Of course the parties, where family and friends are coming together to celebrate. One of our favorites are the parrandas, groups of people walking around the city with instruments and their famous songs that everybody can join in on. The plaza is filled with people, music and kids with their firecrackers until late at night. Talking about the plaza you have to mention that our plaza (Plaza de Armas) is adorned with festive Christmas lights that put us in a cheerful mood every time we look out onto our balcony.

Another thing we love about Christmas is the food and drinks. Typical comida navideña includes lechón, pasteles, arroz con gandules and morcilla. As for dessert you should definitely try arroz con dulce, tembleque and flan.

We had our first taste of the Puerto Rican tradition “coquito” last year, when a friendly bartender mixed us one up. This one is of course not the only drink you can find at Christmas time, but it is for sure one of our favorites. Therefore we set out on a mission to find the best coquito in Old San Juan.

Our first coquito of the year was from a local jeweler’s wife, after we heard lots of raves about it, we got a bottle and what they said was true. Creamy, not too rich, just the right amount of spices and liquor. Christmas had begun…

Our next taste was at the Christmas party at the Sheraton hotel. This coquito, a lot lighter than the previous ones we had tried, was so delicious that you just wanted to keep on drinking.

We tried a few more before we found the next rival coquito at a New Year’s Eve house party, homemade by grandma and let’s face it grandmas always know how do to do the traditions best. Of course it was a secret recipe and unfortunately we left the party without getting the recipe.

After tasting many coquitos made by locals around Old San Juan we decided to taste test the restaurants of Old San Juan, stopping first at Aureola where a good friend works. Much to our dismay we found out technically restaurants are not allowed to sell coquito, but by chance encounter we met a friendly gentleman who informed us his wife made the best coquito. Intrigued we told him about our article, at which point he so generously got us a bottle form one of his restaurants. This was a twist on traditional coquito incorporating the customary ingredients with some extra kick by adding things such as frangelico. This too went on our favorites list, a nice twist on conventional with the right balance as not to have an overpowering taste of liquor.

While we didn’t accomplish our mission (of finding the best coquito in the old city) we did enjoy the season trying. We have come to the conclusion there are way too many good coquito’s to pick a number 1. We hope you enjoyed the holiday season as much as we did and have a wonderful new 2010.

Nina & Nora

Siguiendo este reportaje sobre las restriccones a las fiestas de San Sebastián pueden adquirir mas información de parte de la Asociación de Vecinos del Viejo San Juan en un reporte del Nuevo Día por Yalixa Rrivera Cruz.

Agradecemos que dejen comentarios con sus ideas respecto al tema.

Aqui esta el articulo entero:

Restricción a las Fiestas podría causar más problemas

Asociación de Residentes del Viejo San Juan alerta sobre determinación de limitar horario de la celebración

EL NUEVO DIA
viernes 1 de enero de 2010

Por Yalixa Rivera Cruz

La Asociación de Vecinos del Viejo San Juan anticipó que la restricción de horarios de clausura de las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián podría verse como un acto de provocación entre los asistentes que acudan al tradicional evento que se celebrará del 14 al 17 de enero.

El licenciado Ramón Olivencia Gayá, portavoz del grupo de residentes, indicó que será muy difícil para la Policía controlar las decenas de miles de personas que asistirán a las Fiestas para que se retiren a una hora determinada.

“Nosotros entendemos que no había necesidad de imponer restricción en el horario de clausura de las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián porque hace bastantes años que ocurren en normalidad sin grandes incidentes que lamentar”, explicó Olivencia Gayá.

Las opiniones del portavoz surgen tras la aprobación ayer de una nueva enmienda a la ordenanza municipal que impone un horario de clausura a los comercios en operan en la ciudad amurallada.

Según establece la nueva ordenanza municipal el jueves los negocios deberán cerrar a la 1:00 a.m., mientras que el viernes y sábado podrán permanecer abiertos hasta las 2:00 a.m. El domingo el horario de clausura será hasta las 12:00 a.m.

