Slug-a-teers Gone Wild in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Pacifino Stud Ride

Hey everyone, haven't been writing a lot as it has been so busy with things to on the internet marketing and all. Been going to the beach almost everyday for the apst week for at least a little while and last night I got to ride a beautiful (bonito) pacifino stud. Wish Alice would of been here to ride also she would of loved it.

Forgot the camera again as it was not planned just on the way back from the hardware store (ferrieterria). It was just around the stables and Junior, the owner, had his son ride him first to wear him down a little bit. 

Didn't take long as his son weighed in at over 300 pounds and the horse only weighed 500. It was like Shaquille O'neal on a mini bike, power enough to go but your gonna run out of gas quick.

MOre later gotta get to the beach.

Shacks Beach between Isabella and Aquadilla Puerto Rico

Apparently Frank is trying to signal how big the one was that got away or how much he loves this place, I couldn't figure out which. I didn't want to walk all that way to find out either.

Today we found this new beach, well its far from new but to both of us it was. Only days to go it seems and we have so much to do we may have to break our Slugateers code and get up early, damn beach!

We found Shacks beach by kinda happen stance and had to stop as the road ended. So we just got out to see what it was all about. Nice place with the most Kite Boarders I've ever seen and they were cooking! Young mans sport and not for Slugateers so we just watched allot.

Meet some people from france and America and found some really nice beach homes on the beach, duh "beach homes". Anyway they are a little rustic to mansions and all for rent but nothing to do but get some sun. Great if thats what you want to do.

These guys would fly these things a mile or so out and then straight back, turn around while getting 15 feet in the air and repeat. Made me tired just to watch and I thought Frank would get motion sickness from the acrobatics but he did'nt.

The other day we both got a little quezzy from this mountain road going back and forth. So as any man would do, stop and have one, should help right! I can't say enough about what a good time I am having and Frank agrees. We seem to laugh til it hurts at ourselves each day and still get time to work on our computers, sleep in and in general relax. As you can see we had the beach to ourselves after a little walk, its peak season afterall. Damn Frank keeps walking ahead and won't wait for me.

Let me tell ya, when it rains here, it RAINS! God does not tinkle in Puerto Rico, he gets with it and its not even the rainy season. A shower a day it seems just to keep this paradise growing.

One the way home we played the headlight game. Its kinda like slug bug but played with seeing cars with only one headlight. I think I won with 63 points to Frank's 58, but we had to stop because Frank's was hurting from laughing so much. He kept telling me to stop but you know me!

One last thing, with ten days or so to go I had a twing of home sickness today in a way. I miss my Alice something horrible!!! Missing the smell of her hair, laugh and entertaining stories are tugging at me to go home daily. I am so glad she is the person she is and wanted me to come on this adventure to this paradise. I'll be home soon honey and I am having an adventure that will live in my thoughts forever.  

Rincon Surfers Competition and through Aquada Puerto Rico

Today was our first real whole day at the beach with the intentions of doing nothing.

We got there about noon (slugateers need beauty sleep too) after this drive over the Puerto Rico Mountains that was both scenic and at times heart stopping. The beauty part is one thing but the other driver part coupled with the shortage of guard rails keeps this gringo alert. I’m going to need new batteries in the pacemaker after a few more of those but it will be worth it because the places are awesome. Who would think that Puerto Rico would have these beautiful mountains that would be covered in jungle with homes perched on poles.

Some tourist told us about this surfer’s competition while we were stopped at another beach road looking around. Frank has such a weak bladder but this time it was to our advantage. We had two chairs, cooler with beer and sun block ready for anything that involved not working. After finding a little road through the beach trees and grasses and carrying our chairs and a beer down a trail we stepped out onto a beautiful beach full of activity. Kids playing between the rocks, parasailing and surfers were everywhere. A Slugateers paradise, just sit back and watch others do whatever it is they are doing. That surfing looks like allot of work to me; I’ll stay here on the beach with the women and children if you don’t mind.  The kids here break through the language barrier just fine when left to themselves. Rincon is the place where I saw the most children out playing on the beach since I've been.  Youth, where did it go so quickly.

Saw a sweet fifteen party today with family members, friends and of course Frank and I had to stop and see what was going on. Being bold and inquistive as we were we just puller over and walked back. We didn't join in as they were just taking pictures along the beach but if they had music and cocktails I would of had Frank start translation for me. Apparently here turning 15 is a big deal, really big for the girls. What a great customs they have in Puerto Rico!

