Friday, September 25, 2009

La Isla del Encanto!


La Isla del Encanto
Borinquen...
Boriquen...
P.R.

This tiny little island has many names, and a big spirit. The beautiful island that holds my heritage is Puerto Rico. I was born and raised in New York, but I am known to everyone as a Puerto Rican, (or Nuyorican to some.) I love and am very proud to have been raised as an American citizen, but to me there has never been any denial of the place from where my culture hails.

El Yunque!


Within its 3435 square miles (8897 km2), the island not only has it’s own National Rainforest (El Yunque), but also the largest radio telescope in the world: SETI Observatory in Arecibo.
There are so many different sides to this treasure in the Caribbean. Puerto Ricans are a beautiful mixture of Taino Indian, European, Spanish, and African. We come in all shapes, sizes and shades.

What I remember most about my trips to visit family, is how laid back and accepting people are. There is a huge trust that God will always take care of any problem we have.
Some of my favorite memories revolve around food (my favorite subject). Even if you listen to a lot of our Christmas music, it revolves around food:

I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my mami, helping her make pasteles. She would make the “maza” and filling, and I would put a spoonful in the wrapper and wrapt them, anticipating the moment when we could finally devour them! She would labor over these every Christmas, and sadly I have not taken the time out to make them myself, but I hope to this year. A lot of people compare pastels to tamales, but they are a little different.

On of the prettiest songs I’ve heard is En Mi Viejo San Juan. I used to see my mom get a tear in her eyes thinking about her homeland, and being so far away. Now I do the same, as I always say that one day I will return to visit my parents land, and mine.


El Observatorio!


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12 comments:

Etsy Spanglish said...

Wonderful article about Puerto Rico! Thank you so much Cristina ( createev1) for your contribution.

Spanglish Team!

marlenedesigner said...

I visited Puerto Rico a few months ago and I loved it! I went to San Juan, Isla Verde, El Yunque and Luquillo Beach. Loved the island, the food and the people.
Like the song says "Cuba y Puerto Rico son de un pajaro las dos alas".

Crickets Creations: Handcrafted Fashion Accessory Scarves and Fringies Professional Photo Portrait Props said...

De verdad! :)

Claudia and Sergio Olivos said...

Nice article... I miss my homeland of Chile, and also get nostalgic for empanadas and "Chile Lindo"...
*sniff*

I have been to Puerto Rico twice. It has lovely beaches and vegetation!
I have spent two lovely New Year's eves there-so much fun!

abrazos,
Claudia

Ana Diaz said...

Beautiful pictures too!, great place to visit!, thanks a lot for sharing with us.
Saludos,
Ana

sikiu perez said...

I need to go to Puerto Rico, everybody tell me about the beautiful beaches, I can't wait anymore.
Thank you for sharing.

Lainey said...

Mi familia es de Fajardo, y soy newyorican tambien. Thanks for warming my heart :) I miss PR so much... its been a while.

-Alaina
Piruli.Etsy.Com

Lolo Sinclair said...

Muy linda Isla! Beautiful article and thank you so much for sharing.

Nunca he estado in Puerto Rico algun dia ire! I love beaches!

Lolo :-)

Andrea Graciarena said...

Great pics and lovely article Cristina!
Thanks for sharing with us :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful article, about a beautiful land, by a beautiful NYrican (says the fellow NYrican). Thank you for showcasing La Isla del Encanto, donde nacieron mis padres!

Je Adore / Pandora Shack said...

Wonderful Country! I love how you describe it! Thanks for sharing Cristina!

Silk by Marina said...

Saludos...just found this great article...thanks createev1 for highlighting this most Beautiful Island.....I was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in NYC and now for the past 15 or so years I am back here in PR...I am also referred to as ...Nuyorican. I can relate to ...mami..los pasteles..the song that brings tears to her ... you captured the essence...

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