May 31, 2008
old san juan
As I walked through the streets of old San Juan, I finally felt that faraway feeling. You know the one. You've been on vacation for a couple of days and then you finally surrender, and you are away for real, traveling, letting your eyes be filled with something brand new. Funny that the impossibly turquoise water didn't do it, or the school of two hundred round purple fish, or even the lacy algae that fanned slowly as if by a breeze.
It wasn't the mofongo with the mashed green plantains or the juice made of watermelon, lime, mint and sugar. Not even that. These were so delightful and yet, home still tugged away at me, the people I missed as well as the worries that ordinary life brings.
But again, as I walked through those streets and snapped as quickly as I could before night fell, I was for the first time during my trip truly far away. The colored walls transformed into paint chips around me, the black-blue of the smooth brick street under my feet was like a magic path. The sun warming the tops of the buildings, tiny cafes and churches, the smell of garbage even, brought me so fiercely into the moment that I felt more joyous than any other day.
Is that the trick? To find these moments that seem to vibrate with life? to know that at any moment this is available, if only we were able to sink in and see our regular old world as if we had never seen anything like it before.
"Is that the trick? To find these moments that seem to vibrate with life?" Your photos captured this for sure.
Posted by: linda at June 3, 2008 05:52 PMProud to be 1/2 Boriqua while viewing these beautiful captures. Thanks for that.
Posted by: Angelique at June 3, 2008 09:12 AMHi - I am Puerto Rican (born and raised there till I was 8yrs old), and seeing my beloved island in your photos brought tears to my eyes. You really captured the magic of this island. I'm so glad you enjoyed being there!
Posted by: Allegra at June 2, 2008 12:37 PMGreat shots little lady!
Posted by: Rob at June 2, 2008 07:33 AMFunny...we just finished watching "Into the Wild." I was thinking to myself, surely I do not have to travel into the wilderness to find beauty, to find peace. It must be right here, all around me. Maybe if I just stopped trying to look so hard, I would see it.
I love your pictures and I love your words. Insightful, as always.
These are beautiful photo's. I've found that when I travel the things that startle me or surprise me bring me into the moment. Like strong oders, or unusual people, once my emotion or mind is starled all of a sudden I'm in the moment and am noticing everything about where I am.
Posted by: Heather at June 1, 2008 07:34 PMThese are beautiful photo's. I've found that when I travel the things that startle me or surprise me bring me into the moment. Like strong oders, or unusual people, once my emotion or mind is starled all of a sudden I'm in the moment and am noticing everything about where I am.
Posted by: Heather at June 1, 2008 07:34 PMbeautiful shots! the light is amazing.
Posted by: nicole at June 1, 2008 03:34 PMwonderful light and colours. and wonderful words.
Posted by: angharad at June 1, 2008 02:33 PMIt felt like I was diving into a thick, juicy novel as I read your post with all the sensuous details of your trip. I loved how you described things as outside of yourself and then, slowly, how you allowed them all to melt into you and transport you into the real live world where you were standing. Thank you for sharing your inner struggles of inviting, accepting, and nurturing life and all of its intricate beauty.
Posted by: Becky at June 1, 2008 12:39 PMsimply beautiful!
xo
Gosh, what beautiful photos! You always do such a wonderful job at that, and people who comment on this space do a great job at giving you feedback....these are particularly lovely to me, and I can't explain why.
By the way, as a Floridian, I have lots of Puerto Rican friends and acquaintances, and though I've never been there myself, I'm often told how wonderful it is. It's really got everything, from what I understand...beaches, mountains, etc. And a very European vibe, based on these photos. So thanks for sharing, as always.
Posted by: Jennifer at June 1, 2008 09:34 AMOh, I love Old San Juan!! I've been to PR a couple times. You're right about it. It's truly like going back in time, too. Where did you stay?
Posted by: Lelah at June 1, 2008 08:06 AMvibrate with life....
that's probably the best thing i've heard in many days. i love that, a.
it LOOKS magical! that light... the evening light looks saturated with magic.
xo,
j