Meditation on experience, Puerto Rico

I was haunted by my memory of this small fellow. I saw him on the beach several days ago and blogged about it yesterday. No doubt in some strange way, I saw myself as a child again on the beach... in the sun with the water coming up to my feet. Just enjoying the grit of the sand, the heat of the sun and the sound of the water as it moves up and recedes. It was a kind of look back for me to a time I now only dimly recall.

Then early this morning I was looking at an on-line photographic magazine called "burn" and saw a lengthy photographic essay by Bob Black called Bones of Time. The essay is an extended meditation on memory and the passage of time... and identity. Bob cited a Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, who is quoted as writing:

“What we see is not made of up of what we are seeing but rather from what we are.”

For me this was a deep truth. What we see and experience has less to do with the actual external "truth" of the context and is more so a reflection of something about who we are. What we bring to the experience. As we bring forward shaping past experiences to our immediate present, we need to find some space to remain open to the direct and immediate reality that is in front of us. I think the Buddhists call this space, "nothingness" or perhaps "emptiness." No judgment, no thought, no affect... no self... only openness.

Sunset, Steps Beach, Puerto Rico

Today I just felt like a sunset. We have been having a run of wonderful sunsets. Rincon is known at the town of beautiful sunsets. One of the treats here is to head to the beach at sunset... or your favorite watering hole with a beach view and just enjoy the end of the the day. We stood out on the beach today with our guests and watched the sun go down...spectacular!

Where Childhood is alive, Puerto Rico

Today, I went walking on the beach. I stopped by some of my favorite beaches, Steps Beach and the Balneario beach. I like them because they seem to attract families, mothers and children, unlike the active surfing beaches. I was looking for a reminder of innocence.

I was reminded of a verse of a poem ... it went like this:

We took it all for granted
When childhood was alive
We hadn’t a worry in the world
When childhood was alive...

The girl pictured above was on the beach with her sister and mother. When you are with family and have a lollipop... still wrapped, can the world be anything other than right?

At Pools Beach, Rincon, Puerto Rico

Pools Beach is a north facing Rincon surfing spot that seems to attract surfers and their admirers. Its a pretty safe surf break and there is plenty of sand to stretch out on. This morning the clouds were thick and threatening but the rain held off until later in the afternoon. Perhaps the word for the atmosphere today was "unsettled." Plenty of promise, much to see... and a possibility that it could go either way.

On the Beach at Night, Alone. (Puerto Rico)

Last night I went for a walk on the beach... alone... but for my camera and made this photograph. I titled it, "Five Posts."

I left the Lemontree just before sunset and stayed on the seashore, photographing, watching, experiencing the night fall on the sea. As I watched and waited, I recalled a couple of poems by Walt Whitman... one of which is the same as the title of this entry. I looked up the first lines of the poem which go:

"ON the beach at night alone,
As the old mother sways her to and fro, singing her husky song,
As I watch the bright stars shining—I think a thought of the clef of the universes, and of
the future."

You can read the entire poem here.

I may not have thought of the clef of the universe but the walk back in the dark... with the tide rising... and dinner waiting, was cleansing. The beach was deserted. A soft breeze rustled a the leaves of the trees along the shore and it was if they were coming along home with me like a faithful dog keeping his master company. The stillness of the night, the sound of the heartbeat of the sea, the feel of the cool, the night air... and then, I was home.

Amazing Vegetation on the beach in Puerto Rico

Vegetation here in Puerto Rico is amazing. Plants will grow anywhere and everywhere. This tropical almond tree is a tenacious old tree and you can see it is growing right next to the decking of this beach house. The roots are spreading out across the beach and frequently are bathed with salt water and yet...it still thrives. The bark of the roots becomes smooth and gets a beautiful patina from the washing water and wind. The bark on this tree looks more like driftwood than a living tree! Check out this site for more information on tropical almonds.

Some days just require a beverage at lunch. I was looking around town today, doing errands, and stopped by the Villa Cofresi... and its popular beach side Tiki bar. There were plenty of people in the water... it was like a pool and plenty of people were relaxing on this long weekend.

