Category Archives: Puerto Rico Property

Puerto Rico Vs Colorado -Reverse Culture Shock

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Colorado versus Puerto Rico

Now that we have settled back into our life and routine and mowed all the property after the summer rains and sun caused everything to grow like crazy, I have some time to collect my thoughts on my first trip back to Colorado since we moved here. I can’t believe it had been nearly 6 years since I had been back. In some ways it was very easy to step back in to our way of life, and in other ways I feel I have been profoundly changed by my experience and life here in Puerto Rico. Here are some things I noticed about the differences. Of course everything that has a “pro” also comes with a “con” -that’s just the way life is.


Mofongo in Puerto Rico

Food
One of the most obvious differences from Colorado to Puerto Rico is the food. In Puerto Rico there aren’t a whole lot of choices especially on “la isla” outside of the metro area. Most people eat at home and if you go out, it’s for “picadero” or just light meals. There are of course some restaurants around, it’s just not such a big deal as it is in Colorado. The main meat choice is almost always chicken with pork coming in 2nd and then beef 3rd. The main starch is usually plantain.


Mexican Food -Chicken Chimichanga!

In Colorado there are a lot of choices, and in our area of Northern Colorado, it’s mostly Mexican food and beef. I hadn’t had a real steak if you don’t count the occasional churrasco in nearly these 6 years! Every time I went out to eat I found myself wanting to say “Buen Provecho” to other people eating and had to bite my tongue. I was also amazed at the restaurant service and how often they would fill up our water glasses and rarely if ever asked if we wanted bottle water like they do so often in Puerto Rico. Also, I liked how the Mexican food restaurants always kept bringing back more and more free chips and salsa as we waited for the entrees to arrive. No wonder we got so chubby in Colorado!


Free unlimited water refills and chips and salsa at all Mexican restaurants in Colorado!

We ate sooo much food on this trip. I had forgotten how much food we don’t get in Puerto Rico. I enjoyed Pho, snow/king crab legs, peaches, a huge variety of hot peppers, sweet corn, Arbys, Dairy Queen, pizza with toppings like artichoke hearts, Colorado craft beers, spicy Mexican food, salad bars and more that I hadn’t eaten in a LOOONG time. I had forgotten how much going out to eat is such a part of the culture in Colorado. It’s just something to do! And there is so much to eat! Serving sizes are too big in Puerto Rico (maybe double what they should be), but in Colorado, they are about 3 times too big! Part of the trip was to eat as many foods as we could that we haven’t had in a long time…and in the course of the trip I think we achieved that!

 
Pho and Fajitas


Hot peppers and sweet corn!


Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake and Peanut Buster Parfait!! Mmm


Arby’s and Waffles!


Soo much food everywhere! Tons of produce and varieties of things like Trisquits!


I haven’t had cinnamon bears forever! And Roma pizza -our old hangout!


Steakhouses and Brunch


Colorado Rockies

Climate/Landscape
The next most striking thing was the climate. I had forgotten how dry, dry, dry it is. And everyone was talking about how unusually humid it was. We had to buy eye drops and skin lotion. My hair went from soft waves to super flat and staticky just like that. We also had a bit of altitude adjustments. The roads are SO flat and straight and well maintained it was crazy. Where are the potholes?? There are so few trees in Colorado. Even in the summer when it is beautiful and green it is still such a muted color compared to the vibrancy of Puerto Rico. And COLD! I haven’t truly been cold in nearly 6 years and yet I actually woke up shivering one night while we were there.I noticed that chips/crackers would go stale in Colorado if you leave a package out whereas in Puerto Rico they get moist and weird. There was also an odd scarcity of bugs and sounds everywhere. It was cool to see some different wildlife like squirrels and deer, but overall, it was so QUIET compared with the loudness of nature and the party-vibe of the island. It was also weird seeing so many old things in such great condition. Things that if they were on the island would rust out, break down and become dust in 2 years were still like brand new after 20-50 years in storage. No rust, no mold, no corrosion. It was amazing!


