Coamo… Last Stop of a New Adventure

I spent a lot of time in and around Coamo checking out the local situation, scoring a “cheap” ride and getting a sense of what Puerto Rico was really like.  Sure, I got stuck while trying to buy a car.  I’ve already explained all that.

However, I never “felt” like I was stuck anywhere.

The Coamo Plaza and local museum is very similar to other small PR towns.  That’s to say, it was very pristine, very charming.  Something the locals can be proud of and I’m sure they are.  Just like other small towns, parking sux big time.  There never is any.  Another tip- Avoid dense areas when school lets out in the afternoon (around 3:30PM).  Parents basically block the thoroughfares while waiting to pick up their kids.  There is no easy way to get around that.  This is NOT unique to Coamo, its common to most PR towns.

Also worth mentioning- Most local and state government services shut down at 3:30PM, compounding the traffic congestion issue.

If you live your life in a rush or expect services to work flawlessly, then you will not like it here.  Fresh mushrooms, scallions, celery and DiGiorno pizza are almost nonexistent. Not speaking Spanish was an impediment, but I was able to work through it.  The locals are friendly and try to help if they can. This relaxed pace is something I’ve become most comfortable with… as long as my Isuzu Rodeo don’t overheat while stuck in traffic. A sense of self-reliance will go a long ways here.  ExPats have a term for it.. They call it the “Paradise Tax”.  It has to do with the hassles and stress you experience trying to get anything done.  It often seems like an exercise in futility.  Then you look out at the palms swaying in the breeze, hear the coqui at night and realize its all worth it.

Yes, there are things I did not get to this time around…  I missed the Rio Camuy Caves, never attended a cock fight, no underwater reef shots, no night-time bioluminescent images, I missed the Cabo Rojo area, Lajas UFOs or feral monkeys, or the Dry Forest of Guanica, San German or the area around Sabana Grande.  Nor did I get to any of the towns of the Central Region.

I WILL be back… I will get those shots.

Of course I was able to cover a lot of territory, even with all my problems.  I shot Gigs and Gigs of still images and a few videos too.

It was a Grand Adventure.

I still saw more of the island than 90% of those that come here on vacation. I even got to try Puerto Rican Moonshine, Pitorro.. reminded me of a light brandy, fruity, slightly sweet, but very potent.  Absolutely delicious!

The food was great, the espresso was extra smooth!

My overall impression of the place is very, very positive.  The island is much more modern, consumer driven, and economically diversified  than I had expected.  A lot of heavy American manufacturing is located there.

It still has its raw side.

Did I mention the 500 years of Spanish and American history?

Many of the locals don’t really think of themselves as Americans, even though its looking more and more like they will eventually vote in favor of statehood.  I don’t think the average Puerto Rican realizes just what that will do to their ‘little piece of paradise’.  True, they have benefited greatly from their relationship with the US over the years.  Otherwise, it would look more like the Dominican Republic.  A scary thought.

Not to over-simplify my observations, but Puerto Rico feels very much like a ‘country within a country’.

Spanish is spoken at the personal, local level with English spoken in the tourist areas.  Most local media is focused on news from within PR, versus what is going on outside.  Most locals have family on the Mainland… 9/11 was a wake up call for them as well, since about 2.5 million Puerto Rican’s live in and around New York City.  More than the pop of  the Greater San Juan Metroplex!

Family is important to Puerto Rican’s, for sure.

Statehood will change everything… (which is why they have been dragging their feet on it, I suppose)

Why anyone would retire to Costa Rica, Panama or Mexico, when they could live in the US is beyond me.

Well, overlooking the hurricane issue, I guess.  That’s why most PR homes are made of cement.  The climate is on a par with Hawaii.  It never went over 90 F the whole time I was there.  Cost of Living has gone up like the rest of the US, but you can live cheaply, if you adopt a local diet.

All things considered, I like this place a lot. Just my 2 cents.

A new chapter for my Blog begins soon, details in my next post… Arrg!