Standing Into Danger: May 2023

Friday, May 26, 2023

An Evening in Old San Juan

Terry and I had a short twenty hours to explore Old San Juan

before we had to board the Millennium for our cruise, and that included sleeping.

We crammed everything possible into those few hours ~ story of our trip.

Once we were home in Aurora, I collapsed on our bed and slept for many hours.

So did Terry.

Up Calle de San Sebastián

Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

Down Calle de San Sebastián

April 14, 2023

An Actual Flat Spot on Calle de San Sebastián

April 14, 2023

We had places to see that Terry had researched, but we kept getting lost.

The next morning, when we finally found out how to get to the fort El Morro,

we discovered that we were 180º turned around in our directions.

That was a shock to me, because I'm usually very good at directions.

Many of the streets in Old San Juan seem to go up and/or down,

and many of them are named after male Roman Catholic Saints.

When we did find a street sign, we'd get the saints mixed up.

Our Street, Calle San José, Which We Were Always Trying to Find

Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 15, 2023

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So we wandered and we found things planned and unplanned:

Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista

April 14, 2023

Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista or

Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist

is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan,

the oldest cathedral in the United States,

and is the second oldest cathedral in the Americas.

It celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2021.

Juan Ponce de León is buried here,

an early explorer who fascinated me when I was a girl,

because he was searching for a fountain of youth.

Now I'd join him in the search!

Plaza de Armas

April 14, 2023

Plaza de Armas or Main Square dates back to Spanish colonial times.

It was designed to be San Juan's main town square.

The sunlit building on the left is San Juan's official town hall.

It was constructed in stages from 1604 to 1789.

Its current structure and facade on the plaza date to 1840

and were designed by architect Pedro García.

Locals, tourists, and pigeons enjoy hanging out here.

The main feature in Plaza de Armas is a lovely fountain with four marble statues.

Originally the statues representing the four seasons stood in the four corners of the plaza.

The Marble Statue Representing Winter

Terry Walking Past San Juan's Town Hall in the Plaza

Father and Son Enjoying the Pigeons

Walking Tower the East End of the Plaza de Armas

The Poet's Passage

The Poet's Passage is a combination of cafe and book store

with open mic nights featuring local poets.

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Terry Approaches Bastión de las Palmas de San José

At the Intersection of Calle Tetuán and Calle de San José

Bastión de las Palmas de San José or Bastion of the Palms of San José

is located at the end of San José Street where it intersects with Calle Tetuán.

It overlooks San Juan Bay, the busiest harbor in Puerto Rico.

The bay's most important function over the last 500 years

has been to link Puerto Rico with the rest of the world.

The small park around Bastión de las Palmas is a great spot

to relax and enjoy the views of San Juan, San Juan Bay,

the cruise ship terminal, and the old city walls.

Watching a Ferry with Ferries del Caribe Departing

Bastión de las Palmas de San José

At the Intersection of Calle Tetuán and Calle de San José

The Bastión de las Palmas de San José is an angled fortification

and is part of the masonry walls that once encircled San Juan beginning in 1783.

Bastions were added to defensive walls to provide additional reach

and a better range of angles to fire cannon and muskets.

They also helped create confusion for attackers.

Paseo de la Princesa runs along the base of the wall in this location.

The Bastión de las Palmas de San José and the Old City Walls

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We wandered about taking in the sights and eventually landed at Anita Gelato

where we enjoyed some welcome and delicious gelato.

No Thanks! I keep my distance from snakes!

Lots of visitors want to see the "Umbrella Street" on Calle de la Fortaleza.

Anita Gelato is considered the best place to have gelato in Puerto Rico.

65 Calle de la Fortaleza

It's a good thing that Terry and I decided to split a small cup!

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Next we went on a hunt for the Decanter Hotel

in a restored 19th century colonial-style building

at the intersection of Calle de San José and Calle de la Luna.

On the Hunt and Back on Calle de San Sebastián

April 14, 2023

Terry's research had recommended the Bar Catedral Rooftop on the top floor

of the hotel as a great place to have cocktails and dinner.

The night views of the cathedral and the city were spectacular.

It was a small cozy bar, and we had to patiently wait for seats.

It was well worth it, for we shared delicious food and enjoyed excellent cocktails.

This prime spot overlooking the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist

was continually reserved for large groups.

April 14, 2023

Terry Orders Drinks at the Bar Catedral Rooftop While We Wait for Seats

April 14, 2023

We scored seats at the bar and shared a salad and a hummus dish.

The friendly bartenders will mix you a custom mocktail.

It's always fun to sit at the bar!

Finally we headed back to our hotel and crashed after a very long day.

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I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date and Nicole's Friday Face Off.

And for Nicole's FFO I have a very special face to share:

Natalie Hembrock, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The Atlantic Veterinary College

University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Recipient of the Class of 2023 Mental Health Stewardship Award

May 16, 2023

Natalie with her proud grandfather Bob Heembrock

Dr. Heembrock Receives Her White Coat

Natalie and Her Partner Jake Hopewell,

Who Has Stood by Her Since Her Undergraduate Days at Acadia University

Terry and I could not be prouder of our niece Natalie.

This amazing young woman overcame many obstacles pursuing her doctorate.

She is the personification of determination and perseverance!

We wish her many fulfilling and happy days as a veterinary!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be soon! 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Friday, May 19, 2023

Calle San José, Viejo San Juan

In my last post I mentioned that Terry is an adventurous, low-budget traveler.

He also is a planner. He reads guide books and maps,

and he scours the internet and YouTube for information.

He'll spend days and days researching until he's found the best deals on transportation,

economical places to stay and to eat, and the top things to do.

He'll also know about the local customs, safety, and what to be aware of or to avoid.

Terry really doesn't want a lot of input from me.

