Great Music

I was once again struck by the fantastic music available in a village in a far corner of a 3rd World Nation. And the music was good last night!

I met a friend at breakfast, as usual, and we talked about going out to Ruinas for dinner and music last night. That lead to inviting another couple to go, too.

So off to Ruinas at 5 pm to where Yella and the Fantasy Jazz Band were playing.

This is a restaurant that has taken the area by storm. The chef knows what gringos like. And he produces it at a great price, with consistent quality (this is unheard of in Panama) and good service.

I love the tuna, when he has it. He buys sushi grade tuna, freshly caught early that morning, from the fish monger. The fish is cleaned and prepared in the parking lot.

The tuna is seared...hot on the outside and cool in the middle. It is so good it melts in your mouth. It comes with rice and salad, all for $10.

No tuna last night, though. I had the corvina (sea bass) sauteed with onions, served with rice and salad. For the unbelievable price of $7.50. It was good.

This restaurant has a thatch roof with open sides. It is round, about 80 feet in diameter, and can hold maybe 100 people.

The band started and the sound was really good. Most buildings in Panama are concrete and tile which makes for terrible sound. The thatch roof and open sides made for a crisp, clear sound.

The band was as good as I have ever heard them. With the great sound.

And spectacular food.

Then the torrential rains started. This is normally an issue because the roofs are metal and the rain is LOUD! Not here with the thatched roof. We did have to put up with a few leaks though. I guess thatch roofs aren't perfect.

The rain was a whisper. Visually, there was water everywhere. With the music and food...

What a night!

A cool, torrential night with friends, food and music...wow!