THE FINAL THREE

Last night the three of us joined Viviana and we went to Franco’s home in Condado. He welcomed us, introduced some of his friends and prepared a great dinner as well as some great wines (of course). The evening was a great way to end the day; great food and drink, and great People.

Today Simone, Aran and I go our separate ways.

Simone is feeling adventurous and will be exploring the Island for the next five days. Destination today; Guavate to visit the Lechoneras for a hefty serving of pork and then south to, Ponce.

Aran will be returning to Boston later today and getting ready for a trip he has scheduled to Europe.

I am heading southeast to my Parent’s place in Humacao. For the rest of the week my schedule will be; Eat, Sleep, Eat, Sleep, maybe a little sun/beach, and the the cycle will repeat itself.

We are now just sitting in Kasalta, our favorite coffee-house in Ocean Park talking about what this week has meant to us and what an AMAZING, HEARTFELT, EMOTIONAL, MULTIDIMENSIONAL, REWARDING, INSPIRATIONAL, etc etc, (I can go on) week the group shared.

Looking forward to meeting up next week on the 14th with Viviana, Franco and Aran (hopefully Christine too) in NYC to venture back to my home for an eve of food and drink. On Monday we will be visiting Sasha’s restaurant in Williamsburg; MIRANDA — SALUD !!! Y BUEN PROVECHO !!!!

Responding from Blackberry

Back to Ocean Park

We will soon be sending off Sasha back to NY, but before doing so a quick swim in the ocean is in order.

Viviana will be joining us later to go to Franco’s house for dinner. We met Franco, Viviana’s good friend, who is aso a Sommelier, at a Tapas Restaurant in Guaynabo called Cien Vino.

Responding from Blackberry

Puerto Rico’s Newest Emigre

Aran displays his Puerto Rican Pride

Responding from Blackberry

Luquillo Kioskos

After a morning of enjoying the coolness of the rainforest we stopped at Chef Silvio’s Inlaw’s place which sits on Beach Fortuna. He introduced us to his family and then we walked to where the Rio Grande, which flows from El Yunque, meets the Ocean.

From Fortuna Beach we drove over to the Luquillo Kioskos where dozens of food vendors cook and sell fritters, stews, and other creole food. Below is a picture of the fritter place we enjoyed most……..Lucky #7.

Responding from Blackberry

Aran and Sasha enjoy the cool river waters

Responding from Blackberry

Aran enjoys a dip….

Aran decides to connect with the forest by swimming in its cool waters.

Responding from Blackberry

Enjoying El Yunque

We made it to El Yunque and after I took a slip on a wet rock by a waterfall we ventured on to the watchtower. There some amazing views of the coast and of the dense forest.

Below, Simone, Monica (Brenda’s Sister) and Aran pose by one of the many rivers within the forest.

Responding from Blackberry

On the road again……

The Culinary Team split up today. Some flew back to their hometowns and a few of us stayed behind to enjoy some of the island.

We are on the way now to the rainforest, EL YUNQUE. The forest hosts the best hiking trails on the Island. There are more than two dozen miles of trails. The highest peak, El Toro Peak, is 3500 feet.

From El Yunque, we will be going to Luquillo and enjoy a day at the beach as well as enjoy fritters at the Kioskos de Luquillo.

Responding from Blackberry

Our Final Thoughts…..

We ended our evening by taking a walk to the beach. Everyone sat in a circle and reflected on the weeks’ projects. Christine thanked everyone for their time, energy and dedication to the program initiatives of CulinaryCorps. She thanked Viviana for assisting in coordinating many of the project details. She also thanked Thomas, a CulinaryCorp Board Member, for his role in assisting her, Viviana and the Team.

Everyone shared how the week had impacted their lives as well as what had been the personal highpoint of the week. Tears of joy were shed by some. There were also some heart felt testimonies.

In the end we were thankful to have been part of an incredible journey, fulfilling Christine’s vision of the trip and upholding CulinaryCorps’ mission.
Responding from Blackberry

El Buren de Lula

We ate lunch at El Buren de Lula where a style of cooking called buren is used. Basically a metal sheet is laid over stones and a fire burns under the sheet.

The Cook, Lula, made us yellow rice, stewed red beans with pigs feet, stewed crab meat over the rice, and crabmeat casava empanadas cooked in banana leaves.

Responding from Blackberry