Quote:
Originally Posted by mym
the cobblestones were ballast from the ships that came from europe is what i was always told
was the candy red and cylinder shaped, like a lollipop?
do you want to stay in old san juan or on the strip by the beach in condado?
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I was only 16, last time I visited P.R. and it was in the mid 70s. If I remember, the candy was not in the form of a lollipop, but it was in little squares. *I think* that they may have been chopped of a larger block of candy. Some may have been displayed individually. I loved them, as did my younger sisters. I think my favorite ones had a coconut flavor. Or were covered with coconut. I think they were in pastel colors. Pink? Green?
I'm in my 50s now. So this is what I remember.
My parents idea of a vacation was to go to a full service resort always on the ocean - if the ocean was their destination. They liked a restaurant on premises and a bar by the pool. Think of the Madmen era fictional Draper family, on vacation. My parents were typical of their era. Although, to their credit each time we visited, we did go to a non touristy restaurant for a few nights. We also visited something educational or historic. A castle?
What I remember once was ordering Paella at a restaurant with filled with both locals and tourists. I had never in my life had Paella, and it was one of the most delicious dishes I had ever eaten. (Remember, back them, American food was pretty limited to dining a Chinese-American restaurants, Italian American or Jewish Deli - on the East Coast at least, anything else was rare)
So, I stuck my fork into the lovely rice dish, and out came a whole baby octopus!
I was in shock. My dad popped it into his mouth, un-phased. I continued to order Paella on subsequent visits, but I had my parents do an "octopus check" before I dug in.
What I also remember, was the waiter, who was a student at a nearby university, and how he allowed me to order our dinner in my terrible, halting, school girl Spanish. After, he told me how beautifully I had done.
OK Hawaii vs. Puerto Rico. I have been to both - Hawaii more recently, and I can say this. Both have rich cultural and historic backgrounds, exquisite natural beauty - including but not limited to beaches. Locals in both areas are friendly and accommodating to visitors.
I never met anyone rude in either place.
When we visited Hawaii, I noticed that like many tropical tourist destinations, there are areas that it is best to avoid. We went to Honolulu, and we stayed at a hotel on the strip, with a view of Diamond Head. Across the street, was a high end department store.
That area was pretty sanitized. In fact, too sanitized for our tastes. There was a local man with a parrot. Our lids were 10 and 7 and they wanted to have their picture taken with the parrot. He was nice, and friendly, just trying to earn a living.
A nasty police officer came by and asked us if this man was disturbing us. We said no, on the contrary, YOU are disturbing us! So much for the "Aloha" spirit.
We still have that picture in our family room.
In Hawaii, the tourist area, inland, there are hotels that fast go from lower priced, to economy, to seedy. And on to gritty, in a negative way. No place is pure paradise. You are not visiting a Hollywood set that has been created for mainland tourists.
And, in each case, you are visiting a place that others call home.
However, I happen to know that there is a "hood" in Hawaii, and it is a place that people - tourist or not, should avoid. I would disagree that Puerto Rico is any "grittier" than Hawaii.
So, in comparison, while Hawaii was wonderful and a great once in a life time experience. We are going to relegate it to a "once in a life time experience".
Travel from the East (we now live in Eastern Ohio, on the PA border) to Hawaii is grueling. From New York, Europe was a more pleasant trip. When we lived in the NYC suburbs, travel to Hawaii involved a trip to Atlanta, and on the way home a stop in Cincinnati, of all places. I don't like a vacation from which I need to "recover" for several days when I return.
As someone else mentioned - there are pineapples, coconuts, and white sanded beaches that are far closer to home, with out that expensive and monotonous trip.
So, my good memories of Puerto Rico, bring me back to thoughts of beautiful beaches, old world charm, and a general nostalgia for a place that it seems, has lost favor to Mexico, Hawaii and other destinations. And, I am not sure why.
OK, when we visit, I think I would like to stay in Condado beach for part of the trip. However, I would also like to spend some time in Old San Juan and perhaps, someplace else.
Remember, when I last visited, I was a child. I really had nothing to do with the travel arrangements. So, I was not aware that there were options in San Juan, other than in the large, commercial hotels, that once dotted Condado beach.
I'd be interested in learning more about places to stay, both in tourist heavy areas - for old time's sake, and in Old San Juan.
To quote my favorite 1970s T shirt, adorned with a tiny coqui frog -
Puerto Rico - Me encanta! 
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I visited a lot during the 60s.
but don’t drive there walk or take the bus
