That's as may be but I'm not simply allowing myself to be annoyed for the pure joy of being annoyed. Panama and the province of Cocle in particular - Carlos' home province (and mine) - have an outstanding millinery tradition. No self respecting interiorano would venture out into society without his sombrero pintado, many of the finest of which are made right here in Cocle.
In general they look like this:
http://tinyurl.com/zetzlreBut most fellows wear the front and and often the back brim, too, popped up, carefree and insouciant.
For example this gentleman:
http://tinyurl.com/jgsu4dvNote that he has the back part down. He also wears his hat well back on his head JimR style. I pull mine down on my forehead.
Ah, I thought I would never find this, Carlos himself in a pintao:
http://tinyurl.com/zqtv4q7The guy on his right is the current president and neither a very stylish hat man. The guy on our far right apparently keeps his in the back of his closet under eighty pounds of who knows what. Or maybe it was trampled by some of Carlos' cattle, although it looks suspiciously clean.
Anyway, you get my point. It should be emphasized that these have nothing whatever to do with what is commonly called a Panama hat. Those are worn by tourists in sport sandals and fanny packs that one encounters throughout Latin America, and by hippy chicks pretty much anywhere. They're fucking annoying and people should know better. Although if you're wearing sport sandals I suppose having a stupid hat is probably the least of your problems.
