Keith's Panamanian Travel Ramble

Hello Travellers,

Driving westbound on the Pan-American Highway between the towns of La Chorrera and Capira, a 45 minutes drive from Panama City, you can expect your attention to be drawn to a large collection of what some call “art” at the side of the highway.  It is the work of Matildo Escudero.  He calls his place “Trastos“, a Spanish word for “junk” because the place is jammed with discarded objects of all kinds that eventually become some part of the artistic endeavor’s of Matildo.

There is a large whimsical collection of bugs, tin men, dinosaurs, birds, animals, modes of transportation and transformers (as in the movie).  His creations are large and small, intricate or simple.  If you look carefully you can often detect what the creation is made out of, such as the parts form a transmission or engine.  It is amazing stuff!

Over an hour disappeared here as we slowly looked over the creativity involved in the various pieces and tried to decide what they were made from.  I will let the pictures show you what I mean.

So the next time you find yourself westbound on the Pan-American and find your attention drawn to this array of junk at the side of the road, stop for a few minutes and have a look.  You will be fascinated, I guarantee it!