During my last photo walk to Casco Viejo, I was summoned by a very extroverted waiter to visit a cafeteria which had been recently renovated. From the outside it was no big deal. But once you got in, everything was delicate and exquisite.
The owner had restored the whole building and decorated the cafeteria with nostalgia in mind. One of the walls was covered with newspapers of yesteryear. There was a big black and white photograph of a Panamanian President. It think it was Justo Arosemena.
At the bar sitting 0n tall stools, were a few customers talking actively while sipping black steaming coffee. From the nearby large windows, I noticed bright rays of light shyly filtering into the semidark room. I’m sure Rembrandt would have loved to capture this timid light in one of his paintings.
Once in the cafeteria, I was met with a lively employee and assistant who bent themselves backwards showing me the place. They almost begged me to go to the terrace to take pictures and enjoy the morning breeze. It was roughly seven o’clock in the morning. They also suggested I visit a garden inside the building.
A garden inside a house at Casco Viejo? Come on, you’re pulling my leg. No, it was true. Inside the regal old building, I was absorbed into this beautiful tropical garden with graceful chairs, tables, lamps and a modern wooded floor. The scene was extracted from a deluxe magazine like Vogue, Architectural Digest, House & Garden or Condé Nast. The scene was absolutely adorable and certainly raised my eyebrows. I knew then and there, it was a perfect opportunity to freeze this scene in time. And I did!
This is the enticing tropical garden inside a regal Casco Viejo building one lazy Sunday morning. Enjoy.
View of the lush tropical garden inside the hotel. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
A chick set of table and chairs decorated the tropical garden. The wooden floor looked like a million bucks. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Photograph of a banana plant inside a tropical garden at a Casco Viejo apartment hotel. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Close your eyes and imagine having an evening meal with blanc de blanc Champagne in a place like this. The ambience truly reflects the French expression "Joie de Vivre." Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Oh, before I forget. The name of this wonderful place is Las Clementinas, Chambers, Cafe & Bar in the nostalgic neighborhood of the one and only one Panama Casco Viejo. Ah! It feels so good to be alive. Au revoir!
