I hike the steep, winding trail, a soft, fresh breeze tickling my face, filtered sunlight streaming through the thick foliage above me. As I journey through El Yunque National Park’s magnificent rainforest in Puerto Rico, towering, majestic, emerald-green trees build a leafy canopy over my head. I see a monstrous snail, a bright sheen on its beautiful tan-and-gray spiral shell. A bit later, I come to a small section of trampled ferns. An earthy, pungent scent fills my nose as I warily draw closer to examine the crushed green undergrowth. I quickly retreat to fresher air when the smell becomes overpowering, reveling in the hot, humid breeze that feels moist and thick in my nose. I walk on, hearing the sharp, smoky-gray gravel crunch beneath my feet, occasionally sending clattering showers of pebbles rattling down the slope. I carefully keep going, getting closer to my destination one step at a time. After some time, I notice a light, airy, floral scent on the air. I look around for its source, and an array of color meets my eyes. Ruby red, brilliant blue, glowing gold, pristine pur...
The debate on Puerto Rican Identity is a hot bed of controversy, especially in today’s society where American colonialism dominates most of the island’s governmental and economic policies. The country wrestles with the strong influence of its present day colonizers, while it adamantly tries to retain aspects of the legacy of Spanish colonialism. Despite America’s presence, Puerto Ricans maintain what is arguably their own cultural identity which seems largely based on the influence of Spain mixed with customs that might have developed locally.
By tracing the roots of Puerto Rican development from the Spanish invasion to today, one can see the influence of the dominant power in the interaction between different races of Puerto Rico, effecting how they viewed each other, and themselves. Isabel’s family, which is composed of Spanish and Corsican immigrants, reflects the attitudes that helped form Puerto Rican racial divisions. While she speaks from the point of view of a member of the upper class, there is a great deal of history behind the attitudes that influence the House on the Lagoon that she only lightly touches upon. Although Puerto Rican society has been racially mixed, issues such as class, imperialism, and outside prejudices have created a split between the different races.
Puerto Rico better known as “Rich Port” is 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers). It sits off the coast of southern Florida. It surrounds some of the deepest waters in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Also it is a part of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico is composed of year-round mild climate, and has many white, sandy beaches and extraordinary hotels. Puerto Rico is made up of four main land regions: the coastal lowlands, the coastal valleys, the foothills, and the central mountains. The largest city and capital is San Juan, which is located in the lowlands. Furthermore most of Puerto Rico’s crops such as sugar cane, coconuts, and other tropical fruits are grown in the coastal valleys. Pineapples, bananas, and other tropical fruits flourish in the hot, moist climate and are sold in every marketplace. Puerto Rico is a wonderful island fill with much history, culture, tradition and different foods.
Puerto is a mixing pot of cultures that include a history of Native American roots, Spanish conquest and oppression. Puerto Rico has been the property of another nation for most of modern times creating a vast amount of unique cultural elements. All these facets contribute to its brief history.
The commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), known to most Americans as simply Puerto Rico, exists as one of two territories owned by the United States1. Being a territory of the United States, Puerto Ricans possess common citizenship, currency, and defense. However, even though Puerto Ricans are United States citizens they do not pay any kind of federal income taxes. Therefore, they cannot vote in presidential elections. Puerto Rico is under the jurisdiction of the United States customs, and are allowed free movement of people and merchandise with the United States. They have established their own constitution, and have a greater amount of independence than possessions. Although they are only a territory of the United States, they have remained ethnically diversified2.
The Culture and Music of Puerto Rico In the first decade of American rule, Puerto Rican culture was influenced drastically by its status as a US possession. Although the political and economic aspects of American influence were very significant, American rule also had a great impact on Puerto Rican culture. This is expressed through the development of Puerto Rican music both on the island and in the United States. Puerto Rican music not only became an important cultural icon, but also helped to determine the new identity of the Puerto Rican both on the island and the mainland.
The Role of Music in Puerto Rican Popular Culture What is Puerto Rican music like? Where did it develop, and when did it develop? What makes it so good? These are very valid questions for anyone who does not know anything about Puerto Rican music or Latin music in general.
