Jonathan Rivera - Puerto Rico

50th Anniversary Edition

Table of Contents: EL Morro - pg. 1-2 Vejigante Masks - pg. 3-6 Bacardi - pg. 7-8 Old San Juan - pg. 9-10 David Blaine - pg. 11-14 The Stolen Empanda - pg. 15

Citations http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/ Caribbean_and_Central_America/ Puerto_Rico/San_Juan_Municipio/ San_Juan-1645724/Things_To_DoSan_Juan-TG-C-1.html https://www.expedia.com/Castillo-San-Felipe-Del-Morro-San-Juan. d502588.Vacation-Attraction http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/puerto-rico-pr.htm http://www.all-about-magicians.com/ davidblaine.html

The Mystery Behind

EL MORRO

T

he El Morro National Monument, also known as the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, offers a glimpse into Puerto Rico’s history as well as some of the best views in the city. This 400 yearold fortress sits on the northern tip of the San Juan Island., with breathtaking opportunities for photos or just to sit and contemplate the sparkling blue water.

This impressive stone fortress was originally built and used by Spanish colonialists to defend against attacks from the sea. From the late 19th century until 1961, El Morro was occupied by the American Military service and operated as an active military base for both World War I and II. Today, the site is has UNESCO World Heritage status and attracts over two million visitors per year, making it the city’s most popular historical attraction.

Begin your visit to El Morro with a free orientation, given hourly by rangers. The 20-minute talk gives an excellent overview of the history and architecture of the fort, and is offered in both English and Spanish. Discover why the walls are over 18 feet (five meters) thick and how it took over 200 years to complete construction of the massive building.

Explore the grounds of El Morro on your own time with the help of a self-guided tour, and don’t be shy about asking a ranger for additional information. Maps and tour brochures with descriptions of points of interest are included in the entrance fee, and there are annotated markers throughout the park.

Climb through the fort’s six stories for some of the best views of San Juan. From the third level visitors can take in breathtaking views across the historic city, and the ocean beyond it.

El Morro, or Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, is located on the outskirts of Old San Juan. While no public transportationation operates within the historic quarter, you’ll will have no problem reaching El Morro on foot. Taxis are also available in the area, however driving yourself is not recommended due to the narrow, one-way streets and the difficulty of navigation. El Morro is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and there is a modest fee for entry.

If

you’ve ever been to Puerto Rico, you’ve probably seen vejigante masks. These brightly colored, fantastically whimsical masks adorn the walls of countless souvenir shops in San Juan and around the island. The one hanging on my wall is black and pink, with five huge horns and a sharp beak. But what are they, and where do they come from? The answer lies in the history of Puerto Rico, and cultural convergence that produced unique traditions.

The vejigante is a folkloric figure who’s origins trace back to medieval Spain. The legend goes that the vejigante represented the infidel Moors who were defeated in a battle led by Saint James. To honor the saint, the people dressed as demons took to the street in an annual procession. Over time, the vejigante became a kind of folkloric demon, but in Puerto Rico, it took on a new dimension with the introduction of African and native Taíno cultural influence.

During the Ponce Carnival, the largest cultural event in Puerto Rico and an annual stage for the vejigante to strut his stuff, the characters will happily walk among the crowds, chanting, singing, and whacking random passersby with their vejigas.

(Don't worry, this is not a violent or painful experience ... at least, it's not meant to be!)

The banter between vejigantes and the crowds is all part of the fun.

The mask is just one part of the ensemble. In addition, the vejigante sports a flowing cape, a bit like a clown suit but with billowy sides that spread out like wings when the vejiga spreads his arms.

You don't have to wait for Carnival to find vejigantes. They can be found in a variety of events and festivals -- I saw one hanging out at Saborea! -- but to really get the full experience, there's nothing quite like the Ponce Carnival and the Fiesta de Santiago Apost贸l, or Festival of Saint James, held in Lo铆za each July. These two towns are the unofficial capitals of the vejigante tradition in Puerto Rico, and where many of the island's best artisans and mask-makers can be found.

While they range widely in quality, it's not hard to find a lovely mask to call your own. And if they aren't quite symmetrical, remember that these are not factory-made souvenirs, but hand-crafted works. Asymmetry is part of its beauty!

-Sightseeing -bacardi factory -El Morro -Various Beaches -THe CathedraL -El Yungue Rainforest -Plaza De Colon

OLD SAN The place where

For more info, visit

N JUAN you want to be....

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-Paseo De La Princesa -El Capitolio -La Fortaleza -Camuy Caves -Various Bars/Clubs -Plaza De armas -Amazing Cuisine

D

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e?

DO YOU REMEMBER...

B d l a i v i n a D

C

N

o one could ever forget about the one and only David Blaine.

The Puerto Rican/Italian magician has never failed to impress his audience, performing various stunts around the globe. David Blaine once held his breath for 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds to set the world record, according to Guinness World Record’s, surpassing Colat’s previous mark of 16 minutes and 32 seconds. This was Blaine’s first Guinness record, which is absolutely amazing.

At age four he saw a street magician perform in a subway; Blaine, fascinated with the magicians card tricks, decided to purchase his first trick, The Pencil Through the Card. David would practice magic with tarot cards given to him by his grandmother who was a gypsy.

Since he did not have the money to go to a magic shop, he spent countless hours in libraries researching magic.

There he would read every book he could get his hands on and continued fiddling with his tarot cards.

In his teens, he began to develop an interest in acting. He traveled to Manhattan everyday to attend acting school.

He did a few commercials and small appearances on soap operas. At sixteen, Blaine levitated for his doctor who immediately took him in for examination. When David was 21, his mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 48. It was then that he devoted his life to magic.In his early twenty’s, David was your regular street magician who got gigs at rich parties.

C I G A M T E E TR

S

His first TV special, “David Blaine: Street Magic� was born and marked the beginning of a new era in magic for television.

The special was not about grand illusions and theatrical lighting, but rather intimate miracles being performed in the streets before real people - a concept that had never been done before on TV. The show was an instant success and David was an overnight celebrity.

He has performed magic for many celebrities, such as Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Tyson and President Clinton. David has also made guest appearances on nearly every major talk show of that decade including Oprah,

Conan O’Brien, Rosie, Carson Daily, and Howard Stern. Even Comedy Central’s SouthPark has an episode featuring him. Influenced by his idol, Harry Houdini, David Blaine decided to became an endurance artist. His first stunt, getting buried alive for seven days, had the approval of Houdini’s granddaughter. He did the stunt to promote his second special, “David Blaine: Magic Man”.

Since then, David has been frozen alive, immobilized while standing on a poll over a hundred feet from the ground, viewed hanging from a crane over the River Thames bridge in London and hanging upside down above New York’s Central Park for 60 hours.

Most of his stunts usually involve enduring long periods of time without food, drink or sleep. David continues to push the envelope with each stunt.

ONE MAN ONE GUN ONE EMPANDA

Jonathan Rivera is a rising senior at Rowan University, studyng Television and Film.

He grew up in Browns Mills, New Jersey and has found a love for motion graphics and graphic design.One day he hopes to pursue a career in the field. Even though this is Jonathan’s first time publishing a magazine, he has enjoyed the challenge of designing his own for class.