Category: Glimpses of Life

Seven days in Puerto Rico gave me lots of time to slow down the Puerto Rican way — a slower moving body. Perhaps it’s the warm weather or the laid back attitude of the people who live on the island that causes this effect. No matter. It is refreshing to slow down..

On this trip, we decided to head to the Arecibo Observatory. But first a side trip to the “house” of Juan Ponce de Leon. My Uncle, a natural tour guide, was always aware of the small amount of time we would be on the island and visiting him — a mere 3 of the 7 days — so he was also dashing around thinking of what he could show us. A perfect host.

Ponce de Leon was appointed the governor of Puerto Rico by the then Spanish Crown. There is not much to Ponce’s house. It’s truly in ruins.

To the right of this picture is a busy road. According to my Uncle, Ponce’s house used to extend past this road to the other side but they destroyed part of the ruins to put the road in. I wonder why they didn’t build an overpass? Hmmm …

Well, it is what it is. We can’t go back and change things.

Back in the car, we passed an overlook so we stopped to take a look at some of the scenery.

Pretty plants in the area.

Our trip to the Arecibo Observatory was very interesting. It started with our GPS taking us through the “back roads.” Well, that’s what we thought but in actuality it was THE road. It was filled with large potholes that my husband tried to avoid. The area was mostly farmland and very hilly. A group of cows relaxed as we stopped to take their picture.

What’s the difference between a U.S. mainland cow and a Puerto Rican cow? Easy! Puerto Rican cows speak Spanish. (chuckle chuckle)  Seriously, I think it’s true. My cousin has a dog and he won’t respond to anything I say in English.

My first thought going up the hill is that we were lost but signs clearly mark the way.

At the top of the hill, a person in a booth waved us through the gate to where the parking lot is. Then the climb up many many stairs began although they do have a shuttle for people with disabilities.

On the other side of the visitor center we bought our ticket to get in.

Once inside the visitor center, there were many displays to read through. Some of them were hands-on so I could experience what they were talking about. These were my favorite since I learn best by sight and touch.

But I was distracted. I wanted to see the radio telescope. I’d been here before many years go but my memories weren’t very clear from that time so this would be a “new” experience.

A little history from Wikipedia …

“The 1000 foot radio telescope is the largest single-aperture telescope and contains the largest curved focusing dish on earth, giving Arecibo the largest electromagnetic-wave-gathering capacity. The dish surface has 38,778 perforated aluminum panels.”

The reflector panels weigh 300 tons.  They are dirty and I wondered if that would have any negative impact but I was told by the tour guide that it did not.

A special shoe is required to walk on the reflectors. The shoe protects the panel by distributing the person’s weight and the person cannot weigh more than 150 pounds.

In addition, there are three radio transmitter towers.

Cable cars were actually moving while I were there. A person can’t be afraid of heights to work here.

The hole below, which is almost in the middle of the collection dish, is probably where this cable car is headed.

Off if the distance I noticed a helicopter pad and a smaller satellite dish that belongs to the Observatory.

Heading back inside I went to the theatre-like room where a tour guide would be giving a presentation.

I’m sure the information would have been valuable to my learning if 1) the woman wouldn’t have spoken so fast (the accent made it worse) and 2) she would have stopped to see if anyone had questions. As it happened, I held up my hand and her response was: “Questions will be taken at the end of the presentation.” My response to her was “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Can you clarify …?” I felt like adding “Or will you repeat the whole thing for me at the end?” But I held my tongue. (good for me!)

She stopped to give clarification although I believe she assumed we were all scientists as it was still not in layman’s terms.

To my credit, I later found out that other people had the same problem with understanding her and the content she was presenting.

The Arecibo Observatory is a place everyone should visit if they go to Puerto Rico. It is simply awesome looking!

It has also been used in at least two movies, Golden Eye ( with James Bond) and Contact (with Jodie Foster).

On my way out, I took a picture of this beautiful flowering bush.

Ahhh … Puerto Rico! Isla del encanta! (Island of enchantment)

Back in September, my Padrino (godfather) passed away in Puerto Rico. I haven’t posted anything about him yet. It was hard to lose him and I haven’t quite found the words to write about him yet. I’m sure it will come at a later time.

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, I went to see where his ashes were buried. Normally, when you’re cremated they bury you in the ground in a coffin. Here they dig your bones up a few years later and place them in a crypt like the one below.

I’m not sure why, but I was startled to see the way it’s done. I had always assumed that once you’re in the ground that you’re there for life — not so on this island. I’m not sure how it’s done in the United States but I’d never heard of this before.

