I use to have Sunday brunch at the Tivoli Hotel. My typical order was a large glass of water straight from the Chagres River. Yes the best tasting water in the world.
A distinguish Jamaican waiter in a heavily starched white coat with a black bow tie would take my order. The conversation would go something like this; “Good morning Sir, this is the best water in the water.... One glass and you will always come back for more.” I would say, "Thank you,” as the waiter would pour me a another glass of water.
Then I would order a small glass of orange juice which came freshly squeezed, 2 slices of dry toast with jelly, some figs, and a cup of cafe Duran black with fresh mount hope dairy cream on the side and a stack of white cubes of sugar, on a fine china plate with the Tivoli logo on the bottom.
The Panama Canal Company Storehouse division would ensure that there was always enough of everything required to run the Tivoli Hotel on hand... yes those were the carefree days of the old Canal Zone.
