Last Saturday afternoon, while I was drinking a fresh glass of delicious Chagres water (Chicha del Chagres), I glanced out the kitchen window and saw a gargantuan-sized piece of cloth hanging in the sky. I said to myself, “What in the world is that?”. I used other words, but I can’t replicate them here.
Anyway, I went outside and found out it was a giant banner hanging from a wire attached to a helicopter. The ad was promoting a local bank. I don’t recall having seen an ad this size in Panama before.
Before the chopper disappeared from our piece of sky, I dashed to my office and fetched my Birthday camera to capture the scene. I was faster that an Olympic sprinter and shot the jumbo ad with ample time.
This is the aerial marketing activity taking place at Residencial El Bosque last Saturday. Here we go.
Snapshot of a helicopter towing a jumbo advertisement canvas above our house in Panama City, Panama. The sky was crystal clear. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Sky banners have been used along Florida’s beaches for decades. All day long they are towed along the coast by small. single-engine planes piloted primarily by people who wish to log hours for more serious licenses. I’ve never seen it done by helicopter, though.
We also have blimps that advertise with lights along the side. There’s a Goodyear blimp hanger in Pompano Beach, Florida just north of Fort Lauderdale. I met one of the pilots years ago at a bar owned by my ex-girlfriend’s cousin. His name was Richard and everyone called him “The Great Inflatable Dick.”
Hi Richard:
In the past I’ve seen small planes towing small banners over Panama City. However, this is the first time I’ve seen a helicopter pulling such a large banner. Believe me, it was huge. I think you can appreciate the sheer size by clicking the picture to enlarge it.
I’m not aware that we have blimps in Panama. But who knows, we could have one anytime soon. Panama is revolving very fast and anything is possible today. I never thought we would have a subway in Panama, and as you probably know, the construction is already in progress.
Regards,
Omar.-
¡Hahahaha! Seems to me I heard the expression ¡Qué d…… es eso! Did you think it was an alien?
Hola Hilda:
Algo parecido a eso. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo en visitarnos en Lingua Franca.
Saludos,
Omar.-