About Old San Juan
There is a saying in South Africa that applies to Puerto Rico - Visit once write a book, live a year write a story, live a lifetime and ask a question.
There is a ring of truth to the proverb. Puerto Rico is a study in contrasts both Old and Modern, also Failure and Success!
Take for example, the beauty of modern hotels side by side with Old San Juan. Take for example, the government offices and the beautiful religious festivals of Saint Sebastian and the Three King Festivals. Take for example, protests in the streets with pots and pans seeking change and an electric grid ravaged by hurricanes.
Puerto Rico is currently a commonwealth of the United States. The Office of Insular Affairs defines a commonwealth as “an organized United States insular area, which has established with the Federal Government, a more highly developed relationship, usually embodied in a written mutual agreement.” This is not to be confused with an unincorporated territory: “a United States insular area in which the United States Congress has determined that only selected parts of the United States Constitution apply,” an organized territory: “a United States insular area for which the United States Congress has enacted an organic act,” or just plain occupied territory, in which the U.S. military forcibly claims sovereignty over people who would really rather they didn’t. Since 1898, Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States has encompassed all the aforementioned definitions, each with its own set of ever-changing rights and responsibilities. Wikipedia Source
We started our trip in Puerto Rico outside San Juan and on our final days made it to the Old City during the Festival of the Three Kings. Liturgical Churches be they Lutheran or Roman Catholic celebrate Epiphany and evidence of faith and culture are everywhere.
To be sure the American traveler will be happy to see the seamless transition from the USA to Puerto Rico. You can find all the same stores and franchises as on the mainland.
We stayed in a Hilton Hotel to begin our trip and concluded our trip in a VBRO in a double gated community.
Candelero Abajo, Humacao, Puerto Rico We booked a romantic penthouse suite. The penthouse can only be reached by stairs but the gated community has its own pools and hot tub (not regularly maintained) and free access to Windham Palmas Resort and amenities. The flowing curtains and warm winds with exterior balcony and BBQ made the trip very memorable.
We arrived on the last day of the Festival of the Three Kings – the day the locals attend the parades and celebration. It was a Sunday and parking is limited but a well coordinated bus system ferries you to the Old Town.
The culture and food are fantastic. A real treat. We cannot wait to travel to Puerto Rico again
