
Chicharron Fried pork grinds
Salchicha Hot dog
Sao, saus (sauce) Pickled pork feet
Corvina Frita Fried Sea-bass
Patacones Fried green plantains
Carne Ahumada Smoked beef
Empanadas Meat or Chicken pastry
Some pubs or PHs will let you in and charge you for the Mesas(Table) and Sillas (Chairs), and if you go on the dance floor, a guy may come in and charge you to dance for which you get a ticket stapled to your collar (men only).
Stay safe
Replies
Great information, Olga! I love your vocab lists. One thing about Seco. It's 35% alcohol. Same as Ron Abuelo. Most North American Liquor is at least 40%.
OLGA-
Thank you for the Carnavale lexicon, IF you can find a place(s) in Boquete to apply it.
I asked a couple of locally-born Panamanians today about where I might experience and participate in the festivities and was told that there was nothing on. Is this so, or were they excluding me?
Please list the times, places and events that include: tunas, tamboritos, reinas, princesas, etc.
I'm ready, now I have (thanks to you) the vocabulary, but just need the opportunity to apply.
In Chiriqui however, I really enjoyed Las Lajas. They have the Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo reinas. I got soaked at the culecos, ate and had fun. Their culecos were at noon. I went to the beach in the a.m. and on my way back enjoyed the carnavales and had fun.
Remember, by Panama stds Boquete is cold climate so people will not stand around semi dressed to be soaked for a few hours.
I recommend experiencing it at least once. If you are adventurous go to Ocu, Penonome or Las Tablas but my local favorite Las Lanes
Do you know if the Dolega and/or Las Lajas celebrations go until Tuesday, or only worth it on the weekend?