Night monument tour - hey, you gotta do it once a season.

Well, the Folklife Festival is underway on the Mall. This year they took a stab at introducing people to an organization...NASA. I am a big NASA geek to put it mildly- my coffee mug is an old school spaceport USA one with my name printed on it from 4th grade. It was a touch of home to have a smaller scale Shuttle sitting there, waiting for me- almost mimicking the Washington Monument.


My friend pictured here doing a handstand on the Monument was the reason for my late night monument tour- he flew in that day for an overnight trip (oh, the "benefits" of being a flight attendant).

We visited WW2, Lincoln, Vietnam War, Korean War, and last and certainly LEAST the White House. I tried to tell him it was a small, kinda unimpressive building hidden away- but he had to see for himself. All in all a good walk though I must say the walk from WW2 to Lincoln was a little rough- we walked right next to the reflecting pool and had mouthfuls of gnats the whole way. I guess that is why we pave over paradise and use bug spray.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Gilberto gil in concert

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz.  Replies.

Friends Reunited

Alyssa made it to D.C. for a weekend before she embarks on a summer long internship with United Students Against Sweatshops in Honduras. She will be living with a Honduran family of women as she visits factories and workers seeking to empower workers often exploited by multinational companies such as shoe and clothing manufacturers.

She may be the most adventurous, driven, and committed young woman I know. We were both at the University of Miami together and participated in many of the same activities, mainly with the student organization Students Toward A New Democracy (STAND) in their effort to support unionizing janitors on campus in the May of 2006.

Here we are at Eighteenth Street Lounge, enjoying the humid evening with cold drinks.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

18th street lounge jamming out

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz.  Replies.

Riverside Drive

A lovely afternoon to take the boat out- apparently G. Gordon Liddy lives on this street.

I'm dog/house sitting in the woods of Fort Washington and was luckily around to get the invite onto the boat! A gaggle of geese waddled their way toward the water at our arrival at the dock. Sailboats in the distance circled and weaved around like they were butterflies playing catch, and the sun softened into a warm glow as we started off to Old Town for dinner.

Sure the boat almost got locked up by an over zealous Dock Master, but we managed to get out alive and set off to view the monuments, Georgetown waterfront, and the National Harbor lit up by the night lights. The airport was surprisingly beautiful, but the last bridge on the way home takes the cake. It actually looked like glittering Christmas lights.

The craziness of the city seems to just sit on the packed highways, police sirens, planes whooshing by overhead.... and we are calm and totally at peace, sitting in silence, taking in the moment.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz.  Replies.

On The water

An unexpected boat trip

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz.  Replies.

So proud to be here now

This presidential election is sure to be history making, and already has (as every newspaper headline declared when Obama clinched the democratic nomination). I follow- I voice opinion- I'm inspired by what could be a shift in political participation for so many Americans. I don't really see myself in that category, I don't believe my life will change, and I certainly don't think there will be radical change for the direction of the country (in Obama's first term at least).

I am excited to see how people are moved and involved and following every step of this election cycle. Often, I wonder how people internationally view the race- think about how it may alter their relationship with the U.S. if Obama took office, and how monumental it was for our little experiment in Democracy to boost up the first viable female candidate and African-American candidate as the front runners for so many, long, drawn out months of suspense.

Below I am sharing an unedited e-mail from my long-time pen-pal in East Africa. She is a dear friend and more like a sister, and as we grow older (and thanks to the internet) speak more frequently, I have an amazing view into a woman much like me across the world. This is a beautiful take and reignited my passion for what we have going for us here in America.

"Hello!How are you doing?I hope all is well.I have almost been following the current presidential campaigns in the USA.Who do you support?I think either way,it is sure going to be a historical moment for you country,what do you think?Senator Hillary Clinton is a strongheaded woman,imagine she never gave up too soon even if things didnt seem good on her side.If every woman was that brave,strong and determined,imagine how this world would be!On the other hand,i think Obama is fulfilling his fore fathers dream,Martin Luther King and it is good to see that he i supported by both African-Americans and White people.That will be good history where theres equality among races,no segregation or disregard.I wish the best comes out of the elections.Am proud of both candidates because of their determination and strong personalities."

A sunny Sunday morning to you sir

In the Plaza a Cristobal Colon (or for you blanquitos out there, Christopher Columbus). I'm sad that this is my last morning, though the heat and humidity are stifling today. I can honestly say, I feel comfortable in Puerto Rico and would come again in a heartbeat.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

I think we are on the right road now...

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Still lost, but it's so beautiful

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Lost in the hills of Rincon

This is amazing. Even though we are on the scariest roads I have ever seen. I need some Xanax and a bottle of rum to even handle it. You are lucky my eyes are open-- the photos obviously won't do it justice, but I believe this is the only section where I saw a guard rail.

