Shorty & Slim - You Would Understand

I first heard this song a few years back and it brought a tear to my eye, because I DO understand! I took my life for granted when I lived in the Panama Canal Zone and didn't appreciate it for the gift it truly was. Shorty and Slim made me realize how even the little things made living there a special time!
I wanted to create a way for us Zonians to share that gift with those that don't understand how amazing the Zone was. All the images in this video are authentic, except for where I had to take some creative license (Pepitos and Soda Mil are no longer produced so a friend of mine generated these images and I feel they are very good stand ins, and the Gago Claus, well to be honest I don't remember him so I hope I did the old Supermarket justice)

The Canal Zone was a special place and I am proud to call myself a Zonian and to be part of this amazing family. Even if I have never met you, the Zone brings us together in a way the rest of the world just doesn't understand and I am honored to call all Zonians my Brother or Sister!

To my good friends Alex & David, I hope this video makes you both proud!!!

B Bates

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Zonian
• canal zone
• panama
• shorty and slim
• shorty
• slim
• noriega
• gatun
• balboa
• gamboa
• ancon
• reggae
• tourism

[Panahec]

Some of us were born in the Canal Zone to Panamanian parents, doesn't this mean we are Zonians. Well not according to the definition in the video. Maybe it was a type o, or not.....

[SnafuVII]

@Panahec I am sorry...I guess I was trying to be specific in the Zonian description, I think anyone fortunate to have lived in the Zone regardless of nationality is a Zonian!!

[cocoredinn]

Youre absolutely right. When asked where Im from I say I am a Zonian.Though I was born in Chiriqui since my first schooling in the old Amador area nursery school to graduating from BHS, saluting to the American flag every morning( I know the Stars abd Stripes better than Alcanzamos por Fin La Victoria!!)What can I say.I am a bizarre animal, a Zonian.

[bobdediego]

FYI, Pizzeria Napoli is still there!!, same owner...same great Pizza!

[hawkinsa90]

A classic!!

[Lyricslair]

@jlutheyCA

Greetings fellow Zonian... Yes we scream Parada !!! ....Join us on Face Book......

[Lyricslair]

Fellow Zonians..... That is if you scream parada to signal the bus its time to stop.... join us on Face book.....

[b0rn0nstag3]

My dad is a Zonian. Jerry Dare Jr. He and I wwatched this and he was telling me about all the places he grew up.

[marcczsurf]

Classic, loved it!! Thanks for putting Spagnito in your Video!!

[analaura271098]

man so good

[giovannistagnaro1]

Rremembrance of the Napoli pizza place. All the owners are old geezers now and duly well endowed economically. I used to sell newspapers at the Balboa Clubhouse and Post office, also I picked coke bottles at the ball stadium. I had a Zonian chum named James Wilber who died quite early. I lived in Panamá but liked to wander over there where I learned English.

[jcklrg1]

Wow! Born and raised there for 15 yrs. 1956-1970. I have often felt like I don't have any "roots" this video made me feel like I do . . . thanks.