Into the main CITY of PANAMA

---

We stayed right in the middle of the city. While it was HORRIBLE learning to drive around, eventually, we figured it out.

We met some more people..American and otherwise. The best part of our stay in the city was: 1) one of the BEST bands we have every heard, and 2) one of the finest steak meals we have ever had, at Martin Fierro's...sort of like a Ruth Chris Steak House I assume, but better!

This entry contains pictures for over two of the nights we stayed in the city, including those taken at the Istmo Brew Pub, the Hotel Riande and the Hotel Riande bar.

After the band ended, the juke box was turned up loud and we met a bunch of new people. Some of the band stayed on and the new group -- a table of folks from Dominican Republic -- joined us in late night dancing. Sorry, we didn't stop to take photos of this since we were having too much fun!

---

Photos

Panama City Hotel - Anna
Riande Hotel...part of same chain, which managed the airport hotel.

Richie at the hotel.
Settling in and deciding what to do for our first REAL night in Panama.

FInest band around!
While we went out to other places looking for something to do, when we ended up back at our hotel we discovered that a band was setting up in the tiny bar. Who would have thought the best entertainment around was right at our own place?!!! Band leader's name.....Ricardo...AKA Richard!

Folks Having Fun
More people having fun at our hotel bar. This is after returning from the Istmo Brew Pub, Richie thinking he would be turning in early, and us happening upon the great band.

Leader of the Band
Here I am with the main drummer(the leader of the band and to the right of me in this photo) and another band member. The leader's name happened to be Richard! This was one of three other Richards we met on the trip. Gotta love the Panamanian smiles and good-natured dispositions, not to mention the fantastic music they played.

More Shots of the Band
These guys were great...other friends popped in and out of the band during various songs, taking over the congos, or the bongos and even the singing. It was amazing.

Comments

[Tony]

peanut gallery comment...
Drink more cervezas...

[Richie_and_Annie]

Tony A or Tony M???
Bebidira mas cervezas es la manera correcta del decir al nosotros para bebir mas!...en Espanol... (Dring more beers is the correct way to tell us to drink more beers -- en Spanish).