If you like beautiful resin bracelets, this is a nice example made by Yael Krakowski, 

a contemporary designer from Israel. Silver, resin, polyester thread, 7.5 cm dia.  You 

will find more about this jeweler at http://www.yaelkrakowski.com

Fair at Barranquitas

Always blessings. There were plenty of showers .... enough.  Not many people (got fear of swine fever).  As always, good music and delicious cuisine. Yes, we will be back next year!

Virginia Nin at El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico

God gave us two beautiful days where there was enough food, music, chiringas, good sales and muuuuucho heat! Enjoy the photos.

El Morro,the word itself sounds powerful and this six-level fortress certainly is. Begun in 1540 and completed in 1589. San Felipe del Morro was named in honor of King Phillip II. Most of the walls in the fort today were added later, in a period of tremendous construction from the 1760's-1780's. Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot-thick wall proved a formidable defense. It fell only once, in 1598, to a land assault by the Earl of Cumberland's forces. The fort is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts and ramps. El Morro is studded with small, circular sentry boxes called "garitas" that have become a national symbol. The views of San Juan Bay from El Morro are spectacular. The area was designated a National Historic Site in February, 1949 with 74 total acres. It has the distinction of being the largest fortification in the Caribbean. In 1992, the fortress was restored to its historical form in honor of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Puerto Rico by Christopher Columbus. El Morro Fortress is a National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service. The fort is open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm; (787) 729-6960.

Green Artesanía: Virginia Nin, the green table....

We were awarded Honorable Mention for "green table". Our effort to re-use, avoiding plastic bags and cardboard boxes earned us the award. We are proud of our accomplishment in the craft guild of Puerto Rico. Congratulations Tommy, Nicole, Tommy Jr. and Paola.

Plaza Las Americas, the center of everything, was the center of Puerto Rican crafts this past week. While it was unbearably hot outside, inside was cool despite the many people who visited us.

San Juan Culinary Fest at Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Old San Juan Culinary Fest was a success.   Old San Juan is special.  This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over a ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. The city includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings. The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches, and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic. To really do justice to these wonderful old sites, you'll need two mornings or a full day.