Oh... that's right, what do I mean long weekend? Monday here is the commemoration of the birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos. Hostos was a fiery revolutionary who advocated the independence of Puerto Rico from Spain and then a Confederation with Cuba and the Domincan Republic. He died 5 years after the United States acquired Puerto Rico from Spain. He is a national hero. You can check out some particulars here.

The hand with the bottle... not mine... honest. Just saw the frame and took the shot.

Fishing boat in Puerto Rico

Walking down the beach from the Lemontree is always fun. Each time we pass this boat we smile…how joyful this boat is and how happy its owner must be to step into it and go out and fish. You can see in the photograph that he has a wench to pull it in and out of the ocean and up onto the beach. All boats must be registered and are given a number and a seal that you see here. This fellow has also named his boat. He has named it Cucaracha. We don't know why he named his boat this but the song "La Cucaracha" is of Spanish origin.

The most traditional Spanish version is as follows:

La cucaracha, la cucaracha,

Ya no puede caminar

Porque no tiene, porque le falta

Las dos patitas de atras

English

The cockroach, the cockroach,

Can't walk anymore

Because it doesn't have, because it's lacking

Its two back feet

This boat isn't walking...its gliding over the waves!

We see fishermen almost daily out with their nets and lines and some sell fish by the side of the road. If you are really lucky, one of them will become your friend and you will be on the “short list” for lobster and fresh fish!

Dia de los Reyes - Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico

Today is Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico... and throughout the Latin American world. In the non- Latin Christian tradition, the sixth of January marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and the day is known and is celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany. The day marks the arrival of the wise men, traveling from the east, to worship the infant Jesus.

In Puerto Rico the arrival of the Three Kings is the real deal. This is the big day. The U.S. Post Office, banks, supermarkets and most shops and restaurants and all government offices are closed. The night before... we heard the parade caravans, complete with lights and sirens... featuring Kings who throw small bags of candy to those on the roadside. And, "yes," we caught ours!

Traditionally, children will cut some grass on Three Kinds Eve leave it (the hay) under their beds along with some water and maybe a carrot. These offerings are for the camels who are ridden by the Kings. In the morning, the hay and water have gone and (if you have been good) are replaced by presents. For the adults, the real action is the night before... amazing parties lasting into the wee hours of the sixth are typical... along with musical parrandas going house to house.

Today, the seas were calm and the temperature was very moderate. We took a swim in the ocean...after all, what is Dia de los Reyes in Puerto Rico without a swim in the calm waters surrounding the island?!

First Morning

Slept in a bit, till 7:45, and then got up some coffee and tea and then a walk down the beach. This morning the sea was flat calm, almost glassy in places. The walk along the beach was serene and tranquil. Not many people were up and the only sounds were those of the gentle waves lapping the shore.

Truly... if I had a New Year's wish it would be that more people could have had the comfort and tranquility of a morning walk by the sea on this the first day of the new year.

New Year's Eve, December 31 2008

I am writing this in the last hours of the the last day in a difficult year. Tonight we will all celebrate the birth of the new year, reflect on the past and come to resolutions for the new year to come. The usual resolutions frequently concern our appearance and health, reforming unproductive habits or caring for others.

For a different take, I decided to see what some others thought about New Year's Eve Resolutions. Enjoy.

"The New Year, like an Infant Heir to the whole world, was waited for, with welcomes, presents, and rejoicings." – Charles Dickens

"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." – T.S. Eliot

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

"But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year-old habits." - Andre Gide

"I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me." – Anaïs Nin

"We meet today, To thank Thee for the era done, And Thee for the opening one." - John Greenleaf Whittier

"Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account." - Oscar Wilde

Of these I think we will close out the year with Robert Burns:

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

Happy New Year All

On reflection

These brackish ponds are formed during the dry session when the small streams that empty into the ocean become blocked with sand. You can see them as one walks along the beach. These beach walks provide some guests with the opportunity for reflection about the big things in life... and where one fits in, how one is to live in the world and how the events and happenings of life are to be understood.

Here are some things to consider in a reflective beach walk.

Without judgment, open yourself to the experience be it with puzzlement, joy, surprise, or confusion. How might things be different, how might one deepen and experience more fully... where do we go from here, how do I move from thought to action... what will be the first, small step?

