Dental work in Rincon Puerto Rico

Do you recall this? Is this image the last thing you remember before IT begins... or perhaps is this...



... what you recall seeing last?

Now I'm pretty good with pain and discomfort... but I had not been to the dentist in well over 20 years, since the last time I had a filling. Apparently I had fractured a tooth and the pain was growing over several days. OK it was time.

To my surprise and enormous relief I was seen immediately by Bella's dentist Dr. Tacoronte, who referred me to an endodontist, Dr. Sumaza in Mayaguez. I was treated within hours. The procedure which involved a root canal and preparation for the installation of a crown was nearly painless. Today, I went back to Dr. Tacoronte who began the process of repairing the tooth in preparation for the construction and installation of the crown. Again, virtually without discomfort.

So why is this in the Blog? Occasionally, guests require dental treatment and always consider leaving for the mainland. A mistake in my book. I am here to say that world class dental treatment is available in Rincon and elsewhere on the Isla.

Orchid at the Lemontree, Rincon Puerto Rico

Yesterday evening I went out to the courtyard here at the Lemontree and took several photographs of some of the flowers that we have growing. This orchid is not especially large or grand. The color is what attracts most people to these flowers. For me it was the shape. The exotic, sensuous, otherworldly form that caught my eye.

I made a black and white conversion of the above picture and toned it lightly. Here it is:



Take a look at the two images. For me the black and white version, striped of its natural color that shows its form and contour. The eye is not so distracted by the color.

Plaza des Armas (6:07P), San Juan Puerto Rico

This Friday Bella Jane and I went to Old San Juan in advance of our Saturday music lessons at the conservatory. Bella... the Tiple and Cuatro, for me the Bongo. But tonight, we headed out to scavenge for our dinner and found ourselves in the Plaza. In a display of technical virtuosity that surpasses most 10 year olds (well some) I popped out this picture of Bella with the built in photo boots camera on the Mac laptop by the Four Seasons Fountain and dropped it into the Blog. Why? Because I could. All done in nearly real time in the plaza... using the city wide wifi system.

Actually the temperature is wonderfully moderate, sky sunny and the night is not yet begun.

How great is this?

Rain means runoff in Rincon, Puerto Rico

When we get a moderately sized rain we get runoff from the many small streams that come down from the hills into the ocean. While a rainy episode at this time of the year is relatively infrequent and of short duration, they can be intense which is what pushes the contents of the streams into the ocean. This morning I was walking on the beach and happened upon this tree. It was quite large, perhaps 24 feet long. When the swell comes later today it will either carry the tree out to sea where it will decompose or it will push it up on shore where it will dry out. On occasion, I see family groups out on the beach with a small bonfire... sometimes cooking, sometimes just enjoying the fire and the water. It all gets used and is all a part of the whole.

Crab and coral, Desecheo Puerto Rico

We are looking at a really substantial swell to roll in in a couple of days... which will knock out diving here as the water will be too rough to make the passage out to Desecheo Island. So, thinking about it I thought I'd bust an image I made there. This particular image was made at the Aquarium... one of my favorite tours. The crab was bold and just kept on moving, pausing and moving again. I had the strobe with me that day and was able to make this fetching portrait.

Its a red crab and was about twice the size of your outstretched hand. Moved pretty well and did not seem to mind my presence.

There is a ton of things to do here involving the water... below, on and beside. This is just one of them.

Panorama, Rincon Puerto Rico

This is a panoramic view of three of Rincon's iconic sites. Its a bit difficult to make out from the thumbnail but if you click on the image and expand it you will see on the left at the horizon, Desecheo Island; then, moving to the center, the Lighthouse (its the white vertical) and then on the right, Domes, the deactivated Nuclear plant. I made the photographs which comprise this panorama several days ago, shooting from the crest of the hill on Rt 413, known as the "Road to Happiness." We see these everyday, driving along the coast and yet, here in this picture, I see them anew.

Internet access in old San Juan

This morning I was out and about in Old San Juan, waiting for my 10::30 class in Bongo. BellaJane was at her 8:00 tiple class and I'm looking for access. Access is really no problem. The city of Old San Juan has provided fast public access in most of the plazas. Frequently, I'll head to the Plaza des Armas, hide at the small Kiosko run by Bennie and have a cafe con leche while accessing. The connection is called wifiwyg.com and the password is turismo. No secret because the site provides the password. On wet days the Kiosko has large (but somewhat leaky) umbrellas. Rather than risk the laptop, I'll sometimes head across the plaza to the Starbucks. It offers free Internet access via Centennial Cable. All that is required is a registration. The connection here is fast and like all Starbucks you can overhear all kinds of interactions!