| 3.1-1 Puerto Rico - Rich Port |
Puerto Rico...! Aye, what do I know about Puerto Rico? More like, what did I know
about Puerto Rico? Today I know quite a bit about Puerto Rico but the day I first
flew there, like most state-sider’s, I knew next to nothing. But let’s be positive and
begin with what I did know.
First of all, I knew that Puerto Rico was an island out in the Caribbean about two and
a half-hours flying time from Miami. I knew it was a Territory of the U.S. and I knew
that it was largely a Hispanic nation. I did not know its size, its beauty, or its basic
history. I did however know the meaning of its name. Having lived in San Diego,
California for ten years, I had the chance to learn a few Spanish words along with the
few months of television Spanish lessons we had in 3rd and 4th grades, which
amounted to only a few hours worth of learning. So I knew that ‘San Diego’ means
‘Saint Doug’. And that ‘puerto’ means ‘port’, like in ‘Puerto Nuevo’ which is ‘New
Port’, the lovely cliff hanging sea town on the Baja Peninsula where I would go at
least once a year to enjoy a Mexican lobster dinner during lobster season. And ‘rico’
meaning ‘rich’, like in lots of dinero, money, or like in ‘Costa Rica’ – ‘Rich Coast’.
I thought to myself on the flight over, "What a strange name to give an island -
Puerto Rico or Rich Port. Why would anyone call a whole island Rich Port?" It just
struck me as something odd. An island is not a port - it is an island after all. Well,
just another question to put in my brain that would have to go unanswered, for it is
now time to head out on my island adventure. My adventure begins in the port of
San Juan with my search for my new friend, Carlos. I awake from my sleep as the
plane is going in and out of the many big white puffy clouds hanging just off-shore of
the island and heading down for the landing. Looking out the window I’m seeing a
city of mixed white buildings beautiful against the background of the beautiful blue
ocean and then a lagoon surrounded by rusty and well used tin-roofed shacks. As I
deplane and walk off the ramp into the airport I don’t see anyone I recognize waiting
to greet me - sad faced me. So I leave the boarding area and head down the
corridor, past the security checkpoint and down to the luggage carousels.
about Puerto Rico? Today I know quite a bit about Puerto Rico but the day I first
flew there, like most state-sider’s, I knew next to nothing. But let’s be positive and
begin with what I did know.
First of all, I knew that Puerto Rico was an island out in the Caribbean about two and
a half-hours flying time from Miami. I knew it was a Territory of the U.S. and I knew
that it was largely a Hispanic nation. I did not know its size, its beauty, or its basic
history. I did however know the meaning of its name. Having lived in San Diego,
California for ten years, I had the chance to learn a few Spanish words along with the
few months of television Spanish lessons we had in 3rd and 4th grades, which
amounted to only a few hours worth of learning. So I knew that ‘San Diego’ means
‘Saint Doug’. And that ‘puerto’ means ‘port’, like in ‘Puerto Nuevo’ which is ‘New
Port’, the lovely cliff hanging sea town on the Baja Peninsula where I would go at
least once a year to enjoy a Mexican lobster dinner during lobster season. And ‘rico’
meaning ‘rich’, like in lots of dinero, money, or like in ‘Costa Rica’ – ‘Rich Coast’.
I thought to myself on the flight over, "What a strange name to give an island -
Puerto Rico or Rich Port. Why would anyone call a whole island Rich Port?" It just
struck me as something odd. An island is not a port - it is an island after all. Well,
just another question to put in my brain that would have to go unanswered, for it is
now time to head out on my island adventure. My adventure begins in the port of
San Juan with my search for my new friend, Carlos. I awake from my sleep as the
plane is going in and out of the many big white puffy clouds hanging just off-shore of
the island and heading down for the landing. Looking out the window I’m seeing a
city of mixed white buildings beautiful against the background of the beautiful blue
ocean and then a lagoon surrounded by rusty and well used tin-roofed shacks. As I
deplane and walk off the ramp into the airport I don’t see anyone I recognize waiting
to greet me - sad faced me. So I leave the boarding area and head down the
corridor, past the security checkpoint and down to the luggage carousels.
World Turned Upside Down
Music - Puerto
Rican Feeling by
Jose Feliciano
Rican Feeling by
Jose Feliciano