El alcalde de San Juan, Jorge Santini, había expresado que esta fue determinación hecha a petición de los vecinos y comerciantes.

Sin embargo, Olivencia destacó que a ellos -como residentes del caso histórico- nunca se les consultó sobre la posibilidad de implementar esta medida.

“Reconocemos que se trata de un grupo de personas de alto poder adquisitivo, en su mayoría norteamericanos que se han mudado recientemente al Viejo San Juan y que pretenden hacer de este vecindario una urbanización cerrada”, explicó el residente, que lleva más de 13 años viviendo en el Viejo San Juan.

El también abogado expresó que las fiestas son una tradición cultural de gran arraigo entre los puertorriqueños ala que asisten niños, jóvenes y familias para compartir en armonía, por lo que no hay necesidad de establecer restricciones.

“No obstante, hay muchos residentes que sí estaríamos de acuerdo en que se limite la publicidad excesiva de alcohol, se establezca un servicio de transporte público expreso tipo machina por la AMA, se aprovechen las lanchas de Cataño y Acuaexpreso, y se amplíe la oferta cultural”, añadió.

El hecho de que se haya aprobado la medida no significa que la Asociación de Residentes desiste en su intención de que se elimine el mandato municipal. “Nos mantendremos atentos, y alertamos al Alcalde a que desista de imponer los horarios limitados”, comentó.

De la edición digital de primera hora, enlace al articulo original al pie de este post

Residentes del Viejo San Juan abogaron hoy para que se active un sistema de transporte masivo durante los fines de semana en ese sector, a raíz de las congestiones en el tránsito durante gran parte del periodo navideño.

La petición fue hecha luego de que ayer, viernes, en la noche las autoridades policíacas tuvieron que desviar el tráfico a la altura de El Capitolio y, como consecuencia, muchos negocios nocturnos tuvieran que cerrar sus puertas a pesar de que, irónicamente, la ciudad estaba atestada de público. La Asociación de Vecinos del Viejo San Juan, a través de uno de sus portavoces, el abogado Ramón Olivencia, urgió a los gobiernos municipal y estatal que establezcan el servicio de guagua tipo machina, que con éxito se ha utilizado durante las fiestas de la calle San Sebastián.

Olivencia dijo que ahora que el Partido Nuevo Progresista domina el Gobierno estatal no puede haber excusa para que no se adelante esa iniciativa de transporte.

“El Viejo San Juan simplemente no puede esperar a que se complete la extensión del Tren Urbano, que ni siquiera ha comenzado, para entonces ampliar las alternativas de transporte”, manifestó el abogado sanjuanero al recordar que para establecer el sistema de guagua expreso no habría que invertir en infraestructura nueva, pues ya existe un carril exclusivo desde la última estación del tren en Santurce, y también está en funciones el sistema de Acuaexpreso desde Hato Rey y las lanchas desde Cataño, aunque estima habría que mejorarlo y darle publicidad.

Olivencia opinó que si San Juan aspira convertirse en un centro turístico de calidad mundial no puede depender únicamente del transporte de vehículos privados ya que es imposible mover a tanta gente en automóviles que, además, aumentan la temperatura del casco urbano.
“Este fin de semana miles de turistas locales e internacionales se vieron imposibilitados de llegar hasta el Viejo San Juan, de la que tantos visitantes disfrutan particularmente en esta época navideña”, dijo Olivencia.

Añadió que, sin duda, ello afecta el turismo, “pues gracias al mundo cibernético se ha propagado la realidad de que el transporte en la capital, y el resto del país, es uno sumamente anticuado”.

