The 19th annual Puerto Rican Gay Pride Parade took place this past Sunday June 7, 2009 in Condado’s Ashford Avenue (San Juan, PR).  Hundreds gathered in one of San Juan’s most heavily transited avenues to march in favor of equal rights, sexual freedom, separation of church and state, and life in general in a buoyant celebration of gay culture.  Enjoy some photo and video highlights below - or watch the full parade captured with one of Flip’s excellent pocket-sized Mino cameras by clicking on the links below.

Gay Pride Parade Uncut: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Photo Credits: Débora Reyes using iPhone camera

For previous legs of the Old San Juan Walking Tour, click on the corresponding links:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

We’ve been to many sites, gawked at incredible vistas, witnessed historical architecture and works of art, and ate and drank in some of the city’s best restaurants/bars.  Alas, all good things must come to an end.  But let’s not lament yet, we have a long stroll ahead of us and 9 more stops on our walking tour.  Let’s make the most of it.

Homeward Bound (Leg 4 of 4)

From the northwest corner of Plaza de Armas, walk west on San Francisco St. until we reach Del Cristo St. once again.  If we make a left we will head south towards our next destination.  Storefronts all along the street entice passersby to window shop (or really shop) but we’ll continue walking until we reach Capilla del Cristo (#31).  The legend goes that in 1750, during one of the traditional horse races, a rider was violently thrown from his steed.  A spectator made a plea to the Santo Cristo de la Salud to save the unfortunate jockey, who was stopped - thanks to the structure - from plummeting to a certain death.  Since then, a  picture of the Christ has hung on the wall of the chapel.  Next to the Capilla is el Parque de las Palomas, or pigeon park.  With a fantastic view of the bay as a backdrop, visitors can mingle with and feed the scores of pigeons in and around the park.

31. Capilla del Cristo

Across the street from Parque de las Palomas is el Museo del Libro (#32).  The museum houses an invaluable collection of Old World manuscripts and original documents from the time of Spanish rule on the island.  Though the building is presently under renovation, much of the collection is currently displayed in Museo de las Americas in Ballaja.

32. Museo del Libro

Coming off Del Cristo street, we head east on Calle Tetuan.  Casa Ramón Power y Giralt (#33) will be located to your left.  The Fideicomiso de Conservacion - Puerto Rico’s conservation trust - rescued this historical building - the former home of early 19th century Admiral and politician, Ramón Power y Giralt - from disrepair and now serves as their headquarters.

33. Casa Ramón Power y Giralt

Our next destination is Fortaleza Street, specifically the area commonly referred to as SOFO (#34).  After leaving Casa Power y Giralt we turn north on Calle de la Cruz and then make a quick right into Fortaleza Street.  Shops, bars and restaurants line both sidewalks and crowds gather to party late into the night in these trendy hot spots.  Short for SOuth of FOrtaleza, SOFO also features a bevy of dining options, from classic French cuisine to modern fusion, certain to please any discerning palette.

34. SOFO

Past the alleyway that leads to the famous Nuyorican Cafe, stands Casa del Callejón (#35).  One of San Juan’s oldest buildings, it now houses 2 different museums: Museo de la Farmacia, a collection of  artifacts that would have been found in a 19th century pharmacy; and Museo de la Familia Puertorriqueña, recreating an affluent family home of the 19th century.  You could get caught up in the scene at SOFO, I won’t blame you.  But we still have 4 sites on our walking tour and you don’t want to give up now, so close to the end, do you?  SOFO will stay right where it is and it’s vibrant nightlife will continue to be active until late, so you don’t have you worry about missing a thing.

35. Casa del Callejón

At the end of Fortaleza Street, to your right, stands one of the New World’s oldest active theatres, Teatro Tapia (#36).  The venue is named after famous Puerto Rican playwright Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and still hosts events that range from children’s plays to ballet performances.  The interior, with its marvelous wooden balconies and horse-shoe shape, seats about 700 people.

36. Teatro Tapia

In the middle of Plaza de Colón (#37), directly north of Teatro Tapia, a marble and bronze statue of European explorer Christopher Columbus towers over the city.  The plaza had always been an important meeting place and cultural landmark for San Juan when it was called Plaza Santiago.  During the late 19th century the figure and pedestal were erected thereby rechristening the square as Plaza de Colón.

37. Plaza de Colón

Puerto Rico’s second most famous, yet equally important, fortress covers a large amount of terrain.  Fuerte San Cristóbal (#38) can be seen from the northeast corner of Plaza Colón, stretching along Muñoz Rivera Ave. and Norzagaray St., where the main entrance is located.  Built in the 1600’s as a way of preventing another successful land invasion - as the Dutch had accomplished in 1625 - the expansive fortifications occupy a huge territory on the northern part of the city.  Even if you’ve already seen El Morro, visitors should not pass up the opportunity to explore the lesser known San Cristóbal.  The vantage points towards the Atlantic Ocean and La Perla, and the superior views of the city and bay from El Caballero - the fort’s highest point - give San Cristobal an identity all it’s own.

38. Fuerte San Cristóbal

Our last stop in our Old San Juan Walking Tour lies just a bit beyond the city proper, but still easily accessible.  In fact, El Capitolio de Puerto Rico (#39) is probably one of the first landmarks you’ll see if you enter Old San Juan through Muñoz Rivera Ave.  The building is not yet 100 years old, but still manages to exude a timeless quality through its architecture.  It serves as the home of the Legislative branch of government, the Senate, and House of Representatives and it also contains the original document of the Puerto Rican Constitution.

