The "Lunch with Carol and LDub" Story

Woody's Crab House on Main Street in North East, Maryland.

It was an ordinary day.  Enjoying one of my favorite lunches in the small Maryland town known as North East.  A few times in the past I have extolled the fabulous crab cakes that can be had at Woody's Crab House along Main St.  Matter of fact, ever since I discovered Woody's crab cakes, I usually never order crab cakes at any other restaurant since I know I will be disappointed.  

The menu showing the famous Crab Cake Sandwich.

Only when Carol and I discovered that the chef at Woody's moved down the street to another restaurant did we give the crab cakes at that spot a try.  And, it was easy to see that Woody's ex-chef took his recipe with him.  

My bowl of crab bisque.

Well, that chef has once again moved on to a new restaurant so we are now back at Woody's where they still remember how to make our favorite sandwich.  Don't even need the menu anymore since we always choose the same menu item: the All Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich which is described as the BEST YOU CAN GET!  And, we're not the only ones who know.  For $11.99 you get a Crab Cake sandwich which you can have broiled or fried and on a roll, bread or with crackers.  The sandwich comes with their great cole slaw and a big helping of chips.  Naturally you can substitute fries for the chips, but we prefer the chips.  

My crab cake sandwich has arrived!

My usual glass of lemonade and Carol's glass of ice tea finish our lunch.  But wait, I forgot to add the bowl of famous homemade Woody's Crab Bisque that I always order to share with Carol before our sandwiches arrive.  

The little extras at Woody's which include free
peanuts, crayons for doodling on the brown
paper table covering and a roll of paper towels.

One of the main reasons I enjoy both the soup and crab cake sandwich is the lack of any, and I mean any, shells or membranes in their crabmeat.  For those who live close enough for a day trip to North East, Maryland, you'll find Woody's Crab House at 29 South Main Street.  Place can seat a fair amount of patrons, but in the summer months you may have to wait as much as an hour or more because of their famous crab cakes.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed!  Take my word for it.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Braggin' A Bit" Story

It was and ordinary day.  My wife, Carol, is relaying her phone conversation she just had with our granddaughter Camille and our daughter Brynn.  Seems that Camille had plenty to pass along about the boys in her Middle School.  The boys like to mix it up, at times to impress the girls, while other times to try and settle their disagreements.  She talked about a group of boys that got in a fight in a boy's restroom and a FEMALE teacher had to enter the BOYS restroom to stop the fight.  The entire time she was trying to break up the fight, other boys in the restroom were taking movies of it all with their phones.  The teacher rounded everyone up and made all of them, including those using the restroom for its intended purpose, go to the guidance office for ..... well guidance.  

Granddaughters Courtney on left and Camille on
the right with daughter Brynn.  Photo by T. Beach.

Camille enjoys telling stories (guess who she takes after) and drew this story out as best she could.  Eventually Brynn got on the phone to pass on some important news to Carol.  "I happen to be the proud mother of two girls who both had straight 'A's on their report cards," Brynn told my wife.  Carol then told her, "Wow, that's great.  That's something I never had happen to me when my kids were growing up!"  Well, Carol passed along our congratulations and continued with their conversation.  Phone calls with the kids and grandkids are always highlights of our day.  Family matters to us as they do to many people, especially when they are filled with interesting information and humorous conversations.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Chapel Of The Pigeons" Story

The pigeons that roost at the Cristo Chapel.

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to make my way through what appears to be about a couple hundred or more pigeons.  My goal is to reach what is known as the Capilla del Cristo or  more commonly known as the Cristo Chapel located in the city known as Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I must admit that when I rounded the corner at the bottom of the street and saw the chapel for the first time, I was disappointed.  It had just stopped raining and the cobblestone street leading to the chapel was wet and glistened in the sun which appeared from behind the clouds.  On each side of the cobblestone street were pigeons of varying colors, all wet and huddled together. 

The beautiful Cristo Chapel in Old San Juan.

Wasn’t sure if I should try and make my way through the flock of birds which didn’t seem to be afraid of my approaching them.  I managed to wind my way through the motley looking crew to the chapel which was encased in a screened area.  The chapel was built in the 18th centrury and came about because of a miracle which happened at the location.  Seems a young horseman lost control of his horse while racing another rider up the hill during the fiesta of St. John's Day and plunged off the cliff.  One version says the chapel was built to block off the street to prevent the same from happening again while another version says that the secretary of the city, Dom Mateo Pratts, was so moved by the accident that he invoked Christ to save the youth and the chapel was built to commemorate the miracle of his living. 