Olivencia también comentó que los turistas que se hospedan en el Condado o en el Distrito de Convenciones necesitan de un sistema confiable de transporte en masa, sencillo y eficiente, que no congestione las calles de la zona histórica ni sus limitados estacionamientos.

http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/otras/noticias/residentes_del_viejo_san_juan_piden_sistema_de_transporte_masivo_en_fines_de_semana/355069

We have taste tested much of the coffee around Old San Juan, but this one wins the prize by far.
In 2006 Café Cola’o was opened by local entrepreneur Erica Reyes, using coffee grown in the mountains of Puerto Rico. This local grown coffee has a smooth, full-bodied flavor, which attracts tons of locals, as well as tourists to the little Café which is located at Pier by the ferry to Cataño.

Not only is the staff very friendly but they are very qualified too. You can tell that they are “real” baristas because they put creative designs with steamed milk on your coffee.  So not only do you get a tasty coffee but one that is esthetically eye-pleasing as well.

They offer the regular coffees like Café Latte and Cappuccino in various sizes, hot and cold, but if you are a Starbucks fanatic and can’t live without a syrup mixed into your coffee, Café Cola’o’ has got you covered with their creative specialty coffee flavors, without the Starbucks specialty prices.  After trying all of them we found the Nutty Desire and the White Nut Cappuccino are our favorites.

You can either enjoy your hot coffee in the cool, air conditioned inside of the Café or you can take an iced coffee with a pastry or a healthy snack to the outdoor area and enjoy the view of Cataño across the bay.

We know that once you tried this good flavor, you will want to take it home with you, which Café Cola’o made possible by selling their coffee beans such as a House Blend, Hacienda Ana, Seleccion Caracolillo among others.
See you there!

Written by:
The Sunshine Girls
Nina & Nora

AVISAJ

Unete a AVISAJ

Estimado Vecino:

La Asociación de Vecinos del Viejo San Juan (AVISAJ) es una entidad comunitaria para el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida, sin fines de lucro ni políticos y que se ha constituido desde el mes de agosto con la participación de más de 75 miembros. Ya se ha constituido una Junta Coordinadora y diferentes comités incluyendo los siguientes: Urbanismo y Ornato, Deambulantes, Seguridad, Actividades Culturales y Educativas, Comerciantes y Profesionales.

Es nuestra meta que tenga la máxima representatividad con vecinos de todos los sectores y calles del Viejo San Juan. Mientras mayor unidad tenga nuestra comunidad, mayor será la atención de las autoridades municipales y estatales para identificar y resolver nuestros problemas comunes.

Por ello, te extendemos una invitación especial para que te unas a nuestra asociación. Podrás recibir mensualmente información de las gestiones realizadas y participar de los comités y reuniones mensuales en la medida que te sea posible.

Lo mínimo que esperamos es que ofrezca su nombre y correo electrónico para considerarle miembro de AVISAJ. Deseamos que expreses tu aceptación al dorso de esta carta ofreciendo tu información personal y mencionando, si así lo deseas, lo problemas comunitarios que te afectan y que deben tener la mayor prioridad y cualquier comentario.

A nombre de la comunidad del Viejo San Juan, gracias por tu solidaridad, entusiasmo y respaldo. Cualquier información adicional, puedes comunicarte con el vecino que te hizo llegar esta carta o con los correos electrónicos que se identifican: solnancy@gmail.com o josevarelafernandez@yahoo.com.

Cordialmente;

Junta coordinadora:

Michelle Lavergne José Varela

Janice Petrovich Flor

Blanca del Valle Liany Fernández

Ramón Olivencia David Ortiz

Miriam Torres Dalila Rodríguez

Zaida Perez Sol Nancy Marrero

Próxima reunión: Jueves 8 de octubre en el tercer piso de la Universidad Albizu

Este es un recital poético musical utilizando viejas canciones llamadas del ayer y poesías de todos los tiempos.