Padrino is not in pain anymore. That’s the only thing that feels right about his death.

We only pass through this life once — we really need to live it the best we can.

Normally, when a person dies in Puerto Rico

This past summer I noticed that ants had been coming into the house. Not a big deal — or so I thought. I would kill them one at a time, unmindful of the evil that might descend upon me for killing one of nature’s creatures. Whatever.

How to get rid of them? It was easy. I took my bottle of Windex and sprayed them — one ant at a time. They entered, I killed them.

Then they started geting a little more aggressive. A family of ants visiting, I told myself. Googling “how to get rid of ants” I found that there were a few natural ways to kill them.

First mode of attack: Baby powder. Since I had spare baby powder in the house, I dusted each one with a goodly amount. I watched as they carried their burden back into the hole they’d come from. A friend of mine told me he thought I was cruel — especially since I watched them head back home all white and dusty. That didn’t faze me.

For goodness sake! They’re ants!

They continued coming. Hmmm … I must not be giving them enough baby powder, I surmised. After a few days of dusting the ants with more baby powder I looked down and saw how my kitchen floor was being transformed into white circles of baby powder. Tip toeing around these circles made life — interesting.

But — they still came! I wonder if baby powder was making them ovulate? Wait, do ants ovulate? (she chuckles) 

I became obsessed with getting rid of these pests. My self-esteem was building and determination gripped my mind.

Second mode of attack: Cinnamon. Okay, I was a little doubtful about this one but I thought “what the hay.” Sticks of fresh cinnamon were cut in half and placed in strategic places around the family room, laundry room and kitchen. Now my house looked dusty white with the smell of cinnamon permeating the air.

No — I’m really not going crazy, I told myself silently so no one would hear. My family remained quiet on this matter as my guts wrenched inside. I hate bugs! Sigh …

By now, the ants seemed to like the family and laundry rooms more than the kitchen. I WILL get rid of them!

I put all three idea into action.

• Windex — check!
• Baby powder – check!
• Cinnamon – check!

I hit them hard and they kept coming. I knew I was in trouble. I don’t think this was a “family” of ants anymore. I believe I had a nest. Ugh!  What to do now?

Much to my disappointment at failing to kill my visitors the “natural” way, I called Rove Pest Company up and they dispatched someone in two days.

Three traps were laid down with a mix of sugar and poison. And the ants came and came! The representative who came told me not to panic when the ants started coming. She said it was “normal” and that they would take the bait back to the nest and kill the queen along with the rest of the ants.

The hairs on my arm stood up as I watched them invade this small portion of the laundry room. The urge to stomp on them was almost overwhelming but I restrained myself with a stoutness I didn’t think I had.

Was she right? Yes! I still have the traps out and after a few days I have seen nary an ant.

Calmness fills my heart now. Well, at least until spring. With the 4th mildest winter in Minnesota, I believe we will have a LOT of bugs this spring.

On our vacation in Puerto Rico, we visited a few interesting sites. The first one was a waterfall in Comerio. The dam has not been taken care of from what I was told.

Behind the water is a tunnel that leads to houses that are on the left (out of view). I didn’t personally see the tunnel but my Uncle, who lives here, told me about it. That doesn’t sound like my kind of place to live — having to get to your house by going underneath the dam. Eeekkkk!

Looking up and to the right, a house sits on the top of the hill. People on the island don’t seem to be afraid of landslides.

Our next trip took us to Old San Juan to visit El Morro fortress. The morro was designed to protect the entrance to the San Juan Bay. It was named after King Philip II of Spain. The “fort” became a part of the National Park Service in 1961. You can read more of the history by going to the Wikipedia article.

I took lots of pictures here so there will be many posted. It is very interesting to walk through this historic site although it was hard for me to visualize exactly how life was so many years ago.

At the entrance to the site, two pigeons stood together as if they were in love. And — did you know that pigeons mate for life? Just a tidbit I was told by a bird lover. (smile)

Okay — back to El Morro. The entrance is very pretty and grassy. The grass is very very green so they keep it up nicely.

We went on Martin Luther King Day which was considered a holiday in Puerto Rico so there was no fee for us to get in. Once inside, we were greeted with vivid mustard colors.

Everything seems to be left “as is” to preserve the historicity of the fort — except for the lighthouse which was recently painted and closed to visitors.

Stairs led us down to the most beautiful views.

A long walk leads to one of the posts where soldiers stood guard.

It’s a long way up —

… but people (including me) are willing to take the hike.

