Posted in Photography, tagged Birds, Boats, Panama, Panama Bay, Pelicans, Photograph, Tourism on February 28, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Picture of a fishing vessel floating on Panama Bay with one lonely pelican as a passenger. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
With this image, I end my series on one of the hottest tourist spots in Panama City, seriously competing with the Panama Canal and the Ruins of Panama Viejo. It’s time to move on to something different about this amazing isthmus located in the center of the world. I hope you have enjoyed this journey through Casco Viejo as much as I did preparing the series for you. Good Day.
Posted in Miscellaneous, tagged Buildings, Casco Viejo, Cinta Costera, Panama, Renovation, Structures, Terraplén, Tourism on February 27, 2011 | 5 Comments »
The Terraplén was once one of the busiest places in town. It was the entrance to the public market where you could find almost anything you wanted, specially food from the countryside. If you bought fish, several persons at the Terraplén would shave the scales away and remove the guts. It was a beehive full of noise, merchandise movements, crowded bars, housewives buying food or sailors getting ready to sail away to Darien. In a nutshell, the Terraplén was a place of excitement.
Now the Terraplén is gone. Only the memories remain. The construction of the Cinta Costera got rid of the place. If our grandfathers, who must be playing on a moving white cloud would return to Earth and visit El Terraplén, they would think they landed on another country. The entire area looks totally different. When I went there about a month ago, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The change was incredible.
Below are several pictures of how the area looks now. Compare it to the Terraplén of your memories and you will see the dramatic difference. Yep, Panama is changing very fast as it races to join the countries of the First Word. Here we go.
This building was part of El Terraplén. It now looks a lot different to the old section of the city familiar to our parents, specially our grandfathers. Winds of change are blowing over Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Renovated area of el Casco Viejo adjacent to the Cinta Costera. This area was previously known as El Terraplén. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A black and white picture of the renovated area of Casco Viejo where the Cinta Costera was recently extended to the borders of Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
The same snapshot, but in color. I wanted to compare both versions. I like the black and white better, maybe because it evokes the past better than color. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A landscape view of the buildings flanking the expanded Cinta Costera. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A neat row of renovated houses which have replaced the old Terraplén. When I was there, for a brief moment, I thought I was in another country. The placed looked so different from the Terraplén of my memories. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of a renovated section of Panama City where the nostalgic Terraplén was located. Progress removed it from the city map. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of an apartment building alongside the newly extended Cinta Costera in Panama City, Panama. Take notice of the balconies which are used to enjoy the soft breeze softly wafting from the ocean during the late afternoons and evenings. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A different perspective of the modernized area of the old Terraplén which is now a highly visited tourist site in Panama City. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
If sight-seeing, architecture, and traveling is your cup of tea, please come again tomorrow for more exiting pictures of this amazing place in the middle of the world called Panama. I’ll be waiting for you right here at Lingua Franca. Good Day.
Posted in Miscellaneous, tagged Buildings, Casco Viejo, Cinta Costera, History, Old Houses, Panama, Terraplén, Tourism on February 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Without hesitating one iota, I would say that the Casco Viejo is the soul of Panama City. It’s where the country was born. It’s here where the Presidency of the Republic is located and where the official ceremonies of the nation are carried out. This is where the Metropolitan Cathedral displays its solemn structure. Casco Viejo and the Republic of Panama are one. When you walk through the narrow streets covered with red bricks, you can feel History resonating inside the walls of its old buildings. This is where “the walls come down and the soul comes into view.”
Below are several scenes of Casco Viejo which reminds us of how it was when our country was young, vigorous and full of hope for a better future. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still much to be done. Here we go.
Picture of an old wooden building at Casco Viejo. Soon it will be purchased and modernized adding prestige and charm to the area. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
An iconic site in Panama City, known as "La Bajada del Ñopo" or "Calle de la Chorrera". Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
This famous street is located at 12th Street East between Avenida B y Avenida Norte. A charismatic man called, don José López, who was deeply loved in this section of the city was called “El Ñopo” which means white man with blonde hair—fulo.
Picture of a group of early birds at el Casco Viejo one early Sunday morning. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of the old shell of Panama City next to where the Cinta Costera was recently extended. This area is scheduled to be renovated as well as the rest of the Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of one of the oldest bars in Panama City---La Interiorana. It's located at The Terraplén which is being modernized with a brand new highway known as the Cinta Costera. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of the exterior of another famous bar at El Terraplén. It was the favorite spot for the sailors who sailed to Panama City from the Province of Darién. The name of the bar is "La Bocatoreña". Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Another view of the picturesque bar called "La Bocatoreña" at The Terraplén next to the Cinta Costera. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Posted in Miscellaneous, tagged Architecture, Buildings, Casco Viejo, Panama, Strctures, Tourism, Urban Development on February 25, 2011 | 2 Comments »
The Panama Government has fully realized that Casco Viejo is a gold mine. The amount of fresh money that is flowing in due to foreign tourist coming into the country has surpassed the revenues of the Panama Canal. Tourism has become a gold mine for the country. Casco Viejo is unequivocally one of the hottest tourist spots in the country which attracts swarms of visitors competing face-to-face with the Panama Canal and the Ruins of Panama Viejo.
In an effort to maintain the mojo of the area, the old and dilapidated structures of Casco Viejo will be revived without changing the outer appearance of the edifices. The idea is to keep the original architecture style intact and transform this unique area of the city into a formidable cash cow. It has been done in Cartagena, Colombia and San Juan, Puerto Rico with amazing success.
Below are several pictures of buildings at Casco Viejo which have been renovated by private investors. The results are eloquent, in search of a better word. Here we go.
