Life Is ...

Life is as beautiful as it is challenging at times. Amidst the chaos we may face on an every day basis, there are the consistent things that can keep us at peace. Along with the incredibly giving attributes of mankind, you will see unfortunate characteristic as well. We always have to the choice no matter what we face. I find in my most difficult times that I gravitate to the consistent and beautiful aspects of life. Like the sunsets that grace us every dawn. I find not matter how the recent events have pushed me, I will always find the peace of mind I need.

In addition we have the human aspect that at times can be interaction we need. Even if it is coming to someone in their time of need when you may not even be remembered. Few things are as fulfilling as the interaction with another where we are able to be true to who we are. But I don’t think that people come to the blog to hear what I have to think. As you may have caused from the previous statements, it has been a challenge, but I am getting through it. What would life be without a little difficulty thrown in the way? Puerto Rico is still beautiful, the weather is gorgeous and I am doing my best to make life great. Since I last wrote, I have been to Old San Juan and the old fort there. It is a very diverse history and played in a part in many conflicts over the centuries. I have taken photographs of some beautiful sunsets, went to a bonfire on the beach and had the opportunity to work with some Air Force personnel when they did some much needed work on the base. I even got a tour of an aerial refueler plane.

The bonfire was a good time, I tried to get some night shots, but with the moon as bright as it is out here, I have not been able to get any really crisp moon shots. Music, people and a fire on the beach as the waves crashed just about 20 feet from us. Other than the clouds that slowly marched across the sky, every star shown in the night sky. I got the opportunity to meet some new people and enjoy the fire.

The highlight of the sightseeing is the history of the island. Whether that is the ruins of the old lighthouse at Borinquen Beach or the old fort at Old San Juan and the wall that still surrounds the coasts. It gives you an idea of what life use to be like. Massive walls surrounded the city with only one entry to protect the people that inhabited the area. The people lived with the constant threat of invasion and the fort was maintained a constant watch inside and outside the walls. The bedding was little more than a blanket on some flat wood.

The area was known as hell for the soldiers stationed here because they had to deal the humidity and heat wearing a full uniform and armor. A little different that what we think of now when we go to a tropical area. A wall surrounds the entire coast, ten feet thick and 30 feet high in some areas. A single gate would allow entry to the city. In those days if I were to get stations 3000 miles from home, I would probably not see my family for a very very long time. I may not even hear depending on the turmoil in the area. I suppose the soldiers did not really have a choice in the matter, but that could not have been busy. The Fort consists of several towers, with lookouts at every angle. One was used for during World War 2 as a lookout there. On the other hand, you have the old lighthouse at Borinquen Beach.
Little remains of the tower that once stood there, but you can see the sturdy construction of the base. Two side have ten foot walls while the coast side has about 3-4 feet. The color still resides in the red bricks mixed with the concrete. In the center, there is a basin that looks like it may have been where a fire once burned. It is easy to let the imagine run when I walk through the tunnels of the old fort or see the ruins of the lighthouse. Like when I toured the castles of Europe, I could imagine the soldiers at their posts firing the cannons or searching for a ship on the horizon.

Finally, I was able to get a tour of some modern technology that in some ways is just as awe inspiring. I was able to see and tour an Aerial Refueler from the cockpit to the controls for the refueling mechanism. Not only is the shear size of the plane impressive, but also the loading capacity and capability’s to support an entire fleet of planes for a very long time. Needless to say, it is a little larger than our helicopters.

I suppose overall, life is not suppose to be anything, I am doing what I can to enjoy the ride. There is still much to see and do. If anyone is interested, I post more pictures on facebook. I will keep you updated. Until I write again, enjoy every moment.