 These were the ovens that they used “back in the day.”

This is what the tops of them look like. I think I’m too short to reach them.

I liked taking the circular stairs down. It felt like I was going into a dungeon.

My imagination just can’t grasp that through this picturesque observation post  …

… cannonballs were shot!

My Uncle told me that in this area there was a leper colony at one time. You can see the building where the lepers were housed (upper left of the picture below). I don’t really know much about leper colonies and only know about lepers because of a story found in the Bible that tells about when Jesus healed a leper.

Additional pictures I took while walking around …

You have to be short to go under these. I wonder if the Spanish soldiers were all short???

A mask hung on the wall. It looks like some kind of animal.

The three flags that fly at El Morro are the United States, Puerto Rico and the Old Spanish flag.

This was such a peaceful area that I can’t fathom all the fighting that went on here so many years ago.

I was told that iguanas are a delicacy … uh, okay, I don’t think that’s something I want to try though.

Well, back to the top to end our trip here.

As we left, we saw a ship coming in to port. Now we had to skedaddle before thousands of tourists descended on the town.

Ahhhh … memories of the cruise we were just on.

Unfortunately those memories were short-lived when my Uncle told me that the poorest area in Puerto Rico is located right next to El Morro. They have their own cemetery next to the neighborhood. Since it is prime land, many offers to buy them out have been made but the residents have stood their ground. There is much drug trafficking here also. My Uncle told me “Si no vive alli, no debe visitar” which translated means “If you don’t live there, you shouldn’t visit.”

After leaving, we made our way through the very narrow streets of Old San Juan. Back to the mountains we go.

But what a beautiful day it was for this trip. Blue skies, green grass, lots of history —

After our recent cruise, my family and I spent a week in Puerto Rico visiting relatives. Well, actually, rumor has it that if you’re Puerto Rican you’re probably related to everyone on the island so I’m always careful not to say I’m Puerto Rican so I don’t have to visit everyone. (laughing)

Our first stop was my uncle’s house. He lives in Comerio and moved here with his wife about a year ago. From city boy to country boy he is adjusting quite well living on 2 acres. His wife on the other hand is more like me — she does not like bugs so the adjustment for her has been a bit harder.

My uncle’s house is typical for the island with tiled floors inside and outside. The coquis (small frogs that live on the island) can be heard (very loudly) at night. Even during the day you might hear one or two croaking for a mate. Roosters crow all day long too — except if it rains. This was a new revelation to me.

Young trees and herbs are planted in old tires to protect them from lizards that try to munch on them.

All of the houses I saw in this neighborhood had acreage. One house looked like it was embedded on the side of the hill. Too scary for me.

Across the street are different colored houses. I enjoy driving past all the vivid colored houses. It gives me an upbeat feeling.

After unpacking and visiting for awhile, my uncle drove us around the old “hood” — places where he, my mother and the rest of their siblings grew up.

When my uncle was a little boy, he would cross a bridge that was manned by an “old” man. Everyone had to pay a nickel in order to cross the bridge although he said it was much smaller than it is now. I’m not sure if he remembers correctly though as Wikipedia says the bridge has been there since 1908 and my uncle is not that old.

According to my uncle, on the other side of the hill (pictures above) is a cave that you can walk through and get to this side of the hill. I’ll have to check that out the next time I’m in Puerto Rico. It sounds quite adventurous.

The creek below is where my mother and sisters used to do the laundry while pounding the clothes on these rocks.

A lot of families live in large houses like the one below. Living with extended family in Puerto Rico is a common occurrence.

One of the saddest stories I heard from different relatives on the island is about the fighting that goes on for one’s inheritance. The inheritance law stipulates that when the father dies 50% of the property goes to the mother (if living) and 50% goes to the children that are alive. Throughout the island you can see many homes like the one below that are abandoned. Many families squabble over their portion and would rather let the houses deteriorate than “give in.” This one is in a prime location — right across from the river.

One thing I learned while I was in Puerto Rico was that my father (who left us when I was 5 years old) has land and a house here although he lives in Massachusetts. This means that I am entitled to part of that property when he passes away. The property is in the middle mountainous portion of Puerto Rico near where my uncle lives. I will be following up on this soon as my father is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and the property will have to be distributed shortly after he dies.

It was a long day riding through the curvas (mountain curves). There are so many of them and people don’t drive slowly even when the road only allows for one car at a time. Quite scary. I’m glad I didn’t have to drive the whole time we were here.

