Left the hostel at 7:45am. Waited for a bus until 9am. Six buses went by without stopping: full. Finally got on, standing room only (just for a little while; a guy got off not too far down the road).  

Got into Santiago about 11am. Had to wait until noon to get a van to David, a three hour ride.  

Left David around 3:30 for a two hour ride to Boquete.  

Long day, but I didn't want to spend any time in these other places, mainly because it's too warm at the bottom of the mountains.  

I had two goals once I had checked in to my hostel: get cash; get a good meal.  

First ATM I went to gave the same result I'd gotten in Pty: can't read your card. Second ATM worked.  

I had to walk to the end of town (only 1/3 mi) to find a decent restaurant that served steak. They had a filet mignon for $24. I waited about ten minutes for someone to take my order. A couple of waiters were more or less hanging around, but nobody approached me. I left.  


Walked back to the center of town and took a chance on this place. Not fancy at all. Looked at the menu: didn't see what I wanted. Told the waitress I wanted a good steak. She flipped the menu over and showed me the filet mignon for $14. I was tired from the long day, so I went for it.  





 

 8 oz filet for $14, cooked just right, salad with italian dressing on the side: hit the spot perfectly! Had two 6 oz glasses of decent wine at $4.50 ea. Add one nightcap: rum and coke ($4), and I was a happy camper.  

Nighty night!