Colorado Flag

Language/Culture
It took me a minute to reset my brain to English as the default language. When we needed something in a store for instance I had the tendency to want to ask in Spanish. If someone sneezed I wanted to say “Salud” instead of “Bless You.” Flags were Colorado and American instead of Puerto Rican. Even when I talked with my Spanish-speaking friends, it was different to hear the Mexican Spanish again and I had to change back some of my vocabulary. People in both Colorado and Puerto Rico are super friendly, but it’s different. In Colorado there is an assumption of everyone following the rules and therefore everyone will get along. In Puerto Rico, there is an assumption that there are some rules that just don’t make sense, so we will all break them together and get along (waving people into traffic for instance when the roads are congested). In lines in Colorado hardly anyone spoke to each other, whereas in a fila in Puerto Rico you stand there so long, you know the other person’s life history! Hardly anyone commented on Aeden, whereas in Puerto Rico babies are so loved. Everywhere we go we hear “AY QUE LINDO” “QUE COLORA’O!” and “Dios Lo Bendiga/Cuide.” Also I have forgotten how many HUGE trucks and SUVs there are in Colorado. There is no way these vehicles could maneuver the tiny roads of the island. People in Colorado also dress much differently. We saw a lot of cowboy hats and boots!


Huge trucks in Colorado


Versus a tiny truck with a goat in the front seat in Puerto Rico, no really we just saw this -haha!

Order/Rules
Everything was just so orderly. If there were more than 2 people in a line at a store, another register opened up! If the roads had a little damage, they were being repaired. There are so many sidewalks and bike lanes! Once I sat down on a wall waiting for Britton to get something from concessions at a concert and was told to get off the wall -this would never happen in Puerto Rico! People obeyed all the traffic lights. I saw no one get into their car with an open beer. And the bathrooms. Let me tell you…they were impeccable even in the seediest of places.  Every bathroom in Colorado had HOT running water, lights that worked, toilet seats, emptied trashcans, and there was toilet paper. There was always hand soap and often a sign reminding you to wash. Paper towels AND hand driers in case you wanted both! AMAZING bathrooms! haha I also did not see anyone peeing outside and I have gotten quite used to peeing in some of the most random places! It is so orderly there, that even at a parade was hardly any noise! It was like a parade on mute! People playing charade parade! No noise, no disruptions! Not even if you’re having a party. Where was the music, speakers and blaring sounds? After living on party island so long, this was very, very strange.

Alcohol was also strictly monitored and they even gave limits at the bar so as to not over-serve. Over-serving in Puerto Rico would mean spilling a drink! haha AND in Colorado there is pay-at-the-pump! Oh how I had forgotten about that! And the police in Colorado were like strict authority figures whereas in Puerto Rico, they are just like you and me and will even stop and have a chat with you and ask about your day. Overall, I was just taken aback at how obedient, fear-based and orderly everything was. I missed the fun chaos and randomness of life while I was there. It all seemed very planned, correct and straight in comparison to la isla.


I had forgotten how into guns people are in Colorado/America


Puerto Rico “sample” of a drink was a full-sized super strong mixed drink as we waited in line to check out


In PR I won a chance on the roulette wheel after buying some stuff and was told to just basically choose my prize (that would never happen in CO)


Buses full of people “chinchorreando” going bar to bar to party in Puerto Rico


Random thing to see on a roof of a house driving around in PR


And of course hammocks are everywhere instead of porch swings!


We saw so many friends and family!

What I was reminded the most about our trip back to Colorado was how much I miss my friends and family. We have met so many beautiful souls in Puerto Rico, but there is nothing like family and friendships that you’ve had since you were a kid. I also know that even though everyone is very friendly to us I will always be an outsider here in Puerto Rico and that makes life a little harder. Overall, I am so grateful for the experiences I have been given in both places that are so near and dear to me no matter how far I roam.


Colorado and Puerto Rico. We can make comparisons but they are both two places that will always hold pieces of my heart!

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Mother’s Day, TARS, and our Tropical Gardens

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Overlook spot in Moca

A quick update. We have been tackling house repairs and building of the deck railings, keeping up with the cabana (recently painted the entire interior again) staying on track with all the mowing (we maintain about 2 acres of green areas) as well as planting and watering the tropical gardens when it’s dry. When we are not at the farm, we go out for drives or on searches for more plants as well as just normal chores like grocery shopping and things like that. We have also had the opportunity to spend some time with friends which is always nice.


The farm always feels so refreshed after we mow it, it’s like our own personal park


It would be a rare occasion at a plant store that I don’t find something to buy


Quick stop at Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla


Aeden loved it!

