Amid the mangroves and winding paths is a place where locals can tuck away to a semi-private beach. The Caribbean is calm and welcoming. This is one of the few places where I can tolerate the beach.
Somehow, I didn’t snap any photos of the neighborhood kids who took their horse for a quick swim in the shallows. Seriously, have you ever seen a horse swim?
Heading to Guayama for the craft festival of the Ingenious Artisans of Puerto Rico. Or something. I forget the actual name of their organisation.
Guyama is a classic southern plantation town, complete with Spanish-style plaza. Vintage PR right here. Strangely, there is a monument to deceased servicemen of Ohio in the town center. Why not.
Also pictured: improvised and hand-painted signage, vintage art deco movie theatre, and a piña colada prepared in an actual pineapple.
I was disappointed to see how Americanised the supermarkets of Puerto Rico have become. Perhaps because this edition of Pueblo was located in a largely tourist area near hotels in San Juan, but the shelves were stocked with mostly the same product selection as you might find in New Jersey.
There were, luckily, a few exceptions. I love taking pictures of supermarkets.
the goat that lives across the street from us in Patillas
a storm is brewing over a sign-cluttered strip
After shuffling from a meeting with a potential client, I hustled down to the East Village to meet up with the gang. At least Chrissie was happy to see me.
For the first time in years I find myself actually taking a vacation. That is, I’m boarding a plane and going to someplace sunny and warm. (not that New York isn’t sunny and warm in July.)
On my way to visit my parents, and catch up on sleeping/reading, in Puerto Rico, I first had to endure the travels. This was the first time I’ve been brave enough to take the subway to JFK and then AirTran thing to get to my appropriate terminal.
High points: actually being able to connect with minimal stairs and drama. Low Point: The AirTran costs $5! I thought it was a free connection. Cmon.
Shenanigans at the gate with cancellations and delayed boarding (due to tremendous rain in the NYC area) finally evades and we were off. Eventually. Mum, who was flying separately from Newark didn’t make it until the next day. Crazy.
So when people talk about vacation is a hassle, this is what they mean.
One problem of City life is that you miss the pleasantries of the suburbs. Case in point, fireworks. Standing next to thousands of total strangers on a rooftop, trying to find an adequate view of the Hudson River hardly has the same sense of small-town closeness as laying on that lawn in Maplewood.
But that’s what we did. In Long Island City, at Laura’s place, we watched the fireworks and hung out for a bit. Not a bad way to celebrate our independence, but for one of the three great “barbecue” holidays, the urban setting will always feel a little off.
Remember how I went and did Karaoke a few weeks ago? Well, this time was much bigger and badder. Koreatown is highly underrated, compared with Chinatown and Little Italy, and other ethnic enclaves in New York, but Karaoke-wise, it’s no joke.
Firstly, we met at Shake Shack, because some folks like waiting in lines. I don’t.