The pigeons dominate the chapel's arches.

The exterior of the small Chapel is beautiful, but my biggest disappoint- ment came about when I found it was not Tuesday, the only day the Chapel is open to the public.  I didn’t get a chance to see the gold and silver altar and the Campeche paintings that adorn the interior of the small chapel.  But, I did get to see the multitude of pigeons waiting in line to greet the Lord next Tuesday.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Faces of Strangers: #39" Story

Angie

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished our last evening meal on our vacation to the island of Puerto Rico.  Our waitress came to our table to take the dishes and I asked about the ring I noticed on her left hand.  Seems that she is engaged to be married in hopefully a year and the question I posed was the beginning of a lengthy conservation Carol and I, along with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue, had with our waitress Angie.  Angie was born and raised in Puerto Rico which we at first found hard to believe since she is so fair skinned.  She gave us a history of her background and told us her mother is dark skinned, but a great-great grandmother had fair skin and she told us she looks much like that woman.  We found out that her fiancé is a baseball pitcher who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays team a few years ago.  He played several years in the minor leagues, but when he became engaged to her he dropped out of professional baseball in the states and  returned to Puerto Rico.  He still plays baseball for a team in Puerto Rico as well as playing softball.  We told Angie that she spoke English remarkably well and she said that she gets plenty of practice while on the job of waiting on tables.  She went to public schools on the island and they begin learning English in third grade.  She told us that some learn well, such as her, while others don't, leading to many using primarily Spanish.  This young woman talked to us about the problems they have with their government.  She told us about the Governor, who lives at the Governor's Palace in Old San Juan, having part of the Old San Juan historical wall power washed which took away years and years of history.  She said he should never have done what he did.  This young lady, who loves her job working for Intercontinental San Juan, is a great ambassador for the island of Puerto Rico and is also a fantastic waitress. We all congratulated her on her engagement and wished her well in her upcoming marriage.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Historic Moves in Lancaster, PA" Story

The Belmont Farm barn and outbuilding.  The barn was
transferred to a different site recently.

It was an ordinary day.  Driving past a property that at one time had a really neat barn sitting upon it along Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, PA near my home.  Place was called Belmont Farm and there was a very old mansion on the property with a barn and smaller wooden structure that stood next to it.  About a half year ago a crew of workmen arrived and dismantled the barn in a few months  and transferred it to another location to be reassembled for use as a wedding venue.  The mansion still remains with plans to renew it sometime in the future.  Not sure how common it is to move a structure that large to another location until I recently came upon a story in a three-year-old edition of the Lititz Record Express, a small publication in nearby Lititz, PA.  

The Wabank House located along the Conestoga Creek.

The story dealt with a property known as the Wabank House which was constructed along the Conestoga Creek in 1854 to be used as a summer retreat for the wealthy who wanted to get away from the daily grind and enjoy themselves in a country setting without the chore of traveling a great distance.  The Wabank House was constructed along the banks of the creek at a location that at one time was an old fashioned tavern.  The house construction was begun in December of 1854 and had 23 carpenters working for wages of eighty-seven and a half cents per day per worker.  The building, or resort as it became known as, stood four stories high with an attic and was 105 feet long and 45 feet wide.  It had wide verandas all around it which added to it's beauty.  In May of 1855 an ad was run on the cover of the Lancaster newspaper telling all about the place and asking for the public to visit and possibly spend time along the water.  It was stated in another newspaper that James Buchanan, of presidential fame, intended to make it his summer quarters at the time.  The Wabank, named thus during a contest, was named so because the name is of Native American origin and the area where if was located was known for early Indian activity.  Within a few years the fashionable location and building declined in popularity and the hotel, with 100 rooms and dining room capable of seating 300 patrons, was sold for $9,150.  Six months later, in 1858, it was resold once again for the same price, but yet once again, in 1863 it was sold to Samuel Lichtenthaler of nearby Lititz, PA who owned the Lititz Spring Hotel (now the General Sutter Inn).  

The Wabank House after being moved to Lititz, PA.
You can see the large dome and observatory on the top.

Mr. Lichtenthaler decided to dismantle and carefully reassemble the Wabank House in Lititz next to his other hotel.  Now, to dismantle and reassemble the Belmont Farm barn was one feat, but to take a four-story, 100 room building apart and move it, back in the mid-1800s must have been tough.  It was said to have taken 100 four-horse wagon load trips and several months with many skilled laborers to do the job.  