I cant say enough about the courtesy and generousity of the people on this island. We were at this little roadside kiosk bar having a drink today. After a hard day at the beach you need to stop and refresh yourself so your body can recharge.

We have found that cold beer is the only thing that will keep us going to the next task, must have something to do with being close to the equator. That reminds me, I have to write Clauida and Lance and tell them my discovery.

Anyway this couple with a new baby starts taking pictures so i offer to take their with their camera. I wanted one of them also and before you know it he buys us a beer, seems they think I'm a star or something. I do look allot like Slyvester Stallone but I think I have a better body, its aged just right.

Well better go and rest up some more cause I'm out of my recharging beer. Gotta do that shopping thing again this week but now I'm just gonna go pick some fruit of the tree and have a snack. Tomorrow we are going to the highest point on the island and an orchid farm.  Pictures to come of the adventure, can't wait to see how this road is going to be. Just hope the pot hole are smaller than the car and no big f#%%@*! trucks are coming the other way at break neck speed. Man they drive crazy!

Ca`na, or as we call it "moonshine"!

Well its been a quite couple of days with the festivals over and family members gone home or back to work. I am glad and sad, sad because they are really wonderful people with hearts that are size 12. Glad because my liver was calling for a plane ticket home and taking my stomach with it. The parties have stopped so my liver has talked the stomach into staying because all I do is eat still. Well at least I'll have a bigger roof over my tools for all the rain of the last few days.

We went over to another Antonio's house 2 days ago and saw his fighting cocks, they still have that here and we're going next week. After eating the best tangering (had 2 really) in my life right of the tree. Then seeing his green house full of orchids, baby chicks (you missed it Elaine)and hens and sitting hens and well you get the picture.  He has allot of hobbies and one of them is Ca`na (conya), its the local moonshine made from surgarcane and flavored with fruit.

The fruit will kick your ass, it gotta be the fruit, right? At first we had one and then what the hell have another. The third was the one that turned my volume up and made my senses really sensitive. I could now feel the rotation of the earth but not my face. Luckily I had the good senses to stop before I became aware of the moon's tidal pull. Maybe if the weather man drank this stuff he could get rid of all that dopler radar stuff and go with the ca`na, watching the weather would be allot more fun!

Well we went for pizza afterwords, the first non traditional food since I have been here. I switched to american food and went to a puerto rican driver, back to traditional food for sure. Frank is defensive but Tony is offensive. Why not, he lives here has only lost a 3 mirrors to the narrows. I will tell you more about the Bronco driving adventure tomorrow, it doesn't have headlights to speak of, really. Tony uses the force when he drives.

After all I say in my writing I still am awed by the people and sights I see. Puerto Rico is not for everyone I'm sure but I sure love it nad if ever I am able too, it will be a winter retreat for me I'm sure!

San Sebastian Parade and Puerto Rico mountain town

Whoo Hoo!  A parade has come to town and guess what, they closed the whole town so everyone could could party. Wow!  It's the festival of the virgin cow and all the money raised goes to a fund for college tution for the local kids.

  See the virgin to the right in her Sunday best. I heard of dress up but not for cows. My understanding of the world is very small but Puerto Rico makes me realize that life should be measured in the expeiences you have not in possessions accumulated.  

Well this parade puts the Cherry festival to shame people. If you can imagine 2 miles, 1,000’s of people and semi flat bed floats you’re getting close to being here. The only other thing you have to add is the nosiest place you can think of and then turn that volume up. The lack of any organization was perfect for a slugateer recharge of no plans, no worries, no problem. A truck would appear all decked out, blowing the air horns to a salsa rhythm inching its way through the crowd of people literally. People, me included would have to scrunch together so you wouldn’t get run over. They would never allow this in the states. The atmosphere here is have fun, be careful if you can and play music all the time.

There would be groups of 20 or so crowded around a single Bongo player every 100 yards. Singing and dancing to some song they made up or knew all their life, just join in if you want at any time. Pictures are really the only way to let you see they festive atmosphere of the day.

I had a coconut today; it was given to me by Tony’s cousin. Only thing was he was very inebriated when he served it. That wouldn’t be too much of a problem if he didn’t involve a machete. We all stood back as he insisted I have one and picked up the large weapon tool. Inches from his fingers he swung the machete in peril of going to the hospital with his fingers in a bag of ice. He successfully decapitated a coconut into a peak to expose the flesh inside, dug a small hole with the large knife and stuck in a straw. I took a drink as soon as my heart stopped racing from witnessing the near misses from the machete. It was good but I don’t want another, my heart can’t take it.  