39. El Capitolio de Puerto Rico

And with this our tour is done.  We’ve traversed through all the major historical sites, museums and places of interest in Old San Juan, but there are still many more waiting to be discovered by you.  Run amok through town; as we’ve said before there is no better way to enjoy this glorious city than to explore it on your own terms.  We hope this walking tour will better prepare you to be your own guide!

Puerto Rico is famous for many things but it is probably best known for producing some of the world’s finest rums.  With that in mind, here’s a brief primer about everything you might want to know about rum (but were afraid to ask) including: cocktails, brands, history and culture.

I’m willing to bet most visitors to Puerto Rico come for the beaches, the weather, the historical sites and the natural wonders.  But in the back of their minds they’re probably thinking “Hmm, I’ve heard they make some good rum down there on the island.  I think I’ll try some when I’m there”.  So, even though they don’t come exclusively FOR the spirit, it’s undoubtedly a persuasive attraction.  And, really, who can blame them.  Puerto Ricans do not take it for granted that they live on an island that produces high-quality product, we consume it without prejudice.  It’s not a stretch to consider it an intrinsic part of our culture - and of the Caribbean’s as a whole - as much as wine is part of the French way of life, or vodka in Eastern Europe.  Rum serves as a link to our past, both the mythical and the real; from the decks of pirate ships to the sugarcane fields of the centrales azucareras.

Although antecedents of rum production can be traced back to centuries before the European arrival into the New World, the beginnings of what we now know as rum are a direct effect of the colonization process of the Americas.  The world-wide demand for sugar led to an expansion of the mono-culture of sugarcane all along the Caribbean islands and places like Brazil.  Molasses, the by-product from the refinement of sugar, was so readily available it began to be fermented and distilled; thus, rum was born.  Cheap and intoxicating, the spirit’s appeal was widespread, and what was once boot-legged and illegal became a money-making venture.  By mid-19th century, the Bacardi company and the Serralles family were already producing high-quality rum and continue to do so to this day.  If you find yourself in the southern city of Ponce, be sure to check out Castillo Serralles - a 20th century mansion that was the family home and now serves as a museum and cultural landmark.

Museo Castillo Serrallés

So, now you know a bit about rum’s origins, it’s history. Now, you want to try some.  The two most popular rums are made on the island:  Bacardi - the world leader in rum sales - has a plant in the city of Cataño, just across the bay from Old San Juan, that gives guests regular tours of the facilities (trust me, it’s a nice day trip if you can squeeze it into your schedule).  In Old San Juan you can find Casa Don Q, a museum dedicated to the Serralles family and its flagship product, Ron Don Q - the island’s top-selling rum.  Also, the Rums of Puerto Rico Tasting Bar, located in the same building, offers visitors a chance to try several cocktails made from the wide variety of products available. Try any combination of drinks from Cuba Libre, Piña Colada, Daiquiris, Mojitos and anything else you can think of, don’t be shy, the first drink is complimentary and it’s a fine way to learn what to order whenever you go to another bar.  Though Bacardi and Don Q are the most popular potent potables, they are by no means the only ones available: Ron Barrilito (in two or three star varieties) is a classic gold rum perfect for sipping on the rocks or with a mixer, Palo Viejo and Ron Llave are also popular options.

Festivals, such as the Taste of Rum inaugural festival and competition, are a perfect way of relishing the pleasures of rum to the maximum.  The Taste of Rum will be held during Memorial Day weekend at Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan and is a unique chance to experience everything the island has to offer: great food, great crowds, and, of course, great rum.

As spring turns into summer, and the skies begin to clear up, the time-honored tradition of kite flying returns to occupy open spaces all around Puerto Rico.  The most popular spot on the island for this type of activity is the wide, open field of El Morro.  The area around the historical landmark contains all the necessary conditions for successful kite flying in a picturesque setting: the sprawling green lawn, the unobstructed airspace (no power lines or aircraft), and the constant, unrelenting trade winds.  With these characteristics, it’s no wonder why kite flying in El Morro is something every Puerto Rican family tries at least once.  Picnics are commonplace with parents and children participating in the event; the terrain strewed with blankets, chairs and coolers, the sky dotted with simple or fantastical chiringas - as the flying objects are locally known.

Kite flying is such a beloved leisure activity that the National Park Service has an annual Kite Festival celebrating the tradition, as well as raising awareness about the environmental repercussions we can avoid by being mindful of our surroundings.  In fact, kite safety and etiquette are things you should familiarize yourself with before setting out.  With the knowledge at hand, you’ll be able to better enjoy the experience.

And what else do you need to enjoy the experience?  A kite, of course!  Kites are fairly simple to make right at home, so you can certainly turn your weekend into a full-fledged experience by making your own kite and proudly displaying your unique creation up in the sky.  You can also bring your own store-bought flying sensation or buy one from the numerous street vendors (or the local pharmacy or toy store) lining the streets around El Morro and the Plaza del Quinto Centenario.  Gayla is one of the most trusted brands for cheap yet incredibly sturdy and easy to assemble kites - and their classic designs like the ‘Baby Bat’ look great when displayed up above. Readily available in Old San Juan for less than five dollars, there is a lot of fun to be had on the cheap!

Kite-flying season runs ostensibly from mid-spring to late summer and isn’t just focused on El Morro.  Several other municipalities, like Fajardo and Lajas, celebrate the season with festivals of their own.