Living in Puerto Rico: My Life in Puerto Rico

Satos de Pinones and All Sato Rescue

2010-05-11T16:38:00.004-04:00

Hi All,

Its been a while since I have written. We recently moved back from to the States from Puerto Rico, but just before we left, we adopted a beautiful Sato (Puerto Rican Street Dog) from the city of Guaynabo.

When we first saw her she was had the mange, had very little hair, invested with worms, and possibly all of the bad parasites you can imagine. But with all of this in her body, she was bright, alert, and happy to be alive and with people who loved her. This is why we took her in.

We named her Puchi Perez, after the late Hector Lavoe's wife, because she was full of spunk and that Puerto Rican spirit. The first month of us adopting her we had to keep her quarantined from the rest of our dogs (2 others) because of the mange. It spreads like wild fire and we didn't want to infect our perfectly healthy dogs.

With the help of All Sato Rescue (www.allsatorescue.org) and Satos de Pinones (www.satosdepinones.com) we were able to keep her quarantined until she was healthy enough to come home. We eventually took her home where she fit right in with our two other pets. We love her a lot and we don't know what life would be like without her.

Below is a video of Puchi around the time we adopted her. This took place at All Sato Rescue. If you are thinking of adopting a sato from Puerto Rico, I highly recommend it. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask and I suggest visiting www.allsatorescue.org or www.satosdepinones.com.

Caficultura new cafe in San Juan

2009-08-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

Sitting here loving the new breakfast/lunch place in Old San Juan.

It's right on the corner of Calle San Francisco and O'Donnell. It's an
amazing place for breakfast with a great ambiance.

I would highly recommend eating here.

Puchi Perez After Pictures

2009-08-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

Puchi Perez Before Pictures

2009-08-24T14:33:00.000-04:00

Here's what Puchi looked like when we first got her. She was in pretty
bad shape.

Meet Puchi Perez (our new Satita)

2009-08-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

We first came across Puchi through an email chain explaining Puchi's
story and to see if anyone wanted to adopt her.

So my wife quickly asked if we could inquire about her to see if she
would e a good fit for our family.

I said it was ok, and as soon as I said that an appointment was to
meet her.

As soon as we met her it was love at first site and we knew we had to
have her. She was the sweetest dog full of energy and love.

But as we met her we found out she has the mange along with other
parasites that would need to be addressed before we take her home to
meet our two dogs.

So we looked into taking her and found help with a local dog rescue
shelter, All Sato Rescue. Edilia from the All Sati Rescue group agreed
to house her for a month while she was getting treated for the mange
and the other parasites found on her.

So we set it up. We picked her up, brought her to the vet, and then to
All Sato Rescue for quarantine. She come yo' love the shelter and have
a blast. Our routine was every Wednesday I would pick her up and go to
the vet for treatments and on Saturdays my wife and I would volunteer
at the shelter bathing puppies, applying medicine, and helping out any
way we could.

Thus turned out to be a wonderful experiance for my wife and I. We
wouldn't of had it any other way and to now have a great little puppy
with a 100% health certificate and a great personality.

We couldn't of done it without the help of Edilia and the All Sato
Rewcue Group.

www.allsatorescue.com (there's my plug)

Moving from PR

2009-08-24T14:09:00.000-04:00

Sadly today is the day the movers come in to pack our stuff.

The great crew from PR Packers came in this morning to pack up our
apartment and prepare our stuff to be shipped by boat to Boston.

We had a great time here in Puerto Rico and will be very sad to leave
on Sunday.

Our Trip to Barceloneta

2009-08-03T15:49:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday we went to Barceloneta to do some shopping at the outlets there. L did her shopping while I got the oil changed at a local Quick Lube and Car Wash.

While I was there, they created posters and flyers telling people to get their car washed and disinfected to prevent the Swine Flu. I thought this was hilarious, because people are going nuts about the Swine Flu here, and now even the car wash is turning this Pandemic into a profit.

Funny Ad about Swine Flu:

Pinky's in Santurce

2009-03-09T09:06:00.004-04:00

Pinky's, the famous sandwich shop that was formally in Ocean Park, has moved to La Placita in Santurce. This past weekend we rediscovered how good it was and how much we missed it.

