I'm an inquisitive Puerto Rican that enjoys the benefits of two cultures. I appreciate life's little pleasures and I'm happy with just the necessities to live. Those that know me well, know that I'm full of contradictions... Persistence is one of my best qualities.
Who would have thought! Two inaugural events, but one without a doubt more meaningful than the other. I was vacationing in Puerto Rico when the change of command took place and though this was a significant moment, it did not compare to the global magnitude the Obama swearing-in ceremony on January, 20th 2009.
Much has been said about this historical event in American history. The images, sounds and silence of the day will live with us as long as we keep this memory alive. We all knew we were experiencing something unique. Something we were all responsible for with just one vote! We stood in the cold, exchanged stories on how we got there. Some drove for days, some flew and some where fortunate (like us) to know someone that lives in DC.
The next day Obama was elected, I knew I had to be there. I wanted to be surrounded by the many sharing the same urge to live the moment at the location it was actually happening. There is something to be said about looking at a complete stranger and smiling, knowing we are crossing paths during this important moment in time.
We joined in the festivities surrounding the Inauguration, but no matter how much we partied or whom we met, we knew the real reason we gathered in DC.
Some moments will become more meaningful personally, but collectively, it was a true experience that needed to be shared with the masses.
If you have impressions of this moment, please share ...
On January 1st, I headed to Puerto Rico for a much needed vacation. It was nice to feel the anticipation that traveling brings me. This trip was special because my sister Magaly was waiting for me at the other end.
I picked a great time to go too, Jan. 1st – Jan 10th. I got to spend Christmas with my family in Boston and stretched out the holidays a bit by celebrating Los Reyes in PR. It is a known fact that people in PR party from Dec. 24th well though mid January. I was only there for ten days (that turned into 11) and during that time, Magaly was off from work practically the entire time. It was great to have someone to explore the island with.
The fun began minutes after I arrived. I was invited to a New Years Day party that my sister in law’s family was hosting. There was music, arroz con gandulez and lechon on the menu. On Jan. 2nd we headed to El Viejo San Juan to take a stroll along of El Paseo de la Princessa. Later in the day, we attended the inauguration of the new governor of Puerto Rico. I can’t remember the last time I was in La Fortaleza, but this was pretty cool. We weren’t done in San Juan, cause soon after the Governor greeted the crowd, we took the ferry to Cataño for dinner at Don Tello.
We saved Saturday for shopping and to visit with one of our favorite person in town, our hairstylist! That night we went to a “noche bohemia” at Arecibo ’s best restaurant, El Salitre. Early Sunday, like two good Catholics, we went to church. In the evening we enjoyed the music of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico at their annual Concierto de Reyes in Bellas Artes. Even after the concert, we found time to hit a local sports bar and had a great time.
I spent the entire Vispera de Reyes (the Eve of Three Kings Day) with my mother and grandmother. There is always a relative coming in and out to visit, which is nice. Later that evening, my mother and I went to a Rosario Cantado de Reyes in the town she grew up. I experienced how this dying tradition still has a spiritual and social place in their lives.
The highlight of the entire vacation was our visit to Juana Díaz for their annual Three Kings Day celebration, which culminates at the Plaza Román Baldorioty de Castro with a mass. There the Three Kings offer incense, gold and myrrh to (a real life) Baby Jesus. We were among the many spectators that walked through the Feria de Artesanía. This visit was also special because we met up with my good friend Nelly who welcomed us in her fabulous home. She gave us a tour of her home town Coamo and took us on a quick ride to the adjacent town of Ponce. We marveled at the holiday lights and before calling it a night, we went to a new funky bar for apple martinis. The next morning we slept in and talked over café. Lunch was by the ocean side in Salinas.
There we parted and we headed to Maunabo to see the newly constructed Vicente Morales tunnels. Magaly was very excited to reach this point of the journey. She has an appreciation for these structures because of her background on civil engineering. I was captivated by the coast and how the sun was setting behind the lighthouse.
Things were winding down at the last two days of my vacation. I concentrated most on spending time with my nephews. I can’t remember when the last time I paid $5:50 and $3:50 to see a film (at night). After the movie we went for ice cream. (coco for me) and played Spanish scrabble (escrabble, LOL).
Call it wishful thinking come true or I was not ready to leave PR but when I arrived at the airport my flight was cancelled. In other circumstances, this would have been a real inconvenience, but I looked at my brother with a big smile on my face and asked him, “Should I fly back from San Juan or Aguadilla tomorrow?”
I was given one more day to relax! One more cafecito del Mesón, one more look at the blue sky and one more taste of the sun – good thing because I was welcomed by planes de-icing on the runway; the snow was still fresh from the night before and the temperature was 22!
When I got home, I brought up my luggage, grabbed the shovel, cleaned the side walk and brushed the snow off my car… It was nice to be back home, I love my life here, but the thought of taking the next flight back crossed my mind.
Who would have thought! Two inaugural events, but one without a doubt more meaningful than the other. I was vacationing in Puerto Rico when the change of command took place and though this was a significant moment, it did not compare to the global magnitude the Obama swearing-in ceremony on January, 20th 2009.
The next day Obama was elected, I knew I had to be there. I wanted to be surrounded by the many sharing the same urge to live the moment at the location it was actually happening. There is something to be said about looking at a complete stranger and smiling, knowing we are crossing paths during this important moment in time. 
We joined in the festivities surrounding the Inauguration, but no matter how much we partied or whom we met, we knew the real reason we gathered in DC. 