Footprints in the Sand

Today, we are again, seaside...living by the ocean. This morning I went for a walk along the water's edge. Not a long walk, not a therapeutic walk, not a power walk, not a walk for health... just a simple walk. A walk to clear my mind, a walk to center me, a walk that reminded me why I am here.

I have made the walk on the Lemontree Beach many times down towards the Rincon Beach Resort, about 20 minutes away. Today I brought a pocket camera and at one point turned around, knelt down and made the photograph you see here. I use the camera as my minds eye to help me see. To see more clearly through the clutter and to remind myself of the basics, for focus and to see again, and sometimes, I'll actually press the shutter...

Solitary walks have a meditative quality... quite different than when one walks with anyone else. There is a strong reflective and spiritual possibility in these walks... and I am reminded by a meditation you can read here.

Sometimes these walks just feel right, for the body and the mind. This is what happened this morning.

Parranda Dancers

Having arrived at our first stop, the trucks found parking on the side yard of the large private house. Parrandas visit homes of the ill and infirm as well as those in private residences and commercial businesses who pay the parranda for stopping and playing. At the "paying" stops food and drink are provided for all participants. As we were still being dogged by rain showers (which is very unusual for this time of the year), the dancers deployed in the huge covered space under the house and got to it. Each parranda will have a theme and distinctive name. Our parranda has a religious sub-theme with some of the outfits decorated with religious iconography. A member is both invited to participate and then will pay to support the parranda. Our parranda was all male although some others are mixed. The picture above is of a locally famous dancer... with great moves.



Parrandas also may have children participate. The child's fee is paid just like the adults and the youngsters participate along with the others.

Parranding isn't "Christmas Caroling "or "Seranading" but its own special experience. With the aguinaldos, seises, and traditional favorites blaring forth from the musicians' truck and loudspeaker, the swirling and brightly dressed dancers, the beverages of all sorts flowing and yummy foods being served, it is an exhilerating and exciting experience. No one can keep still when the music starts and before long, we were all moving to the music!

Parranda in San Sebastian

We were invited today to participate in the caravan of the oldest Parranda in San Sebastian, (a small hill town about 40 minutes north and east of Rincon). Parrandas grew up in Puerto Rico from an earlier tradition of small groups of local musicians, playing traditional handmade instruments going from house to house in their neighborhood or barrio. From morning until the wee hours of the night. everyone sings and drinks and dances and plays together for a succession of days around Christmas and Three Kings day. Our parranda Los Nietos de Papa, (The Grandsons of the Father) was delayed today because of rain... but the rain passed and at about 12:30 p.m., we were off. From the picture above you can get an idea of the size of the basic truck. This one was just for the musicians, and you can see them getting ready to play.



As is tradition, before going everyone was fed... an asopa de pollo (chicken stew), empanadillas, beer and other beverages. The second part of this parranda is the dancers. The fellow above is clearly getting ready for a great day. The dancers go in there own open air flatbed... all decorated with lights and bunting and signs.



The follow up vehicle is an enormous sound truck. This one has a hydrolic lift that can raise the speakers well above a crowd for maximum sound projection. Here it is pictured at our first stop, a private residence about 2 miles distant from the kick-off point. Here we again began with a prayer and a buffet of food and beverages by the residence. After much song and merriment, the three vehicles of the parranda, followed by two trailers carrying advertising signs of the businesses that sponser the parranda, and a host of cars blaze along, with sirens, horns, lights and music, to the next stop. More tomorrow...

Christmas Party in the Puntas

Our Christmas Day ended with a joyous Christmas party at the home friends who live in the Puntas section of Rincon. Of course, all of the "usual suspects" were there...one of the great things about these events is the chance to catch up with friends, both year-round residents and snowbirds who return for the winter season. Rincon is a very friendly place and if you are here for even a day or two, you will find new friends.

We enjoyed a traditional "American" Christmas menu (yes, it is possible to find traditional US fixin's here in Puerto Rico!) - turkey with dressing, sweet potatoes with peaches, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, an incredible organic salad and so forth... along with many desserts, and a good bit of wine. Almost everyone, year-round residents and snow birds, has well equipped kitchens so most of the desserts and appetizers were brought by guests. A great chance to taste special treats.