A vintage postcard of the Wabank House in Lititz,
now known as the Lititz Spring Hotel.

By July 4th, 1864 the Wabank House was fully rebuilt and stood next to the Lititz Springs Hotel.  It faced what is known today as Broad Street in downtown Lititz, PA.  A large dome and observatory were added on top of the building to view the area around Lititz.  The combination of both hotels became known as the Lititz Spring Hotel.  It was destined to be the greatest resort in the country.  

A vintage postcard showing the General Sutter Inn which
at one time stood next to the Wabank House in Lititz.

It was a large and spacious hotel capable of accommo- dating several hundred persons with fare consisting of delicacies of the season.  Then Mr. Lichtenthaler up and died and both hotels went up for sale.  It was purchased by a Mr. Greider, but was shortly sold at Sheriff's sale to a New York City buyer for $16,000.  But then, in July of 1873, catastrophe struck.  

And, one more vintage postcard showing an early view
of the Lititz Springs Park, across the street from the hotel.

A defective flue that ran through the servant's quarters caused a fire that threatened the entire town.  A bucket brigade of men and women assisted the fire apparatus, but to no avail.  It was said that many of the young men rescued bottles of liquor from the basement of the burning building and got beastly drunk.  It was quite the orgie it was reported.  The beautiful and majestic Wabank House, that once stood proudly on the banks of the Conestoga Creek, burned to the ground.  The building, estimated at this time at $20,000 was covered by insurance.  For ten years the Wabank House, actually known by then as part of the Lititz Springs Hotel, welcomed many visitors to downtown Lititz with visits to nearby Litiz Springs Park which still remains to this day. And, the General Sutter …. well, that'a another story for another day.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Legend of the 'Rogativa'" Story

The Bishop and the Nuns

It was an ordinary day.  Tired and physically aching from traversing just about every level of the fort known as Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and then winding our way throughout the historic city.  Just when I thought I couldn't take another step, there at the bottom of San Juan Street, to the right of the San Juan Gate, in an area known as Plazuela de la Rogativa, stood a statue which consisted of four beautiful bronze figures that caught my attention.  The statue, known as La Rogativa and carrying a slight green patina caused by time and oxidation, was designed and created in 1971 by Lindsay Daen, a native of Dunedin, New Zealand, to commemorate San Juan's 450 anniversary.  

Plaque placed on one side of the sculptures.

It was placed at the foot of the hill down from the Cathedral de San Juan Bautista near the gate leading into the city of San Juan.  The statue is meant to honor the legend of San Juan which dates back to 1797 and tells of the miracle that occurred that saved San Juan from a certain British naval attack.  Seems the British fleet had remained in the bay in front of the entrance to the gated city of San Juan to try and starve the city people of provisions and needed supplies.  

This statue of a nun shows her caring
a torch in one hand a a cross in another.

The British knew that Spanish reinforcements were far away and hoped to invade the defenseless city.  Finally, the governor of San Juan, at a loss for what to do, ordered a "rogativa", or religious procession, to try and get the saints to assist them.  So the Bishop, his nuns and his congregation gathered and at dusk marched through the streets of San Juan caring torches and singing hymns.  Upon seeing the large lit procession throughout the city, the British, assuming that reinforcements had arrived, pulled up anchor and fled the bay and abandoned their siege.  Now, whether the legend is true of not doesn't matter, since tales such as this dot history and create marvelous stories to pass on to future generations.  I could almost feel the power and strength given to the people of San Juan when I touched the greenish bronze statues.  I felt as if I were walking with the procession and my tired and aching body was energized .... almost.  Wasn't long before I was heading back to our hotel in a taxi.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an oridnary guy.

