Day Two !This was the day I've been waiting for ! Today we had a chance to visit Old San Juan and view the old Spanish inspired/designed and Indian/African handcrafted scenery that is Old San Juan. Along the way we were able to view a few museum exhibits on the African influences in Puerto Rico and visited some historic forts where the Spanish (from Spain) battled various folk. We visited San Juan (proper) and then drove out to Loiza for a short rainy stay.
I've been wanting to go to Loiza for decades now. As we talked to staff in the Hotel about our plans they would shake their heads saying "Si, Old San Juan is beautiful" and "Si San Juan is very active" and then "Loiza ? Why would you want to go to Loiza ?" Loiza is one of the areas in Puerto Rico where our enslaved imported Africans didn't mix as heavily with our indigenous Arawak/Tiano/Boriquen indians or the Spanish colonizers that invaded Puerto Rico. One of the hotel employees, who appeared lilly-white (caucasian) looked at the Wifey and I and said.... "Brother, Loiza is the place where you can most easily see our African heritage as Puerto Ricans. It's not that obvious in other parts of the Island although we know about it. I know why you want to visit. Just be a little more careful. Loiza is where the Puerto Ricans go to party when we want to go wild and loose. Some things are easier to get in Loiza than anywhere else 'if you feel Me'." ................................. Here is a photo montage of the day:
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