Bon Voyage

A beautiful white cruise ship at the dock always says adventure.  And this ship was docked right downtown Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Not at a long dock into the harbor, but nose to sidewalk.  It's a very imposing sight if you're walking around and suddenly come upon this huge bulk right next to the street.  There's a hotel right across the street.  Can you imagine waking up in the morning, opening the shades and here's this big ship staring at you if you were on one of the lower floors.

"Bon Voyage"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Soldier's Barracks

Talk about crowded accommodations!  They didn't even have separate bunks.  And no foot lockers, you got a shelf and a hook above your bed.  Of course this was over 500 years ago.  This fort, San Cristobal, is one of two forts in the old area of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The other, El Moro, was built in 1493, 1 year after Columbus came to the New World.  This one followed shortly afterwards to aid in the protection of the Spanish Empire's newest acquisition.

"Soldier's Barracks"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Watch Out for Pirates

This sentry tower at the fort called "El Morro" in San Juan Puerto Rico, has been standing since the fort was built in 1493. That's right. They started building it the year after Columbus made his big discovery.

"Watch Out for Pirates" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Room with a View

This pigeon had a great place to live. A nice high wall overlooking the bay in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and lots of tourists to feed him. What more could you ask for?

"Room with a View" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Puerto Rican Houses

Old Puerto Rico is teaming with houses painted in bright and colorful patterns. I think that's what adds to the charm of this earliest of colonies in the Americas.

"Puerto Rican Houses" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Your Shoes or Mine?

Some garden sculpture I found in Puerto Rico while walking around the old part of town.

"Your Shoes or Mine?" © Kathy Dunham 2009

San Cristobal, Puerto Rico

The colors, shapes and shadows of these arches draw you in to the composition. This is the companion fort to El Morro, the two oldest forts in the Americas.

"San Cristobal, Puerto Rico" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Proud to be an American

No matter what your party affiliation, you must admit that today's ceremonies along with the pomp and circumstance was awesome. It's not often in one's lifetime that we have the opportunity to see a historical moment such as this.

I think it's so appropriate that this flag flies over the fort "El Morro" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Discovered in 1493 by Columbus, the island was under Spanish rule when the fort was started in 1497 so it's probably the oldest structure in the New World flying the American flag.

"Proud to be an American" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Pigeon Hotel

Puerto Rico has lots of history and I'm sure pigeons have been there since Columbus discovered the island in 1493. And looking at the diverse variety of our feathered friends, this must be the melting pot for pigeons.

"Pigeon Hotel" © Kathy Dunham 2008