Time to sleep and listen to the coquis of Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Princess  is similar in a lot of ways to other ships we’ve been on. There are shops, a casino, a photo gallery, an art gallery, opportunities to take tour excursions or just relax.

The people on this ship seemed to be old’er — not too many children running around which gave it a more relaxed feeling.

Before we sailed, we had training on how to put our lifejackets on and everyone had to go to their “muster” stations (meeting areas) for general safety instructions. While this is happening, the cabin stewards go through the cabins to make sure that everyone is in attendance. This meeting is mandatory and something I hear did not happen on the cruise ship Costa Concordia during their recent grounding in Italy. (On all of our previous cruises, we have always had this mandatory meeting.)

Each cabin has a life jacket for every person. These are extras in case you’re not near your cabin if something happens.

In the middle of the ship is the purser’s desk. The people assist you with just about anything: change (for the laundry room), information on the tour excursions, expressing any concerns, etc.

There are stairs (or elevators) everywhere. I tried walking up and down the stairs to get exercise (in case I over-ate) but found I was overdoing it as I walked plenty throughout the day.

This was one cool elevator (on the right). I liked the design on the outside and the fact that I could see everyone as I was going up and down.

There were a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of people who would sit and watch the movies that they had running day and night on the big screen TV. (I was not one of them.) Free popcorn and ice cream counters were around the corner. And the dining room buffet was not that far away either. It was very convenient if you wanted to hang out here.

On Saturday, they showed the football playoff games.

There were many areas of the ship where you could sit, read a book or spend “alone” time. There was always someone around ready to offer you a drink though. Soda used to be free but now they charge you for it. Since I’m not a soda drinker I didn’t buy any of the soda “cards” for unlimited drinks on the trip.

I didn’t spend too much time in these rooms/clubs. Instead, I preferred walking around and seeing/meeting the many different people from throughout the world. I met one couple who were from Europe and they take 2 cruises a year. Can you imagine?!!!!

The ship has art auctions but I decided not to attend them as the art is normally over-priced. The last cruise I was on (for my 25th wedding anniversary) also had art that was displayed/sold and I won a French art piece at a raffle. When I got home, I checked online and it seems lots of people “win” these art pieces and sell them on Ebay at very low prices. I framed mine as it was a nice memento.

I did like the art that was displayed throughout the ship.

When the ship was at a port I walked through the casino a few times to get to the other side. It was not busy because the casino is closed when the ship is in port.

This was the view from our cabin balcony looking down.

Every evening my family would go to the Princess Theatre where they had entertainment which included Las Vegas style performances or comediennes.

The long corridors in the ship don’t seem as daunting as they look. By the second day you pretty much know which way you are heading (if you pay attention, that is).

On Thursday I headed to the laundry room. I assumed no one else would be there but I was wrong. There were two other families doing their laundry. The rest of the week the laundry room was pretty quiet. It was interesting to me that one of the families doing laundry was Puerto Rican. I think we (Puerto Ricans) have a “thing” about doing our laundry even when we’re on vacation. Very odd. I must’ve picked up the habit from my mother.

I liked the layout of this ship although for the first couple of days I had no idea where I was going. There were many more things to see and do — an outdoor basketball court, an indoor gym, swimming pools, a spa and salon.

Lazy or busy — it was always my choice what my day would bring.

I always chose the lazy day. I have enough busy days at home.

Additional Cruise Posts

• Day One
• Day Two
• Day Three
• Day Four
• Day Five
• Day Six
• Day Seven
• Food on the Ship

My trip back from Seattle recently was eventful thanks to TSA.

The TSA security gentleman who checked my passport and identification was very friendly. He looked at my passport, looked at me, looked again at my passport and said “I don’t know how they expect us to be able to tell if the picture I see on the passport is the face I’m looking at.” I asked him if he wanted me to let my hair down as that is how the passport picture was taken. “No,” he said. He was just venting. He looked tired. “The glare from the light is not good for checking passports,” he told me. Then he marked my boarding pass and let me through.

Normally I’m pretty good at finding the metal detectors at the airport so I don’t have to go through the backscatter machines. But the S security gate at SeaTac airport seems to only have backscatter machines. Thus my adventure began.

I should first say that as I get old’er (that’s the way I spell it so no need to correct me) I move slower. It’s not to purposely irritate people. I just don’t feel a need to rush anymore as I get anxious when I rush so why impose that anxiety on myself?

I strained hard looking for a metal detector. No luck. Today would be “pat-down” day for me. After removing my shoes and putting all my belongings in three containers, I waited to make sure they were going through the belt with no problems. I then leaned over and told the security agent that I wanted to  opt-out. I thought I had committed a crime. “We have an opt-out!” A tall older black gentleman came over to this agent and the agent again said “We have an opt-out.”

