A Few Magical Moments in San Juan

 In our brief trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico we ventured off the beaten path into the Puerto Rican El Yunque Rain Forest. It was a light hike through the mud and winding root systems, but the views of trickling waterfalls, fairy green tide pools, giant web-like roots winding through the forest floor were a sight to behold. It was sticky, but how often does a person get to see a rainforest? We had the sweetest guide, who called her Mamma, escorting her by her arm through the forest. It rained a bit off and on, but it added to the experience.

Heading back into the city we checked out the shops in the city center and had lunch in a crowded coffee shop. I bumped into a street vendor and had a photo opportunity of a lifetime when he introduced me to his parakeets or was is parrots or lorakeets...I'm not sure? But they did not poop on me, so I really appreciated that. 

As we drove through the city we were mesmerized by the colorful  graffiti art that adorned the city walls. We spotted this fabulous cemetery overlooking the sea atop a hillside in Old San Juan. We had to go down the hill and through a short, dark concrete tunnel covered in graffiti  and gated at the end (yeah, sounds like the plot in a horror movie right?) Then it opens up to the the most amazing cemetery of stark bright white flat tombs decorated with a rainbow of flowers while your eye drift to the bright blue of the water meeting the sea in the distance. Really, it is worth going just for that view alone. You can see pictures below or on our Cemeteries page.

I am not sure how much of these beautiful things fared after the recent hurricane devastated Puerto Rico's infrastructure, but don't forget to show them your love. You can donate to them at United for Puerto Rico http://unidosporpuertorico.com/en/
or to UNICEF at https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/support-unicef-usas-hurricane-relief-efforts-puerto-rico/32952

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