He refers to some of my input as "throwing a monkey wrench into the works."

Always "Researching" on His iPhone

Tommy Bahamas ~ A place he knew was highly recommended for its Happy Hour

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

March 9, 2023

Now that may sound terrible and controlling to you,

but I consider myself a lucky lady to have a personal planner.

I love surprises, and I like to visit a place the first time without many preconceptions.

Terry's thrilled to work out all the details, and I'm thrilled to follow along.

Exploring Calle del Santo Cristo

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

He always asks if there's something particular I want to see at a destination,

and I typically have one or two things that are important to me.

Otherwise, it really doesn't matter. I'm spontaneous and open to everything.

You never know what fun people, sights, or experiences might be around the next corner.

A Visual Surprise on Calle de la Fortaleza

at Its Intersection with Calle del Santo Cristo

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

So when Terry said from the couch at home in Aurora,

"I found a reasonably-priced place to stay in Old San Juan,"

I said, "Cool. Is it anywhere near the fort?"

I really wanted to see Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

"We can walk there."

Good enough for me. I didn't look it up on Goggle or anything.

I just noted the address on my packing list in case we got separated somehow.

Coming in for a Landing

Luis Muñoz Marín International

San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

Exploring Calle de San Sebastian

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

An Uber driver picked us up at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport,

zipped over to Viejo San Juan, and deftly negotiated the maze of narrow cobbled streets.

Every space where someone could squeeze a vehicle in was filled.

Garbage trucks, emergency vehicles, vans, trucks, cars, motorcycles,

police cars, and lost tourists crowded the streets. Mayhem!

We quickly realized that our driver was discombobulated,

as she searched for Calle San José among

the up and down, one-way and two-way streets.

We were all craning our necks looking for the elusive street.

Finally Terry spotted it as we drove across it,

a one-way street going in the wrong direction for us.

No problem! Our driver hit reverse, executed a fast 90º turn,

and floored it, backing the car all the way up the hill,

heedless of any car turning onto our street or pulling out.

We couldn't find #52, although we were close,

so we had our driver drop us on the sidewalk

with our luggage, and we went on a hunt.

Fortunately, I'm spontaneous and open to everything, and I understand Terry.

Standing on Calle San José with Our Backs to #52 (lower left)

Across the street is the Black Puerto Rican Flag Door (see note below)

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

April 14, 2023

#52 Calle San José is the white building flying the black and red Puerto Rican Flags

The black Puerto Rican flag is a symbol of resistance and hope.

I wasn't expecting the Ritz Carlton, and I was right.

Our "reasonably-priced place" turned out to be funky and fun.

And, as we found out the next day, our room was smaller

than our inside cabin on the Millennium, and it was equally windowless.

The Entrance to # 52 Calle San José

First Flight of Stairs

Second Flight of Stairs

The View Out the Door of Our Room

You don't have to look far to see evidence of recent hurricanes.

A Clean and Comfy Bed

A Tiny Bathroom with Everything We Needed

Interesting Architectural Features #1 ~ A Tiny Fence? Balcony?

Interesting Architectural Features #2 ~ Nothing Beats a Brick Ceiling!

Could Be Interesting in a Strong Earthquake!

A Fridge, Table and Chairs, and Internet ~ But No Windows

Heading Down for the Next Load of Luggage

And Down

This is a good place to stop.

I am wiped out from an hour in the weight room and thirty minutes of laps in the pool.

It feels amazing to be able to really work out again!

I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date and Nicole's Friday Face Off.

Here is a sweet face for Nicole:

Enjoying the Late Afternoon

Have a great weekend! Take care!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be soon! 🤞

Note: The black Puerto Rican flag door is a popular attraction in old San Juan.

It is a symbol of hope and resistance.

The Black Puerto Rican Flag Door

The door opens to a Spanish colonial structure in ruins.

51 Calle San José, Old San Juan

The black Puerto Rican flag door is a symbol of resistance and hope. Originally,

in 2012 a group of artists painted the door with the Puerto Rican flag in its original red,

white, and blue colors. In 2016 the group Artistas Solidarixs en Resistencia painted the

door's flag in black and white to protest the PROMESA law. (Puerto Rica.com)

The Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act PROMESA is

a US federal law enacted in 2016 that established a financial oversight board, a process

for restructuring debt, and expedited procedures for approving critical infrastructure

projects in order to combat the Puerto Rican government-debt crisis. (Wikipedia)

The black and white flag represents the death of democratic values and of the three

government branches (Legislative, Executive and Judicial). In the original red, white,

and blue flag, the three branches of government are represented in the blue triangle.

Around Old San Juan you can sometimes see both flags flying together. (Puerto Rica.com)

Books Read in 2024

"5 Languages of Love: The Secret to Love That Lasts" by Gary Chapman
"At Home in the World" by Joyce Maynard
"Cockroaches" by Jo Nesbo
"Death's End" by Cixin Liu
"Eruption" by Michael Crichton and James Patterson
"In Darkness" by L. Diane Wolfe
"In My Time of Dying" by Sebastian Junger
"Nothing to Fear" by Julie McFadden, RN
"The Bat" by Jo Nesbo
"The Dark Forest" by Cixin Liu
"The Frozen River" by Ariel Lawhon
"The Last to Vanish" by Megan Miranda
"The Montauk Monster" by Hunter Shea
"The Road to Character" by David Brooks
"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller
"The Twist of a Knife" by Anthony Horowitz
"The Uninhabital Earth: Life After Warming" by David Wallace-Wells
"The Women" by Kristin Hannah
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens
"Writing the Shadow" by Joanna Penn

Pages

Friday, May 26, 2023

An Evening in Old San Juan

Friday, May 19, 2023

Calle San José, Viejo San Juan