The trip is just few days away, and it's getting hard to concentrate at work; our souls, foreseeing the Caribbean energy, start fluttering their wings, filling our bodies with anticipation and enthusiasm. It's going to be our first trip out of the US in five…Read More

The trip is just few days away, and it's getting hard to concentrate at work; our souls, foreseeing the Caribbean energy, start fluttering their wings, filling our bodies with anticipation and enthusiasm. It's going to be our first trip out of the US in five years –- the time we have been "held captive" by immigration process that is finally over, and although we are going to American territory, we know it is more a formality than a feeling.

We believe that, by getting to Puerto Rico, we're going to find intact the Caribbean lifestyle; in our imaginations, we can hear the melody of merengue moving and loosening hips through houses and bars, we can taste delicious dishes, and we can see the architecture of Old San Juan. We are eager for non-matching architecture, non-big-box stores, non-manicured grass -- anything distinct of the standardized beauty of Washington, DC’s metropolitan area.

The sun and beaches are our priority, so we have been watching closely the weather forecast and keeping our fingers crossed for a little sunshine. We're going to need luck when it comes to a dry November in San Juan; it is traditionally the most rainy month of the year! But it is also the only month that fits our $1,500 budget, including airfare, hotel, rented car, and food for my husband, our baby, and me. The Weather Channel’s website, www.weatherchannel.com, has been really helpful and has been giving us some hope by promising partially cloudy skies and 10% chance of precipitation.

The hotel and flights are booked through www.orbitz.com, and we are still shopping for a rented car. Our luggage is empty, but a "what to take" list starts to be formed and is getting so huge, we are going to need more than the four hands available -- just the car seat and the stroller seems a lot, as we are inexperienced traveling parents. It is also hard to think of what we are going to need at 81 degrees when we need to scratch ice from the windshield in the mornings. We expect to make mistakes, forget things, and laugh about it!

We have been so into our new immigrant life, working so hard to adapt, fit, and conquer, that we need this Puerto Rico experience so badly! We hope to be welcomed by warm water, gentle people, and the good energy of Puerto Rico.

See you guys soon!

Marciaj

Most anyone who has traveled outside of the United States, or is from outside the United States, has likely had the opportunity to note the almost painfully monolinguistic nature of the average American. If it's not English, we Americans don't want to hear it. If we…Read More

Most anyone who has traveled outside of the United States, or is from outside the United States, has likely had the opportunity to note the almost painfully monolinguistic nature of the average American.

The Marriott has its own private beach, but there are really no physical boundaries which separate it from the public beaches which are available to everyone. The Caribe Hilton has the best beach in Condado, in my opinion. The first day we arrived, I…Read More

The Marriott has its own private beach, but there are really no physical boundaries which separate it from the public beaches which are available to everyone. The Caribe Hilton has the best beach in Condado, in my opinion. The first day we arrived, I stood on the balcony facing the ocean and watched them sweeping clean the sands below. All the lounge chairs are neatly stacked nearest to the hotel’s back wall.

It is difficult not go to the beach, so after 11:00 am, Chuck and I went to the ground floor directly to either poolside, or to the beach. You must stop at the activity desk, pick up towels and pink I.D. band for your wrist. Otherwise, the lady guard at the steps will not let you stick one of your toes on that sand. She’s there until closing.

They do not have very many activities on the beach, but there are organized brisk walks for those wanting to exercise. As you come down the stairs, you’ll spot a woman who has 2 table displays of assorted jewelry, some made with island woods which are precious. She appears to have been here for a very, very long time.

As the beach was not terribly crowded yet, one of the hotel staff brought us 2 lounges, and anticipating the unforgiving heat of the midday sun, I asked for an umbrella which is free of charge. It is recommended that you tip the man who brings your accommodations. Try to limit your exposure the first day as you can burn severely if you are fair-skinned. The beach is a great place to observe people and the most wonderful thing to watch are the children, especially the little girls.

There is bar service here and you can get what you want either by waiting and hoping the server sees you; the more expedient way is to walk up to the pool bar and request a server. I was getting hungry, and ordered a hamburguesa with a virgin piña colada. Don’t expect quick service; luckily I had a copy of the local paper, and the latest Vanidades , which is a woman’s magazine published in Miami for the Latin community. The ocean temperature was not warm enough for me, but Chuck was in there often, as were some boys with boards who were surfing the waves. The ocean is a little rougher than you’d expect, but again, this is the Atlantic Ocean. At one point, Chuck went for a long walk along the shore and took some great shots of the coast.

