Panama's Earthquake: Is it safe to travel? YES!!!
It's been just over a week since the earthquake shook our remote corner of Panama. While global headlines have moved onto other topics, we, along with our community find ourselves in an ethereal state of moving forward step by step, not sure if we should put those glass bottles back on the shelves. One thing is for sure - it's time to move forward and an important part of doing that is looking back so we know what to expect tomorrow, next week, and next month.
Life goes on, but it's a delicate balance and a roller coaster of emotions. We feel immense gratitude that our people, our community, and our animals have all made it through safely while being compassionate for those around us that lost their homes and businesses.
We are in this incredibly beautiful place with our busy season approaching for tourism which our entire country depends on so, is it time to say "Hey world! Panama is good to go! It's safe! Keep your travel plans!"
The answer is YES!!!
Our Tourism Director paid us a visit a couple days ago which was lovely. We all agreed it is time to share this message with the world and yes, this earthquake was devastating in many ways but we are all still here. Beautiful as ever, ready for our global guests.
The power of an earthquake is astonishing - not something we had ever experienced before. It felt like trying to walk on a boat in the middle of a storm - kind of exciting and terrifying at the same time. So, as we tell the world it's cool, come visit us, we knew it was time to learn more about what to expect.
Geology. Once again - fascinating. Remember those stories a couple of weeks ago about how Panama was formed and the land bridge? Well, here we are again. Newsroom Panama wrote a story about the last time our area (Azuero-Soná) of Panama experienced an earthquake of this magnitude which helps put things in perspective.
It's been 113 years!
Surprised to hear that? Me too. So, yes, earthquakes are a part of Panama and the evershifting tectonic plate movements that move beneath our surfboards. Even though it's been a long time, earthquakes are unpredictable and it sounds like this crisis is going to bring about a future investment in scientific research for Panama to understand more.
For now, the aftershocks will continue as a reminder of what we just went through and what we all hope won't ever experience again. They are dissipating and will eventually stop. So, our glass bottles are indeed back on the shelves our team is hard at work, and we are all here to welcome our guests again.
Interested in supporting Panama and the recovery effort? Keep your travel plans. Even better, if Panama wasn't your travel destination this year: change them. Panama is amazing: It's imperfections make it perfect.
With love from Panama, Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners & hosts
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