Puerto Rico: Windows to the World
A few weeks ago I travelled to Puerto Rico for a vacation. My first time at the Caribbean and I was truly excited to finally be near a beach again. When we left New York, it was nippy and the temperature hovered in the 60's. Thus it was a welcome change to exit the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and feel the much warmer weather of the islands.
Like the Philippines, Puerto Rico lived much of its history under the Spaniards. The influence of Spain is prevalent from cuisine, the language, the pace of life, the architecture and religion. So much like being home, I couldn't help but compare it with what had been familiar to me, growing up. The siesta, the laid-back lifestyle where everything grinds slow, the people hanging out at public square, parks or malls just people-watching.
Old San Juan was awesome. The short drive from Isla Verde where we were staying to the old fortress was brief and scenic. Nicole was the great navigator who could always pinpoint where we were on the map. Upon arriving, Old San Juan's cobbestone streets immediately transported me back in time to my old favorite location - the streets of Vigan in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. Ang ganda, feeling Maria Clara nanaman ang drama ko.
The cobblestone streets of Old San Juan
And another similarity are the balconajes, the windows and the grand portals that open to the streets. In old San Juan, though the houses are painted in bright pastels. It seems that life for the old generation of people who lived in these houses and the always present windows or balconajes (and those also in similar homes in Taal, Batangas and Vigan) made sure the breeze circulated into the living spaces and I presume, because they spent so much of their time looking out and interacting with the community. These were the tmes before the TV, the Gamebox, DVDs and Blockbuster and the internet. Windows had a bigger purpose to the household than bringing in air and light. It was where the young women stole flirty glances at their beaus passing by on the street, where neighbors greeted each other and where life literally passed by.
Windows to the world
On our stroll around Old San Juan, two posted signs caught my attention. One, that these people know how to enjoy life. HAPPY HOUR On Fridays from 8PM to 4AM. Beer is at $2.50, which according to my dear friend Jorge is CHEEEEP!!!
Another signage that was totally out of this world was from a place called Mr. Froggie which read: SORRY! We are open! 11:59 til you drop! I mean, what were they apologizing for? Is the food that bad???
Much of Old San Juan has been preserved and re-lives the struggle of Puerto Rico for its independence and its name. The palatial Capitol stands imposingly against the blue sky and onto the sea. At the end of the Paseo dela Princesa is a grand sculpture and fountain which pays tribute to the various ancestry that make up the Puerto Rican heritage.
The fountain at Plaza Princesa
The view from the Fort El Morro of the bay is breathtaking. And as if to add more drama, the clouds turned gray and threatened to heave some rain but didn't. The weather stayed mild, not humid at all. There was no way you could complain about the weather in this island paradise.
The people are warm, very welcoming and the old folks smiling. I think Puerto Rican women are really beautiful, no wonder four Ms. Universe titleholders and many a finalist have hailed from here. The men are like the familiar Filipinos - machismo definitely oozing from their genes. And what a funny coincidence, the weekend past-time is also sabong or cock-fighting.
As we returned to our hotel in Isla Verde from Old San Juan we passed by low income residential buildings that reminded me of the Bliss structures in Manila. Gigi narrated that these were built by a politician to integrate the low income bracket into the once high class expensive environs of the Condado. Exactly the story of our own Bliss.
Puerto Rican version of the Bliss housing
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Like the Philippines, Puerto Rico lived much of its history under the Spaniards. The influence of Spain is prevalent from cuisine, the language, the pace of life, the architecture and religion. So much like being home, I couldn't help but compare it with what had been familiar to me, growing up. The siesta, the laid-back lifestyle where everything grinds slow, the people hanging out at public square, parks or malls just people-watching.
Old San Juan was awesome. The short drive from Isla Verde where we were staying to the old fortress was brief and scenic. Nicole was the great navigator who could always pinpoint where we were on the map. Upon arriving, Old San Juan's cobbestone streets immediately transported me back in time to my old favorite location - the streets of Vigan in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. Ang ganda, feeling Maria Clara nanaman ang drama ko.
The cobblestone streets of Old San Juan
And another similarity are the balconajes, the windows and the grand portals that open to the streets. In old San Juan, though the houses are painted in bright pastels. It seems that life for the old generation of people who lived in these houses and the always present windows or balconajes (and those also in similar homes in Taal, Batangas and Vigan) made sure the breeze circulated into the living spaces and I presume, because they spent so much of their time looking out and interacting with the community. These were the tmes before the TV, the Gamebox, DVDs and Blockbuster and the internet. Windows had a bigger purpose to the household than bringing in air and light. It was where the young women stole flirty glances at their beaus passing by on the street, where neighbors greeted each other and where life literally passed by.
Windows to the world
On our stroll around Old San Juan, two posted signs caught my attention. One, that these people know how to enjoy life. HAPPY HOUR On Fridays from 8PM to 4AM. Beer is at $2.50, which according to my dear friend Jorge is CHEEEEP!!!
Another signage that was totally out of this world was from a place called Mr. Froggie which read: SORRY! We are open! 11:59 til you drop! I mean, what were they apologizing for? Is the food that bad???
Much of Old San Juan has been preserved and re-lives the struggle of Puerto Rico for its independence and its name. The palatial Capitol stands imposingly against the blue sky and onto the sea. At the end of the Paseo dela Princesa is a grand sculpture and fountain which pays tribute to the various ancestry that make up the Puerto Rican heritage.
The fountain at Plaza Princesa
The view from the Fort El Morro of the bay is breathtaking. And as if to add more drama, the clouds turned gray and threatened to heave some rain but didn't. The weather stayed mild, not humid at all. There was no way you could complain about the weather in this island paradise.
The people are warm, very welcoming and the old folks smiling. I think Puerto Rican women are really beautiful, no wonder four Ms. Universe titleholders and many a finalist have hailed from here. The men are like the familiar Filipinos - machismo definitely oozing from their genes. And what a funny coincidence, the weekend past-time is also sabong or cock-fighting.
As we returned to our hotel in Isla Verde from Old San Juan we passed by low income residential buildings that reminded me of the Bliss structures in Manila. Gigi narrated that these were built by a politician to integrate the low income bracket into the once high class expensive environs of the Condado. Exactly the story of our own Bliss.
Puerto Rican version of the Bliss housing
(TO BE CONTINUED)