I spent the day in Puerto Rico's historic town of Old San Juan yesterday. I took a taxi from the airport straight over to Fort San Critsobal and toured that giant fort perched like a solider on the edge of the sea. I enjoyed the view from her mammoth walls both of the sea and city...
When I left there I spent five more hours walking that town - I saw both of the other forts, two churches, both state buildings (the murals inside are amazing), all three plazas in San Juan, streams of wonderful architecture that if the French district in New Orleans was clean and new would be San Juan's twin city, went into so many shops I couldn't keep track, walked along both sides of the island and meandered the park at the port. I loved the international butterfly import shop and the local woman was a treasure to visit with. 
I hung out with a well known local artist and bought a book of her poetry - which she signed for me... I walked around all day with a Cheshire cat grin on my face! I ate lunch at an elegant little bistro called Cafe San Juan, recommended to me by one of the locals - and that was fantastic. I picked up a few things for the kids and befriended a Kattian woman who is now living on P.R. And I used my Spanish throughout which was like sitting down with my favorite dessert and taking an entire day to move it around in my mouth and savor the flavor and texture of it - an old comfort food that brings delight to my bones and my soul.
I hung out with a well known local artist and bought a book of her poetry - which she signed for me... I walked around all day with a Cheshire cat grin on my face! I ate lunch at an elegant little bistro called Cafe San Juan, recommended to me by one of the locals - and that was fantastic. I picked up a few things for the kids and befriended a Kattian woman who is now living on P.R. And I used my Spanish throughout which was like sitting down with my favorite dessert and taking an entire day to move it around in my mouth and savor the flavor and texture of it - an old comfort food that brings delight to my bones and my soul. 
There were three separate times where in my Independence and solitude (sitting in Colon plaza or at lunch) where my heart expressed a silent prayer of gratitude for the week I have luxuriated in and the safety in which I have traveled... I am so fortunate and grateful for all that I have, where I live and the experiences afforded to me in this life.
Alas, I did find my way back to the airport and arrived safely back in the states - with a total of 24 hours traveling when all was said and done. A well spent day...
2 comments:
Wow! That sounds like an awesome day in Puerto Rico! You did, in one day, as much as some people manage to do in a whole week there. Welcome home.
Girl, you never called to tell me you were home and now I see you must have gotten delayed along the way. Shoot me an email or something and fill me in! I'm happy to see you got to see PR though, gives me hope that maybe I can manage it when I leave and have a forever layover.
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