April 10, 2007
Holy Week, the week before Easter, is observed and celebrated by all Puerto Ricans – whether that is by participating in church activities or beach activities or in most cases, both. On Viernes Santo (Good Friday) we watched the empty Boqueron beach fill to overflowing with colorful beach umbrellas and families enjoying the day together. The streets of Boqueron were lined with stands selling fresh (?) oysters and other more appetizing snacks to a growing crowd ranging from young surfer types to grandparents. And the normally quiet harbor was unusually choppy from all the small boats and jet skis zipping about.
With a new heat exchanger on its way from St. Thomas and the long Easter weekend delaying its delivery we had some extra time on our hands. So we made plans to spend Saturday, April 7 with Ricardo Casiano and his family. Ricardo works at the Micron Puerto Rico facility in Aguadilla and lives just 15 miles away in Mayaguez. He and his wife Cathy, who both grew up in Mayaguez, were very gracious to spend their time showing us some of the area sites in Cabo Rojo, a Taino Indian ceremonial site in Tibes, and the malecon (waterfront) "La Guancha" in Ponce'. We especially enjoyed winding down that evening strolling through the downtown plaza of Mayaguez with its historic fountain and statues while eating freshly made ice cream (ice cream!). We had such a fun time with them and their wonderful two kids, Cristina and Ricardito. They all made us feel very welcome in their beautiful home and were endless in the help they extended and offered to us while we are in Boqueron. Another great example of the life-long friends we have made along our way. We can only hope to have the opportunity in the future to return the hospitality.
What we saw when we returned to Boqueron that night around 10pm is nearly indescribable. Cathy had warned us earlier in the day that it was going to be crazy with people that night as Boqueron was a prime destination for the holiday weekend AND there was a free concert in the beach park for the occasion along with many other live bands and DJ's playing throughout town. It was like a Puerto Rican Woodstock. People were parking a mile outside of town and walking in, in droves, because there was no parking at all, anywhere. Even though we were exhausted from our long day, the atmosphere was so contagious that we couldn't resist a $1 Medalla (Puerto Rican cerveza) as we moved through the solid mass of people. Our favorite band among the many playing throughout the small town was one that seemed to be playing more traditional Puerto Rican folk songs which would ignite the crowd to sing along enthusiastically. We couldn't always translate what they were saying but we tried to sing along the best we could. Who knows what we were really singing – at the top of our lungs!
As midnight approached a countdown began: Dies, nueve, ocho… tres, dos, uno! Happy Easter!!! Auld Lang Syne started to play and we took that as our cue to head back out to Lucky Peek. From there all of the music from shore was intermingling as it made its way across the water to us creating a cacophonous lullaby. However, before we could wager how long it would keep us awake we were out. Should old acquaintance be forgot… Zzzzz….. Sweet dreams of new friends….