 

He was a real nice guy (the guy on the right is known as the finger catcher) but for the first time since I have been here I wanted to be somewhere else as soon as possible so I didn't have to witness this ritual. Even if it was a generous gift from him along with food, beer and introductions all around.  

 

Overall the day was a great one followed with an evening (forgot the camera) of more festival or as they say here "fieta" , I may have spelled it wrong. I need to ask our gracious and beautiful host Brigada(Tony's lovely wife )how to spell some things as she is a school teacher and very accomplished in many things.  This is her on the right with Doris (Tony's sister) on the left.

I cannot say enought about the warmth of this land. The other night we went for a little drive to see new places and get some food. We ended up in La Marias after this outstanding drive (white knuckle) through the country side (jungle) on this narrow road (no rails, washed out side of a cliff) with Frank driving and gasping in unison with me at every car and curve. Its all true, beauty comes at a price if you really want to see it. 

After we got there we and fond this little place to eat and have a beer the world changed. Frank and I were rock stars for the hours we spent there. They just don't see Americans in the compo (country) because most gringos will faint, crash or have a heart attack in the first miles of the mountain roads.

 

They bought us drinks, feed us this great chicken and rice after we already had bought this dinner and ate it. Can't be rude and I can loose weight next year, right. Kids were coming in and shaking our hands, conversations with everything repeated for me 5 times made for lots of head shaking and gracias. Through it all we had fun, understood the others as thay did us, an experience I will cherish. As we left we realized that the young boys that came in to play pool had gotten there in the traditional way, three Pacifinos horses were tied to the fence outside.

By the way, remember the roads I spoke of when we went up?  Note to self; go down before it gets dark stupid !!!!!!!  No wonder they ride horses into town, they can see in the dark for the ride home, dah! Crazy Americanos

 

La Parguera, Puerto Rico an outstanding Coral Reef and Phosphorescent Bay

Well we made it to the ocean again, seems no matter where you go on an island there seems to be a beach around.

Well I must say that the past two days was like nothing I have done in my life. Spending two days in the La Parguera coral reef islands was heaven.

The fact that it was with three brothers that are always on island time was even better. It works something like this. When you go to accomplish one task, it has steps you never even thought of and it going to take allot longer that you thought. Allot!

The hour and a half trip to La Parguera only took four hours, record time for this group. When you drive here you take your half of the road from anywhere you want. Only when the peril of another car or a pot hole arises do you yield from your private journey. Swerving at the last possible moment, both cars dip to the edge just enough to pass and then hit the gas. That’s driving Puerto Rican style, this is a geat place to drive, just be alert and play along with the other cars. Following Tony pulling the boat was like watching a drunk having a bad day behind the wheel. Not that he would drive and drink but with dim headlights and a huge Bronco towing a boat down some of the roads we went on was quite a feat. The hardest part is they ALL do it. It’s a white knuckle trip to the little bakery (panieria) a mile down the road. So many close calls every day I can’t count but it’s an orderly mayhem!   The boat’s tail light consisted of one light tied to the rear rail with a rag, wired to the battery direct. Tony says the police here just want to see “something”, no need to get carried away. Wow! I am really starting to like this place even more. I like rules like the next guy but in the states a policeman looking for anything to write you a ticket on. That doesn’t happen here, be sensible and have a good day and they leave you alone.

The campground we stay at is not really a camp ground as we know it. Rather it is a mini travel trailer subdivision with island flare. Travel trailers, lot and trailer cover with a roof with a kitchen and living room built outside, really.  I have traveled little but this island has many attributes that a Slugateer can wrap his bold style of comfort around. Put the boat in (well the other guys put it in while Frank and I watched) and go out snorkeling (we did that ourselves, some things you can’t leave to others) for a while, okay all afternoon until dark.

The only drawback to the trip was two things, first we ran out of beer and second the motor gave us problems. I can live without beer but don’t want to be a Gilligan, maybe if Maryanne was there (just kidding honey). Anyway, we did some MacGyver ‘ ish type things and presto it’s fixed, mostly. The fact that it ran better was a good thing but the rag we stuffed in the hole and the tack we put in the wire were iffy at best. Still we carried on only seconds from the call to the coast guard  by having “faith” that all would go well. They use allot of faith here and it seems to be working out, most the time. You’ll be happy to know for our second day we went to the marina store and got some real parts. I call it a store as it had everything you would want. Food, spices,flip flops,suits,dominoes,screw drivers,boogie boards,parts, unbelievable the variety this store had and as in the Puerto Rico custom you need to look at 50% of them. Great custom.