The "The Whole Truth" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Woke to the alarm that read 7:15 am, reached over and shut it off and looked out the window.  Still dark, but I could tell it was raining.  I had set the clock last evening to wake me in the morning, since I had to go to physical therapy at 8:00 am for my lame shoulder and I only had to travel a couple of blocks to get to the building.  Hopped in the shower, dressed quickly and headed down the stairs to feed Creamsickle, our cat, who seemed to wonder why he was being fed while it was still dark outside.  Grabbed a bite to eat, retrieved the morning paper from the driveway, sat on the recliner and turned on the TV to check out the scores from the night before.  That's when I discovered it.  The "it" was the fact that it was only 4:30 am, and I was showered, dressed and had the cat was already fed.  Somehow I must have pushed a few too many buttons on the clock and changed my entire day.  Headed back up the stairs to tell Carol my news.  She turned over in bed and said, "So."  "I'm going downstairs and sit in the chair and try to go back to sleep for an hour or so," I told her.  Wasn't long before I had taken my glasses off and removed my hearing aides and placed everything on the snack tray next to the chair.  Fell asleep, but woke about an hour later, put my glasses back on and grabbed a few of the chocolate chip cookies that Carol had baked a few days ago to go along with the glass of milk I had just poured.  Finally it was time to head out the door so I yelled to Carol telling her I was leaving and that Creamsickle was sleeping on the floor.  As I entered the physical therapist's office I realized that I had forgotten to put my hearing aides back in my ears, but knew exactly where I had left them.  After my hour appointment I headed to the framing gallery where I had a few jobs to complete for customers that were going to pick them up later in the day.  Wasn't long before I was walking in the house once again, ready to take a quick nap before lunch.  Carol was sitting in the recliner, talking to a friend on the phone as I reached for my hearing aides that were on the snack tray when I had left a few hours before.  I found one of them and noticed that she was pointing to the floor where I assumed the other must had fallen.  When I couldn't find it I figured either the cat had decided to play with it or ..... it had fallen into the air return vent next to the chair.  Now what?  I was hoping it hadn't dropped into the vent and found it's way toward the gas furnace.  While she was still talking on the phone, I grabbed a flashlight, removed the vent cover and shone the light into the small opening.  There it was, nestled in a pile of cat hair!  I managed to stick my hand in the hole and retrieve it.  Examined it, wiped it off and popped it back in my ear.  Whew!  Wasn't funny at the time, but later in the day, while Carol was telling my brother about my morning, I knew the story was destined to be my blog story for the next day.  And that, my friends, is the whole truth.  It was another another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Touring Puerto Rico: A Visual Journey - Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Posting the last of my photos taken on the island of Puerto Rico.  For the first time ever we did not rent a car during a trip to the Caribbean and I must admit I didn't miss fighting the traffic and the road signs on the island.  Hope you enjoy edition #2 of my visual trip to the island.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Tough to see, but if you look closely you may see me waving in one of the windows reflected in the jet engine housing of the airplane.

Beautiful parrots at the restaurant that allegedly  poured the first Pina Colada in the world.

Panama Hats for sale in a store in Old San Juan.

Just waiting' for someone to sit in them! 

Bottles upon bottles of Bacardi Rum.

What can be more majestic than a palm in the Caribbean.

And ….. the intersecting segments of a pal branch.

A speck of white amongst all the color. 

The bark of the palm tree.  The holes are from people who climb the trees to trim the branches and cut the coconuts from them.

From the balcony of our room at the Intercontinental Hotel.  Looks as if it will hit the building.

One of my favorites.  The workers are reflected in the ceiling mirror as they pass in the hall.

A lone U.S.A flag flys from a balcony in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The "Touring Puerto Rico: A Visual Journey - Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching for a photo to attach to one of my stories I wrote about our recent trip to Puerto Rico and realized, as always, that I have many other photos to share with someone, and that happens to be you.  Took almost 1,500 photos and then narrowed it down to about 800 which I have no idea what I'm going to do with them except make my traditional trip slide show and share some on my blog.  So, here goes #1 or two days of viewing the architecture and landscapes of the island of Puerto Rico.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - click photos to enlarge.

Light fixture at the elevator lobby at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Flowers at the resort.  The misty effect happened since my lens was fogged from coming out into the 95 degree heat from my air-conditioned room. 

Beautiful doorway at the Old San Juan fort known as El Morro.

Variety of shoes for sale at a store in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

One of many stray cats that roam the streets of Old San Juan.

Leaf against the pale blue sky.

Love the coloring on this tropical flower. 

This is one photo you need to click on to see the resulting image in the droplets of water in the center of the flower.   Even though the flower may be slightly out of focus, notice the palm tree in the water droplets in the center.

Night-time lights along Isla Verde Beach.

They just hated to throw away all those good corks.

Our plane preparing to return us to Baltimore Airport.

Shot through a shop window, this foursome of the three kings and Santa are playing Dominoes.

The "Renewing and Restoring Lives" Story

Mural by Jared Bader on the campus of Water Street Mission.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing on the corner of West Conetoga and South Prince Streets in the city of Lancaster, PA admiring the Jared Bader mural that fills the east-facing wall on the corner building of the Water Street Ministries.  The artist recently installed the mural that aims to communicate the impact of restoring and renewing lives which has been the vision of Water Street Ministries since it's founding in 1905.  

