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The PR PRimer you PRobably PRefer not to PeRuse.

Friends,
The last hours of my first trip to PR (Puerto Rico) are as good a time as any to ponder some insights travel booklets may not give you. In all candor, I haven't read any, so, it's possible you may find some overlap. In any event, here are a few:
  • Folks here use kilometers to measure distance, but speed limits are denominated in miles per hour. How long it takes to get anywhere is anyone's guess and requires some serious math. Then again, drivers are so patient, it always takes longer than you think.
  • Old San Juan’s defensive walls still surround much of the city, serving their original purpose of preventing tourists from reaching the beach. Of course the iconic garitas (sentry boxes) along the wall make for great photo opportunities. Pirates, schmirates.
  • Once you finally make it to the ocean front, before getting into the crisp, clear water, make sure you find yourself a nice posita (shallow beach sheltered from the open sea by rock formations) and have plenty of 10 oz. Medalla beer. While locals say the smaller size prevents the beer from getting warm, I suspect they may drink too slowly.
  • You can get very cheap Air BnB lodging. Granted, it may come with plastic windows (glass is a luxury in the barrio) and you may be afraid to go explore the hood after dark, but the music blasting through will make you feel like you partied all night —and the cocks crowing will have you up bright and early. Quote the rooster at 5 AM: “up and at ‘em”.
  • Good food is plentiful. Try the alcapurrias, mofongo, dufongo and trifongo. And you can’t miss that other local Puerto Rico delicacy: Krispy Kreme — it don’t get more authentic than that!
This place is so pretty, I couldn’t resist sharing a few photos from the trip. Enjoy, and thank you for indulging me!

A cannon ready to ward off tourists. 

The "La Perla" barrio where the "Despacito" video was recorded (we later learned we were lucky to have an uneventful visit to the beachside bars).

A garita on the defensive wall at sunset. 

An abandoned pier at a posita near Luquillo. 

One of Puerto Rico's iconic culinary delights courtesy of my good friends Fatima and Billy. 

A street in Old San Juan.

​​​Happy Friday!

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