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!!
September 29th, 2010
Of course I have tons of pictures; my computer is saturated with them. She is running a bit slow; must be overloaded.
But, I do have a few posts from my recent trip to the Island of Enchantment.
I had not flown on American Airlines in some time and I have to tell you how surprised I was to hear that there will be a lot of flights cancelled in the next months. This particular plane left from Baltimore, Maryland and it was crowded. The service was excellent and cordial.
The moment I saw the Island I was full of expectations. Lots of things to accomplish in a few days; mostly getting together with family and friends.
The island did look pretty from the airplane and the first thing I saw at the airport was a replica of a street in Old San Juan. It look beautiful; always those colors say you are definitely on the island.
I found my Piraguero in Ocean Park. Ocean Park is between Isla Verde and Condado, both areas popular with tourists. It is a tranquil, tree lined neighborhood with lots of Bed and Breakfast Inns. The beach in this area is ideal for swimming because of the wide ocean front and offshore reefs.
What I did not know was that just as I was a frustrated “piraguera”, he was a frustrated photographer.
There was his cart and the block of ice and bla bla bla I went; how I loved the piraguas and how I gave the Puertorican ones the highest rating.
You have to remember that just the sight of a “piragua” cart makes me smile. The piraguas used to be served on a paper cone. Times have changed and they are now served on a plastic cup. The “piraguero” was very liberal with the pouring of the syrups. A dribble here or there on your fingers evoked memories and were a childhood rite of passage. Sticky fingers is what I got.
The dilema was that I could only have one but I love 3 flavors. The tropical flavors were tamarind, coconut, pineapple, guanabana and melao. My combination was going to be cream, tamarind and frambuesa.
Suddenly, he is going to take my picture. Yikes!! In front of the cart, holding my hand guiding me to the perfect spot; even taking the one in the car as Margie and I were getting ready to go.
Well, by the time I got to eat my “piragua” the flavors were completely blended. Hot it was and therefore it was melting quickly. More than sticky fingers is what I definitely had.
What a mess!! But, I loved every minute of it.
Talk to you later…..back in the Delmarva Peninsula…
September 28th, 2010
Once again I found myself traveling to the island of Puerto Rico. I have told you that I grew up here and coming back stirs all kinds of emotions. This time I flew from Baltimore, Maryland, and the flight was quiet; that was strange because loud is more like it should have been.
The airport in San Juan was quiet, as well, and the luggage was on time. What was going on? I hope this Island of Enchantment was not changing.
That was just a little teaser, soon enough there were the traffic jams, the loudspeakers on top of cars; I don’t know what they were announcing since elections are not at this time. Potholes, many, as well as crowded streets.
But then, as I unpacked and went on a walk with Margie on the beach in Isla Verde, I smelled it again. It was that smell; only indigenous to this Caribbean Island; salitre. It is that salt mixed with seaweed and I don’t know what else but brings so many good memories of growing up in Puerto Rico.
The palm trees and the coconuts on this stretch of beach are particularly beautiful. I think it is funny that if you live here you do not notice the scenery, but it is only when you are away that you learn to appreciate it.
I am the best public relations spokesperson for the Puertorican Piraguas. They are the best, truly delicious. The moment I saw the cart in Ocean Park I stopped and I had one with cream, tamarind and frambuesa. I have a picture but it will come in the next post. I am traveling today. Just watching the “piraguero” do his thing; shaving the ice and pouring the syrups was priceless, to me.
A surprise birhtday party, a family reunion, seeing old friends again, eating chicharrones de pollo, walking on Ashford Ave., yes, it has been a nice week-end.
I am thinking that there are a lot of things that need to improve in this island. The economy for once and with that improving, maybe the crime situation can be improved as well.
But, no, I don’t want anything else to change including the traffic jams, potholes, and the crowded streets. Afterall, it is what makes the island; it would not be Puerto Rico without all these imperfections.
I will talk to you later….hasta luego…nos vemos….
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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