Tag Archives: stella

Paso Finos, Pulgueros y Playas


Britton and Aeden at the beach

We’ve been staying pretty busy with the kiddo, the cabana rental and the flower business but we also get out and about quite a bit as well. We recently went to Costa restaurant in Mayaguez for brunch (very good place!) after selling flowers at the farmer’s market and stumbled upon a Paso Fino competition. Paso Finos are a type of horse that has a very light gait (Paso Fino means Fine Step). The riders “jinetes” were judged on their posture, how their hands were in the reigns and other signs of an easy ride. The judges checked the horses for an even step on each of the four hooves as well as the general aesthetics and beauty of the beast. It sort of reminded me of rodeos in Colorado except you would never see a cowboy there in a tuxedo haha!


Paso Fino Competition Mayaguez


Me and Aeden at the competition


Paso Finos


Playa Buye

Then we drove down to Playa Buye for a quick afternoon stop. It is always a busy and popular beach.


At Buye Beach

We’ve also been checking out the local Pulgueros. Pulguero means Flea Market and is almost a direct translation since the word flea in Spanish is “pulga.” We like to go to the big market in San Sebastian on Friday mornings and we also made it just in time for the one in the Mani sector of Mayaguez Sunday mornings. We are not so much interested in all the household and random goods as the produce, plant and animal selections we can find. I am trying to talk Britton into some water features at the property and would love to have ducks, geese and koi fish for them. We found some pretty neat fruit trees, flowers and other interesting plants as well as a connection for some more heliconias and gingers. Britton says he can’t believe he is back visiting flea markets since he spent so much of his youth at them that he came to avoid them. But they are a little different here than in Colorado as you can see.


Angel Trumpets are awesome plants that smell wonderful but they are also semi-illegal/regulated in Puerto Rico because of its dangerous poisons (I still want them though!)


This variety of banana is called “Johnson” here in Puerto Rico. It’s actually a Cavendish but look how big they grow!
Flea market fried food fare: The golden brown thing is a “taco” (very different from a Mexican taco) and the darker brown one is an “alcapurria” They are both stuffed with meat, potato and seasonings


We saw this as we were leaving San Sebastian! Holy Plantains!


Mani Pulguero as it was clearing out -A seaside flea market!


At the Mani Market


Checking out all the kids stops too: at Yogufruti in Anasco (I love frozen yogurt so the fact that kids love it too is just an excuse! 馃檪 )


Aeden really is a good kid and just goes along wherever we go! We need to start bringing a stroller though because he is getting big and harder to carry!


Nuestro bebe colora’o

Whenever we go out people exclaim “Colora’o!” “Colora’o!” At first I thought they knew we were from Colorado and then I realized that they were talking about Aeden’s red-colored hair! 馃檪 They also LOVE, LOVE babies here. Women almost always get a super high pitched voice and say “Ayy que lindo! Dios lo bendiga” and sometimes can’t help but touch him. I will often offer him up to abuelitas (grandmothers) to hold when I see them longing for him. They love to pat him and smell his head. They also tell me about their children and grandkids and give lots of advice. It’s very sweet.


At Pepe’s Pizzeria in Stella of Rincon another seaside favorite

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Rinc贸n Chinchorreo

Something I find really fun about living in Rinc贸n 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 Rinc贸n Chinchorreo or Bar Crawl thanks to our friend Lowell. It was an opportunity to meet up with some friends聽and walk around Rinc贸n meeting more and more friends along the way.

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Carlos’ little bar complete with lottery and fresh coconut drinks

At our first stop we even ran into the alcalde (mayor) of Rinc贸n whose name also happens to be Carlos, Carlos L贸pez Bonilla.

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

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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聽Rinc贸n聽caused some serious erosion.

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Coastal erosion up close and personal

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

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Group photo at Villa Cofres铆

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Some of the chinchorreando crew and Villa Cofres铆’s famous聽Piratas

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

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Qu茅 Ch茅vere hotel

que chevere
Britton chatting with the owner in the lobby of Qu茅 Ch茅vere


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Vintage record player

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Awesome roof-top view of downtown Rinc贸n: El Mejor Lugar Para Vivir

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Checking out the newest bar in RInc贸n: Roots

That evening we continued the fun聽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.

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

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

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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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