I recently had seen on television a program where the characters play a game that they have to name the fifty states of the United States (redundancy excused) in a six minute time frame. Even though it is compulsory to take a United States History class in high school at Puerto Rico, I gave us a chance to break two rules: (1) it was a two player game (actually, three, since the bartender joined us), and; (2) there was a fifteen minute time limit. I though it was not going to be a challenging game, so I ordered another Rioja glass of wine and set the stopwatch in my cell-phone.

Seven minutes later, we were short on ten states. My father kept saying that we were missing “the tornado alley”, as if that would help me or the bartender. Still, I should give our friend the bartender (she has a name, it’s Jessica) for helping us with at least twenty of the states. Eight minutes later, we were missing six states only. I tried to argue my way out of my losing spree by saying that “those states were not important”, and we googled them. They were the following: Iowa, Oklahoma, Delaware, Montana, Oregon, and Mississippi. I couldn’t believe I had Maine, and not one of those!

It seems to me that in Puerto Rico we have forgotten the importance of history. I assure you many Puerto Ricans cannot name all fifty states, but then again, a third of Americans cannot locate the United States in a world map. Hence, what’s all the fuss about with the Fourth of July celebration in Puerto Rico? It seems to me we have found an excuse to lay in the beach, drink, and party. But, when in Rome, do as the Romans. So, come to Puerto Rico, and join me anytime at Rosa de Triana to celebrate any African country’s independence with a great glass of wine!