We went in for a wire and three spark plugs, seventy eight dollars and hour later we left. Okay, Frank and I did but the brothers stayed for some unknown reasons. Well the picture says it all; it takes two gringos and a Puerto Rican to change a spark plug. It seems these guys never do anything alone or without serious consideration of all the angles. The two other brothers were there for injecting, at just the right moment, some angle we had not thought of just as the job was about to be complete.  This would constitute the dreaded “do over”! Just when I could smell the beach another task would present itself. All part of the journey I see now that my mind has adjusted to the sea air (alcohol may have helped).

The reef here is just outstanding. Our second day was better than the first and we anchored of this little island and snorkeled around the place. I am just amazed at the reef and all the fish it hold. Boulder size rocks of coral with a 100 or so fish all around it, everywhere you look. I was a little leery at first and then got into it because of the fascinating things I saw. I like the fish but not the 4 foot wide stingray with his tail 6 feet away, holy crap.  He was on the bottom stirring up things to eat in this cloud of sand and coral. I blasted out of their only to regret it immediately; I should have been brave and cautious and watched from a distance. Next time!!! 

This trip definitely has to be repeated before we go back to the cold country. To the right is the exact island or reef we went to. It was about 2 miles for the coast and just a paradise. I wish all my friends could be here for this one as it is a soulful place that makes you realize we live in this amazing world. We have got to change our ways and save the beauty that has been given to us. A thousand lifetimes for this reef to come about and my lifetime to destroy it saddens me. Take note of the things you are doing you can change for the better. I know I will after this trip!

Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos is another holiday here, the philosopher from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Okay, I'm up for another holiday and party if I have to, they have 4 national holidays in January alone!  Well we went to the beach again today (damn beach) and this time actually got in the water. Being a holiday there were actually some people walking around and swimming so I did too. A slugateer has to watch what he does as not to break a sweat. I call it swimming but at my age its really wading up to your neck. Next were going to try it with a beer in our hand. As you get older things change with relation to how you relax, next I'm gonna try floaties and after that, just a chair at the edge so my feet can get wet. Don't worry Alice, I'll have someone else carry the chair down for me. 

Ate some more of course but stepped out of the box again and had Pinchos made with shrimp, doused in garlic and divided on the stick by a green olive. At first I thought what the heck is this gonna tast like but it was a refreshing blends of flavors coming out of a grille from 1970 by a woman named TiTi. Yep ,same place as yesterday. No dinner today though, see I told ya I'd lose weight while I was here, didn't I say that, oh well.

Went down to our Puerto Rico Villa last night for some more music. Its a real nice place coupled with Tony's shop and a little 2 bedroom apartment next door. This time it was some rock and roll. Nice kitchen, bath and room for a studio for playing music. Gilbert played and he is so talented, reminds me of Bob the way he has songs memorized, one of these days with allot of work!!

Eugenio María de Hostos is the guy I have to thank for todays party at the beach. He died in 1903 but was a big part of Puerto Rico gaining its independence from Spain as a editorfor the La Revolcion for the Cuban Revolutionary Committee. He as other preferred being annexed by the US rather than independence. He is buried in the National Pantheon located in the colonial district of that city. Per his final wishes, his remains are to stay permanently in the Dominican Republic until the day Puerto Rico is finally independent. Then and only then, does he want to be reinterred in his native homeland.

Sunday, a day of rest, right!

Sunday night was familial feast with music, food and laughter. I am amazingly comfortable with the family and their friends and as usual, entertain with my antics. I have always had that trait, a gift from my mother. Frank commented that he didn’t worry about me not fitting in. I played the bongos last night along with a couple of other instruments I cannot spell but they were fun and I did just fine.

Here when you have a party, the men provide the music for everyone and the women provide the food and serve it to the men.  Maria kept holding this plate of this great dip with another plate of chips in front of me when I first got there. I thought she wanted me to take it and set it somewhere. After an spanglish explanation, I realized that I was suppose to take a chip and dip it.  It was her way of offering thanks for my part in the entertainment Tony explained.  Every time a new plate of appetizers was ready, one of the women would cruise the room with it for everyone to try. Men first, women, then children would take some and then it would be set down for all to eat. A cultural custom practiced in families for hundreds of years, didn’t take me long to enjoy it. Everyone here is so happy to see you and be alive in Puerto Rico.

