Old San Juan: For a few months, San Juan is the home port of Adventure of the Seas. When at port, during every free day, I am going to Old San Juan. To speak to family. To walk (for hours) through old lanes. Observing people, ancient architecture and modern interiors. And for Starbucks (opposite the main square). For coffee & internet.
During an unusual San Juan morning, I am leaving the ship at 7am (usually we leave at 11am). Reaching Old San Juan when most shops are closed & streets are quiet. Having breakfast at Starbucks! And then walking around the old streets. While returning to the ship, I inquire about buses. The bus drivers are saying I need to change buses to reach the port. With the confluence of roads, changing buses looks confusing to me. So I am walking back and am lost! Reaching the port at about 11am. My shift is at noon. While at the pier, realizing I can get on the ship only at 1pm, I am late at work. And forgiven too!
Its close to Christmas week. My shift is changing this week. So I will miss Christmas in the streets.
Food Festival (at Old San Juan): One morning I find a food festival in progress. Some streets are full of restaurants. These restaurants are serving on the streets! To me it looks like melting pot of people, celebration and food.
San Juan: Sometimes I am being considered a local. People start talking to me in Spanish! I can speak poco Espanol. Learnt it from the Latin American (mostly Peruvian) crew & guests on the ship. Only twice have I been elsewhere, other than Old San Juan. Twice to Plaza Las Americas. Once to another place (forgot the name) to buy my laptop.
When Adventure of the Seas, is sailing out (during my dinner break and the quietest evening for the photo-team) I am watching San Juan go past. With my coffee. From the back of the ship. A place where only the crew have access to! Sometimes while going for breakfast, I find the ship already docked in San Juan. On days when I am staying on the ship, I am waking up at 6am. Walking on Deck 5. To get a glimpse of Puerto Rico.
Gracias Puerto Rico!
