W H A T • E X A C T L Y • I S • A • P U E R T O R I C A N?

Puerto Rico, a little island in the middle of the Caribbean. We are taught in school that we Puertoricans are a mixture of composed of Spaniards, Africans and Taíno (aborigine), this may be partially true, but on my opinion it isn't. We are not just a mixture of those three great cultures, but we are a mixture of a whole spectrum of cultures and races, and that is something we are proud of. Being a Puerto Rican, we have the outmost pride in our culture, our island and ourselves. Were ever we go, we are proud to call our selves Puertorican. We are caring, lovable, hospitable and loud people, but that is what makes us so incredibly unique. We celebrate anything and everything we can, thus making us one big happy country.

We have great landmarks and places that make our little island wonderful. For example, we have the Tropical Rainforest, El Yunque, filled with waterfalls, cold waters great for the summer heat, and green trees everywhere you look. Also we have El Morro, a very old fortress build by the Spaniards to be in the look out for any enemy ships that would be visible from the horizon. We also have great beaches that we can visit year round. We are a island filled with great culture; a culture we embrace to the very core of our being. The Christmas time on the island is one filled with joy, parties, friends and most importantly food.

Puertorican food is also a big staple of our island. Some foods like "arroz con gandules" can be eaten year round, but is basically the main dish during the Christmas time. Around this time of year, is where most of the festivities of the island take place. We celebrate the The Three Kings Day and after all the little kids (and some grown ups like my self) put out shoe boxes filled with grass for the camels, to wake up the next day to see our presents, we usually go to other family member's houses to enjoy the rest of the day. After this, we celebrate something that is called "Las Octavitas" which starts the 7th of January (the day after the Three Kings Day) and culminates 8 days later with "Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian". This event is an event that gathers people from all around the island and tourists from all around the world. It's in this event that we let our culture, loudness and happiness break free (not that we don't do it round the year). Here you get to see the typical dances ("Bomba y Plena") and also Salsa and many other. We enjoy the event with family, friends or both.

Needless to say, for me, what characterises my island, my people and myself is our ability to make the best out of any situation, whether it be good or bad. Puertoricans are naturally happy people, and this is something we carry wherever we go. Care to visit? You won't regret it!