Exploring Old San Juan

Saturday, May 26, 2007
By Chelsea Young

Oh, the joys of having free time. Shopping, dining, walking…it’s all a part of the quintessential Old San Juan experience. I only wish that I had had more time in this amazing city. I’m in awe of the culture that makes San Juan so lively and all that there is to do here.

On Saturday morning Angie, Jessica, Dianne, and I began the day with breakfast at the hotel and then took the bus (for only 50 cents) to the Castillo de San Cristóbal. This historical fort had beautiful views to the ocean and we were able to walk into the dungeons where the walls had ships drawn on them from old prisoners, showcasing their plans for escape. My favorite part of seeing this fort was the views from the sides of aqua water and bright green grass – that was absolutely stunning.

I'm standing near Castillo de San Cristóbal overlooking the ocean. What a view!

After the fort, the four of us took a trolley to the central part of Old San Juan for a shopping excursion, and an excursion it was. There are so many shops and boutiques in Old San Juan that we literally spent all day there. Those of us who aren’t vegetarians ate hot dogs from a hot dog stand for lunch. We went to the open-air market, souvenir stores and boutiques as well as “must see” stores like Señor Frogs, which was honestly not that impressive. I prefer local places that are more unique.

One of my most memorable moments was when Angie and I went into this dress store that was owned by an older couple. The store specialized in dresses all made from beautifully colored fabrics. We were determined to find dresses that fit, but after trying on clothes for over half an hour, we gave up and walked away empty handed. Although a depressing moment, looking back it was rather funny how much we just wanted a cheap dress despite how well it fit. Trust me, we both almost forfeited a proper fit for a good deal and that’s not always a good thing.

We spent a good amount of time in outlet stores, which is ironic since the merchandise can all be found near home in the continental United States. Even though I’d rather give my money to a local store I still spent money at the Polo store, which is probably something many tourists in Puerto Rico end up doing. Regardless of where everything I bought is from I look forward to the moments when I can tell people “I got that in Puerto Rico!”

After a long day of shopping we were definitely ready to sit back and relax at dinner, but we wanted something cheap since our pocket change was getting low and the numerous swipes on our credit cards left us a bit worried. We happened to be walking through Old San Juan when a man by the name of Lenny approached us. He was somewhat small with a long white beard and he was extremely friendly. Lenny handed out some cards to a restaurant called Café Amapola saying he owned the restaurant. We quizzed him about how much it would cost and he told us we could get rice, beans, sweet plantains for under 10 dollars. After that we were sold.

The restaurant overlooked the ocean and at Lenny’s suggestion, we sat on the terrace. Kendal, Wes, Kimberly, and Dawn were all also there so we sat with them and enjoyed good food and conversation. Lenny came to the restaurant and I know that he was happy we had decided to go to his restaurant and even happier that we loved the food. Later, after leaving the restaurant we saw Lenny on the streets again, trying to entice people to dine at his place.

Before going home we walked through the market again where a live band was playing and people of all ages were dancing. This was a true display of culture. Seeing all these people kicked back, relaxing and enjoying the music or moving their bodies in rhythm made me wish that our own culture was more like this, more carefree and about just living life. I’ll never forget this one old woman, who was so small and frail, but she was dancing away in the middle of the crowd.

Spending time in Old San Juan gave me a better idea of the Puerto Rican culture. I had so much fun in that part of the city and was able to immerse myself more in the Puerto Rican lifestyle by observation. Although I was completely exhausted by the end of the day, Saturday in Old San Juan was one of my most memorable times on the trip.

Mixing it Up in Puerto Rico

By: Wes Ward
May 26, 2007

Picture 1: Statue that overlooks the Capitol building next to the ocean.

Puerto Rico is a melting pot of cultures, ages, and beliefs. Like the United States, this island is mixed heavily between diverse cultures and ethnicities. Architecture, dancing, and music are all entrenched with multiple identities, which blend into one vast and prideful identity.
The colors are rich and vibrant. Bright blue ocean waves splash the rocky coastlines that quickly become filled with abundant fields of green grasses that further inland transform into lush vegetation.

Picture 2: Mountains in El Yunque National Rain Forest.

The abundance of colors that the island displays creates a beautiful image for anyone’s delight. The people are as pale as the sun bleached sand that surrounds the island, but others have become as dark as the shadowy encasement of an underground cave. Although it is obvious that color and race are not as large a problem as it is in the United States, I do believe that this issue is a clear and defining symbol of Puerto Rico. I am not just describing the color of the people or the landscape, but of the culture itself.
Walking down a street in Puerto Rico a realization will hit you very quickly. The architecture is flooded with stylistic aesthetics influenced from countries throughout the world. Giant stone walls fortify the city of San Juan, not only creating a picturesque scene, but telling the story of its history and people. The language is different from the country to which it pays tribute, and the music is an eclectic mix of combined sounds heard throughout the world. The architecture paints a visual picture of what the world was, is and can be. One building will be painted a vibrant Easter egg blue, contrasting the adjacent building, which is composed entirely of a bright burning orange.

Picture 3: Calle de San Fransisco in San Jaun, Puerto Rico.

The colors and styles of the buildings brilliantly display the energy and abundance of life that floods the streets. Streets rumble with Reggaton as thundering bass and the incessant beat of drums blares from the odd assortment of cars on the streets. Off the streets and inside the beautiful buildings that house the cobbled streets, salsa and merengue music is softly echoed throughout the halls and plazas.
Flamenco dancing and Spanish revival architecture showcase the Spanish upbringings, while the influx of Burger Kings, Starbucks and gas guzzling Ford pickups showcase the industrial and commercial influence of the United States. The struggles of slavery through which Puerto Rico has endured, to the constant clashes over Independence or statehood; this island has prevailed and will continue to shine brightly in the Caribbean Seas.

Picture 3: Flamenco dancer performs for an audience at the local restaurant, Barrachina.

From Ponce to San Germán and a Few Stops In-Between

Haley and me posing in one of the huts at the Tibes Ceremonial Grounds in Ponce. I think we will all remember that day and our friend, Sal Mas, dearly.

Saturday, May 19, 2007
By Chelsea Young

My time on this island has felt like a whirlwind, going from activity to activity, place to place and discovering a new culture day by day. To fully experience something new, great attention and energy is required. Beginning class at eight o’clock in the morning and finishing the day’s activities late at night is tiresome, and it parallels the feelings travel writers often experience; the feeling of giving up a normal routine in an effort to challenge your mind and body. This feeling is most likely what travel writers of the past, like Thomas Nugent, felt during their explorations.

For the first time in my life I am being exposed to a culture other than my own, while forging new relationships and experiencing new things. The days activities included going to the Hacienda Buena Vista Coffee Plantation, visiting the Tibes Ceremonial Grounds and leaving Ponce and Hotel Melina and arriving in San Germán at the Universidad Interamerican de Puerto Rico. The coffee plantation provided examples of how coffee was made and also gave insight into the preservation of the environment. I expected the plantation to look more like a plantation, but instead it looked like a forest, with waterfalls and canopy trees. Along the way to San Germán, our driver, José, took us to a roadside stand where we bought freshly sliced pineapples. This was a picturesque moment because it was so indicative of a tropical place. José pointed out interesting sights while we drove and stopped at the top of a hill overlooking the ocean for us to take pictures.

I continue to be amazed at the vibrant aqua-colored water and the lush flora that are so characteristic of the island. Yet, each day I learn that Puerto Rico is more than just beaches and tropics. It is a culture filled with a rich history and people who are proud to share their heritage with others.