Soberana, finally

Posted at 6:41 pm by Patrick under Panama Spring Break:2006

It’s taken me three days, but I’ve finally worked my way to the last national beer brand — Soberana.

This is the beer featured by the abominable beerman. A simple thirst quencher at 3.8 percent abv, this beer competes with Atlas for the low alcohol beer market.

It has a similar refreshing quality as Atlas. I don’t think I could tell them apart in a blind taste test, although I am enjoying it very much.

We’ll see how well it stands up to beef tenderloin.

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Jimmy steaks

Posted at 6:32 pm by Patrick under Panama Spring Break:2006

First it was Jimmy shoes, now it’s Jimmy restaurant.

We’re having dinner at Parrillada Jimmy, which comes highly recommended from our Lonely Planet guide. Though the guide classifies it as Panamanian, we think it’s more of a steakhouse.

Andrea will be having the Corvina Jimmy (pronounced “yimmy”), and I’ll be working on some beef tenderloin.

Here’s to the Yimmy!

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Highest point in Panama City

Posted at 2:11 pm by Patrick under Panama Spring Break:2006

We’ve just hiked up to the observation point in the city’s only national park and wildlife refuge.

While haven’t seen any monkeys or other wildlife yet, we do have an amazing vista of Panama City. This photo won’t do it justice, but you get a true sense for just how beautiful this jungle-in-the-city is.

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Quarter white, Panama style

Posted at 12:24 pm by Patrick under Panama Spring Break:2006

After shopping for handicrafts in the old town district, we decided to eat a lunch ala the local work force.

Bodega Mario is the local lunch stop in this neighborhood, and it feels like Ann’s Snack Shack back in the ATL. There’s no pretense at this workaday lunch counter — you order and keep moving, else the line behind you gives you a dirty look.

Our lunch is a quarter chicken and a quarter pound of roast pork, with a healthy helping of yuca frita (fried yuca disks, like plantains). There were lots of other side options available, fried rice and lo mein noodles among them, but we are quite happy with our choices.

It’s also reassuring to know that the food is likely very fresh, as there were cackling chickens lined up in their pens ready to become tomorrow’s lunches.

In all, it was a tasty lunch. And, yes, we got a dirty look too.

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Us at the Miramar

Posted at 10:11 am by Patrick under Panama Spring Break:2006

We are starting our day with a return to the Casco Viejo to drop off some photos to our new friend Jose. Then we’ll head to Panama Viejo to see the old city.

Oh, by the way, its 90 degrees and sunny.

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