Peddling “Churros” at the Air Show

Snapshot of a women selling “churros” during an air show in Panama City, Panama. She made a killing that day, selling “churros” to the visitors. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.

If you are unfamiliar with the word “churros” please let me explain the term.  Churros are sausage-shaped, deep-fried doughnuts, dusted or sprayed with sugar.  Similar to a cruller, this Spanish and Mexican specialty consists of a sweet-dough spiral that is deep-fried and eaten like a doughnut.

Churros are usually coated with a mixture of cinnamon and confectioners’ (or granulated) sugar.  The snack gets its name from its shape, which resembles the horns of the Churro breed of sheep reared in the Spanish grasslands of Castile.

They are highly popular in Latin America, Spain, France, Portugal, the United States, and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands.  In Panama, they are so popular that they can disappear from a churro’s cafeteria faster than the thawing of the polar caps.

The Twisters emptied our pockets requesting a large stock of these goodies.  Cokes were also added to the list.  We gently consented.  Good Day.

Read Full Post »

Acrobatics in the Sky

“There was more sky than a man could think, curving deep and far and empty, except maybe for a hawk or an eagle sailing.”—The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie

It was tropical stifling afternoon.  The sun was out and the sky was as serene and azure as it could be—vast and limitless.  As far as you  could see, there was only the blueness of the sky.  The day was perfect for flying.

The Twisters were home on time; jumping up and down, excited to go to the airshow at the former Howard Air Force Base.  We were early birds and had no problems finding a parking space for the car and watching the organizers carefully preparing the show.

At ten o’clock sharp, three small planes reached for the sky and started tumbling, twisting, diving, swirling, and a lot more of aerial acrobatics to the amazement and excitement of the crowd.  The Twisters dropped their jaws and opened their eyes.  There was magic in the sky and they knew it.

Below is what I mean by aerial acrobatics.  We loved every second of the spectacle going on in the wild blue yonder.  Take a look.

Snapshot of a solitary American daredevil performing a range of aerial acrobatics during an airshow in Panama City, Panama. The sight was awesome, in search of a better word. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

You can feel the vastness of the blue dome elegantly described by A.B. Guthrie. The door of a DHL cargo plane emerges in the middle of the picture like a whale’s fin.  Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Read Full Post »

Cruising Through an Airplane Fair

I recently forayed into a large airplane fair organized by the Panama government at the former Howard Air Force Base.  I found a large gathering of people including small children who were interested in watching the abundant number of helicopters, acrobatic planes, parachuting exercises, flying ambulances, speed boats, a large DHL yellow freight carrier and a whole lot more of interesting flying objects.

Amongst the visitors was a gorgeous small girl in a beautiful pink automobile.  She was one of the stars at the airplane fair at the former Howard Air Force Base.  She looked as cute as a button.  Take a look.

Snapshot of a small girl cruising through the premises of the former Howard Air Force Base during a recent airplane fair organized by the Panama government. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Read Full Post »