Snapshot of a revived house at Casco Viejo with a beautiful elaborated iron balcony. As you can see, the outer appearance of the building was not modified with the renovation. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A different view of the renovated building at Casco Viejo. This process is currently in progress within the whole area of the Old Shell by private real estate investors. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of another upgraded building at Casco Viejo adding charm to the tourist area. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
If you enjoyed viewing these pictures, I’ve got good news for you. There are more in the pipeline. Please return tomorrow to this same place and recreate the past exactly as it was. Remembering is like living again. Good Day.
Posted in Photography, tagged Cascades, Casco Viejo, Creativity, Designs, Panama, Parks, Rice Paddies, Tourism on February 24, 2011 | 4 Comments »
During a sourjourn to Casco Viejo about a month ago, I happened into an enticing park designed like a cascade. From a small elevation, the concrete cascade dropped gracefully from a tree. I tried my best to capture the illusion of falling water, but it was difficult getting the right perspective. Photography is not as easy as it seems.
Below are several pictures of this concrete cascade in the midst of the nostalgic area of Casco Viejo. I also thought of rice paddies in the Philippines Islands which have this shape, like terraces of different sizes. Here we go.
Black and White image of a small park at Casco Viejo with a shape of a falling cascade or the rice paddies of Southeast Asia. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A different perspective of the small park with an unusual shape in Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of a large tree with the cute little park with a creative design in Casco Viejo. I did my best to capture the cascade illusion, but it was pretty difficult to do it. I've seen extraordinary pictures of this park taken by professional photographers. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
If you are still interested in viewing more pictures of this nostalgic place which takes you back in time, please return tomorrow. I still have in store more images of this amazing place where time has frozen. Good Day.
Posted in Photography, tagged Architectures, Balconies, Buildings, Casco Viejo, Panama, Photographs, Structures, Tourism on February 23, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Due to the hot and humid climate of Panama City, most of the houses built at Casco Viejo were at least two stories high and with attractive balconies where its inhabitants would place rocking chairs and enjoy the gentle breeze of the late afternoon. Some of these balconies were built of masonry and others of iron. These complex ironworks are lovely pieces of art. Many of them still exist.
Below are a several pictures of old buildings with balconies built to enjoy the late afternoon ocean breeze in the old section of Panama City known as Casco Viejo.
Snapshot of an old house at Casco Viejo with balconies on the exterior of the structure. Many of these regal houses are currently being restores and transformed into apartment buildings. The demand to rent or buy them is very high in this area. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of an old structure at Casco Viejo in the process of restoration. Take notice of the elaborate iron balcony located on the second floor. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of a renovated building at Casco Viejo displaying an attractive iron balcony. This edifice is located near the Panama Bay. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Another view of the same building depicted in the previous snapshot. As you can see, the renovators kept the outer appearance of the structure intact. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Please return tomorrow for more pictures of this nostalgic area of Panama City. Good Day.
Posted in Photography, tagged Casco Viejo, Culture, History, Panama, Panama City, Photograph, Tourism on February 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
A picturesque narrow street covered with red brick at Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Posted in Photography, tagged Architecture, Casco Viejo, Churches, French Culture, Panama, Photographs, Street, Structures, Tourism on February 21, 2011 | 6 Comments »
Reminiscent of the French Quarter of New Orleans or perhaps Havana, Casco Viejo is the oldest city on the Pacific coast of the Americas. At the entrance of the Panama Canal, just minutes outside Panama City, the city is a true cultural gem.
When the French made their attempt to build the Panama Canal in 1881, Casco Viejo was where they gathered. So Casco Viejo is filled with French balconies and French architecture which overlaps the Spanish architecture. The Caribbean vibe crept in over the years, making this one of the most interesting architectural and cultural sites in the world.
The buildings that line the narrow, brick streets of Casco Viejo, many of which have expansive balconies, reflect Panama’s rich architectural styles and diverse cultures. Casco Viejo is the focal point of Panamanian architectural history, with its picturesque buildings, wide streets composed of red bricks, churches, ruins and museums. It is here, together, where the identity of Panama City and it’s people is best illustrated.
Below are several pictures of a place I call the soul of Panama City only equal to Cartagena in Colombia, Havana in Cuba and San Juan in Puerto Rico. Here we go.
Picture of the former Hotel Colombia now transformed into an apartment building in front of the Simon Bolivar Park. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of the bell tower of the San Francisco de Asis cathedral. This cathedral was one of the original structures from Casco Viejo. It was ravaged by fire in 1737 and again in 1756. The cathedral was restored in 1998, and is now one of the most striking churches in Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Contrast of the old city of Panama in the area of Casco Viejo and the new buildings of the Cinta Costera. Two eras side by side. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Outer structure of an old house at Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Scene of a narrow brick covered street in the old shell of Panama City known as Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
There are more romantic pictures of this architectural gem waiting in the wings. If you are still interested, you are warmly welcomed to return tomorrow. Good Day.
Posted in Photography, tagged Casco Viejo, Converging Lines, Panama, Perspective, Photographs, Photography, Tourism on February 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Lines play an important role in the art of photography. One of these types of lines are converging lines, like the ones you see in this picture. Take notice of how wide the street is on the foreground and how it narrows down as you look towards the background. This convergence creates an illusion of depth in a two-dimensional picture. It also leads the eye towards the end of the street.
Please come again tomorrow if you are interested in viewing more pictures of the Panama Old Shell. It is similar to the ones at Cartagena, Colombia, Havana, Cuba and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Good Day.
Posted in Miscellaneous, tagged Architecture, Buildings, Casco Viejo, Old Shell, Panama City, Structures, Tourism on February 19, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Picture of a very old building inside the oldest area of Panama City known as Casco Viejo. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
