Puerto Rico

Imagine being an indigenous nation and being invaded and enslaved. Then imagine being forced to labor and build some of the first forts in the New World to protect the city from other invaders and conquerors. Imagine building some of the first cathedrals and churches- where you were forbidden to pray and to practice a religion that was forced upon you. Imagine being forced to build hospitals where you could never receive medical treatment and aid. Imagine building schools where education was forbidden to you.

Those facts are never lost on me and I imagine that all the time- and still I’m proud! Proud to be a descendant of such strong, enduring people. We have survived and our beautiful ancestors left us a beautiful city, despite their hard circumstance. So when I walk the cobblestoned streets (where each stone was hand-cobbled and laid) of Mi Viejo San Juan, it’s with that knowledge and pride that I saywepaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

In Old San Juan, 16th century houses were singlestory, had one or two doors, and had inner gardens. The second floors and balconies were added from the 17th century onwards to allow for expansion. The islet was very tiny, so you built upwards. Later, houses were constructed west ofthe area.

The first streets and blocks of the little island (islet) were built in a grid pattern. This allows ventilation between buildings and streets. Today’s modern city blocks (especially those like NYC) were modeled after this grid pattern as opposed to winding roads.

San Juan's historic Spanish colonial architecture is simply something you have to see up close and personal. Today, Old San Juan reflects four centuries of development that shapes the urban landscape. Today, it’s the nation's most complete Spanish center with Gothic Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The material used to build structures in the 16th century, including forts, is called mortar and consists of limestone, sea sand, and brick. Incidentally, The Taino People used mahogany and guano (dried palm tree leaf) to build their houses in pre Colonial Puerto Rico.

Walking through these cobblestone streets, one feels proud as one reflects upon the culture Then and Now. I look at the streets, the plazas, the main Squares, the forts and castles and think, “WE DID THAT!”

There are many things to do and explore when visiting Old San Juan. Put on a comfortable pair of shoes (sneakers are best) and just walk through its 74-block radius of beautiful architecture.

The restaurants, shops, tours, bars and clubs throughout the historic town can send your senses into overloadbut in the best ways possible.

Every time I visit Puerto Rico, I make sure to always spend time in Viejo San Juan. Whether I’m with Henry, a fun group or even going solo- I’m always happy to have come.

The Nightlife in Old San Juan is nothing but Incredible! La Factoria made the Top 5 Best Nightclubs in the world. It’s constantly makes Arthur Frommer’s list of best taverns and has been playing great salsa music in it’s 6 bars for 10 long years!

Be sure to check out my Gastro-Tour at a restaurant I have never set foot in before- La Ó Pizza & Tapas. It’s really no surprise that I have never eaten there since there are nearly 300 restaurants in Viejo San Juan. The foods they have offered at La Ó were delicious, cooked to perfection and presented so beautifully. I can’t wait for you to see the pictures!

This cute little blue shed, located at 1916 Springfield Ave at the corner of Indiana, was founded about 18 months ago in November 2021.

When we moved to Maplewood, almost a year now, the Community Refrigerator & Pantry was one of the first structures that caught our eyes. At first, when we would pass by the little Food Shed, we thought it was a business. Maybe someone selling fresh fruit smoothies or other foods that needed refrigeration. There’s something similar to that “business” in the Caribbean. These little sheds and huts (with power sources) may have a fridge, a hot plate, a microwave, etc., that are used to prepare foods. So maybe it’s that.

Then we passed by the Food Shed late at night and there it wasopened, exposed and with still food items on the pantry shelves. There wasn’t even a pull down rolling door to secure the shed. How strange!

About a month later, we saw someone stocking the fridge. A moment later, a couple of other folks were bringing boxes of canned and dry goods to the pantry shelves.

Shortly, we saw a couple filling up a small bag with boxed dry goods and even fresh milk from the fridge.

“SO THAT”S IT!”

The Food Shed is a Community Refrigerator & Pantry. It was created to provide relief to food-insecure individuals and families.

The fridge is open 24/7 and is stocked often through donations from neighbors, farm stand owners and grocery stores.

“Friends of the Fridge”, a small group of volunteers, is helping Maplewood spread the word. They create awareness about the refrigerator and pantry’s location and the increased need for more donations.

What a wonderful food source for our food-insecure neighbors. We give whenever we can, which is usually 1-2 times a month. We give surplus food(s) or buy extra from our grocer.

In an early ceremony, Melissa

Mancuso, Dir. of the Rec Department stated that Deputy Mayor Dean Dafis was the catalyst. Dean Dafis turned around and thanked the Youth. He said it was really their idea for the food shed.

Jason Goldstein, creator of Chop Happy has Been featured in various media outlets Follow Chop Happy