On our way home, we passed other homes alive with families and friends all celebrating the day. The smells of turkey and lechon were in the air and parrandas were busily playing the well-known Christmas aguinaldos of Puerto Rico and the traditional Christmas carols. Little Rincon was alive with activity and joy celebrating this Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas - 2008

Irene has found a new spot... and, while taken last night, seems to be the right image for today.

Its Christmas morning. A swell is in... about 5 feet on the Atlantic side of Rincon, so it looks like a great morning for the surfers. Check out the live feed here. Now, the temperature is in the mid 70's and will probably get up to 80 in the afternoon. The sun is bright and the breezes gentle...a grand morning in the tropics.

On our beach, the Caribbean side, it is much calmer and before long I expect to see Lemontreeers and others in the water. Its quiet now... people are sleeping a bit longer, recovering from whatever party they attended last night.

After our fun parranda last night here at the Lemontree, we are taking the morning slowly ourselves and later on we have been invited to a Christmas party for dinner with friends.

Our wish today for you and your family and all in your extended circle, is peace, health and tranquility.

Lemontree Christmas Eve Parranda

This evening we had a real Puerto Rican Christmas Eve celebration with some friends and guests at the Lemontree. Though in the winter season we typically have a weekly wine and cheese gathering, what made this evening special was the playing of typical Puerto Rican instruments by Bella Jane on the Tiple, Charlie on the Cuatro, and Kathryn on the recorder. The rest of us chipped in with percussion... the guiro, the rhythm sticks, the tambourine, bells and the maraca. The musicians led us in some carols and later we belted out several rounds of jingle bells. We had our own parranda right here at the Lemontree.

Puerto Ricans are known for their unforgettable "parrandas or trullas navideñas." A parranda is when a small group of friends gathers together to "asaltar" or surprise another friend. It's the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, cuatros, tiples, tamboriles, güiro, maracas, or palitos. And they all sing. Puerto Ricans play traditional aguinaldos or Puerto Rican Christmas songs and have a very enthusiastic holiday spirit. Next year, Lemontreers will play some aguinaldos!

Towards the end of the performance as the sun was setting Captain Ted fired up the grill and we enjoyed hamburgers, wine, and salad. With the sun setting and much talk and fellowship, all had a good time, relaxed and with spirit as we moved into the tropical dusk and evening.

Innocence and the Christmas Sprit

I wanted to show a picture of the way many here celebrate part of the Christmas holiday. It is a long holiday running roughly from the 15th of December to Three Kings day which is in early January. Foremost it is a family holiday, with parties that involve the extended family and friends, and usually neighborhood parties as well. Here everyone knows all their neighbbors. Frequently a host will pay local musicians to come and play their instruments and usually there is a singer as well. A pig is cooked, beer is drunk. Many parties are begun with a prayer and dedicated to those who have passed during the year. Then the party begins and continues into the early morning hours. Of course people will attend Mass if they are Catholic, and for other Christian denominations... special services, most with music and song. I think this is what is known as the spirit of Christmas.

Also, and this is what the picture above is about for me, there is true innocence. The simple pleasure of being in the water with children and mothers and fathers. Family and friends being together.

Diving at Crashboat

When people think of diving on the west coast they think about Desecheo Island off the coast of Puerto Rico. True, Desecheo is an outstanding destination, but is that all? If you are interested in a good, fun, and easy shore dive then consider Crashboat. Crashboat is located in Aguadilla about 20 minutes north of Rincon. You can rent gear, tanks and weights at either Taino Divers in Rincon or at PR Technical Dive Center in Aguadilla. The site consists of platforms, one of which is sunken. The bottom is sandy and gradually slopes down to the platforms at 30 feet on the seaward side. Now there are deeper spots at Crashboat but I recommend a guide for these. Occasionally the water is too rough for an easy entry and the visibility may fall considerably. But the site has a ton of soft coral encrusting the rusting pilings and metal wreckage and lots and lots of fish. The photograph above was taken from inside a giant fish ball... converted to black and white and toned.