A normal day and an exciting evening (Friday)

Today was perfect for getting accustomed to Panama.  And how did we do this?

We went to the Mall.  El Dorado Mall to be exact.

There, we went to Rey for groceries and then came home to prepare for an exciting evening.

Elba picked us up and drove downtown to Restaurante las Tinajas.  There, we had a lovely meal, but the best part was not the food, as good as it was.  It was the dancing!

Folkloric dancing with women in polleras!  I have seen pictures but this was my first time seeing women dancing in them.  And they are GORGEOUS!  Each one is unique, being made by hand and embroidered profusely.  They can take an entire year to create!

Elba told us that an entire set - the blouse and skirt, mosquetas and tembleques they wear on their heads, shoes, special petticoats, and amazing gold jewelry - could easily cost $20,000 USD!  Wow!

The dancers showed dances from the provinces - and they were amazing.  They swirled and swayed and smiled.  Big smiles that can't be faked.  They were really enjoying it all.