Chiva Parandera

I recently discovered what happens to the retired Diablo Rojos - those old school buses that are sent down from the States to be re-painted for public transport vehicles and used for drag-racing down Panama's streets, while making the occasional stop to pick up passengers.

They're reborn as party wagons! The windowless Chiva Paranderas can be seen nightly slowly lurching through the capital's roads, packed tight with Panamanians and the occasional foreigner clutching their rum Abuelo and coke while using every drop of sobriety to steady themselves against the brutal dips and bumps the Chiva endures.

My favorite ones have an entire salsa band crammed in the back. You can't say Panamanians aren't innovative.

A friend from school invited me to join the craziness a few weeks ago on one of these Chivas as it took us from one nightclub to the next. It definitely gave me new-found respect for the old cheese wagons.


See if you can find the guy who doesn't really fit in...




A view from inside...