January 18th, 2016
You know, it really has not been bad at all. The weather here, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, has been perfect when you think of what winters we have had these past few years. But, now that it has gotten a bit colder I see that some of my friends are taking off for milder climates.
I just thought that one place where you will have warm weather year round is Puerto Rico. One of my favorites cities is Old San Juan. It is so romantic and a National Historic Landmark District.
And one of my favorite walks is Paseo de La Princesa. It is perfect for a power walk, or for just checking out the vendors that come during the week-ends to sell handmade Puerto Rican artifacts.
Just follow the walk and you will see how beautiful it is.
The group of sculptures is called Raices or Roots, and symbolizes the roots that gave birth to Puerto Rico cultural heritage.
Continue walking, we are heading towards the San Juan Gate.
The San Juan Gate is named after Saint John the Baptist. This gate was built in 1635 and it is the last remaining of San Juan’s principal gates.
When I was younger you were able to drive through the Gate, but now is just walking.
My cousin, Sonia, and I continued walking on a very hot day along the walled City. The wall was started in 1630 and finished in 1798. The wall was 3miles long and encircled the whole City of Old San Juan.
Preserving San Juan National Historic Site…helping to save the historic wall. There is a lot of erosion of wind, rain, and ocean waves. The riprap was finished in the 1990s, the concrete coating sprayed onto the slope is called shotcrete.
You can walk all the way to the back of El Morro Fort, and it is a great walk but remember that you will have to walk back. There is no way to access the other side of town at the end.
I forgot to tell you to take some water with you. There is a water fountain at the end of the walk but the water is warm.
The small island across the channel is Isla de Cabra. It is also the site of Fort San Juan de La Cruz, a vital link in San Juan’s defense system. Today it is a recreation area managed by the Commonwealth.
Entering the City through the San Juan Gate will be perfect to continue your walk through Old San Juan.
When walking through Old San Juan please wear comfortable shoes. The streets are most all cobblestones. The original blue cobblestones are there to see, but soon many of them will be replaced by new ones. The original ones called in Spanish adoquines were cast from iron slag, which is the waste from iron smelting. The first came to the island as ballast in the bottom of European merchant ships circa 1700s. In Calle del Cristo you are sure to see original ones.
La Fortaleza is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico in Old San Juan. On this photo is at the end of the street.
But if you are walking Paseo de La Princesa you can see it. When I was visiting, it was under renovation.
With all the problems Puerto Rico has at the moments, financial and otherwise, it is still a beautiful island, worth exploring.
October 19th, 2015
On November 19, 1493 Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to claim lands for the Rulers of Spain. When he arrived the island was called Borinquen by the Indians who lived there, but Columbus named it San Juan Bautista. Old San Juan is 522 years old.
It has diverse architectural and historic treasures and these make Old San Juan quite distinct from any other place in the world. It has lively plazas, parks, and promenades, restaurants, and plenty of shopping as well. One such shop that I visited was Spicy Caribbee located at 154 Cristo Street or Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901 Tel. 787-725-4690 Website? http://www.spicycaribbee.com
Follow them on Facebook.
Their Spicy Caribbee line is their own recipe and has been created to make cooking fun. They have been serving customers since 1988. They do ship and there is also online shopping, as well. The photo shows Sica, the owner, taking care of customers.
The hot sauces looked amazing. It is their recipe and they are made for them. You can buy individual bottles or the small crates. Some of the sauces are hot and others are more a condiment to enhance your cooking like the Ginger and Garlic.
If you are in the store you will be able to sample some of the sauces before purchasing.
Coffee is so much of a part of the Puerto Rican tradition. At any time of the day a cup of coffee is always offered. Their coffee is from Hacienda San Pedro, which is a family tradition for 4 generations.
Rag Dolls, homemade in Puerto Rico are a tradition….their particular ones were so cute and my little granddaughter, Sophia, got one of them.
Their tropical jams are prepared just for them, as well. Banana, Mango, Guava, Pineapple, Mango Pineapple and Hot Pepper Jam…use them on toast, pastries or in any cooking were you want to add a bit of the Caribbean. Honeys and teas!! Remember that they can ship everything to your home.
