Once upon a time after the conquistadors established their colonial empires
Later the new found Americans shed the yoke of a greedy old Europe
Gran Colombia was born of the union of Colombia Ecuador Panama and Venezuela
The Camino Real long before the canal was the silver road for the plunder of Peru
Licensed privateer Henry Morgan sacked and burned down Panama in 1671
Not even a twist of fate as greed fanned the fires as violence bred more violence
In more recent times the canal was built by the US corps of Engineers in 1903
It is the new Camino Real where green dollar paper has replaced the silver from the Inca
Photo Hugh Ardoin The Americas Gallery