Mixing the World Cup With a Birthday Party and Father’s Day

There is a lot of action in Panama City these days.  The World Cup has taken the country by storm and the city is full of flags of the countries participating in the tournament being held in South Africa.  It’s nice to see all those street vendors peddling their flags and other sports paraphernalia under the traffic lights.  The most popular flags are those of Brazil and Argentina.

Another social event which is agitating the country is Father’s Day.  The shopping centers are crowded with customers buying their favorite presents for the fathers of Panama.  I’m sure many football sweaters will be wrapped up for a proud father today.  This is a mandatory present during these days of football fever.

Today is also Abdiel’s birthday.  For those who are new to Lingua Franca, let me say that Abdiel is our grand nephew and a bright star in our life.  He is seven years old.  As thousands and thousands of kids in Panama, he has also caught the football fever.  He cajoled his parents into buying him a plastic belt with the colors of Brazil, a sweater with the emblems of Brazil and a birthday cake with the shape and colors of a Brazilian football field with a plastic football in the middle.

He can even sing David Bisbal’s World Cup song.  Oh…before I forget, he also received a big FIFA World Cup full of sweeties for his birthday.

This is how happy Abdiel was with his FIFA World Cup yesterday afternoon.  Abdiel’s sister, Karol, also joined the fun with her brother.  Below are several photographs of the “twisters” having fun with the cup.  Needless to say, I felt very happy with all this activity going on in our country.  It’s amazing how an event taking place so far away has transformed our city.

Photograph of FIFA's World Cup which Abdiel received as a birthday present. It was filled with assorted Jello sweeties. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A proud Abdiel holds FIFA's World Cup. He's so happy he's jumping outside of his skin. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Karol has also caught the football fever, although her knowledge of the sport is not that impressive. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The cup seemed to be the center of attention of both kids. Is there a potential Pelé in Abdiel? Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A proud football fan holds the golden cup in a gesture of triumph. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Karol's bliss shows that women also have a taste for the sport. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the whole bunch having fun with the cup and the birthday cake. From left to right; Aura (my wife), Abdiel, Karol and Alcibiades (Abdiel's father). Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

If kids would only commit a minuscule part of the attention they dedicate to a sport like football, the world would be flooded with Albert Einstens and Isaac Newtons.  Good Day and Happy Birthday Abdiel.  This is your day!

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Metamorphosis of a Bus Terminal in Panama

The Central Bus Terminal in Panama City is a huge building which serves as the starting point of all buses traveling to the countryside.  When it was built, everybody thought it would be a “white elephant”, meaning it would be a vacant site for many years.  They were proved wrong.  During the national holidays its capacity is completely saturated.  The place is filled with endless lines of passengers anxiously waiting to buy their tickets.  As the city population increases, an extension of the transportation complex is mandatory.

To increase revenue, the administration decided to hire space in the corridors of the building reducing the space for the flow of people during the rush hours.  Greed always wins at the expense of the consumer.  But that’s another story.

This post is about a color photograph of the transportation complex during the early hours of the morning and how the picture was modified with a digital software to make it look different.  Thus the title of the post, the metamorphosis of a bus terminal.  I can’t conceal how happy I am playing with my Birthday camera.  Here we go.

Photograph of the central bus terminal in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The original picture was modified with a new sepia filter. It certainly looks different. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

I love black and white photographs. If you look closely, you will find a white moon somewhere between the two palm trees. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photography is like drinking salt water, the more you drink, the more thirsty you get.  I’m looking forward to upgrade my camera next December.  I hope this wish comes true.  Good Day.

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