Rubs are so easy. Just rub your chicken, steak, or fish and then decide your method of cooking it….got some of the rubs!!
So as the weather begins to cool off in the Northeast….the Caribbean is warm year-round.
Have a good one!!
March 29th, 2015
Always look forward to visiting churches on my travels. Not necessarily on a time when religious services are taking place. I like them when they are totally quiet. For me is a time for reflection; to pray for my family and friends. I usually stop at churches of all denominations, even though I am Catholic. I thank for our religious freedom. Historic churches and chapels…I am in awe of their beauty and of their strength.
Here are some of my favorite churches and the list is getting longer.
NEW YORK
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a New York Landmark. In 1785 there were only 200 Catholics and one priest in New York City. The doors opened in 1879. The newspapers hailed the New Cathedral as “the noblest temple ever raised in any land to the memory of Saint Patrick, and as the glory to Catholic America”. When I have visited New York with my friend, Shelley, who is Jewish…she always makes a point to stop at St. Patrick’s. So beautiful.
St. Paul’s Chapel was built in 1766. It is the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan. It survived the Great Fire of 1776 and the attacks on 9/11. George Washington prayed here after his inauguration in 1789. It is located at 209 Broadway, between Fulton St. and Vesey St. Still standing against all odds, this church has been a place not only for spiritual healing but for physical refuge, as well.
PUERTO RICO
I grew up in the Island of Puerto Rico. When you see my posts from there is because that’s where my formative years took place. Old San Juan is the Capital and it is over 500 years old. La Catedral de San Juan is formally known as the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, named after the Puerto Rican Patron Saint, San Juan Bautista or Saint John the Baptist. It is located on Cristo St. between Luna St. and San Francisco St. It was built in 1540 and it is the second oldest cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. The Cathedral contains the tomb of Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon. And, the mummified remains of Roman Christian Martyr, Saint Pio.
Capilla del Cristo or Christ’s Chapel is located at the end of Calle del Cristo, which is also where the Cathedral is located. The Chapel was built to commemorate a miracle. Local lore has it that as a young man lost control of his horse and galloped down Calle del Cristo over the cliff at the end of the road, he prayed to a Catholic saint and his prayers were answered.
Parroquia San Francisco de Asis is located at San Francisco Street #301 in Old San Juan. The Crypt – As in old colonial churches, the remains of Christians were buried in catacombs. This can also be seen at the entrance of the Parish. They are called catacombs similar to the Roman catacombs but they are crypts. In the crypt are the remains of personalities of Puerto Rico. They are considered of important historical heritage.
Iglesia Dulce Nombre de Jesus is located in the town plaza of Humacao. This is where I grew up. It is on the eastern side of the island. I went to primary school at Academia San Jose which was across the street. My family went to church here, my parents were married in this church, and I also made my First Communion there. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally, it was a single structure built in 1769. A second church was built from 1825-1826. The present church was built in 1868-1877. It was designed by Don Evaristo de Churruca in the Gothic Revival style. Further renovations have taken place since then.
Parroquia Nuestra Senora del Carmen is located at 33 Marina, in Punta Santiago near my hometown, Humacao. Punta Santiago is a fishing village. Nuestra Senora del Carmen is the patron saint of Fishermen. The official Feast Day is July 16th. I have fond memories of this church. It is always kept in pristine condition. My late husband, John, and I got married here. We chose this church because it was on the beach and it really is pretty, small and cozy. It was the second wedding….first one in Orlean, Virginia and then this one in 2 complete different years. One was not enough!!
SHOWELL, MARYLAND, EASTERN SHORE
Saint Martin’s Historic Church and the importance of historic preservation. For so many years it stood neglected, just waiting for those who would take over the mission of its restoration. It is considered by many historians “to be the finest preserved, most significant piece of American history on the Lower Eastern Shore”. It is an Architectural gem, built in 1756, and a museum located at 11413 Worcester Highway in Showell, Maryland. For more info., please visit http://www.historicstmartinschurg.org.
