The origin of the white, straw and brimmed Panama hat is actually Ecuadorian. The streets of Montecristi and El Chorrillo are lined with closet-sized factories where they bleach the toquilla palm leaves, strip them into threads and then weave the hats with a loom or by hand. This woman was the matriarch of one family business. While caring for the grandchildren, she greeted the shoppers and placed a hat on any man who came within arm’s reach.