Puerto Rico: Festivals and Holidays

by Jamie Rhein on

Puerto Rico celebrates two people in July. There was Muñoz Rivera Day on July 17 in honor of Luis Muñoz Rivera (1859-1916) who was a patriot and a journalist. And on his birthday on July 27, José Celso Barbosa is honored on Barbosa Day. Barbosa was a physician, political leader and a sociologist who was instrumental in starting Puerto Rico’s health insurance system.

Both days are public holidays. I tried to find specific things for you to do if you are in Puerto Rico on Barbosa Day. One thing you can do is visit Barbosa’s home in Bayamón.

Even though there may not be any parades or events happening on Barbosa Day, here are two other July festivals that look like they’d be fun.

The Puerto Rico Salsa Congress: From July 22-28, international and national salsa dancers show off their talents and give instructions. Maybe you can pick up some salsa tips.

and St. James Festival: This one, held in Loíza the last week of July, celebrates Puerto Rico’s, indigenous, African and Spanish heritage–and St. James. This one lasts for 10 days. That’s some festival.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of March 11

by Adrienne Wilson on

Are you ready for another fantastic Gadling recap of a week that was, um quite fantastic? I reckon so, but before I dig in I must say there were several other highlights to this week not listed here like how to speed through security check points or some new outdoor places in China to use the potty (only for those who aren’t shy) which were recently blogged about, but let’s go back further in the week.

5. Japanese Penis Festival:
Penis, fertility and renewal are all the hype at the Hounen Matsuri festival, known also as the Japanese Penis Festival for those who aren’t as swift with Japanese pronunciation. Sadly, the festival has come and past this year, but go on, read further and beef up your knowledge for next year’s events.

4. New Matt: “Dancing Man” Harding Video:
Honestly, there are parts of me that really can’t take watching the well perfected horrible dance jig-like moves performed by Matt Harding across the world. While I fancy seeing various locations, his dancing is just awful. Yes, I said awful. No matter my thoughts, Matt is the lucky one here and Justin has done us the favor of posting his latest dance outtakes clip and providing fans of Matt with some very tasty news. Check it out!

3. Underground Railroad Bicycle Route:
Hungry for history and cycling around the country? If you have five weeks to do it you can join in on exploring the route of the Underground Railroad with the Adventure Cycling Association or purchase the maps and head out on your own. Either way this is very, very cool.

2. Vieques: A Trip Report:
Having recently toured Vieques, an island off of Puerto Rico, Erik brings us the 411 on what’s going on and why you should get there fast.

1. Round the World in 100 Days: Nassau, Bahamas:
Slowly, but surely Dia Draper is heading around the world in a big floating city of about 900 people. In this dispatch she touches on a place not too, too far from home for most of us (depending on where home is) in Nassau, Bahamas. Which is my saying even if you can’t take off 100 days to cruise the world you might want to look into her notes for planning a smaller trip to the Bahamas, though being ambitious and following in her footsteps might not be so bad either.

Last, Last Minute Valentine Plans that Might Impress

by Jamie Rhein on

If you are really last minute for what to do for Valentine’s Day, romance and fun is just a museum or botanical garden away depending on where you live. On Wednesday nights, several places are open. Being that this is Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, you might be in luck. Many places have a café or a restaurant so you can have that romantic meal as a bonus. Plus, since each place does have a gift shop and every gift shop I’ve ever been to in a museum or a conservatory has unique things to buy, I’m sure you’ll be able to pick up that special something for your special someone on the way out the door. Pretend that this was part of your plan all along. (On my museum quest I discovered most museums have one night a week when they are open.)

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Take in the Romance of Modernism: Paintings and Sculpture from the Scott M. Black Collection for a Valentine Theme.)

Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo, UT (There is a gift shop but unfortunately, no restaurant. If you postpone your visit until the 15th you can catch the opening reception of Paths to Impressionism: French and American Landscape Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum. There are light refreshments and it’s free.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, San Juan (Okay, so the site is in Spanish. The museum is open on Wednesday nights and there is a restaurant and a gift shop. The place looks gorgeous.)

Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH (One of my favorite places in Columbus. It’s wonderful at night)

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nicols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI (no restaurant, but there is a gift shop)

Austin Children’s Museum, Austin, TX (if for some reason you want to bring your kids with you.)

Jails, Homeless Shelters, & Soup Kitchens Turned Hotels

by Adrienne Wilson on

Call it coincidence, but in this month’s edition of concierge.com they’ve listed 10 hotels across the globe with a spooky past. (Coughs, can we say perfect timing for Halloween, hmm?) After going through each one, I noticed the history of some were creepier than others depending on what you tend to get spooked by. Shack up in a past crime den, nun’s cell, jail or my personal favorite an old soup kitchen. From the photos featured one might not ever know that these places have a tale to tell, but don’t let the looks deceive you. When you’re at rest in bed the howling you hear isn’t coming from the outside. It’s the cry of the mentally unhinged resident that stayed there before you. (Insert: horror laughter.) I’m only kidding – sort of.

Check out the Poor House: Hopper Hotel Et Cetera in Cologne, Germany which now sits as a cheap-chic boutique hotel, but was once a homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Heading to Puerto Rico? Stay at the old Carmelite convent, now one of San Juans’ most luxurious hotels was once home to 11 nuns that moved out in 1903. If you’re in need of prison time look at their picks out of Turkey and the U.K., just don’t say I didn’t try to warn you of their bone-chilling ambience.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of September 17

by Adrienne Wilson on

Hear ye, Hear ye it is time again for another weekly glance at some spectacular plugs you may have missed. Just make sure you don’t miss them this time. Or else!

5. Cool Subways:
Long ago I mentioned the cool underground transportation scene seen in Tehran, Iran, but in this piece Erik points us to some so-called “Cool” subways in destinations like Moscow, Munich and Stockholm. If you’re not in rush to get to your final stop; check them out. That goes for the real thing and his blurb here on the web.

4. Puerto Rico Island Hopping:
Ah, Puerto Rico! With a light hurricane season and considering hurricane season is almost officially out of here who wouldn’t want to go island hopping in Puerto Rico? Thanks to Iva we’re one step closer in making the dream come alive or deciding which method or hopper plane works best for you.

3. Red Corner: The Horrors of Flying in Russia:
I’ve never been to Russia or flown on one its friendly planes, but I’m hearing more and more stories like the one Neil points us to in this scary piece. If you’re making St. Petersburg or Moscow a must-see destination sometime soon check this article out to shake yourself up a little.

2. Medieval Trials in Modern Day India:
Culture pieces are my favorite and this one is pretty interesting. Learn how to find a thief in India by reading this hot topic. After knowing how trials in modern day India work you’d think no one would steal, but it sadly looks as if that’s not the case.

1. Gadling Podcast: Joshua Berman:
Podcast time and with this one Erik delves into the world of guidebook writing with Joshua Berman who writes for Moon Guides, but recently published Living Abroad in Nicaragua released by Avalon Publishing. If you’re curious to know what it takes or Joshua’s take on the world of mattress flipping, sniffing and reporting (a.k.a. travel writing), tune in, plug in, and give it a listen.