They have showers available as you re-enter the pool area to either leave or sit at the outdoor café here. The music in this area is always upbeat and loud. There are no outdoor bathrooms, so you need to re-enter the hotel at the ground level and use the lavatories on the right hand side of the main door.

After we visited El Morro Fortress my wife and I felt like walking. Everything just seemed too interesting to pass over by taking a cab. We soon found ourselves on Christo Street,walking downhill toward the port. Soon we found ourselves thirsty and stopped…Read More

After we visited El Morro Fortress my wife and I felt like walking. Everything just seemed too interesting to pass over by taking a cab. We soon found ourselves on Christo Street,walking downhill toward the port. Soon we found ourselves thirsty and stopped at a little bar known as Bohemio. A quick beer and we were again walking to find a camera. Our camera had been damaged, costing us a great roll of film and for El Morro Fortress we used a disposable. We bought an inexpensive Advantix camera at Walgreens and went outside to load some film.

Once outside I tore and fought with the camera packaging, all was no use. Then,a man sitting on a bench in the square summoned me over and said we were never going to get it open this way, and could he see it. I turned over the camera to him and he began tearing at the stubborn packaging and like me was having no luck. He started using his teeth to open the package, I thought for sure he was going to break a tooth. Soon a friend of his joined in the now public struggle to help the tourists. Again, all to no avail, until one man had the solution, a knife. Another friend of theirs took the stubborn package and opened it with his pocket knife, commenting on his embarrasment, "I can't believe it, a Puerto Rican without a knife.". He laughed and gave us the open package. We thanked him,and realized that much we had heard and read of this island just simply was not true. Walking around Old San Juan was certainly more comfortable than some places in Italy, Sicily, Germany, and the United States. I felt right at home here, besides, there are a lot of cop's in old San Juan, damn near on every other street corner. We continued our walk through the streets.

We finally settled on our aquisition for this port, a simple piece of spray can art that we watched created on the street. We felt this street art typified San Juan more than anything we had seen in any of the stores.

We have come to believe that trinkets purchased soon end up in a drawer at home and are soon forgotten, while a piece of local culture on display in the home will bring back fond memories every time it is viewed.

I have included some pictures of Old San Juan, and hope they convey the friendliness we felt there.Close

Even up here on the 14th floor, I can hardly sleep from the perpetual barrage of honking horns, screeching wheels, and droning sirens. Then there’s the heat. Even if it were quiet, I still couldn’t sleep. Why couldn’t this apartment come with air conditioning? But,…Read More

Even up here on the 14th floor, I can hardly sleep from the perpetual barrage of honking horns, screeching wheels, and droning sirens. Then there’s the heat. Even if it were quiet, I still couldn’t sleep. Why couldn’t this apartment come with air conditioning? But, no matter. I’ll be used to it by tomorrow. And for now, it’s a small price to pay for being home.

Home! I haven’t lived here in 5 years, since I went off to college. Now I have a home of my own in the States with my loving husband and wayward pets. But I suspect that part of me will always consider Puerto Rico home, no matter where the fates lead me. This is where my roots are or, more appropriately, mis raices.

On the plane coming here, I became a giddy child. To see the beach, la playa and the mountains, las montanas again – and to share it all with my husband! "Look, there’s Plaza Las Americas, the shopping mecca of the island." Square foot for square foot, no mall in the US is more profitable. "And there’s Plaza Aquatica, the metropolitan water park my friends and I used to go to in middle school. That’s Hato Rey, the financial district. And that’s the lagoon, with its tin-roofed houses on one side and the snaking Teodoro Moscoso Bridge." Then, after having been forced to wait too many hours, too many days, too many years to come back, we were hitting the landing field of Luis Munoz Marin International Airport all too soon. I wanted to float above the island a little longer, soaking in the sites that were so familiar, yet tinged with novelty.

People without tickets are not allowed in the terminals. The airport was quiet and vacant, almost eerily so, until you stepped outside and that explosion of life and sound hit you. It’s that very thing that is keeping me awake now; the same vibrant force that engulfs San Juan, stretching as far as Isla Verde, where I am staying.

