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.

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IMG00153

One of Samuel Lind’s prints…..and one of my favorites.

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Samuel Lind

Samuel Lind shows one of his sketches which is also being created into a metal sculpture.
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Samual Lind

We visited a local Loizan artist, Samuel Lind. He shared his story, his inspiration for his artwork as well as how the African and Taino Indian history of Loiza is translated through his artwork.

He is a charming and humble Artist and his space has a powerful spiritual energy.

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St Patrick’s Church

A statue of St Patrick stands on the altar of the church.

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St Peters Church in Loiza

We visited St Peter’s Church in Loiza. Our Tour Guide, Jesus, told us about the history of the church and the area. Its the only church in Puerto Rico with its main entrance facing a river instead of the plaza. The entrance was placed in this manner in order for St Peter to keep the waters calm and prevent flooding.

The Church is the seventh oldest church in this hemisphere.

St Patrick is the patron saint of Loiza. He was selected as the patron saint when the crop had an ant infestation and the town decided they needed "divine intervention". The town selected the name of three saints and decided to have a lottery. St Patrick won the lottery.

In time, when Ireland learned Loiza had selected St Patrick as its patron saint, a family which was travelling and owned many of the sugar cane fields donated the statue to the church.
Responding from Blackberry

Dancing to the “BOMBA”

We visited the Cultural Center in Loiza and listened to traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music called Bomba. Part of the Team joined in and danced to the music.
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I have a correction….

In my earlier post I wrote Loiza was in the southern part of the island. I mixed two towns on opposite sides of the island. Loiza is in the northeast. I had confused it with a town called Guanica….. Oooops…….
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Enjoying some breakfast…..

Today we will driving to Loiza, on the southern part of the island to learn more about its African history, culture, festivities, and of course, food, but before doing so part of the Team met up this morning to have some breakfast. Pictured below (from left to right) Jessica (NYC), Aran (Boston), and Brenda (PR).

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