The Loquacious Red Crab

This simpatico crab with a peculiar accent stepped into the klieg lights with the Disney movie, The Little Mermaid, about the love between a mermaid and a human.

Sebastian, the red Trinidian crab, was the servant of King Triton whose mission was to keep the little mermaid away from humans.  Aside from being a crab, Sebastian is also known for his Caribbean accent.  He’s one of the well-known characters of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale called, The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name.

Sebastian, is assigned to watch over Ariel, the little mermaid, and be sure she does not visit the surface again where she can get in contact with humans who are considered predators.  Sebastian tries to convince her that it’s better to live under the sea than in the human world.

Sebastian the red Trinidian crab is the servant of King Triton and the film’s deuteragonist. The character was developed solely for the film, and is not derived from the original Hans Christian Andersen story.  In his appearances in film and television, Sebastian is voiced by Samuel E. Wright. When the film opens, Sebastian is announced as being the “royal court composer”, and conducts a concert that King Triton’s seven daughters are supposed to perform.

Panama City Hall decided to display Sebastian at the highly visited Cinta Costera.  Take a look at this appealing red crab at the Villa Navideña in Panama City, Panama.  Here we go.

Photograph of the charismatic crab from the movie, The Little Mermaid, created by the Disney people. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Before I call it a day, let me wish you and your loved ones the Best New Year of all.  May all your aspirations become true in 2011.  Oh, and please drive safely, your family is waiting for you at home.

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Laughing Jesters in Panama

As I mentioned in a recent post, the Municipality of Panama has decorated the Coastal Strip with themes to entertain the family; specially young children.  The name of the project is Villas Navideñas, although many of the subjects have nothing to do with Christmas, but you know how rational we are in this part of the world.

Yesterday I posted some pictures of the white rabbit of Alice in Wonderland.  Today I have a couple of pictures of jolly looking jesters.  I liked their clothing and their good humor.  I guess that’s why there were contracted for—to make people laugh.

Photograph of three jesters located at the Villas Navideñas on the Coastal Strip in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

A jester, joker, jokester, fool, wit-cracker, prankster or buffoon was a person employed to tell jokes and provide general entertainment, typically by a European monarch. Jesters are stereotypically thought to have worn brightly colored clothes and eccentric hats in a motley pattern. Their hats were especially distinctive; made of cloth, they were floppy with three points, each of which had a jingle bell at the end. The three points of the hat represent the donkey’s ears and tail worn by jesters in earlier times. Other things distinctive about the jester were his laughter and his mock sceptre, known as a bauble or marotte.

Photograph of several jesters producing their laughter acts. Take notice of the royal crown which they mocked during their performances. When their humor went too far, they were often imprisoned by the offended monarch. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

In ancient times courts employed fools and by the Middle Ages the jester was a familiar figure. In Renaissance times, aristocratic households in Britain employed licensed fools or jesters, who sometimes dressed as other servants were dressed, but generally wore a motley (i.e. parti-colored) coat, hood with ass’s (i.e. donkey) ears or a red-flannel coxcomb and bells.

Regarded as pets or mascots, they served not simply to amuse but to criticise their master or mistress and their guests. Queen Elizabeth is said to have rebuked one of her fools for being insufficiently severe with her. Excessive behaviour, however, could lead to a fool being whipped, as Lear threatens to whip his fool.

And now you know a little bit more about jesters.  Good Day.

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A White Rabbit in Panama

If you were ever a child, chances are you probably read the children’s novel, Alice in Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is an 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.  It tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world (the Wonderland of the title) populated by peculiar and anthropomorphic creatures.

In the novel a white rabbits says, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” Alice follows him down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.  And of course you already know the rest of the fantasy story of Alice in Wonderland.

For the Christmas Holidays, Panama City Hall decorated the Cinta Costera with attractive settings using popular themes from Disney and other similar sources.  The exhibitions are well lighted and constitute an irresistible attraction to children and adults alike.  City Hall called the decorations, Villas Navideñas. They were inaugurated on December 19th and will remain open to the public until January 6th.

If you are family oriented, then this is the place to go during the evenings or weekends.  The Cinta Costera is the best venue for family recreation besides the Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador).

Below are several pictures of the white rabbit of the aforementioned story.  After all these years, children are  still attracted to the white rabbit and his enormous clock.  Enjoy one of the best known characters of children’s universal literature.  Here we go.  (Kindly click on the photographs to enlarge them.  The effect is stunning.)