Serenity

It has been a short while since I wrote, life and work has been busy. I have been out and about exploring the world I now have the opportunity to reside in. Taking in the culture, the scenery and people. As with anywhere, there are both negative and positive aspects. I can honesty say that I am most grateful for the common aspects of the environment no matter where we end up. We never know what our day will bring us, but one thing for certain is the sun will always rise and it will always set. There will always be some semblance of night and day. No sunset or sunrise is the same as it was before. There is always a different nuance to the dynamics of the light. The clouds that artistically fill the sky; an infinite variety of textures, light and scenery to mesmerize our mind. It makes me feel closer to home knowing that the same sun will set for them. No matter how many times I watch it, it is always beautiful, always calming. I find that inner peace as the sky turns from it light blue, to the vivid colors and finally to the darkness as the stars reveal themselves. Even when the day has been trying at best, the sunset will always be there.

The culture here is as any other culture is. It has the very desirable and not so desirable aspects. For the most part the People here are very generous, with what they have. You find some of the best food at the road side stands selling fresh fruit, chicken, hamburgers or any food you can think of. Businesses reside in everything you see. One side of the house is the storefront, while the other is where the family lives. The narrow streets are lined with a myriad of colored houses, small and humble. Some Raised up on concrete stilts with circular staircases, while some are a multi family dwelling right on the street. Cars are parked wherever space is available. Citizens cross the street oblivious to the flow of traffic and young men and women ride horses down the street. It truly is a conglomerate of old and new. It is civilized, yet lacks many of the expectations of order. The expectation is to expect everything, yet nothing at the same time.

As interesting as I find the crowded aspect of the culture, the scenery is what I find most interesting. The sand dunes, beaches, waterfalls, caves and cliff sides; I can see that much of view has not changed from the time this island was inhabited by the native when the sailing ships first arrived. From what I have seen in my adventures, it appears that every place is like a different style of painting. It has similar elements, but is unique in how it is all brought together. Puerto Rico is no different. The ocean buds up against the beaches lined with beds of rock and corral. Waves constantly crash onto the shore sometimes reaching the cliffs that rise a little as feet from the shore. Greenery is everywhere you look, occasionally sparse at the sand dunes, but still the trees find their place. The sun beats down moments before a short tropical storm soaks the ground.

 

I suppose that Life will not always keep you at home. You will have to leave your comfort zone, inhabit places that are unfamiliar. We can only hope that family and friends will join us along the way. That new friends will be made along the path and that we will have the opportunity to reach our potential and be the best person we can be. I have never truly forgotten where I came from or where I have been. I do my best to see the beauty of the world I see at a time, but I still miss those I have come to cherish. I have to keep myself busy, check out new areas and do what I can to stay in touch. It gets difficult at times. As I said before, there are those things that bond us, those everyday occurrences that happen no matter where we are. Along with the beauty of the scenery, the culture and the people. I can say that life is good. Always grateful to be alive and have the opportunity to simply live.

A Beautiful View from Above and good food.

There are many beautiful things in this world, the kind of things you see on National Geographic or Discovery Channel. Not to say I can compare to the photographers or writer of those extraordinary magazines, but I am fortunate enough to photograph and experience these sights. This last weeks adventure was to the Window Cave and a Food Network Event at the Air Station. How can I complain? Food and beauty in the same day.

The Window cave was spectacular. You arrive at the trail and do a seamlessly normal walk over lush terrain clueless to the idea that caverns the size of large house reside below you. As you look to your left, there is an entrance the size of a smart car with a few trees that line the entrance. As you look in you see a small light at the end, with stalactites and stalagmites growing from every surface. Heading farther down the trail line by the verdant plant life. Occasionally seeing a small lizard or a movement in the leaves that line the ground you come to a grove with two cave entrances, one to a large cavern the size of a large house, the other, a dark entrance with little or no light in the core of the cavern. The first cavern was large and open, there was enough light to get through without a light. The ground is slippery from the ever-present water drops, and mud that line the ground. There are places to climb, and not knowing what hides in the small crevices we used for grip just added to the challenge. The low light made it even more interesting. Occasionally we would see a insect of some sort or feel a drop of water. After we made our way up the ledge to the original entrance we took the rope down and headed out to the large entrance and headed for what is known as the window cave.

