"Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning..." these are words from an old song. But, I have a new twist on them. I say, "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina, Puerto Rico, with my honey!"
Carolina is the birthplace of Roberto Clemente, my husband's childhood hero. We had previously taken a trip to Pittsburgh to see the Pirates play, and photograph (may I say many times over) the Roberto Clemente bridge that leads to the ballpark. My husband also took a trip to the Hall of Fame and soaked up all that was Roberto. But, to be in his hometown, and to see my husband overcome with emotion, is almost beyond describable.
Our trip to Puerto Rico began with a photo of our resort, The "Gran Melia" in a Cookie Lee magazine. The best of the jewelry company will be going on an incentive trip there in May 2012.
The pool shot alone sold me on the place. That, and knowing how much Mitch loves Roberto Clemente, sealed the deal. We planned the trip in February and it was a long (but worth it) wait until Nov 1st.
We landed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (which is actually a part of Carolina, not San Juan) and thus began our wonderful week. Every August Carolina honors their hero with a Roberto Clemente Week. We made our own "Roberto Clemente Week."
First, it was off to see the Stadium and then Sports City. Mitch was under the wrong impression that a cenotaph was located there. Imagine his dismay when we got there and found the gates locked. Sports City is being renovated (more on that later). We then went to the home of Roberto Clemente. We thought it was under new ownership, but later found out that his widow, Vera, still lives there.
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| Statue at the Stadium |
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| Statue at Sports City |
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| House where Roberto Clemente lived |
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| Backyard with a glove, "21", ball and bat |
After our first day of Clemente, we went back to the resort, did what tourists must do (we drank Coco Chocos which are Pina Coladas with chocolate) and ate Puerto Rican appetizers. We spent the night doing something remarkable - night kayaking on a bio luminescent lagoon.
On our second full day, Mitch went golfing at Trump International and we got to experience the clear warm 84 degree weather followed by the warm 84 degree rain. We bundled up for a few holes and kept on playing. After golf we drove about an hour to the Bacardi distillery where we had a great tour and two free samples. I never knew the bat was the mascot for Bacardi.
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| Strange nest made by insects |
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| Bacardi Rules! |
For dinner, we ate at our restaurant at the resort. I had my first of three dinners with Mamposteao (red beans and rice mixed together) and I need to find a fix here soon. I'm addicted to it.
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| Whole Red Snapper and Mamposteao |
Several days into our trip we finally found this cenotaph. It wasn't at the Sports City or the Stadium. Luckily, Mitch brought a book from home that showed a photo of it and we conversed with a worker at the Stadium who was able to get us in the general direction. After a stop at a local pharmacy, and a very helpful pharmacist, we were finally there!
Cenotaph:http://www..com/.cenotaph.html
The body of the legendary baseball player and philanthropist Roberto Clemente was lost at sea on December 31, 1972 as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nicaragua.
A cenotaph commemorates and exalts the life and virtues of a hero whose body has been lost in action and cannot be recovered. The three monumental reliefs which constitute the Clemente Cenotaph relate the main events in his life from birth to death.
The sculptural work is 30 ft. long by 7 1/2 ft. high, has over 44 full-size figures and is located in the center of the sport facilities of the home town of Clemente in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
José Buscaglia sculptor
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| Left side |
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| Middle |
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| Right Side |
After this emotional find, we went for a leisurely hike to a waterfall in El Yunque rain forest. Upon our return we settled in by the pool for a little libation. Nothing like having your drink in a coconut!
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| El Yunque Rain Forest |
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| La Mina Falls |
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| X marks the spot. From a photo to reality! |
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| It wasn't sunset, it was a full bright sun, but this is how the picture turned out |
On Saturday we headed off to Old San Juan. This is a beautiful place still rich in Spanish and Colonial architecture. It also has an European essence.
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| San Juan Gate, the last standing gate |
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| walkway to El Morro Fort |
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| Cemetery in Old San Juan |
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| I loved the narrow streets with blue cobblestone |
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The birds, the birds.......!
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On Sunday, Mitch played a second round of Golf at Rio Mar which was about 15 minutes away. The entire golf course was covered with Iguanas.
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| Mitch got a par on the Signature 16th hole! |
On Monday we made plans to check out the beach in Luquillo which was only about 20 minutes from our resort. They call it the Puerto Rican Riviera. We had to wait out a little rain in our car, but then it was sunny and we headed outside. The water of the Atlantic certainly is way warmer than the Pacific Ocean my feet know.
Near the beach is a row of about 60 kiosks. Imagine my surprise when I found one named for me!
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| Mi Kiosk! |
After the beach we headed back to our hotel and waited out the longest three hours. You see, my persistent and persuasive husband had managed to get in touch with Luis Clemente, the second son of Roberto Clemente, and arrange for him to come have dinner with us. Not only did he do that, he spent four hours with us. Mitch can now die a happy man!
Luis shared with us that Sports City is being renovated. He is trying to bring in some commercial aspects like a golf course and hotel, and improve the sports facility. He needs help and is starting to reach out to the states to raise funds.
Our "Clemente Week" is over, but not the story. Somehow, I don't think we've heard the last of the Clemente name. I can see Mitch going back to Puerto Rico and keeping in touch with Luis.
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| Luis, myself, and a very happy Mitch |
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| Mitch reading what Luis wrote |
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| Mano a Mano |
As for me, I will forever love Mitch, Bacardi drinks, Don Q Mojito Rum, Fried Cheesecake, and Mamposteao!
Cheers,
Sylvia