In the morning, this will all be worth it.Close

A natural curiosity propelled my desire to go beyond the normal touristy stores in Old San Juan, which is notable for its cobblestones and array of colorful doors--many painted in vibrant hues and pastel highlights. I wandered into a lesser travelled section (don't do this…Read More

A natural curiosity propelled my desire to go beyond the normal touristy stores in Old San Juan, which is notable for its cobblestones and array of colorful doors--many painted in vibrant hues and pastel highlights. I wandered into a lesser travelled section (don't do this alone) just to explore the local residents. Despite my lack of Spanish conversational skills, I found that a friendly smile and an attempt to cross cultural barriers was all it took to befriend people I met. And be forewarned--there's some extreme poverty right beyond the fringes of wealth touted by the brochures. There are extraordinary photo opportunities, too, as long as you don't infringe on anyone's personal sensitivities. I would rather spend time on those streets than in any of the zillion casinos they have at arm's length.Close

When my wife and I arrived in San Juan, my wife and I decided to walk around San Juan and experience the daily life. It was very HOT!!! Just walking around the city with the sun beating down on you made it a workout. Not…Read More

When my wife and I arrived in San Juan, my wife and I decided to walk around San Juan and experience the daily life. It was very HOT!!! Just walking around the city with the sun beating down on you made it a workout. Not only was the sun burning, but it was also humid. Walking through the city, I noticed that you could always get a beautiful picture of any part of San Juan. It seemed like the sun always hit at the right time to take pictures of a gorgeous alley way. The buildings were wonderfully designed with narrow roads. I was taking it all in. The atmosphere was lively and refreshing. I have to say that it is VERY BUSY, even at night. The roads are always packed, so I can only image how frustrating driving can be. Just walking through the city. It was great to know that where we were staying that the beach was right next door.
As for transportation, the bus are free, which is great; however, take at your own risk. One, you need to know where you are going. While riding on the bus, we didn't know where we were going to get to the port of San Juan to get to the Barcardi Factory. There are friendly people, including the bus driver that will gladly tell you where you need to get off. Two, the bus drivers drive like they are operating a roller coaster. They are not afraid to cut in front a car in the middle of a busy road.
I had a great time in walking in San Juan; I plan on returning again in the near future.Close

I think member Ishtar missed a lot at the Bacardi Festival. It isn't just a hot, religious festival surrounded by food, it is Boricua (Puerto Rican) culture. The three kings are a huge deal in Puerto Rico as are Santos (wooden carvings of saints) and…Read More

I think member Ishtar missed a lot at the Bacardi Festival. It isn't just a hot, religious festival surrounded by food, it is Boricua (Puerto Rican) culture. The three kings are a huge deal in Puerto Rico as are Santos (wooden carvings of saints) and they are a beautiful art form, each artist's carvings look different and they specialize in certain saints. What is wrong with kebabs (called pinchos) at 11am especially when you started drinking beer at 9am?. Loud music? I would hate to offend someone's ears with loud music in a culture obsessed with salsa, merengue, bachata, etc., and at an outdoor concert of all places. Yes, it is hot, but it is Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean, and most people don't go to PR in the winter time to find cold weather. Bring an umbrella (for the sun as well as chance rain), sunscreen, a camera and an appetite but don't miss this cultural event!Close

The eastern part of Calle Fortaleza (by Hotel Milano) is informally considered Old San Juan's Restaurant Row, as it has a small cluster of atmospheric restaurants, offering local and fusion cuisine and stylish interior decors ranging from traditional to ultra-modern.Prices range from $10-40 per entree,…Read More

The eastern part of Calle Fortaleza (by Hotel Milano) is informally considered Old San Juan's Restaurant Row, as it has a small cluster of atmospheric restaurants, offering local and fusion cuisine and stylish interior decors ranging from traditional to ultra-modern.Prices range from $10-40 per entree, depending on the dish and restaurant. Many of restaurants are only open for dinner.Some restaurants there are Parrot Club, Sonne, Tantra, and DragonflyFor dinner I definitely recommend making reservations. There are also a bunch of bars/lounges in the area.Close

We had a great time in Puerto Rico.  Unfortunately, one week here is not enough.  We wanted to see more!  We went here in November.  The weather was in the 80s, but expect rainy days.  I again did research on what the weather would be…Read More

We had a great time in Puerto Rico.  Unfortunately, one week here is not enough.  We wanted to see more!  We went here in November.  The weather was in the 80s, but expect rainy days.  I again did research on what the weather would be like, and November is known to have high precipitation, so we knew before we got there that rain was expected near the end of our trip. 

We did get to see the sights that we had initially planned for, but once we got to Puerto Rico, we definitely wanted to see one more place before heading home. We wanted to take a catamaran trip to Vieques Island.  We wanted to see and experience the Bioluminescent Bay and chill at one of Puerto Rico's "Virgin Islands." Unfortunately, the weather was bad, with high winds, so we couldn't take the boat trip.