The original Water Street Rescue Mission.  I took this
photo from a print hanging on the wall inside the
offices of the mission.  This building was on Water Street
which runs parallel to Prince Street, behind the current
Water Street Mission.

Most people in Lancaster County know the mission as a provider of food and shelter for the homeless, but they are much more than that.  They provide healthcare for those who can't afford that service, provide services for urban youth through their Teen Haven program, educate the very young through their Wonder Club and naturally provide rescue and renewal for the homeless no matter what sex or age they may be.  Their "Purpose Statement" is: To advance the kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to do missionary, relief and rescue work of all kinds, while their "Vision Statement" is to create healing communities where lives are transformed.  

The rear of the Water Street Ministries on South Prince
Street.  I am standing on Water Street to take the photo.
At the far end of the street is where the original mission
was located.

My remembrances of what was called the Water Street Rescue Mission date back to the 1940's and early 1950's when I lived with my mother, while my dad was in the Army, a few blocks to the south of the mission, as a very young boy and traveled past the building on our way to Southern Market on Saturday mornings.  I can still remember my mom pointing out the "poor people" on the other side of the street as we passed them on our way to market.  It was back in 1905 that Dr. Ezra Seiber and his wife began the program that led to the modern day Water Street Mission.  Nothing more than the Dr. and his wife, along with a handful of folks who lived in the downtown area of Lancaster, who gathered at the home of Ms. Sarah Kuhn to talk about God's redeeming story.  By 1916 that group began to grow and began to attempt to meet the needs of the homeless and hungry of Lancaster by opening a temporary shelter on South Water Street for families.  

The front entrance of Kuhns Hall on the
campus of Water Street Ministries.

The following year the state of Pennsylvania recognized the Water Street Rescue Mission as an official organization.  In the 1930's the Mission began handing out baskets of food and supplies to poverty stricken families.  In the 1940's the Mission adopted the motto "No law but love, no creed but Christ" and also said "your church in overalls working among the down trodden, the poor, the lame, the halt and the blind." In 1953 the Mission purchased the nearby Conestoga Cotton Mill at 210 South Prince Street and renovated the mill into a full service shelter for the hungry and homeless men, women and children of the community. Nine years later the renovated mill was dedicated as The Water Street Rescue Mission which is what I have known it as for most of my life.  In the 1980's the mission, which housed people of all colors races and sexes no matter what age, opened an early learning center for Pre-K and Kindergarten.  Then in 1983 a thrift shop was opened which to this day is one of the best in the county.  Ten years after that they opened a free medical clinic for people living in extreme poverty with a dental clinic opening in 2003.  It's been 110 years since that first group met and began their ministry that ... "Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ every man, woman and child living in poverty will feel rich and whole in God's Kingdom.   And now, on the outside brick wall of the Water Street Mission, a large mural depicts a small stream flowing down the middle of a city block.  People gather along the stream in a sense of community while oak limbs in the foreground frame the scene.  At the top of the mural are the words from Deuteronomy 8:7 that say: "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land - with brooks, streams and deep springs gushing out into the valley and hills."  Mr. Bader, the artist, has certainly captured the essence of the Water Street Mission.  If only my mom was still here with us to see that beautiful mural and how the "poor people" who gather there continue to restore and renew their lives at the place we used to walk by years ago, she'd certainly have a smile on her face.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Little Jerry" Story

