The Effects of Time

March 9, 2010 by Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of an abandoned house at Via España in Panama City, Panama. From its facade I can see it was once a regal structure now dilapidated by the passing of time. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

Posted in Photography | Tagged Architecture, Houses, Panama, Photographs, Ruins, Structures, Time | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on March 9, 2010 at 10:54 am | Reply Don Ray

I know how the house feels.
on March 9, 2010 at 10:56 am | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Don:

That makes two of us.

Take Care,

Omar.-
on March 9, 2010 at 12:08 pm | Reply epicswife

Wow -beautiful yet sad at the same time – I love the angle you captured here!! Great shot !
- on March 9, 2010 at 12:10 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.
  
  Hello Mrs. Copeland:
  
  Thank you for your compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed the picture.
  
  Regards,
  
  Omar.-
on March 10, 2010 at 8:55 am | Reply Richard

One of the blogs I read daily comes from a gentleman in Menton, France. Menton is the last town/city on the French Riviera before you cross over into Italy. It’s about an hour’s train ride from where I lived in Antibes.

For a short time I dated a lady who lived in Menton. It has a wonderful “old town” there that was fun to walk through on a Sunday afternoon.

Two days ago he posted the following about an abandoned villa there you might like to look at in the theme of this post.

http://menton-daily-photo.blogspot.com/2010/03/derelict-villa-mer-et-monts.html

Richard
on March 10, 2010 at 9:53 am | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Richard:

I just got back from Mer et Monts and loved the sight. It’s a pity that structures of this historic beauty rot under the sun and rain. The French Tourist Bureau should rescue these magnificent building and restore them.

The photographs are awesome. Thanks for the link. I’ll read this blog more often. It has good stuff to refresh your eyes.

France has always been in my dreams, but my pocket refuses to release me to such a romantic place.

Any news on the boat?

Regards,

Omar.-
on March 10, 2010 at 3:22 pm | Reply oldsalt1942

Omar,
re: The boat. Waiting to hear from one guy who said he’s waiting for his tax refund. Who knows?

I consider it one of the good fortunes of my life to have had the opportunity to live on the Riviera for nearly 3 years. It’s a beautiful place and there’s much I miss about it. It was my first opportunity to live abroad in a different culture and deal with having to learn another language. While I was there I often though about poor Mr. Downey who despaired of teaching me French in high school. I took four years of French, then…two years of first year French and two years of second year and barely passed with Ds. I hated the language, though I liked Mr. Downey. And believe, me, it didn’t do a thing to help me learn anything 20+ years later struggling with the language. Though not fluent, by any means, I did become very PROFICIENT in the language which means I could understand, probably, 80% of what I watched on t.v. and in the movies and about 95% of any conversation with my French friends. If I can achieve that level in Spanish, unlike your grasp of the English language I’ll be satisfied.

One thing living there did, though, was to pave the way, in a sense, to my making the move to Panama where I’ll once more be submerged in another culture and language. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been writing to a person in Boqueron, outside of David, about renting a room in his four-bedroom place. He bought a finca about 20 miles away and is looking for someone to be a presence while he’s away. Asking $125/month and run of the house since he’s going to be at the finca most of the time. That price includes utilities and high-speed internet connection which I deem absolutely necessary in today’s world.
on March 10, 2010 at 4:03 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Richard:

Thanks for your update on the boat.

You’re doing great understanding three languages. When I was younger, I used to go to the movies and watch Brigit Bardot and her sexy French, not to mention her body.

French sound to me like music. The pronunciation of their vowels is very romantic. If I were to learn another language, it would definitely be French. All I can say in French is oui, monsieur, merci, and things like that. French is hardly spoken in this neck of the woods.

$125 for a room is excellent; more so if it includes utilities and access to the Internet. You got yourself a good deal, my friend. I know Boquerón in Chiriquí. It’s a nice place to live.

Regards,

Omar.-
on March 11, 2010 at 11:57 am | Reply Deborah

This is a beautiful picture, Omar. I keep looking at it and imagining when it was full of life …

If only walls could speak.x
on March 11, 2010 at 12:03 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Deborah:

Thank you for your kind words. Photographs like this one remind me of the movie, “The Great Gatsby”, beautifully acted by Robert Redford. Did you see it?

Regards,

Omar.-
on March 11, 2010 at 12:06 pm | Reply Deborah

Yes, I’ve seen the film, and I know what you mean. I also very much like your photograph of the hospital – it reminds me of an abstract painting.x
on March 11, 2010 at 12:41 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Deborah:

I see that you have surfed through the blog. I appreciate that. I urge you to keep on reading Lingua Franca; there will be more interesting pictures of Panama.

Reading this blog is like traveling to Panama without having to buy a costly plane ticket.

Cheers,

Omar.-
on March 11, 2010 at 12:43 pm | Reply Deborah

…just booked my free window seat!
on March 11, 2010 at 12:50 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Deborah:

I just found out that you are a mentor of the English language. Now I know where to study my English grammar.

I also booked a free trip to visit the U.K. and study the language of Shakespeare.

Feel free to correct me when I make a mistake. My native language is Spanish as you probably know by now.

Cheers,

Omar.-
on March 11, 2010 at 12:52 pm | Reply Deborah

Your English is excellent, Omar.x
on March 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm | Reply Omar Upegui R.

Hi Deborah:

Thank you!

Bye,

Omar.-