“Stand over there,” he told me as he pointed to a corner next to the belt. I obliged. He said “It might be 10-15 minutes as we don’t have many females working.” “No problem,” I told him.  Inside I felt like saying “You should be prepared for these situations.” But, I kept my mouth shut so as not to cause any problems.

After about 10 minutes, a female TSA security agent took me around the other side of the backscatter machine. My containers were now on the other side of the belt and I watched them carefully as my laptop sat alone in one of them.

The female security agent then pointed me to a place where I was to stand while she did the pat-down. “Excuse me,” I said. “I’d like a private pat-down.” I think I ruined her day.

“Did they offer for you to go through the backscatter machine?” she said.

“Uh, yes, that’s why I’m here because I don’t want to,” I replied.

“Did you know that the radiation you get from the machine is the equivalent of being on a plane for 2 minutes?” she asked.

I felt like asking her if she was an expert or if this was just the information they were trained to say but instead I said “I don’t want to go through the backscatter machine.”

Either she was having a bad day or I just ruined it as her face bunched up as if she were in writhing anguish.

“We don’t have another female, we’re short-handed.” Poor security agent. She was stressed and I must have added to it.

I said nothing as I couldn’t help her in her quandry. So — we waited. She didn’t call anybody. We just stood there waiting as her face continued to reflect her anxiety.  I don’t know what we were waiting for although my guess is that they were hoping I would change my mind. Tick tock, tick tock — 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes. A male TSA agent finally came up to her and she said “She wants a private screening and we don’t have anyone else. I’m supposed to be working the x-ray machine.”

I remained quiet. I don’t believe I’ve ever been this calm before and didn’t even think about missing my plane (even though I had gotten to the airport early enough to catch an earlier flight and had taken the opportunity to change to the earlier flight).

“Excuse me,” I said. “Are my things safe on the belt? I’m not supposed to take my eyes off of my things according to what I hear on the speakers.”

She sighed. She took me over to where my things were and asked me to point to the ones that were mine. I offered to help her carry them but with a disdainful look she said “You aren’t allowed to touch your things.”

Okay then. I got put in my place and won’t offer to help again.

Back in the corner with my belongings on a table, we waited. Hmmm … now I was wondering if they pay you something if you miss your plane because they don’t have proper staffing. Naw … I dismissed that thought almost immediately.

The male TSA agent came back now with a very short Asian person. A man? I thought the private screenings were supposed to be done with females. Not meaning to rock the boat, I followed them to the private screening room with my TSA agent carrying my containers. (Oh no! She almost dropped my laptop. I remained calm but thought to myself “they’ll pay for that if they break it.” Or will they?)

The outside of the private screening room looks like one of those large storage pods you can rent. This was not to be my lucky day. My TSA agent was now exasperated as she noticed that there were already people in the room. A meeting of some kind was being held so we had to wait — again.

Her face clearly showed her emotions as she sighed, frowned and looked for help. I almost felt sorry for her. I stayed off to the side while she discussed the situation with a male TSA agent. “This woman has been waiting awhile,” she said. I believe she was more worried about her time rather than mine but I could be wrong so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.

We continued to wait. A man came out of the room, then another and finally a third. The room was now clear. All three of us stepped inside. I then noticed that the “male” TSA agent was  female as the badge clearly showed her long hair and definite female attributes. How odd, I thought. Why would she cut her hair so short? Then, I’m not sure what happened. All of a sudden my TSA agent looked at the Asian TSA agent with an exasperated look and they both left the room. I don’t think I’m supposed to be left alone with my belongings but I’m not one to question their rules (okay, maybe a little).

Within a couple minutes they were back in the room. The Asian TSA agent started explaining that she would be the one who would be doing the pat-down. I stopped her immediately because she was talking too fast and too low and I am hard of hearing. So she repeated what she said.

She actually did a very good pat-down IF one could consider a pat-down good. It didn’t feel too “frisky,” if you know what I mean.

Once the pat-down was over, another odd thing happened. The first TSA agent took a jar from the table with something that looked like lotion and spread the “lotion” on the gloves of the Asian TSA agent. I wonder what that could have been?

I was then told I could put my shoes on, gather my things and be on my way.

Being pokey, in my old’er age, I gathered my things, stepped outside and thanked my TSA agent. She looked less stressed now.

Oh the joy of having to live in a country that is becoming more like a police state.