some remarks about the Casco Viejo, Panama City ... and the fish market

In the beginning of the month (09/2012) we visited Panama City and of course its Casco Viejo. I enjoed it soooo much! Other travellers and some other sources (probably some posts in here etc) were lamenting about the construction/renovation works that are going on there currently. Yes, a lot is going on there currently - so what? It's exciting to witness this dramatic change! Go there if you are in the area! It's so interesting to have that "before and after" effect on every corner. There is houses that are kept together only by their surface paint. And just next doors or right opposite, there would be a tastefully and beautifully redone building. AMAZING! Since there is lots of government/state institutions, like the foreign office and the presidents office, it's all packed with what looks like military police. I felt 100% secure. There is also this promenade along the bay, connecting that Casco Viejo to the Punta something, about a kilometer or 2 into the "new" town, and also this is heavily patrolled (e.g. on quads) by police forces. So, it is very relaxed there, school kids strolling along, together with lots of joggers, occasional kuna indians, tourists, and business people. The typical Panamanian mixture of folks. Very nice!
Finally, if you think about trying Ceviche - the fish market close to the Casco Viejo and at one end of the promenade just described, is a GREAT option to do so. The ceviche stalls are very busy with locals and amongst them lots of important looking officials and employees of the close-by state institutions. And I guess they know where they get good quality...
Highly recommended!!