Oye Puerto Rico!
It has been 2 and 1/2 weeks since I arrived in PR so there is a lot of things to say. First off, I was fortunate enough to randomly sit next to a cousin of mine on the same flight. To those of you who know how big my family is, I also met two more people on the flight who just happened to be my cousins (i have never met them before)
How to begin? Puerto Rico is a island with laws that are not enforced. A few people tell me there is a lot of corruption in the police and government here. While being driven from the airport, we were passed by a pickup truck with a horse in the bed, standing with no form of security from falling off. I work at my Uncles store, Wagner Trading Inc. (Formally known as Wagner Import pictured above) that my Grandfather started after moving here from Cuba. I used to visit there with my brother and cousins and we would tag (pictured above) all over the place. This is just one example. The first floor is basically the display room and the other 5 are all storage for boxes. In its prime, this store was packed to the brim, with at least 6 employees. Now, because of the economy and corporate stores like Walmart and Kmart, there is 1 other employee and only the 2nd floor is being used for storage. The rest of the floors are dark, scary, and dusty. Some boxes have not been touched since the 60’s, which contains treasure’s like this one I found. The Beatles Coin Purse (Pictured Above). There are soooo many other items. It is a lot of fun to roam around and find old toys.
I work 6 days a week with only Sunday off. I literally move boxes all day long and I freaking love it. We get shipments in of around 300-400 boxes every week. I get to practice spanish with all the customers and get exercise as well. I get so tired after work I am usually in bed by 830pm. My Uncles dog comes with us every day. Her name is Lila (pictured above). She’s a pure bred Weimaraner, only a year old, and the most playful dog ever. SUPER smart. She’s addicted to this ball we sell and will not, under any circumstance, let it out of her sight. She even sleeps with it in her mouth (pictured above).
The store is located in Rio Piedras, which has not always been the best of neighborhoods. If you refer back to the photo of the store’s exterior, you will see 2 words written vertically on the structure. These words are written on two double layered steel doors to protect the windows after we close. One of them has the imprint of a .357 magnum. The police were shooting somebody who was in front of our store (This happened probably 20 years ago and I don’t think anybody died). The picture titled “Murder” is the mark of a bullet that did kill somebody (it is the mark on the left. The other two are just chipped paint). This is all in the driveway of the store and happened yearrrrs ago. OH BUT WAIT!!!!
Last week, the block we are on was closed down because some teenager shot his girlfriend in the face. Yup, she died. AND JUST TWO NIGHTS AGO- A man was shot and killed RIGHT next door and another man injured. This is not a pretty place. I walk around to get lunch and can just feel people staring at me. My uncle told me NEVER to make eye contact with anyone - Most of these criminals are the Dominicans which moved to this neighborhood and began dealing drugs and opening bars EVERYWHERE (no offense if you are dominican, this is just how it is here). Just down the street are whore houses with some not-so-attractive ladies. When we arrive at 8:15am to open up, people are already drinking in the streets. And just today when driving home, the car in front of us stopped and a drug deal was executed right in front of us!
Now you would think people would mess with our store. We sell toys and are white, but they actually respect the store and my uncle. Mainly because the store has been there for almost 50 years now. We are legit.
So that is pretty much what I do every day. My grandmother is also here for a month (she usually spends her time in her apt in Miami but comes here every once in a while) I really enjoy her company. She’s probably the cutest person I know.
Now I only had two days off since i’ve been here. On Saturday night, Michelle Campos from NYU took me out to a house party. It was a latin party, de verdad. Catered food, all generations, open bar, good music. It was a LOT of fun. On the first sunday off, old family friends (The Shub’s) took me out to lunch to a surfer shack called Pinkey’s. Afterwards, they took me to Castillo San Cristobal, pictured above. This fort was built in 1539 and even has hidden tunnels!!!!! Its main purpose was to defend San Juan from land based attacks. It sits next to El Morro, the more famous fort that was used to protect the waters from sea going enemies. The American army even used San Cristobal during WWII to spot and take out German U boats attempting to cut off our supplies. Unbelievable.
On the following Saturday night, I was picked up by my good cousins, The Altmans. They used to live in Guaynabo, which is where my uncle lives. They recently bought a house out in Palmas Del Mar, which is on the East coast. They live in a gated community that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They have their own water plant, school system, banks, hotels, homes, condos, restaurants, clubs, ANYTHING. Everyone gets around by golf carts. We went to eat some awesome tapas and had some superb sangria. Sunday, we went to the beach and I finally got to surf. The waves sucked but it was nice to be in warm waters on a sunny day. I also forgot to put sunblock on my arms and upper chest so i look weird as hell with awkward parts of my body all burned.
My cousin Alan, who’s house I’m staying at. Got accepted into MIT, early decision. It says in his letter that he is one of the most qualified persons in the history of MIT to ever apply. He wins math competition every freaking year and gets to go around the world to compete. He’s number 1 in Puerto Rico. I am SUPER FUCKING PROUD.
So all in all, PR is awesome and going well. I don’t know when i’m leaving yet to continue my travels in south america. I might be going back to FL before my trip because the flight is so cheap. I would do this to direct another music video for DP and a short commercial for The Shoe Gallery. Lets hope that doesn’t fall through.
Paz, Amor, Y Felicidad!
Robertico