The Window Cave is the smaller cave with a steep and dark entry. It has some similar landmarks as the larger cave, but lack any light source to make your way through. With our lights, we were able to see a family of bats sleeping in one of the many oval shaped indentions in the roof. They moved a little at the light, but were otherwise quite adorable in a bat sort of way. After we made our way through the relatively spacious main cavern, we found our way through a smaller passage to a lighted window over looking a valley. The silhouettes of the people gazing at the view said enough for the view. Once you reach the window past the potholes in the ceiling and the stalagmites falling from the ceiling. The light flowing in to halfway cover the many surfaces the diverse cave landscape offered to the eyes. Once you reach the cave opening or window as they call it. The landscape stretches before you. The river meandering past a man made bridge. Line of trees and shrubbery follow the smooth curve of the river. Fields, Cliffs, roads all in front of you as you see the dramatic height that you are looking from.

 

 

I have to admit I had a little fun, did some bouldering although some would call it rock climbing considering the height. I assure you I was careful, but that is what you have to do for a photograph sometimes. I followed the ledge out to the tree about ten feet above the sill of the window. It was a good little challenge. Following our lightless and excellent display of teamwork as we made our way back through the entrance. The challenge was to make our way through by feel, not sight, smell or hearing.

Later that evening the good food happened. Some chefs from the food network, the Jacksonville Jaguar cheerleaders and an American Idol person came to perform a live show and cook some good food. It was a fun event. The weather was gorgeous. The performances went well, especially when the children came out with cheerleaders. The food was very good. How could a man complain when ribs, Panini, a pastrami sandwich and some other food made by very skilled chefs. I ate good that night. The cheerleaders put on a good show, but I was more interested in the scenery and food. Call me crazy, but that is what makes me tick.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend. I look forward to telling you more about this adventure in Puerto Rico. Until I write again Enjoy every moment.

The First Weekend Adventure

The Coast looking West

The Coast looking East.

This last weekend was the first adventure beyond our little area. Julio, Vicky took Tina, Karina and I us to a gorgeous waterfall about an hour from us and we went snorkeling to a very nice local beach. The pictures do not do justice to how beautiful it is, but they are worth many words.

The Trail going down to the waterfall.

It was the waterfall used in the movie “The Getaway.” The water draped over a slowly molded face forming an almost transparent sheet running down the rock face. Falling into a forest green pool deep enough to jump into from the highest launch pad. The water was colder than the ocean. Refreshing to say the least. I jumped from them all. The drive was not half bad either. Driving down the coast with the deep blue tint of the water off the coast. With the blue skies above us and the warm air, there was nothing to make it anything short of a beautiful day.

Karina Jumping the waterfall.

Julio and Vicky relax on a rock.

I jump off the rock as Julio climbs back up.

The Snorkeling the following day was incredible. The irregular array of corral line the sea bed and through a single passage, you could move beyond to open sea forty to fifty feet deep. The Corral and rock face draped to the bottom with numerous crevices, waves crashing around us as they hit the corral shelf and nothing but the sea floor and blue sea infinitely expanding before us. It was a sight to behold. There was some sea life to be seen, but the most amazing part was the diverse corral. From the very small to the very large bulbous corral the size of a small car. I went out twice. There is something very peaceful about looking under water and still able to breath. I cannot say that the free diving to around twenty feet feels peaceful to the ears, but it was fun to see how deep I could go.

This was followed by what I would call an eventful week at work. My birthday was a surprise to many, but they came through with a well played practical joke and cup cakes I did not expect. I got a call on my phone coming back to work from lunch after I worked through that I was late for a meeting and I needed them to meet them I the conference room. Much to my surprise, they were there to surprise me. Needless to say, they got me good. We got dinner that night and a nice restaurant and had a great time. Believe it or not, a banana margarita is really good.

As for work, it is going well. I work with a great team of people. The area out here is beautiful and the culture is beginning to reveal itself. Like any culture you have both positive and negative aspects, but they are as good as any other culture. Much of it is simple, but they get by on what they have. Sure you have the people that stand out as the bad examples, but for many, they are a very good and respectful group of people.