Big Jerry on the left with Little Jerry? on the right.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a taxi with Carol and traveling mates Jerry and Just Sue on our way to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico to visit one of the forts that anchor the wall of the city.  A short distance from our hotel we attempt to engage our taxi driver in some conversation to learn about his life as well as the culture and history of his home.  Naturally had to ask him about baseball and he seemed to begin to come to life with stories about the ballparks and the major league players who are now, or have been in the past, lifelong residents of Puerto Rico.  Pointed to our left and said the Roberto Clemente Stadium and Coliseum were in that direction and began telling us about some of the players who are playing now in the prelims to the coming World Series. Then we asked his thoughts about Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. State and he gave us his pros and cons on the subject. Jerry, sitting in the front seat next to him, began telling of his years in the Navy and making visits to the island of Puerto Rico in 1963 and 64.  Told how his ship would dock at the port in Old San Juan and he and his buddies would head into the town to some of the bars for drinks and entertainment.  Jerry asked how old he was and he said he was born in Puerto Rico in 1963.  Hearing all this information from the back seat of the taxi, I had to offer some insight into what I thought may have been an important fact .... “Hey, Jere.  You might be his dad!  He might be Little Jerry!”  Well, that brought a big smile to our cab driver’s face and the response, “I better call my mom and find out!”   Lightened up the atmosphere and we all became best friends by the end of our journey to Old San Juan.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Streets Of Old San Juan" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking on the deep-blue cobblestone streets in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The stones were originally used as ballast on Spanish ships, but eventually were used for the streets in the old city.  Old San Juan, founded in 1521, is the oldest city that flies a United States flag and is a compact, colorful mini-city that seems to be made for walking.  The town of close to half a million residents is only three square miles and is dominated with Spanish colonial-style buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.  On either end of the north side of the city stand their two forts, El Morro and Castillo de San Cristobal which are less than a mile apart.  Old San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas (Santo Domingo being the oldest), is one of the most vibrant cities in the Caribbean that features overhanging ironwork balconies, pastel facades and courtyards galore.  The city is known as La Ciudad Amurallada, since it is surrounded by over 3 miles of walls that at one time circled the entire colonial capital.  Sometime in the 20th century the city partially removed some of the wall to incorporate expansion into Miramar, Santurce, Condado Hato Rey and Rio Piedras.  The city with its fortresses and walls was recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site, one of only 12 U.S. National Park units to be so designated.  Today I will take you along as Carol and I explored the city by foot as well as by trolley.  I hope my photographs are able to capture the uniqueness and old-world charm that lines the walls of the city of Old San Juan.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them. 

To start the tour ….. This Government building built in the 1840s is known as the Asilo de Beneficencia and is the home for the poor and indigent people of the city.

The Totem Telurico is located in Quincentennial Plaza and was designed by Puerto Rican artist Jaime Suarez.  It's made of clay from across the Americas.

Colorful buildings line this street in Old San Juan.

This pastel stucco home has the overhanging balcony that is featured on many of the homes in the city.

I love the way the street's names are embedded into the walls of the house or store.  The signs are mostly in tiles.

More ironwork balconies and one house in the foreground has a wrought iron light.

A variety of musicians were seen throughout the city with a hat or jar presented for tips.  This gentleman was playing my favorite, Lady of Spain, on his accordion.  Almost stopped to ask if I could try playing the song.

The pastel colors, tiled street and balconies make this automobile deficient street a wonderful sight. 

These tiled steps direct the viewer towards the Crucifix in the open window above.

Another minstrel playing his guitar along the sidewalk.

This archway between two city homes leads to a courtyard in the distance. 

This tree-lined street was just so romantic!  Too bad the cars had to be along the curb.

This photo was taken through an open window that had wrought-iron bars for protection. 

Another lovely home with wrought-iron balconies and arched openings.  

This home added the canvas awnings to protect from the afternoon heat.

Strays and feral cats were abundant on the streets of the city.  This little cat had such a forlorn look.

I took this photograph in what is known as the Plaza de Armas.  The plaza stands in front of City Hall and there you will also find this bench with a statue called Tite Curet Alonso, a world famous Puerto Rican "Salsa" composer who wrote over 2,000 songs during his career.  He is sitting on the bench, waiting for people to sit and have their photo taken with him.  Tite was humble, friendly, open and inviting just as his statue is today.

All the trolley signs are displayed above the stop which carries the number of the stop.

The trolley is approaching us.  Notice how little space it has to traverse the streets of Old San Juan.  A few times we had to stop and wait for someone or something to move before we could continue.

A church to the left with another beautiful home lined with wrought-iron balconies.

This is actually a Pizza Hut restaurant placed in an old building with beautiful architecture.

Corner home with pastel colors and a tile roof.

I was not at a loss for buildings to photograph.  Here is another example of the Spanish architecture of the city of Old San Juan.

Some of the tile work on the edges of the second floor of a home in the city.

And here are some architectural enhancements to another home.

Another sculpture which lines the streets of the city.  This one is dedicated to Eugenio Maria De Hostos on behalf of a grateful homeland.

This is the roofline of the Cathedral de San Juan built in 1521.  I have already posted a story about this beautiful cathedral. 

This roofline of the Capillo de Cristo or Chapel of the Pigeons is located along the wall of the city.  I have also written a story about this beautiful location.

The final two photos are of the San Juan Gate which is near the Governor's House on the San Juan wall.  It is reached by walking down the street across from the Cathedral towards the water.  The street is beautiful, lined with old trees and gorgeous houses.