They have a great menu with a ton of different sandwiches, salads, and mixed drinks including our favorite the Iced Cafe con Leche.

I ordered the Porno Surfer and my fiancee ordered the Goat Cheese Salad wrap. The Porno Surfer is turkey, cheese, tomato, onion, and mayo on toasted pan criollo.

Check out the map below for its current location (Pink thumbnail):

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At El Morro

2009-03-08T16:56:00.001-04:00

Today we went to the park at El Morro.

El Morro is such a great place to come especially when all of the kids
fly their kites.

I am sending this post from my iPhone so hopefully you can see all of
the kites in the picture.

Observation of a Tourist in Old San Juan

2009-01-31T11:11:00.004-04:00

I just have to comment on two tourists that we walked past the other day. Now I can't say much about where they are from, their education, their habits, or their beliefs. But one thing I can say, either they were "high" or just did not pay attention in 1st grade history class.

Below is a "transcript" of a conversation the two guys (18 years old) had about when Christopher Columbus discovered the New World and about how old the San Cristobol and El Morro forts are.

Kid 1: "Yo, when did Christopher Columbus Sail the ocean blue?"

Kid 2: "It was like, 1492."

Kid 1: "So that makes this place like 300 years old. Damn that's old."

Kid 2: "Yeah yo."

So I don't mean to judge or poke fun at his math. But I just hope deep down somewhere in his brain that he realizes that we live in 2009 and not 1792.

I just thought it was funny.

Kayaking in Humacao

2009-01-30T11:34:00.007-04:00

This past weekend we took the trip from San Juan to Humacao with the goal of going on a kayaking trip and exploring the nature reserve. Although we did not go through the nature reserve, we did take a kayaking trip through this lagoon.

First I want to say, I highly recommend taking this trip. The drive on RT 30 is beautiful, with green valley landscapes on either side of you and towards the end of the drive, in the distance, you see the Caribbean Sea and Humacao.

Once we reached the end of 30, we turned onto Rt 3 heading north towards Humacoa and the nature reserve. This trip was intended for us to visit both the nature reserve and do kayaking, but it didn't work out that way. For some odd reason, the nature reserve was shut down for renovations. This seems to happen a lot.

So we got there and found out there was a place directly across from the nature reserve that was renting kayaks for $10 per person per hour. It turned out to be the best $10 we have spent in a long time. My fiancee and her friend rented a tandem boat, while me and a friend of ours rented singles. This allowed us to move at our own pace throughout the lagoon.

At first we started through a set of mangroves into the main body of water. This was especially nice because it feels like you are making your way throughout the deep forests of the Amazon. The wildlife is so close you can almost touch them, while the water is murky and bubbling, and you're just making your way along wondering what is underneath there.

After about 5 minutes of paddling we made it into the main lagoon. this tuned out to be spectacular. It was like I was walking into Yankee Stadium for the first time. You make your way through the crowd, the ticket booth, the snack stands, trying to make your way through to your seats. But once your finally hit that narrow corridor between the seats and concession, you open your eyes to this wondrous green open field.

Once we made it out into the lagoon, we all followed each other for a bit until we decided to go out on our own and drift in the open water. I cannot describe how peaceful it was drifting into the open water, where all you hear are birds chirping and iguanas, guanaing"?". We stayed out for about an hour before we headed back in. When we all got back, we each had seen and experienced different things, but we all left really enjoying our time on the water.

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Joining the Gym - New Years Resolution

2009-01-07T14:00:00.005-04:00

After being in Puerto Rico for just a little while, you begin to fall in love with the food. The mofongo, papas rellenos, and lechon begin to catch up on you if you are not careful.

So this year I joined a gym, in downtown Hato Rey, PR. So far it has been a great place to work out. Its close to work, has all of the major equipment, and a clean locker room.

Right now they are offering "One Week Free" if you fill out this form: http://www.healthclubsofamerica.com/guestpass.asp?siteid=9417

Hato Rey
Edificio Roosevelt #147
Hato Rey, Hato Rey 00929
787-753-2332

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Old San Juan Lancha (Ferry) UPDATE:

2009-01-07T10:59:00.004-04:00

The free public transportation service has ended. The ferry ride to and from Old San Juan to Hato Rey is one dollar ($1.00) each way.