Spanish music didn’t mean a thing to me growing up, nor did Puerto Rican musicians. I remember listening to Spanish music and not understanding a word that the artists would sing about, but I do remember dancing on my father’s feet to the beat. Though I was a little off beat and stumbling over my feet, I had a great time trying to move. We generally listened to various artists on special occasions, in the car while sight seeing the suburbs and after church on Sundays. Though I dreaded to listen to Spanish music, I had no choice but to because my parents always did. I detested Spanish music in my younger years because I lacked the knowledge of the language. I never realized that Spanish music had a great influence on the Puerto Rican population. As Glasser mentioned, she herself was in the process of just beginning to learn about Spanish music, as I am in the process of. She states, "My Spanish needed a great deal of work, and my musical training was minimal" (p.xviii, Glasser).
Puerto Rico, beautiful… Tropical beaches warm sunny skies and fresh smelling air. Tall trees and secrets untold there are a lot of mysteries in this beautiful land there is also a history of the people that once defended this great island. There story’s are more than just story’s there the way life of these great people. Come with me and explore and learn who these people were how they survived and what eventually brought their demise.
Satan’s spiteful actions, attitude, and appearance are exposed in John Milton’s Paradise Lost and other texts. Satan is a mesmerizing but revengeful figure who utilizes doubt to break the relationship established between man and God.
What's a common location that comes up in discussion when someone thinks of a destination to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the Main land of the United States? Normally Puerto Rico isn't too far away from conversation. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place with the perfect climate and many historical sites to take that getaway that you have always wanted. Today we will discuss major issues in/of Puerto Rico, the significance of this research and data sources, and lastly I will describe the data collected and research found during my inquiry on the region known as Puerto Rico
The colonization of Puerto Rico by the Americans resulted to a decline in the economy; the presence of the American took every opportunity that the people of Puerto Rico had. In addition, colonization made Puerto Rico a foreign country; this made the import tax to increase rapidly. The Americans took the economy of that country from their hands and into their own; they controlled everything for the time that they colonized the country. In addition, all the farmers were forced to work for the Americans under severe conditions and less wages, thus declining the economy of Puerto Rico. Below is a picture of the people of Puerto Rico on the streets demonstrating on the declining economy under
The world is filled with many gorgeous lands, but Puerto Rico absolutely tops them all. This land is particularly intriguing due to its vast variety of beaches filled with people of all different ethnicities as if it were a melting pot. When experiencing these beaches the senses are overwhelmed with the smell of fresh salt water, foods ranging from fruits that are both sweet and tangy like candy. As soon as person steps on to one of these beaches, he or she can instantly hear people splashing and playing as if he or she were kids in a swimming pool during the summer. Whiles music playing the sounds of the island a music that is infectious and made your body want to succumb to the sounds of the all while the sun warms the air around them like a heater in the winter.
With stress on my mind and a cookie in my hand, I headed towards the wooded area behind her home. At the beginning of the trail, there was an old rotting tire swing barely hanging onto a low-hanging branch. The extensive amount of muddy puddles and the surrounding damp grass made me hesitant to follow through with my grandmother’s suggestion; the mountain of homework that waited for me back at home convinced me to continue. Trees towered over me, adding to the existing weight of stress that sat upon my shoulders, as I carefully maneuvered around the biggest puddles, beginning to become frustrated. Today was a terrible day to go for a walk, so why would my grandmother suggest this? Shaking my head in frustration, I pushed forward. The trail was slightly overgrown. Sharp weeds stabbed my sides every few steps, and I nearly tripped over a fallen tree branch. As the creek barely came into view, I could feel the humidity making my hair curly and stick to the sides of my face. After stopping to roll up the ends of my worn blue jeans, I neared the end of the trail. Bright sunlight peeked through the branches and reflected off the water. The sun must have come out from behind a cloud, seeing as it now blinded me as I neared the water. A few minutes passed by before I could clearly see
Along the way there were many species of wildlife. I saw numerous eye-catching reptiles, most of them were lizards that were multicolored with blues, yellows, reds, and oranges. At one point, I even saw a jet black snake with yellow speckles scattered throughout. Eventually, the path came out of the trees and led us to vast openness with nothing but saguaros and enormous mountains. As soon as I saw the opportunity, I pulled out my phone and started to take multiple pictures. However, when came back to reality and managed to pull my eyes away from my phone screen, that was when I actually took in nature’s beauty. When I looked through the gaping valley, it felt as if the world had halted to a stop and all my worries vanished. That was when I realized that it is honestly better to take mental pictures rather than taking physical