LEWES, DELAWARE
St. Peter’s Church is located at 2nd & Market Streets in Historic Lewes, Delaware. Lewes is the First Town in the First State. Since 1680 this church has served this community. The early settlers who were members of the Church of England formed its first congregation. The graveyard which surrounds the Church has stones dating back to 1707. Stop by while strolling Lewes.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
 
The Baltimore Basilica’s is America’s First Cathedral. I have a deep connection to Baltimore. My late husband was from Baltimore and many years ago, I lived and worked in Baltimore. Love the City. The Basilica’s construction started in 1806. George Weigel, the biographer for Pope John Paul II said “No other Catholic edifice in America can claim to have seen so much history inside its walls”. At least 15 saints or potential saints have prayed in this Basilica. The Crypt inside the Basilica holds the tombs of Archbishop John Carroll, the first Bishop of the United States of America, Archbishop Martin John Spalding, and James Cardinal Gibbons.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia has 4 Catholic shrines: St John Neumann, St. Katherine Drexel, Miraculous Medal and St. Rita of Cascia. Philadelphia is considered a city where the foundations for our right to freedom and religion were laid. The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia is located at 1166 S. Broad St. and it was built in 1907. I came to know it during my stay in Philadelphia the summer of 2013.
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
St. Michael’s Catholic Church is located at 71 Broad St. in Historic Charleston. A National Historic Landmark. Pewes are made of native cedar and remain the same as they have always been. The altar is Victorian. The chancel rail is made of wrought iron. It dates to 1772. George Washington worshipped at Governor’s Pew #43. This church is gorgeous and the docent was so amazingly inspiring.
St. Philip’s Protestan Episcopal Church is located at 142 Church St. in Historic Charleston. The original building was completed in 1724, destroyed by fire in 1835 and finished the rebuilding in 1838. Porticos and columns remind visitors of Roman porticos. This church is also a National Historic Landmark and has the tallest steeple in Historic Charleston. The docent was so nice and proud of her church.
I am looking forward to this list getting longer. These churches welcome us all. Many of them are so simple. Some are architectural wonders. You don’t really have to look for them, some times they find you.
Another magical Sunday….but waiting for summer is what I am doing.
August 10th, 2014
Summer Travel? Yes, Puerto Rico, year round!! I was just talking to my cousin in Puerto Rico and she told me that it is a spectacular day in La Isla del Encanto.
Locals in Old San Juan take to The Castle of El Morro, which was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. It was needed to protect Old San Juan from attacks by French and English buccaneers.
On a beautiful sunny day, having fun at El Morro is a must.
Old San Juan is a city protected by a wall….The Paseo de La Princesa is very walkable and gorgeous.
Stroll on Calle Del Cristo on the cobblestones take some maneuvering….but you can do it. The Chapel at the end is full of history and forklore.
Many of the old 17th and 18th century Spanish houses have been restored and now serve as attractive shops, restaurants, and museums.
A stop at Rosa de Triana, a traditional Spanish Tasca is what we did. This building was built in 1523. It is one of the first structures of the Old San Juan Government Center during the XVI century. It was also the first City Hall.
It is located in one of my favorite streets in Old San Juan #72 Caleta de San Juan, across El Convento Hotel. Tel. 787-722-1144.
 
We sat by the cellars which also served as the first jail of the capital. The walls were so thick that cell phones did not work well inside, which was a good thing ,by the way.
 
We ordered tapas for the table: Boquerones, Sorullos, Salchichas, Pulpo, Papitas, and plenty Sangria.
So easy to get to Puerto Rico….major airlines, no passport, English is spoken. See you.
February 13th, 2014
 
You cannot blame me for the continuation of my posts on the Island of Puerto Rico. Have you looked outside today? Delaware Beaches are getting rain but the tri-state area is getting snow. So, Puerto Rico, is a quick get-away for many. Only a few hours from major airports in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, PA. No passport needed. Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the U.S. English is spoken for the most part throughout the island.
One of my favorite cities in Puerto Rico is Old San Juan. Strolling through Old San Juan will set you back over 500 years. Gorgeous cobblestone streets, wear comfortable shoes. This walled city is so unique that the United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. It is a 7 block museum, where people, live, shop, dine, and party.
A few months ago a friend stayed in Old San Juan with her husband. Both were so surprised to see and experience how Spanish the island is. Not Latin American but Spanish from Spain…food, buildings, and traditions.