Photograph of the white rabbit and his unusual large clock; one of the most famous characters of Alice in Wonderland. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

I couldn't help but staring at the white rabbit inviting Alice to plunge into the rabbit hole in the ground so the story could unfold. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

As you can see from this view, there were other well-known characters in the outdoors decorations. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Under the lights the Villas Navideñas are absolutely gorgeous. If you live in Panama City, please bring your family, you won't regret it one bit. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

If you enjoyed these pictures, you are  warmly invited to view some more tomorrow.  Please drop by and feel like a kid again.  I guess we never grow up.  Really!  Good Day.

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Flashbacks of Christmas 2010

Today is December 28, 2010.  The time is 04:40 a.m.  This day is considered, “Día de los Inocentes”, a day very similar to April Fool’s Day.  April Fools’ Day is celebrated in the Western world on April 1st of every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools’ Day. All types of jokes and pranks are carefully organized in Panama on this day, so I’ll better be extra careful.

I’m getting ready to pick up my head scan results at the Centro Hospitalario de la Caja de Seguro Social.  They said it would be ready by 07:00 a.m.  I hope it’s true and not a prank on the Día de los Inocentes.

Even though Christmas is gone, I still cling to its spirit.  It’s such a nice celebration, that it saddens me to let it go.  So for today, I decided to include three photographs to remind you of the Christmas celebration in Panama.  Soon we will be celebrating New Year’s day, but in my opinion, it doesn’t have the mojo that Christmas has.

Here we go my friends, with a flashback of Christmas 2010.

A tall Christmas tree illuminating the Coastal Belt near the Panama Bay. As you can see, Coca Cola's logo is everywhere. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of a lonely Santa sleigh at the Cinta Costera. Could it be that the reindeer decided to spend their Christmas in Panama and abandoned ship? Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

The bottom section of the Cinta Costera's Christmas tree consisting of white and bright red silk. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Starting tomorrow I will post several eye-opening photographs of the Villas Navideñas organized by the Municipality of Panama.  From day one it was the immediate delight of both adults and children alike.  Please stay tuned for more gorgeous compelling photographs.  Good Day.

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Christmas on Wheels

When Abdiel—our grandnephew—was about three, his godfather gave him a  bicycle for Christmas.  At such a young age, he barely used it.  We kept the bike at home, and every time he came over, we persuaded him to ride the bicycle.  Two rounds inside the livingroom and that was it.  He preferred to play with a bunch of multi-colored Hot Wheels toys my wife had given him.  As he grew older, he learned how to ride the bicycle and abused it to such a degree, the poor bike can barely roll its wheels.  Abdiel was screaming for a replacement.  Screaming is a soft word, in fact he shouted so loud it could be heard by the natives in Timbuktu.

His father who drives a yellow taxi, is having a hard time buying all the stuff for the traditional Christmas and New Year’s dinner.  There wasn’t money to spend on expensive toys.  Abdiel wouldn’t take No for an answer.  He wanted a new Raly bicycle for Christmas and that was it.  Period.  Alcibiades, the father, told us about the situation.  I said, “No problem.” “Pass the hat amongst the closest relatives and friends and ask for money.” The 20-30 Club does it every year and rakes in millions of dollars.  In Panama they call it the Annual Teletón.  Two weeks ago they raised more than $5 million in just 48 hours.

Immediately I made a list of potential contributors and came up with $90.00 which was a little more than the cost of the bicycle.  The next day the hat was passed out and money started to flow in.  Now as much as we expected, but nonetheless, it was money the desperate father didn’t have.

To make a long story short, two days before Christmas Eve, the money was raised in its entirety, plus the bicycle dealer gave us a discount and the final price tag of the bicycle came down to $76 and change.  Abdiel would have his bike.

Somehow, the word got to him and he cried and cried until his father brought him to our house to see the sparkling yellow bicycle.  When he saw it, his eyes opened the size of a quarter and shouted, “Tengo bicicleta nueva.” (I have a new bicycle).  He wanted to take it home, but we said not yet. Santa needed to inspect it before delivering it to his house on Christmas Eve.  He understood Santa’s wishes and reluctantly went home empty-handed.

While he was home, I took a couple of shots of Abdiel, Karol and the bike to freeze the happy encounter.  I’m sure these pictures will be viewed and reviewed again in the future while I’ll be looking at the Gardenias from the roots, if you know what I mean.