We also went to TARS in Mayaguez. It has been a long time since we’ve visited. Now that we’ve been doing this tropical gardening for a good long while I can appreciate the collection that they have there even more. It looked to have suffered some damage from the hurricane, but overall it is still quite impressive. So inspiring to see what’s possible here. So many home gardens are plain and this is extraordinary!


Britton and Aeden under a huge palm


Me and a HUGE Panama Canoe Tree


Britton and Aeden with a large agave


Me and a jackfruit tree/fruit


We just started a pandanus. It would be amazing to see it grow into this


Back at our farm


We are growing a new variety of microphone/beehive ginger


Another turkey came out of the woods with babies


Early morning sunrise at the finca


Peaceful serenity in the gardens


A mango tree releafing over head


Newest additions to the farm -2 tortoises (I think sulcata but not sure)!


Amazing number of torch gingers to take to the farmer’s market lately


At the farmer’s market with the babe


Celebrated my very first mother’s day as a mother. Here’s the mother who made me, and who made me a mother (around the same age 8-9 months)


My precious boy


Crossing the suspension bridge in San Sebastian


Everyone loves Aeden, everywhere we go. His hair is so “llamativo” and many people want to hold our smiley coloraito/ cano


Doing a photoshoot with friend Laura. Going to miss her so much! We always have fun together. And I have loved being her muse!

Tree-mendous!


Going away party for Laura and Kara


Receiving party (Hawaiian themed) for someone who got out of hospital with our neighbors


A normal day in Rincon -cows crossing the road and mangos falling from the sky


What a beautiful life!

Here’s our 8 month baby update video!

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Paso Finos, Pulgueros y Playas

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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! 🙂 )


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! 🙂 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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Tropical Garden Expansion

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New garden area we are working on- what we call the Hobbit Garden

One of our favorite things about living here in Puerto Rico are the tropical plants. Since our plant hobby is now paying for itself with the sales of flowers at the Sunday farmer’s market we have decided to keep expanding the gardens. It is sort of a scavenger hunt to find some of these exotic tropicals like the rare heliconias, gingers and fruit trees.


Upper garden level where we will soon be adding stairs to lead into the jungle

Our cabin in the jungle is surrounded by lush gardens!


Rare sighting of a century plant (agave) in bloom

Bees on the agave bloom

We have learned from years past that we cannot clear and maintain an area unless it has water.  You would think (or at least we did naively when moving here) with it being a tropical environment that we wouldn’t need to water, but that is not the case. We can have torrential rain pours, but then 7 days of nothing and everything dries out. So in order to not just throw money and effort away on all the plants we buy and find, we have to first make sure there is water to the area. This often entails clearing out the underbrush and weedy trees and throwing them into a pile, then installing tubing above ground along the border and if the tubes go into a visible garden area, digging a trench for them as well. Then we hook up a spigot and hose.


Britton hooking up the waterline from Hawk Alley to the Hobbit Garden


Aeden hangs out with us as we work

Now that we have expanded the property we have different names of the sections of the property so that we know what we are referring to. The final (and most fun!) step is to seek out the plants and plant them. Some of these are transplants from our own property like the huge torch gingers and coconut palm starts, but many we must buy or find.


Britton and Aeden at a garden store in Hormigueros


Dragon fruit growing at one nursery


Lots and lots of plants -many of them are too small and dainty for our large-scale garden

It’s not all work out there, though. We often find weird random things like alcohol bottles from the 40s and 50s, old clothes and furniture from who knows and we also play- climbing trees and swinging from vines. Now that I am not pregnant I can help (and play) a lot more. And since it’s not so hot and humid it’s much more enjoyable in general. We have to remember when we have these pushes to the outer boundaries of the property that we will have to maintain these areas as well which means getting a mower through there or planting it thick enough that the vines and weeds are thwarted.


Swinging from the vines

New flowers we found. Not sure of the name


There are always so many iguanas around and sometimes they destroy our plants. But they are also so cool to see


New bench in the Hobbit Garden

Here’s a little walk through of some of the flower gardens

Oh and we’ve been growing more than just plants! Aeden is now 4 months old and growing, well, like a weed 🙂 Here’s his 4 month update!

 

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