Images of a November Parade

November is a month loaded with parades, colorful school uniforms, drums and bugles.  Students practice for months to show off their skills during the November parades.  Thousands of dollars are spent buying uniforms and musical equipment for the bands.  Boatloads of digital cameras are used by proud parents during the parades to capture the moment of glory of their children.  November is a great month in Panama.  It’s the month of the Motherland; in Spanish Patria.

On November 3rd. I went out with my wife to Via España to take some pictures of one of the two parades organized by the Ministry of Education.  The other event was held at the Presidential Palace in the Old Shell of the city, also known as Casco Viejo.

It was a rainy, dark, and cloudy day.  But that didn’t stop the marching bands.   No Sir, it was business as usual.  However, I did hear from some street vendors complaining that sales were not as good as last year.  But still, they showed up with their “raspaos”, “carne en palitos”, ice cream cones, apples covered with honey, Chinese umbrellas, plastic hats and a lot of other interesting merchandise.  Street peddlers in Panama are very active during these days. As a matter of fact, they are active all year-round.

Below are some of the images captured during this damp day at Via España.  Even though it was not an ideal day to take pictures, in general I would say they came out quite satisfactory.  My Birthday camera did a good job.  Now here we go.

Photograph of the Aero-Naval Band with their spotless white uniform and flawless marching exercises. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of a reporter from the popular humorist TV program "La Cáscara" interviewing a Panamanian girl who lives in New York and was filming the parade. She was having a marvelous time. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Close-up picture of a beautiful student from the glorious Instituto Nacional. She gave me a mesmerizing smile. I'm still recovering from that feminine experience. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Four attractive baton twirlers from the Instituto Nacional enjoying the parade. They were smiling all the way to the crowd. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of a neat row of Panamanian beauties. Any one of them could very well be our next Miss Panama, or Miss Universe beauty pageant. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.

A beautiful collection of baton twirlers from the Instituto Nacional in a straight marching formation. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of the musical band of the Instituto Nacional. I had Goose bumps all over my skin listening to their vibrant music. It feels so nice to be a Panamanian. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

That’s it guys.  It’s the end of the road for today.  Tomorrow there will be more picturesque images of Panama’s November parades.  Be here and be part of the fun.  Good Day.