No more talking, now let’s take a look at the brand new bike and “The Twisters.” Here we go.

Photograph of Abdiel's brand new yellow bike which Santa or el Niño Dios, as we say here in Panama, gave him for Christmas. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

There are no sad faces in this picture. Abdiel can now pedal through his neighborhood to his heart's content. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Karol the Hollywood wanna be, also posed with the flashing bike. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Abdiel can't hide his emotions after seeing and feeling his new bicycle. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Karol poses to the camera with absolute confidence. Natural born actress. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Thanks to an iron will and very strong lungs, Abdiel finally got his two wheeler. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Karol smiles because she knows, that one way or another, she will also ride the bike. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

And now you know why this post is called Christmas on Wheels. Happy biking Abdiel.  Good Day.

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Cooking With Flames of Fire

Photograph of a young woman cooking with a huge flame of fire at a food court at a local mall in Panama City, Panama. First time I see such a huge flame in a restaurant. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

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A Homely Nativity Scene in Panama

Today is December 25, 2010.  Time:  07:50 a.m.  All is quiet outside our house in Panama City, except a cracky radio playing old nostalgic songs of yesteryear.  Today we celebrate in Panama the birth of the son of God, Jesus Christ who was born in a crowded stable in the town of Bethlehem.  Humility best describes the nativity scene of the baby on the manger.

Last night at exactly 12:00 a.m., my wife and I lighted a candle, and before a table served with several types of food, we prayed before the Light which represented the new-born child.  It was a spontaneous prayer of happiness and hope for the future thanking our Lord for all that He has given us.  Primarily we prayed for health.  My health has been frail during this unfolding year.  I’m doing everything I can to recover my health.  This is my number one priority.

We also prayed for the hundreds of Panamanians who lost their belongings during the worst floods the country has had in the last ninety years.  These people—in great need—are living in schools’ gyms as temporary shelters.  Our hearts  feels out for their pain and their severe restrictions.

The Nativity of Jesus, or simply The Nativity, refers to the accounts of the birth of Jesus. The traditional accounts appear in the Canonical gospels. Various apocryphal texts also mention it. The Nativity is the basis of Christmas, which is an important Holy day celebrated by Christians worldwide.

The artistic depiction of Nativity has been a major subject for Christian artists since the 4th century. The Nativity has been depicted in many media, both pictorial and sculptural. The largest body of musical works about Christ in which he does not speak are about the Nativity.

A large body of liturgical music, as well as a great deal of para-liturgical texts, carols and folk music exist about the Nativity of Jesus. Christmas Carols have come to be viewed as a cultural-signature of the Nativity of Jesus.

The main religious celebration among members of the Catholic Church and other Christian groups is the church service on Christmas Eve or on the morning of Christmas Day. During the forty days leading up to Christmas, the Eastern Orthodox Church practices the Nativity Fast, while the majority of Christian congregations (including the Roman Catholic  Church, the Anglican Communion, many Mainline churches, and Baptists) begin observing the liturgical season of Advent four Sundays before Christmas—both are seen as times of spiritual cleansing, recollection and renewal to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Apostle Luke had this to say about the birth of Jesus, the son of God.

“Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3.  And everyone went to their own town to register.

4.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7. and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

During the last three decades our Nacimientos have slowly disappeared from our homes.  They have been displaced by Christmas trees imported from Canada, Santa Claus and other foreign cultural icons. We decided to keep our Christian roots and displayed our nacimiento in the living room.  For as long as I can remember, there has always been a nacimiento in our house for Christmas.  Without a nacimiento, Christmas would lose its religious spirit—its raison d’être.

Below are several pictures of our small nacimiento representing the birth of Baby Jesus in a humble stable in the town of Bethlehem.  It’s the classical nativity scene of Christmas.

Photograph of our small nacimiento displayed in the living room of our house. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

A closer view of the Nativity Scene with Baby Jesus shining in the middle of the group. ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of a rustic Baby Jesus inside the humble stable of our nacimiento. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the angel announcing the birth of Baby Jesus. He holds a sign reading, "Gloria in Excelcis Deo". (Glory to God in the Highest.) Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of an Italian Christmas ornament which holds a surprise inside the red cushioned bell. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the opened Christmas bell where you can see a metallic miniature Nativity scene. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

A macro picture of the miniscule Nativity Scene which was a present made to my wife from her niece Misela. The present was purchased somewhere in Italy. The scene includes the figures of Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a cow and a donkey. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Lingua Franca takes this opportunity to wish a very Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it, and blessings for a full and peaceful year 2011.  God Bless!

