a jingle from jungle jane

Mi Chimchorito

Getting here - paradise - might be a challenge, unless, like me, you think life is an adventure, and like driving on mountain roads with the top down and windows open, as opposed to freeways and think of your ride as a Time Machine, and where it takes you.....once you're here you may never want to leave.  If you're in a big hurry and expect everything to run like a Swiss clock, then you'll miss the point of being here.  Because in this part of the island, the Enchanted Island, La Isla del Encanto, we value friendliness, gentleness and calm - and a good sense of humor.  So slow down already, take it easy, baby.  Take a deep breath of fresh air, relax - we know you'll come here with your city cares  but it won't be long til you feel right again.  that's a promise.  We'll tell you over and over again til you get it, "con calma", relax, sit, and remember who you are.  Stay calm, everything is always all right.    remember the song, "don't worry - be happy" was written by a neighbor on a sister island.     

a pretty stallion

Calm.......so make a stop at a any little bohio, like Mi Chimchorito, for a mojito, a cerveca bien fria, and smile, because when you're here, you're home.  Friendly, gentle and calmly, locals will ask you where you're from, and then will tell you where they've got cousins, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles and friends in every state of the usa.  They're eyes light up as they talk about their times in up north there.  Our populations are intertwined by working conditions, many have spent years in school and work outside.   but as much as they miss being north, make no mistake, Puerto Riacan's have passion for their island, my island.  You'll find aside from a massive sense of humor, there is so much pride for this beautiful island paradise.  for making people feel at home, for our relationship with the north, you're treated as an honored friend, notice please, the display of excellent manners and grace, as gracefull and complex as our music, the salsa. 
Mi Chimchorito  happens mainly from wednesday through sunday night and is probably the smallest bar in all of PR. always lots of people on weekends, lining up for their pinchos - and a cocktail.  the crowd is a mix of local hipsters, musicians, artists, and even a politician or two.  super friendly and rockin  - it is the place to meet up, find the local scene.  Traditionally bars are a meeting place to find out local events, activities and gossip. Music is played good and loud; salsa, meringue, local artists, and our more famous local boys.  the place is so cute and rockin.  Outdoors on the BBQ meat is marinating in a secret pineapple salsa scenting the air.  Note that our chickens are tiny critters - clean and wholesome and locally grown.     Puerto Rico is the only 'state' (really a territory or Commonwealth) that  does not auto-drug cattle, chickens or piggies.  So unless you've had this, you haven't tasted meats at their freshest and best.  they are better....healthier...meat on a stick...get the salsa picante, too.  This amazing place is on rte 111, left hand side.  
Viernes Social or social Friday in Latin countries means lots of calbalgatas [parade is the translation],  what is going on is a lot of people going from place to place on fine-stepping Paso Finos.  bar hopping...did I say on horses?   I love horses, and have a few (can you have too many?) love the paso fino, or fine-gaited horse.  Alongside a group of guys and gals riding you'll see a chaser truck keeping the riders covered from the front and the rear, keeping everyone together, that's also the truck with the six foot speakers and coolers of cold beer and rum.  It will make your heart beat fast to see these amazing fine stepping Paso Finos all shined up and the Amazonas (women) and Jinetes (men) prancing along.  more about those fine horses in a later blog.  
stepping off the beaten path with you,

jj