The Cabalgata That Wasn't

November 28th, 2011 was the 100 Anniversary of Panama's independence from Spain. This heralded a grand celebration in Boquete. The Cabalgata (horse parade) scheduled for the 27th was expected to be the biggest ever in Boquete.The morning of the 27th as horses were being washed and made ready, the Mayor decided to cancel the Horse Parade. Rumors spread like wildfire, telephones were ringing; WHY?  Apparently the Mayor decided that he did not want to have to pay the municipal workers extra money to clean up the horse poops after the parade. He wanted pristine streets for the Bands playing on the 28th, the next morning. And without the horses, and drinkers, littering the streets of Boquete, they are always pristine. Right?

 Maybe with a little fore-thought a plan could have been devised to clean the streets, if that was really the major concern. Rumor has it that the Mayor does not like horses in "this here town". Hmmmm....Could that have played in to his decision to cancel at the last minute ,so no one could storm the Municipal Palace with possible solutions?


In spite of the rumors and calls to cancel a few brave souls stepped out anyway. I for one thought he was going to have guards posted at strategic locations to turn away anyone on a horse who tried to enter. Alas, 30 or so riders stormed the town with their horses ready, and Rum in hand. "This is our Tradition", they cried, "This is our Panama". Well, all except Sugar and Beatrice who decided that a peace offering of flowers in pink was more suitable.