Puerto Rico 101

When visiting new places, Anne and Mark almost always learn new things.  Sometimes tour guides or locals explain things to Anne and Mark, but usually they just figure it out on their own.  This is the case in any new place they visit, but for some reason they feel like they may have learned an extra large amount on their visit to Puerto Rico.  For example, in the photo above, a local lizard poses on a sign that says "Bienvenidos."  After taking the picture, Anne and Mark realized that they had just learned not only that lizards could pose for pictures, but also that apparently, 'Bienvenidos' is the magic command that makes them stand perfectly still.  Who knew?

Not every lesson was quite that profound.  For example, one day on the beach, Anne and Mark learned the importance of knowing where your light source is when taking a picture.  

At least we think this is Anne and Mark...

They are still not sure where the light source is supposed to be relative to the subject of the photo, but they did learn that this arrangement doesn't really work.  Live and learn.

They also learned some specific things about religion and the holidays in Puerto Rico.  For example, they learned that even in January, it can be too sunny to take a decent picture of the Christmas tree.

El Tannenbaum?

One day, Anne and Mark visited a local landmark cathedral that dated back to the Spanish colonial days.  There was certainly a lot for them to learn there.  For example, they learned that angels can have multiple different haircuts ...

Cherubim with the 'bowl cut,' Seraphim get the curls?

... and that some religious sculptures include territorial flags (Anne and Mark had of course seen religious sculpture with state and national flags, but never flying the colors of a territory).

Mary, Jesus and La Bandera

Anne and Mark also visited some of the national monuments located on Puerto Rico.  In the old section of San Juan, Anne and Mark visited the two old Spanish forts there, the Castillo San Cristobal and the Castillo San Filipe Del Morro.  While touring these facilities now under the control of the US National Park Service, Mark learned that if you fall down on the staircase (even as a joke) ....

.... a park ranger will come over to check on you and offer assistance.

"Um, no, I was just joking, no need for an ambulance...."

In addition to the protection and service of the national park service, Anne and Mark also learned a bit about the services provided by the local governmental authorities.  In particular, Anne and Mark learned that the authorities governing the public beaches in Puerto Rico are wildly optimistic, but a bit strict.  Consider this (actual, non-photoshopped) photo of a sign taken at a public beach on the eastern end of the island:

Notice anything noteworthy?  That the sign is all in Spanish?  True, but this is not that surprising since most everything on the island is in Spanish.  It's what they speak there.  Anything else?  That word - Bienvenidos - they must be telling a lizard to pose...  Anything else?  How about that picture on the top row, on the left.

Seems a bit optimistic to expect enough snow, especially this close to the El Nino year...

Admittedly, Anne is an Iowa native and Mark is from the great state of Minnesota, so they may be biased.  But to our midwestern adventurers, that looks an awful lot like a snowmobile.  

And consider this other symbol on the sign:

As you can imagine, Anne and Mark did not frolic on this particular beach.  Two reasons.  First, the beach appears to prohibit.... well, women and men.  Bummer.  Second, the beach appears to allow snowmobiles.  While Anne and Mark did remember their cameras and flip-flops, they could not fit the snowmobile into the carry-on.  Too bad.

Lastly, and most importantly, Anne and Mark learned a few things about the people who actually live in Puerto Rico.  All in all, they were very friendly.  They seemed to be having a great time and enjoying life.  For example this guy:

Anne and Mark also learned that this guy was not moving until he got a dollar.

Someday - any day - Mark hopes to be half as happy as that guy appeared to be.  Carry on, my friend.

And why would the people of Puerto Rico not be happy?  Great weather, no federal income taxes.  What else could you ask for?  Anne and Mark learned that in addition to the aforementioned tax advantages, the people of Puerto Rico also enjoy the finer things in life.  For example, a bottle of booze that goes for about $2K and air conditioning in their cars.

This is the life.

I'll have a case, please

Seems legit.