During the summer, the Company for the Bussiness and Cultural Development for the Isle of San Juan, known as CODEVISA, does not sponsor this event since it works partnered with the Art School of Old San Juan. Still, some art galleries do open late on summers and keep the tradition alive.

Those of you who are not art fans or connoisseurs can still enjoy one of the favorite party nights in Old San Juan. Similar to the San Sebastián Street Festival, celebrated on January, Gallery Nights is characterized by the special appearance of many local musical guests, big party drinks, and gigantic crowds. It is mostly located in the San Sebastián Street, but other bars around the city offer a festive crowd. For instance, bars and restaurants in Cristo Street such as Don Pablo and Bodega Chic keep their music up and their drinks on with a different type of crowd (a little bit more chic). My favorite bars on this night, “El Batey” and “Karamelos” also put on a fiesta with more of a artistic and indie motif for those of you who want to enjoy the party, but not be part of the large multitude in San Sebastián Street.

As your day to day blogger, I’ll be sure to go tonight to my favorite bars mentioned above in order to do some “research” (by that I mean, drinking and partying) in order to comment on it tomorrow. Be sure to make a trip today to Old San Juan and have a few drinks. And if you spot a short guy drinking heavily, be sure to buy me, I mean him, a drink!

Sources: CODEVISA <http://www.codevisa.org/nochesgaleria.html>

*Picture(s) taken from Google Image.

The Totem pole that stands in the Quincentennial Plaza, is one of the most recognizable structures in Old San Juan, right next to “El Morro Fort” and “La Garita de San Juan”. It has become the center stage for much of the day to day social activities, as well as the annual “Saint Sebastian Street Festival” and the monthly “Galleria Night”.

On a normal day you might see tourists taking pictures in the morning, students from all over the island mingling with local children in the public walk-through fountain in the afternoon. As the evening falls you could be entertained by the skater kids practicing their chops on their skateboards or a local troubadour who will delight you with songs for your spare change.

On “Galleria Night” you might have a hard time walking through, as the place is littered with makeshift kiosks from local artists that sell everything from t shirts to real pineapple cups. The Saint Sebastian Street Festival is the Puerto Rican equivalent of Mardi Gras, with college kids from all over Puerto Rico and the USA ,coming together for one week of fun and celebration. But aside from all the activities that go on on its vicinity: What does the Tótem “stand” for?

Created and named by artist Jaime Suárez, the Tótem Telúrico stands in the Quincentennial Plaza celebrating Puerto Rico’s history. It stands there as a reminder that history is above us, the supreme structure of our civilization.It stands as an example of strength of our culture. Its majesty is only over shadowed by the events it commemorates: the arrival of Cristobal Colon and the Spanish Conquistadores to our shores.

Today we realize that Arawaks who left South America and came up the Lesser Antilles are the real “discoverers” of our great Island, but the significance of November 19, 1493 to the European world is what is celebrated in the Quincentennial Plaza. The Tótem Telúrico represents how one tiny island, meant a whole new world for Europe.

So now you know, next time you stand before the Tótem in OSJ, remember the faces of your fathers, all of them tower in front of you.

*all pics taken from google images.

Old San Juan. A place where the modern world meets with the past, and siphon reality into timeless experiences. Walking down its narrow streets in the late hours easily carries a person into the late 17^th century… were not for the cars that litter the sides of the road. It is a pleasurable and momentous occasion, to have to suddenly stop, and look around, because you don’t know if you are still in your time. Like crossing a portal into centuries gone by.

Old San Juan’s architecture at night comes alive, taking many characters. The city becomes a Shakespearean theater, begging its people to act through it, and become part of it for one moment.

When the moon shines over San Sebastian street you might encounter a rather   well dressed mustached gentleman, who will ask to be heard through the voices of  the young. Looking at his profile in San Sebastian, you find that this man was the  pillar of a generation. His eyes show a man weary of battles, and injustice, but his  posture and composure, show that he is still fighting, and still stands strong to all  who would listen and talk.

The lure of sweet perfumes and vogue fashion statements draw men to the nightclubs like the mermaid songs that lured their great, great, grand parents into the perilous rocks of the San Juan bay. Beauty lives in Old San Juan. You can find it in the restaurants surrounding Fortaleza street or in the surf on La Perla’s beach. You can find it roaming through the bars scattered through out the city like the little stars that light it’s skies, or stare deep into its eyes and toss the world away on the bay.

The city pulls in the lives of millions of people each day, affects them and adds a page to their life script. Many never turn the page, instead they start new stories of drama and comedy, stories that echo through the waves of time.

This is what the city looks to me. I have experienced the time warp many times, and I have talked to my share of time travelers who agree with me. Romance is just a way of life in Old San Juan.

The nightlife is the spotlight, the stage is set, and this is your last call. Join us.