El diseño de este concierto es muy ameno y representativo de una diversidad de estilos musicales diferentes, entrelazados con poesía puertorriqueña e internacional. Las canciones serán iterpretadas por el cantautor argentino, radicado en Puerto Rico por más de veinte años, Carlos Lazrte. Los compositores escogidos son: Eduardo Falú, Félix Luna, Ariel Ramírez, Brunilda García, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Violeta Parra y otros.

El conocido declamador David Ortiz Angleró tiene a su cargo la selección y la declamación de las poesías de poetas tales como: Alberto Cortez, Julia de Burgos, Luis Cernuda, Paul Éluard, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Lanco, José Antonio Dávila, Alfonsina Storni, Pablo Neruda, entre otros.

De Corazón a Corazón se presentará el 19 de septiembre en el Café Teatro de La Fundación de la Cultura Popular en la Calle Fortaleza esquina a la Calle del Cristo, al lado del Restaurant La Danza en el Viejo San Juan, comenzando a las 8:00 de la noche. El costo del boleto es de $15.00 por persona. Esta es una actividad para ayudar a la Fundación en sus finanzas para que pueda continuar su trabajo cultural.

There are various places in Old San Juan where you can enjoy a pizza. But if you’re like me, you pledge allegiance to one place, under god, indivisible, for cheapness and hunger for all. To me this place is Pizzicorre, located on Calle Luna #255, a friendly neighborhood pizzeria that serves great slices at amazing speed.

I decided to go and do some “hands-on investigating”. And the first thing that caught my eye was that the place is a little on the small side. Making take out orders the most convenient, unless the place has room, then by all means get a table and take in the relaxing retro style of the place. The tables are comfortable and the staff is very diligent, so your food usually only takes a couple of minutes to get ready. The design has a nice Grease meets Johnny Rockets vibe.

On my visit I ordered 2 slices (Peperoni and Hawaian) and a glass of beer (Corona). This rounded out to about 10$, with the slices and beers costing 3.50 each. The food took a good seven minutes to get to me and it was hot and still all gooey from the oven. The slices were slightly crispy but at the same time soft and firm, it had no burnt flavor and the toppings were very good. Although I will say that for a 3.50 slice of pizza I imagined slices like the ones pizza places give in New York, huge almost half moon slices. While that was not the case, the freshness made up for it.

Pizzicorre has a wide range of combinations to choose from, including: Vegetarian, and Greek pizza. (No idea what it is, but I plan to find out in a future visit). Also worth mentioning is that they have a very reliable delivery service and it’s free! So if you can’t make it then call 787-725-4025 and problem solved.

Hawaiian

All in all Pizzicorre serves the cheapest but greatest pizzas you can enjoy in the Old city, so bypass the fancy shmancy places with confidence, this is the place all the locals and residents go to. This is true San Juan pizza. Enjoy.

Paseo del morro trail

On Monday the 3rd of August 2009, Old San Juan was blanketed by rain. All through out the day, I’d listened to the radio tell me how I should not to venture outside without an umbrella. So what did I do? I started walking around town with nothing but a shoulder bag, a book and my notebook.

The day was quiet for a Monday, no shortage of workers or visitors, but the town had that sleepy quality that usually comes with rainy mornings. I had been walking around Calle San Sebastian sampling the fried food from the few vendors that were open when 1 pm rolled around. I was amazed that it was one in the afternoon and there was no sun in the sky and the air was still cool.

My empty-mindedness led me down Calle del Cristo and further down into la Caleta de San Juan, until I was face to face with the San Juan bay. The air hit my face and made me turn right, following the El Morro trail. I was staring out into the bay as I walked on the trail, never minding my way. I started seeing a lot of stray cats, on top of the rocks in the shore and walking through the bushes that lined the wall. Their soft meows and quick shuffles at the sound of my approach entertained me to no end. A minute later, I looked around and saw not one being around me, person or animal.

That same minute, I felt the first few drops of rain hit my forehead. Gazing up, I saw the entire sky falling down on me. Hurrying up the pace, I tried to protect my books and started walking faster trying to reach the end of the trail. And when I did, I wanted to shoot myself out of a cannon.