I don’t have to think twice when someone asks me where to stay in Old San Juan. My answer is always the same: El Convento Hotel, located at 100 Cristo St. Tel. 787-723-9020. Website? http://www.elconvento.com.
 
Hotel Convento…the word convento is convent; it was a Carmelite Convent 356 years ago. In 1959, under Operation Bootstrap….Operation Bootstrap gave U.S. companies tax incentives to come to Puerto Rico. Hotels, Pharmaceutical companies and Oil companies came to the island looking for those benefits.
Robert Frederic Woolworth, heir to the Woolworth fortune, began converting the convent into the El Convento Hotel in 1959. Since then, other major renovations have taken place in the 1990s and in the 2000s. The hotel has 58 rooms, and several restaurants.
 
El Convento has a rooftop pool. Visiting the Island of Puerto Rico would not be complete if you do not visit its beaches, as well. El Convento has beach and pool privileges at La Concha Hotel located on Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of San Juan and in Isla Verde at the Marriott Hotel. These are both great beaches if you are in San Juan.
The forecast for the Delaware Beaches looks pretty good this week-end. Hard to believe that you think it is warm when the temperatures raise to 40 degrees!! Oh, well spring is around the corner.
See you,
January 5th, 2014
It has been a long time since my children went outdoors to get grass for the camels and put cookies out for The Three Wise Men; it has been, definitely, much longer since I did that myself growing up in the island of Puerto Rico. The presents we got were more like stocking stuffers, and were left under the bed. The camels used to make such a mess!! Too bad we have to grow up!!
Puerto Rico celebrates all holidays in a big way. Their Christmas season starts early and ends on February 2nd with the Octavitas, which are the 8 days after Three Kings Day. You might as well wait until all that is done with because the term “manana” takes a different meaning.
Three Kings Day is also a Christian Feast Day; the Epiphany, with origins in the Eastern Christian Church. Epiphany means manifestation or appearance. This is a celebration of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Three Wise Men, who were Persian priests.
If you are visiting Puerto Rico you are lucky because this is the best time of the year to really enjoy the “comida criolla”. Puerto Rican food has its own flavors…the spices are amazing.
The foods to look out for and I am going to be missing here, in Delaware, are:
Pasteles – these look like tamales, but no comparison whatsoever. My grandmother made the best. They take a long time. Made with plantains or yuca or casava. The filling is made out of meat or chicken. I prefer the pasteles that have olives, capers, chickpeas, and well seasoned as well. You can find pasteles year-round but they really show off during the holidays.
If you are in South Florida you can find Puerto Rican food at Benny’s. Two locations. I have been to the one on 2500 S.W. 107 # 1, Miami, FL 33165. Tel. 305-227-1232. The other location is at 295 NW 82 Ave., Miami, FL 33126. Tel. 786-458-8240. You can visit the website at http://www.bennyseafood.com. They also ship.
Lechon means pig as in roasting pig…and the Ruta del Lechon will take you to Guavate near Cayey. Plenty of “lechoneras” roasting pigs, accompanied with “arroz con gandules”, blood sausages or morcillas, tostones, and mofongo. You can do a google search and put “Guavate la Ruta del Lechon Cayey Puerto Rico” to watch You Tube.
The local hot sauce is definitely, “hot”.
I know they make so many desserts in Puerto Rico, but my favorite is the simple flan, made with milk, sugar, and eggs, that’s it!!
From the Delaware Beaches visitors to Puerto Rico are pretty much in search of waves. Rincon and the western side of the island is a favorite of many. Hopefully, they can also travel to the island. Puerto Rico has a lot to offer and the scenery is gorgeous.
If you are passing through the town of Humacao…..granitos is what you need to be looking for. They sell them in street corners but I got to visit where they make them. Indigenous to Humacao; you cannot find them anywhere else. With a bold and hot cup of coffee…priceless. Made with rice and cheese and, of course, fried!!
 La Coca Falls, El Yunque In Pinones, near San Juan, another surfing spot and eating destination….fresh coconut water!!
Love Old San Juan. It is my favorite place. I like everything about it. Such an old and historic city. If you are visiting Puerto Rico, please take time to visit.
A city surrounded by forts; El Morro and San Cristobal. Over 500 years old.
