Playing Tourist..Arecibo, PR

Ever since I started going out with my bf we've always wanted to "discover" PR.  Basically play tourist and have fun.  We're about to go for 8 months and we hadn't really gone anywhere. (That Luquillo thing was just a beach day)  So FINALLY we went to Arecibo. 

For people unfamiliar with Puerto Rico, here's a visual.

San Juan (where I live)

Arecibo

As you can see, Arecibo is on the coast.  We went to the lighthouse.  The space around it has been turned into a museum? I'm not sure.. It was a combination of interactive displays, museum, aquarium, mini zoo, and playground...the works!  Great for kids and couples.

It's organized in chronological order beginning with the Taino Indians that first lived in PR and ending with a replica of the first helicopter and a mural of the first train in PR.

Taino Indian Display

Stealing some goodies :P

Next up: The Spanish Conquest..

The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria

See the Tainos in the back? Again: chronological order.

Slave hut :(

Pirate ship!

stud

da finger!

This is the entrance to a dark air-conditioned cave.  There were ugly pirates and scary skeletons talking to us.  I have a video of our experience.  Hopefully I'll post it another day.  This then leads to an aquarium where i also filmed.  There was a mini pirate ship play ground and finally a gift shop. FUN!

 

and now...

THE LIGHT HOUSE!!!

Quite a walk uphill to get there but we enjoyed great views on the way.

Anybody remember this year? Spanish American War.  Spain lost and PR become a U.S. territory.

mini museum inside

To the residents of PTO-RICO!

From none other than General Miles himself.

Basically he states that he has no bad intentions with PR, his war was with Spain.

If we behave nicely with the military government, everything will be fine.

btw PTO-RICO? wtf!?

On our way up. Kinda scary these steps.

Made it!

Beautiful view

Off to the Mini Zoo

Not sure what to make of it.  Some of the animals looked sad. But what do I know?

I <3 turtles

El Jíbaro display

Our tradional folks that lived in the mountains.

They lived off of what their own land provided.

Some US officials assigned to evaluate the colony called them lazy..haters! :P

helicopter

haha!

Snack time!!

Yummy :)

Puerto Rican Spring

So yeah, we can go to the beach in December if we want...
But still, there are some fabulous changes when spring rolls around.

Just Beautiful...

It's a simple law of physics

It's a simple law of physics.  On a sunny day, the shallower the water, the warmer it gets.  Like a huge clear puddle in a hidden corner of the beach.  I try to look at my ugly feet but there are too many distractions.  The necessary solitude has been diminished by a Sunday afternoon. I catch a glimpse.  The clear water reminds me of their potential of beauty.  But of course, it's not dawn on the coast of Isabela.

A new man is in my life.  We stretch our bodies in the warm water.  I really can't believe I live here.  Is it fair to have access to these sublime moments? We look at each other.  I suppose we're thinking the same thing...
Of course we are.  Sweet words are exchanged.  No kisses, there are children.

I don't compliment eyes.  It's so cliché.  But between our gazes something amazing has happened.  His eye, his left eye... Towards the sand it's green, its usual shade.  Not bad, I'll say. 
But towards the ocean, towards the sky, it's blue. 
The colors don't swirl.  The difference is heavily marked. I can almost see a diagonal line cut through his eye.  It's obviously an effect produced from light and shade.  A simple law of physics.  But I've never seen it before.  And I don't want to forget.

So today I went to the beach in Luquillo, east coast of Puerto Rico.  The piece I shared above is based on an experience that happened today! Romanticized, of course.

General scene at the beach @ Luquillo

 April 10, 2011

With my muse, apparently. :)

 April 10, 2011

READING IS SEXY!!!!

We all know it is.

I got the idea of posting cute pics of girls reading with the tagline (you guessed it) Reading is sexy!

By girls I mean myself. If anyone else would like to join feel free to send me the pics and I'll gladly post.

Here's my first attempt.  :S

Catching up on El cantar del Mío Cid 

April 10, 2011

My boyfriend and I were jogging along the shore when we found the adorable hidden part of the beach I describe above.  We didn't have the camera with us so sadly no pics were taken of the place.  However, next Saturday I'm planning another trip to Luquillo.  On April 16 I will attend the 6th annual Festival del Tinglar ( Leatherback turtle).  The species is endangered and it will also help el Corredor Ecológico del Noreste (Ecologic foundation of the North-East PR). Expect more info and pics.

The plan is to go to the beach in Luquillo afterwards. So maybe I will capture that special place on camera.

Lots of love, mua!