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Random Photo Update: May 2017

Rincón Chinchorreo

Something I find really fun about living in Rincón is that while there are often “official” events and activities, a lot of the time they are just something that someone decides to do. Like the hula hooping/poi jam, or the hot sauce contest. Someone gets an idea and then they do it! Perhaps it’s because you must be something of a free thinker and a get-er-done type of person, but it is really a fun attribute of living here. The most recent one we participated in was the 3rd annual Rincón Chinchorreo or Bar Crawl thanks to our friend Lowell. It was an opportunity to meet up with some friends and walk around Rincón meeting more and more friends along the way.

Carlos’ little bar complete with lottery and fresh coconut drinks

At our first stop we even ran into the alcalde (mayor) of Rincón whose name also happens to be Carlos, Carlos López Bonilla.

The photo’s a little tilted down, but hey!, we’re chinchorreando with the mayor!

Another stop along the route: El Patio Familiar

It was fun checking out bars that we had never visited before and whenever you go anywhere on foot or bicycle (or horse as the case of some of the crawlers) you are able to see things more slowly and in better detail. Down in Stella/Corcega at Pepe’s Pizza for instance, I was able to check out the erosion of the beach from Hurricane Matthew. Puerto Rico didn’t really experience any major direct damage but the waves that hit the southern part of the peninsula of Rincón caused some serious erosion.

Coastal erosion up close and personal

The crew continued to grow to our maximum at Villa Cofresí where they are doing some remodeling.

Group photo at Villa Cofresí

Some of the chinchorreando crew and Villa Cofresí’s famous Piratas

When we arrived to downtown Rincón, I took a little side tour of the newest downtown boutique hotel: Qué Chévere. And Qué Chévere it is! I loved the retro feel and for travelers who want to experience the cool Rincón plaza atmosphere it is a great option. The owners went out of their way to show us their pride and joy.

Qué Chévere hotel

Britton chatting with the owner in the lobby of Qué Chévere

Vintage record player

Awesome roof-top view of downtown Rincón: El Mejor Lugar Para Vivir

Checking out the newest bar in RIncón: Roots

That evening we continued the fun spending time with our friends Waldemar and Papo who have helped us build our cabin. Over these last nearly two years, we have developed quite the friendship with them and really enjoy each others’ company.

At one of the stops, Waldemar asked to take a short gallop on one of the horses of the chinchorreo

Keep the party moving! We went out to another favorite bar in town: El Bohío de Cano to shoot pool

And had a lot of fun, even getting swept up in one of the many political caravanas

They say time flies when you’re having fun and I feel like we are on a Concord. I love this place.

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Coconut Harvest and Other Island Scenes

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Climbing a coconut palm

When we are out and about we often see things that we call “Island Scenes,” you know, scenes that you would never see if you didn’t live on a tropical island. Palm trees, especially coconut palms, to me are one of the quintessentially tropical markers. And as we were walking down a beach one day we came upon two men who were harvesting coconuts from tall 50 foot swaying palm trees. One of them climbed up using his spikes and the other one caught the heavy bundle of coconuts that descended from a rope.

Hola from on high!

These coconuts are mainly used for their coconut water, but of course can be used for any number of preparations from coconut oil, toasted coconut, coconut milk, even piña coladas! This is a great service for the beaches because a coconut that falls from that height could easily kill an unwitting person below. Win/win! Here’s a video of them at their work:

We hung out for a while nearby with a friend and enjoyed the sunset. I tried my monkey best to climb a coconut palm, but without the spikes I couldn’t get too far 🙂

My coconut tree climb is not nearly as impressive!

Horse riding and a pack of dogs on the beach

Classic sunset shot

We also watched another traditional method of living off the land and water when we saw a man setting up the fishing net at the edge of the sea as the tiny ripples lapped softly against the sand. I’m not exactly sure what he was fishing for, perhaps sardines as we often see them when we enter the water. This is the kind of economic activity that has been going on for hundreds of years and that you probably won’t hear much about on the news or through the government: a direct connection to nature and your livelihood.