Walking and shopping in the Old City.
Stay at El Convento Hotel.
Take a cultural and food tour with Flavors of San Juan…http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com.
And a must when the temperature rises in PR….a local Piragua or snow cone. They are truly the best! Love the cream and here was my “Piraguero” preparing mine in his new stainless steel cart.
It is about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and the temperatures are supposed to be the coldest in the next couple of days…..
 From Palmas del Mar, looking towards Vieques and Culebra Need I say more? Happy Three Kings Day!!
May 28th, 2010
A week ago I flew from the Philadelphia Airport back to the Island of Puerto Rico. I was really looking forward to that grade school reunion. I know that really does not exist, right? Well, the Igualitos made it happen.
The airport was quiet again, and my gate was not as rambunctious as the last time. We also left on time, which is a miracle in itself, if you are leaving from the City of Brotherly Love.
The plane was full to capacity and the person sitting next to me was not saying much. He was plugged in, but not for long since I engaged him in conversation about his passion; bikes, as in motorcycles. Harleys to say the least. I told him that I did not think that women looked that great from the rear on any bike; doesn’t matter how good they are. But, it is that sense of freedom and adventure, he said; agreeing with me about that rear view, at the same time.
Arriving at Hacienda Pellerano was a treat, once again. My room was ready, my robes were hanging, the pool was clean, the mango tree had beautiful leaves, and my hostesses, Mr. and Mrs. P. were ready to put up with me.
On that evening, as we were eating outdoors, the night was just amazing. Not steamy hot as during the day but a calm breeze. The combination of the good company, great food, engaging conversation and the symphony of that Island’s indigenous frog, the ever present, Coqui, made it surreal. And, Priceless!!
And, that is how my trip to Puerto Rico started….
Should I continue? Of course, I will.
Even though I have not been visiting La Isla del Encanto for many years, I will have to tell you that there is nothing like Old San Juan. That old city of 500 plus years is just beautiful and the combination of its buildings, views, blue cobblestones (adoquines), restaurants, festivals and narrow streets brings very good memories.
I mentioned narrow streets but Old San Juan is also the home of one of the narrowest houses in the world. It is called La Casa Estrecha, and it is located on Tetuan Street (Calle Tetuan). And, you cannot miss it since its bright yellow color makes it stand-out. The house is in the Guinness Book of Records.
 Tetuan Street There are 12 Narrowest Homes in the World and this is one of them. Sometimes its designation is that it is the narrowest.
 La Casa Estrecha (The Narrow House) Space constraints, plots and sometimes even spite have made people build these houses around the globe. They have sprouted under the tightest spaces.
La Casa Estrecha in Old San Juan has taken the meaning of coziness to a different level.
From the outside it measured 5’4″. But, from the interior walls it is only 5 feet wide. It has 2 stories high and it stretches 36 feet back. It really was a residence, but I believe that it is going through renovations in order to become an art gallery; probably more fitting.
Yes, I am continuing…
Anyone that knows me, knows that I have always said that the Snow Cones or Piraguas in Puerto Rico are really the best. I am a Frustrated Piraguera. Since I did not have one on my last trip, I decided that I needed to have one on that day and in Old San Juan. It was late in the afternoon and a light rain was falling over the City.
Getting stuck in a traffic jam at that time of the day was a little unnerving, but that happens in Old San Juan and you just put up with it.
I was looking for the old, wooden, yellow and red piragua carts. Guess what? Those wooden carts do not exist anymore. They have been replaced by stainless steel ones and the piraguero told me that the old ones contained too much humidity.
I finally get my Piragua (snow cone). I watched him shave that ice, right from the block of ice and, what happened with the cone? Now they are served on a plastic cup. He shaped it just like old times, but will it taste the same? You bet, it did. It was delicious and my favorite flavor was just as good; Cream.
 Shaping the shaved ice
 My favorite - Cream Sorry, Washington Heights in Harlem, New York. I went on a quest for your snow cones a few years ago and I have to tell you just like I told you then, that the snow cones in the Island of Puerto Rico are the best, no question about it.
That’s all for this morning….there is plenty more from that Island… and I hope you keep reading about it….
Talk to you later…
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