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

Through the electronic grape vine that is the Internet I received information that this weekend of July 18 and 19, The National Park services are offering free tours in Castle San Cristobal and El Morro Fort!

Come one, come all! The tours are different for each site, the San Cristobal tour features a Tunnel Tour starting at 10:30 am, Out works walk at 2:30 pm and informational talks every hour on the hour. While the El Morro tours feature Outwork walks all day and informational talks also on the hour.

If you cant make it this weekend then don’t fret! There will be another free weekend on August 15 and 16,2009!

I strongly recommend the tunnel tour of San Cristobal to everybody, it’s an interesting experience that gives you a glimpse of what made these Forts so strong and how they relate to the entire city of Old San Juan. It also makes you think about what lies beneath your feet everywhere!

]]> http://www.livesanjuan.com/tourism/free-tour-weekends/feed/ 0 http://www.livesanjuan.com/night-life/romancing-the-fort/ http://www.livesanjuan.com/night-life/romancing-the-fort/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:37:08 +0000 Toxic_Lunch http://www.livesanjuan.com/?p=203

Friday and Saturday nights on Old San Juan belong to the couples. Sure, you will always see people flying solo, and groups of guys or gals having their “night out”. But even these are on the look out for another soul with which to share the night.

The lining walls of El Morro Fort has become one of the most popular spots for lovers to spend some quiet time in  the OSJ. The wall is lined with small alleys that slope into the beach and cemetery, and serve as chambers for groups and couples. On a normal Saturday night you can walk along the fields in front of El Morro, and see each alley occupied by different romance stories. Some share drinks incognito (because its an offense to drink out in public), others have late night picnics while overlooking the cruise ships that come into the San Juan bay.

Of course when romance is involved, logic goes out the window. Passions take over and all of a sudden, pants come off. The local police force is aware of this and can be spotted walking the length of the field trying to maintain order and decency.And all of us thank them for that.

But aside from the late night antics of lovers, the walls of El Morro have been the starting point for many stories involving the hearts and lives of couples who come together under the stars and above the Caribbean’s oldest military structure in order to unite their lives. This writer has been privileged to have witnessed the engagement of two different couples on top of the walls. Just bearing witness brought a strange feeling to those present, it seemed as if we were writing one more page in the history of El Morro.

For those of you constantly looking for special places to spend a romantic time, consider enjoying the night near the sea and under the stars of El Morro. But get there early! Places are limited and they go by fast!

Let the sparks fly!