How are you doing? I hope that all is good. I remember In a conversation that you told me that you are from Puerto Rico. I believe that you told me that you were born in Old San Juan. Well, guess what? My mom and I are now here in La Isla Del Encanto. I am celebrating my birthday, while on summer vacation. I will bring you a souvenir when I return. iAdiós, mi maestra!

My mom and I woke-up early and gathered all the necessities such as snacks, cold water, an orange towel, Ipad, charged phones, and comfortable attire for our long two hour trip to Ponce located 50 miles due south from Arecibo. That night before the trip, we both had a very hard time falling asleep, because we could hear the coqui frog making flirtatious sounds as though he or she were having a conversation.

Olga indicated that it was perhaps a season for mating. She continued to explain the legend of the coqui by saying “You see Alicia the louder the male frog screams coqui, coqui, coqui, the more he attracts his mate.” This mating sound could last the entire night, while we are trying to get a good night sleep. Alicia responded by asking her the question, “When do the people of Puerto Rico really get a good night sleep during the night? ” Well, mi princesita, it becomes a part of their culture and customary way of living for Puerto Ricans that live on the island

While my mom drove, I couldn’t help but notice how the flamboyant and palm trees so wonderfully draped over the edge of the country roads on our way to Ponce. Can you imagine spiral roads swirling like a roller coaster up and down the steep hills and valleys? Well, let me tell you the roads were so narrow that it would have been easier for a “camel to pass through the eye of a needle.” What a very dangerous and exhausting trip that took 20 miles to pass through the big trucks, ambulances, school buses, and rather large SUVs that all tried to maneuver their vehicles on a one lane dingy road.

Our trip was all worth the pain, frustration, and struggle when we arrived in Ponce for its most famous and historical attraction called Parque De Bombas 1863. This monument represents a great exhibition fair started by the first original group of firemen in Ponce in 1862. Our tour guide is named Israel Munoz and he spoke mucho español about the history and great legacy left behind for these men who were heroic firefighters.

It was starting to get late and dark in Ponce, so Miss Runfio told Alicia that it was a good idea to return back to the R&B before it got dark. Also, she reminded her daughter about the fact that in Puerto Rico there are no street lamps to illuminate the dark, spooky, roads that awaited us on our way back to Ponce. The only way to see the roads would come from our vehicle’s headlights that seem to not have even bright lights. Alicia agreed with her mamita by saying, “It is better being safe than sorry mom, let’s get rolling out of here!”

On the early evening of July 6th, we began our journey back to the barrio of Ponce. Thank and praise God who protected us against the dangers seen and unseen through the hazardous roads that swirled around and around for at least 20 miles on our way north to Ponce. We finally arrived at our destination and Olga and her son, Hector greeted us in Spanish. Olga informed us that she has been an evangelist working in the Church for the Lord for 34 years.

It was interesting to know that she attends Church at least 3 or 4 times a week. Miss Runfio added to the conversation that she had spent many years in the Church with Alicia’s parents a long time ago, but not so long. Also, she explained the lovely trip to Ponce and she never forgot the famous proverb that she learned from her grandfather who took her on many voyages around the world. He would always remind me by uttering these words, “You have to do something to make the world better and more beautiful.’’

Hector was so nice and genial to us that evening that he informed us about an awesome restaurant in the area that sold my mom’s favorite Spanish food called alcapurrias and the delicious frozen drinks referred to as maracuyá. That evening, Hector surprised us and brought us over some. These drinks reminded me of snowballs, but were frozen passion fruits made from coconut and mango fruits.

Now, my mom and I are really ready to do something to make the world better and more beautiful by embarking on our long awaited trip to Old San Juan. Upon returning to the capital, I was nervous, but yet so excited. I knew Miss Runfio was an excellent driver, and we would arrive at our destination in less dangerous conditions, because the roads were less steep traveling east to the capital, where we would visit the historic site called El Moro. Today, I am blessed to celebrate my birthday with my mommy who loves and takes good care of me. She wanted to surprise me with this special trip. We would pass through the towns of Guayama, El Viejo San Juan, Arecibo, and Mayaquez.

I asked my mom to share some important facts about the history and culture of Puerto Rico since she had traveled here many times as a little girl with her grandfather. Of course, Miss Runfio took a deep breath and said, “Once upon a time, Alicia but not so long ago…

When we finally arrived in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, There was so much congestion with tourists walking to and from, up and down the old narrow, busy cobblestone streets and sidewalks. It seems that the whole town was anxious to see El Moro, which was located on the very top of a sliding mountaintop. The tourists love the hustle and bustle, coupled with the extreme 100 degree heat with the wind blowing off the Carribean Sea caused hysteria throughout the city. Parking was almost impossible as in-coming tourists searched hysterically for parking on the rather narrow, steep cobble stoned streets. We finally found parking in a garage located near Banco Popular. In order to get to Old San Juan at the beginning of the trip, we had to travel from Arrecibo east to San Juan west on Route 22. Of course, we made many stops to eat and use the baño (bathroom). I really enjoyed the delicious ice flavored drinks known as frappé, coco frio, and mojito. Of course my favorite thirst quenching drink was parcha.

Every restaurant that we stopped in had on the menu rice with beans, which was the most common side dish for lunch and dinner. My mom’s favorite meat dishes are pork chops, ham, alcapurrias, savory steak, and chicken. I ate chicken breast, french fries, salmon, and shrimp . After we finished eating the server or waiter would always respond by saying (Enjoy your meal, bon appétit). A polite response for anyone to say would be to say “thank you or likewise. Of course, when I stayed in Mexico for two-weeks, I would always say “Full stomach makes a happy heart’’ after eating supper.