For the miles of winding, surprisingly well paved, single lane roads through the many lobos (hills) of Rincon I held my breath as Lynda drove "PR style" (with gusto if you will) to follow our Dive master and friendly local "J" up to his home on one of these hills! The drops were hundreds of feet down and there was no room for error. Trucks and vans came zooming around bends the other direction and miraculously both cars fit without tumbling down the sides.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

As we approach Desecheo, we are overcome with a feeling of being sent to an ancient and untouched place- dinosaurs could be on the island for all we know. In fact the island is actually home to Rhesus macaques, large iguanas, and a variety of birds. No one is allowed to camp there, so it truly is the survival of the fittest on Desecheo.
Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Island Desecheo.

Beautiful.

We were an hour late, and arrived at the boat as the group was loading gear. I politely asked if we could join, but we were told no there was no way they could suit us up and get us on- they were ready to jump on and leave...but we were sweet as pie despite hearing the bad news, and as we walked away the captain called out to us and sad yes they will let us on. Why? Because I was wearing a UM shirt! "Miami Dave" just couldn't let a 'Cane be disappointed. More stories to come.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Grass skirt

On our cross-country drive to Rincon we saw a truck getting in the island spirit. Unfortunately, we missed our alarm clock and got on the road an hour late, then had a 20 minute detour at McDonalds. We are still an hour out of Rincon on a winding city street doubling as the only highway in the north to get to the west coast. We may not make the dive trip, but we have already seen 3 Condom Worlds making the drive worth it already ha! No, we will go to the beach and enjoy our day no matter what (yet, still crossing our fingers to make the dive trip at Taino Divers in Rincon!)

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Culinary fest

In old San juan, the streets come alive and there is a raucous din over everything. Our table at tantra (indo-fusion) is literally in the middle of the street. More fun awaits.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

The best band in the land

With selections from Sting, Latin, jazz, and rock, these guys are impressive.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Culinary Festival- Street performers

They weren't so good as "statues" but these statue-like performers were entertaining with their semi-robotic yet graceful impressions of a chef, waitress, and bartender.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

conductor

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Culinary (and cultural) festival

Here is a photo from one of the cobblestone streets in Old San Juan last night. The following is of one of the live musical performances...though entertaining only one couple that I saw danced along. Maybe it was too early in the night, maybe people just don't bust a move here ( i highly doubt that).



After a long day of snorkeling and diving (yay solo dive Lynda!) we are ready to relax and eat more good food at the festival. Last night's indian-latin fusion got us craving more fusion...we'll see what we find.



No pictures from today (they are on my water camera) but I can say Fajardo was a good day trip and a pleasant time on the boat and snorkeling around the reefs. I saw beautiful fish - ballyhoo, tarpon, blue something, neom greens and purples and turquoises! (obviously i am not a reef expert).



Tomorrow we are waking up at 4:15am to drive to the northwest coast, near Rincon to snorkel and dive around Isla Desecheo. Or should i attempt the diving crash course? hmmm...

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Here we go...

Another night out at the culinary festival in Old San Juan. After a long day in Fajardo snorkeling and diving around coral reefs and in the sun, we are ready to relax with tropical drinks and food!
Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

A room with a view

Outside our room at Da House Hotel you can look into the alley hosting the NuyoRican cafe and another restaurant. It felt like the party was in our hotel room!

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Cafe Berlin to start the day

Yes, i know it is 2pm, but i am on vacation. I picked Lynda up from the convention center hotel and wound our way back to Old San Juan. She said it feels like Paris, hmm maybe I should plan a Europe trip. Now we are excitedly planning our days to come, surfing, diving, horseback riding? Stay tuned...

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

A small, yet beautiful world.

It is a small world. If you have traveled across the globe or even your home country you are likely to have a surprising yet familiar story of running into someone you know in the most unlikely place. Now, with social networking sites (facebook) and location updaters (twitter...) it is easier to keep in contact and plan with your friends or friens of friends in a far off location you plan to visit (or for the adventurous you can use couchsurfing network to meet up with stragers willing to lend a couch or share local knowledge).

Well, through facebook i found my fellow Cane and sorority sister Andrea in San Juan, currently working on the Obama campaign. I took the leap and drove 18km to kantare's, a lively restaurant and bar, dimly lit inside but decorated by bulbous christmas colored lights outside on the patio. They offer live music, and tonight the act was my friend singing to open up for her father's act. It was a delight and i met a group of hardworking Obama campaigners and even a former SEIU organizer!

We shared wine, quesadillas, rellenos, and stories from our hardest campaigns while the dreamy melodies on guitar and voice rose and fell as gently as an ocean wave on a calm summer's night.

I managed to get a little lost on the way home, but didn't all too much mind the winding one-way streets leading me to more parties and restaurants. I trusted my instincts and headed "oeste" until I remembered the sharp curves leading to spectacular water views. On my walk to the hotel, i saw even more SEIU folks enjoying the balmy playful evening, including executive vice presidents Mary Kay and Eliseo.

Now, after a very long day i am ready to sleep (as latin housemusic and cheerdul voices rise up from the alley into my room! Good thing for earplugs). Hasta manana!

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

La Rogativa

An impressive statue- what i can deduce is that the women of the city did an interpretive dance representing saint Ursula for a bishop in 1797. Continually amazed here, and dripping with sweat.

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.