el Parque Central

After seeing My Life in Ruins (great movie) at the Fine Arts Cinema in Hato Rey with M., we went to el Parque Central (de Municipio de San Juan). It's a 35-acre urban park filled with walking trails, a children's park, art sculptures, numerous tennis and racquetball courts, as well as a full length track (painted blue!) and a natatorium. It's a fantastic place to go when you want to escape from the hustle-and-bustle of city life whether by exercising or just taking a stroll amid nature! When you visit San Juan, you should check it out! [Map]

One of the art sculptures in the park is a giant red jack.

Here's a view of one of the many walking trails within the park.

Tennis is growing in popularity among Puerto Ricans. There are twenty courts in this park.

Here's a view of their natatorium from the outside. It was closed by the time we got there so I wasn't able to see inside but there's always next time!

I love walks in the park!

Nos vemos,
Jax

Parque de las Palomas...y Piraguas

Today, I went to Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan) con mi familia puertorriqueña. [Map]

We visited la Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park) where you can buy birdseed to feed the pigeons. From the park you can also see the former La Princesa jail and a great view of the old city and the harbor. Here's a map that was in the park that shows points of interest in VSJ.

I also had my first piragua (flavor: parcha/passion fruit) while in Viejo San Juan. A piragua is a Puerto Rican snowcone except it's in the shape of a pyramid and is not eaten with a spoon. Best of all, it's sold year-round as long as the piragüero (piragua vendor) feel it's hot enough to make a profit! These mobile carts can be found all over the island in areas with high foot traffic.

It was a fun outing for my first full day in Puerto Rico!

Nos vemos,
Jax