Lots of things happened yesterday as Frank and I played our slugateer roles well. Up when we wanted, practiced music (work on Comfortably Numb and I Walk the Line you guys), visit with Tony’s family after church then a 2 o’clock breakfast. Pinchos with guanavana juice at a roadside truck sat down under a tarp in a chair and ate. A Pincho is chunks of chicken or pork on a stick, charcoal grille for a bit with real charcoal then choice of sauce. The juice was great but I can’t describe the taste in any manner as I have never had anything like it before. We sat and talked with the proprietor and he is going to squeeze us a gallon for next Saturday at no charge just because we like it so much.

The locals really don’t get much Americans around here. This part of the island is locals only for 99.5% of the time. You will see no motels, restaurants, etc… , they just don’t exist. We went to Crashboat beach yesterday and saw a couple of Americans, ate some more too. Then back to the house for Parranda described above.  The end of Sunday, whew! 

Wow! What a place!

Well, we made it and it has been a whrilwind since we got here. In the two days since we arrived we have not stopped eating it seems. We went to the outdoor market which is essentially a flea market with everything from cows to shot glasses, from salted cod to fried green bananas and more. I have never seen such a place, it puts the Buckley tractor show to shame for variety in a marketplace. For food we had fried plantans with pork, both really good with a couple different kinds of rice.

Then, what I call an elephant ear Puerto Rico style.  Rolled flour paste with bits of salted cod, deep fried into a glorious mass of artery clogging perfection. The first was great but the second weighed heavy on my stomach and judgement for sensible eating. So much for losing a little weight while I am here.

After this it was on to the Parranda, the celebration of the Puerto Rican Christmas or Day of Three Kings. Here on the 6th of January the island starts the Kings celebration of the birth of christ. Honoring the event with food, drink and lots of music. Large families get together and as Gilbert said "in Puerto Rico everyones invited". We went to a house on top of a hill on a road made hundreds of years ago with no idea that cars were coming.

No less than 70 people with smiles and open arms full of welcome. I am immeresed in the culture the first day here and you couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Elders from 91 and women with babies just 2 weeks old rock stepped to the latin music and verse. The verse sang sometimes by the 88 year old brother of many siblings and is made up as they go along, a story of anything they want to say to the "familia" present. Verses are everything from why they were there to someone singing drink, drink drink a little shot.

He would say two or three sentences at a time and and 4-5 women would repeat the same, all into microphones with guitars, a quatro and topped off with bongos. Everyone sang, danced and enjoyed this outside while the home and surrounding neighborhood was a buzz of celebration.

Cabo Wabo-Rita Night to say Good Bye, headed to Puerto Rico for vacation

And so the "Slugateers Gone Wild in Puerto Rico" adventure begins with Alice,Claudia, Lance, Frank and I having some food and some Cabo Wabo cocktails to say good bye for one last time. Frank and I headed to Puerto Rico for a month for vacation. We wil be headed to places like San Juan, Aquadilla, Isabela, Santurce, Cabo Robo, Ponce and many more towns. Follow along on our adventures and vacation in Puerto Rico. I will be doing blogs on a daily travels about places to go and see in Puerto Rico traveling. We will not see Lance and Clauida for three months as they leave for the Phillipines for a 2 month adventure before we return. I know they'll have a great time too. Wish Alice and I were going with them.

SO WHATS A SLUG-A-TEER? Well Frank and I are known as the Slugateers among our friends. There are others that fit the mold and are among the ranks, but we're the ring leaders among our guys friends. Frank started it really and I got trapped years ago. I love it. Let me define slugateer for you so you can understand our coming adventure and it's goals. FIRST- we have no goal, no slugateers would venture to have goals and plans that would inhibit him from relaxing and watching others do! SECOND, a slugateers never moves fast or can be seen working hard in a physical way. The river is flowing, no need to paddle your kayak down stream, we'll get there sooner or later. Not that we're lazy, we just relax in a productive way.

We're headed to Puerto Rico for a month to stay with Tony and his Family outside a little town called San Sebastian.

 San Sebastian is on the western end of the island in the hills 20 minutes from the coast. Actually the whole island is hilly and a little over 100 miles long and 70 miles wide. I have never been there but Frank has many times and has told me much about it. I look forward to seeing the island, meeting the people and living the culture for our time gone. A first in life for me, going away so long and to a differnt culture, why did I wait so long. Follow the blog and follow the adventures of slugateers gone wild, well, we relax in a wild sort of way. I will be making more posts and lots of pictures of our travels so follow along.