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And Unto You a Child is Born

Today is December 24, 2010.  As the clock ticks forward measuring a fourth dimension called Time, we are heading for Christmas Eve.  On this date most Christians celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, the son of God, in a town called Bethlehem on day zero of the Western civilization.

In a humble stable in the company of a donkey, a cow, three wise men who came from Shir in the Province of Magi, Joseph and Mary, a baby silently sleeps in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.  This is how we remember the Navidad or Nativity in Panama.

The sounds of Christmas carols, Santa Claus, cookies, stuffed stockings, ham, roscas, tamales, rice with frijol de palo, fruit cakes, ron ponche, Christmas trees; all came later as consumerism made its way and took over the religious tradition.  We don’t have snow in Panama, yet we import Christmas trees from Canada and Santa Claus for Skandinavia.  These are some of the ironies of Christmas in Panama.

The Big Black Book—The Holy Bible—tells us that in the beginning there was the Word, and then the Word was embedded in the human flesh to continue the interrupted dialogue between Man and God through his beloved son, Jesus Christ.  Thus, Jesus is also known as the Word.

Linda Lehan, an exquisite Texan blogger known for her blog, The Task at Hand said it very well in her last post called A Hidden Hallelujah. This is how she skillfully interwoved the English  words to describe the construct of Jesus-The Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, our good Saint says,
and at the end will be the Word.
And in these middling times where the longing of our hearts meet the limits of our lives,
the same Word that spoke order out of chaos,
that enrobed itself in human flesh and came to enliven both heaven and earth
echoes down the corridors of our lives.”

In Panama another family received a baby thus continuing the cycle of life.  The baby also slept silently wrapped in swaddling clothes on a soft bed.  She was christened Sofia, after the holy martyr Saint Sophia and her three daughters, Pistis (Faith), Elpis (Hope), and Agape (Love) during the reign of Hadrian (117-138).

Sofía was born on December 1, 2010  when the clock struck 09:45 p.m. in the City of Panama.  Her mother is Dálida and Dálida’s mother is Mireya.  They too have seen the miracle of life as a child came forth from the warmth of the mother’s womb.

Dálida and Mireya visited us two  weeks ago and introduced us to Sofía.  This is the baby that illuminated the home of Dálida and Mireya, just as another baby lighted up the world in a humble stable in a far away place called Bethlehem.

Let me introduce you to Sofía, her mother and her grandmother.  Three generations brought together by the miracle of life.  Here we go.

Photograph of the miniscule and fragile hand of Sofía. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of Sofía in deep sleep while her body grows in strength, weight and size. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

I haven't seen angels on Earth , but this is the closest representation of one. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

If you haven't seen an angel sleeping, this is how they do it. ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of Sofía and her mother Dálida about two weeks ago at our house. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

In this picture you can see Dálida's face better. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

This photograph depicts three generations of the family, Sofía, Dálida, and Mireya. Sofía's face looks like a delicate porcelain doll. Can you see the invisible lines departing from the two adults to the child? Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

Picture of Mireya and Dálida proudly posing with Sofía and freezing a moment of emotional bliss. The expressions of love emanating from the adults to the child are more eloquent than words. Photo ©Omar Upeui R.

The burr on the wall was an effort to correct an imperfection of the paint on the wall. I apologize of this defect, but the expression of Dálida was so refreshing I decided to include this picture in the post. Sometimes reluctantly, imperfections are necessary to express a message. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

With these pictures of a newborn baby, I close this post about the birth of a child.  The miracle of life continues and a happy mother is now understanding the meaning of motherhood.  Welcome to Panama Sofía and Merry Christmas to you all as the hands of the clock both reach the number 12 on this 2010 Christmas Eve.

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A Packed Food Court at MetroMall in Panama

After the distribution of the savings acconts of local banks plus the XIII Month, millions of U.S. dollars have poured into the Panama economy.  Much of this money is spent in our local malls spreaded throught the country.  I visited a popular mall in Panama City, and the vanue was busting at the seams.  This is how is looked on a Sunday afternoon.

Photograph of a food court at MetroMall packed with hungry people in Panama City, Panama. Money flowed like streams of green rivers during the Christmas Holidays. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

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Golden and Red-Cherry Christmas Balls

A simple and aesthetic composition of golden and cherry-red Christmas balls. Credit: Photobucket.com

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