The smoke in my head cleared, and I realized I was at a dead end. El Morro trail ends in a roundabout, and you have to turn back the way you came. I was stuck under the rain, on the wrong side of the wall. Worst part about it, is that I’ve been to that place many times before. If I would have paid more attention…id still be dry.

My clouded sense of adventure, and the fact that the weather was so cool, made me completely forget about the impending rain and the fact that I was walking down a dead end street. I solemnly accepted my fate, turned around and walked all the way back towards Paseo de la Princessa.

I sat down to dry in Old Harbor with a liter of beer. My books were ok. And I tried to get into my head the lessons I had learned that day: 1) Always pay attention to the weather reports, and 2) always mind your feet when your brain is out for lunch, or you might end up on a dead-end and wet. I needed that second liter of beer.

*picture: google pics

Tattooing is one of the great timeless art forms. Each civilization has had its own method and purpose behind the tattooing of their bodies. Some civilizations thought that carving the symbols of the gods in their skins would grant them a view into their wisdom and knowledge. Other had markings that defined them as warriors, and were designed to frighten and demoralize the enemy. Today peoples thoughts on tattoos are mixed at best. Some get them to symbolize special moments in their lives, while other like them simply because they look cool.

Today every city worth its salt has a good and reliable tattoo parlor. It’s as necessary as the 24 hour convenience store, and usually it’s way more clean! In Old San Juan we have Senzala Tattoo, and not only is it as clean as can be, it also houses excellent skin art.

Located on 354 San Francisco street, Senzala has a quaint entrance that you could miss if you’re not looking for it specifically. The residents are Eddie, Demian, Manolo, Hendrix and Angel. (Im sure there are more, but those are the ones I could see and recognize, sorry guys).These guys will tattoo and pierce you to you hearts content and leave you in good health.

So next time your in O.S.J. take some time out to visit your friendly neighborhood tattoo parlor and let your imagination soar (or sore, whatever the case may be). But if you already have something in your mind, like a design or a piercing idea, it might be best to give the guys a call and arange for a meeting, their number is 787-722-3676 .

If you’ve had your tattoo done at Senzala then send us pictures and we’ll be glad to post them up.

*pics taken from Senzala’s webpage: www.senzalatattoo.com

EDIT: Found this right after writing the previous post.

While searching the net for information about the Senzala article, I came across a very cool tattoo of our very own El Morro castle.

This picture is from Johnny Berrios, a tattoo artist from Easthampton Massachusetts, who im sure is Puerto Rican or at least latino (his last name is Berrios, so yeah thats kind of a given!). Aside from the iconic fort, he also has a sleeve tattoo of Roberto Clemente which you NEED to check out! Drop by his site www.johnnyberrios.com and comment on the awesome art he displays on it.

If you have a tattoo with an image of Old San Juan, like “La Garita del Diablo” or something of the sort, send us a picture of it ,and well do a write up for it!

Here we have one of the coolest bars  in Calle del Cristo on Old San Juan, sporting its new Electronic/Industrial club redesign. Don Pablo has become one of the most stand out bars in the zone by always keeping the party into the late hours and always having thumping music on deck. And I’m sure that the huge drink size and their comfortable prices also have something to do with its success.

I’m sure that they get straighter as you get drunker

The nightclub ambiance is ever present, even though it might look like its just a bar. The place is spacious, with room to sit and places to rest drinks all over, so if you’re dancing, your drink wont end up on the floor. And when you’re tired lounge it up till you can get back up again.

The bartender didn’t want to be in the pictures, so I got her in the shadows

The place looks amazing, serves great big drinks, has a cute and able bartender in the back, and packs in the people as the night goes on…what more could you want?

Look at those big cups..of drinks.

So go and party the night away and then comeback and tell us what you think! Cheers!

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