See the map below for more information about where to pick up the Ferry.

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Old San Juan to Hato Rey Ferry Boat

2008-12-18T15:40:00.007-04:00

Finally!!! The ferry boat from Old San Juan to Hato Rey has opened up. Two weeks ago the Department of Transportation announced that it would open up one boat to make runs between San Juan and Hato Rey.

For the remainder of 2008 it will be free to ride the ferry. Starting in January 2009, I believe it will be $.75 each way and they will have 2-3 boats running between Hato Rey, Cataño, and Old San Juan.

As of right now the Schedule is:

Old San Juan to Hato Rey runs every hour on the 1/2 hours starting at 6:30 AM AST to 6:30 PM AST.

Hato Rey to Old San Juan runs every hour on the hour starting at 6:00 AM AST to 7 PM AST.

I've also posted a map that includes the ferry routes between Hato Rey and Old San Juan.

View Larger Map

Newspaper Announcement

Primer Ahora Article

With an investment of $ 1.4 million users of the shipping service may Acuaexpreso to travel freely from today between the Old San Juan, Catano and Hato Rey in two new boats.

Carlos Gonzalez, secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP), indicated that the boats Dance and La Salsa, whose capacity is 49 passengers each, will join the ship La Plena to offer the service seven days a week.

"It has expanded the service to meet the needs and demands of citizenship by the maritime transport service," he said at a press conference.

The terminal is Acuaexpreso across from the stop of the Tren Urbano Hato Rey.

The official also pointed out that added another boat with a capacity for 139 passengers, allowing citizens to save money and time.

"We are commanded to make a third boat to San Juan, we have named Princess who must be coming in the middle of next year," he said.

The Secretary explained that the service will be offered free of charge until Dec. 31 and then begin to charge a fee that can hang between 75 cents to one dollar to travel round trip; and 50 cents for those who are ida.

Since it began in August to navigate La Plena have been transported about 10,000 passengers, but Gonzalez did not specify how much expects to increase that figure with new boats.

The service provided by the Authority for Maritime Transport will be offered Monday through Thursday from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm and from Friday to Sunday from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Registering Your Car In Puerto Rico from Another State

2008-09-11T13:45:00.007-04:00

Registering your car in Puerto Rico is a one day event. It is recommended that you take a full day from your job or when you have some time off. It involves going to different buildings and waiting on long lines.

Below is a rough guide on how to get it done. There is also some information about insuring your car with the State insurance policy.

Registering your Car in Puerto Rico

1) You need to go to a gas station that does inspections (look for sign "inspeccion"). There is one on Avenida de La Constitucion as you exit Old San Juan, on the left. It's just past the Capitolio. I believe the inspection - if you pass - costs $11.

2) You need to go to the DMV in Carolina. It's offically called CESCO, I think. Here is the link: http://www.dtop.gov.pr/disco/disco.htm. It's about a half hour drive from Old San Juan, and not too hard to find. It's just off Rt 3 in Carolina. You need to bring your license, registration, title. Also, it's important to bring those "tax" documents they gave you regarding the import of your car showing you paid and/or are excempt from the import taxes. Bring also your original social security card or passport.

3) You need to pay for the stamps ("sellos") for the car/registration at either Hacienda in Old San Juan, or at the Colecturia in Carolina (which is located in the State Court on Rt 3). I think you can only pay in cash. Sorry, I can't remember how much they cost - but definitely bring over $100 with you.

4) You will need a marbete - this is the road tax and it's a sticker you put on your car. This costs between $100 and $150. Once you have all the paperwork in order, you can get this at Banco Popular. You might also get this at CESCO - I'm trying to remember now!

ACAA - Puerto Rico's State Insurance

By law you do not need to register your car with an insurance carrier to make it legal. Although it is recommended to pay for ACAA insurance which will cover the state minimum. It costs around $99 per year.

Auto Accident Compensation Administration (Administración de Compensaciones por Accidentes de Automóviles, or ACAA, in Spanish), administrator of the state car insurance program

http://www.acaa.gobierno.pr - 787-759-8989

These comments are made above are from observations and personal experiance. In no way do they reflect the actual law. The comments should be strictly read as advice and not literal law.