GlobalPuertoRico.com

In the middle of the storm

2008-09-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

No eletricity in parts of San German, no water for a couple of hours, no school nor University.
This isn't exactly the worst of the hurricanes but still scary. Last night the thunders and heavy rain kept my family awake until the early hours. Usually I have been told, Puerto Rico is lucky when it gets to hurricanes, the island always manages to get the best, weakest parts of the hurricane, but it's still a scary experience and two more are on their way.

Sadly, one student from Colombia died and one Brazilian student is still missing after the river overflowed.
Hopefully it will get better soon !!!

Going back to school, an expensive business

2008-08-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Daddy, my school starts on Monday, we seriously need to get my books.

Ok, let's calculate the costs and you know what, just as I am adding them all up, it came to a total of $957 USD. That is including school wear, school registration, monthly fee and books. But what is really shocking is the books cost. $67 for a science book? Say what? She is only going to the second grade, how can they ask for these sums of money?? $67 for a second grade book...
Studying privately in PR is an expensive costs for parents and a lucrative one for schools!!!

I still love the island....

Recession or not? I am confused...

2008-08-17T03:49:00.000-07:00

If you believe the news, the PR government is broke, with a $800 million deficit, almost on the brink of breakdown. Is this a good time to move to the island? Common sense would say no., the middle class professionals are leaving in island in droves for South Florida, earning them the title of Floricans. But, on the other hand, the island also seems to be attracting a share of people wanting to move in from USA and Europe, Phillips is recruiting to the island, so is SAP, one of the largest software companies in the world. UBS, the Swiss investment bank is also recruiting potential candidates to Puerto Rico. Has this constant flow of migration to mainland always been a part of Puerto Rican life? The malls are always busy, even in the current climate, the other day a friend bought a huge Chevrolet with integrated DVDs on the back. It makes you wonder...

Puerto Rico crime rate

2008-03-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

A lot has been said and written about the crime rate in Puerto Rico and San Juan.
There has been two high profile cases invloving an American and Canadian citizen which brought plenty of bad publicity in the media towards Puerto Rico. Let me write my opinion on it.

My friends, before you despair and cancel you vacation, let me tell you. It's not that bad, I personally feel as safe in Puerto Rico as I do in London. Actually, I reckon that the likelihood of being robbed at knifepoint or gunpoint in London is greater thabn Puerto Rico. A lot of the crime rate in San Juan and Ponce (the two murder capitals in Puerto Rico) is related to the drug trade. There is no hiding that Puerto Rico is a spot for the drugs route between Latin America and USA. Actually, if you look at a map, Puerto Rico is the nearest American territory to Latin America.
That provides a bit of comfort that if you don't get in the way, you will stay out of the way. Sadly, innocent victims are caught in the crossfire/robbery of these drug gangs. Mostly those that live in the "projects" don't really have a choice but to face and be exposed to the crime and drugs trade.
Also, despite Puerto Rico as a whole getting the bad PR, the rest of the island is safe, safer than many American and European cities. It has happened in many occasions in San German, to leave the car unlocked or forgetting a valuable or two and the following day, the contents are still intact. San Juan itself, if you know where and when to go can be ok.
As per the tourist industry, in my opinion, if you stay within the beaten track areas, use common sense, don't flash, just use the same common sense that you use everywhere and you will be ok.
I still think that the police, government, etc should do more to address this issue.
There has been a feeling amongst both families of the victims and in general that crime usually goes unpunished and badly investigated.
Better pr is also needed in PR

I am back

2008-03-21T04:28:00.000-07:00

After an interruption, due to a busy life schedule I am happy to blog again.

The hardships of the expat life

2008-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the title already indicates that I am not having a good day, I am experiencing one of those “expats” days when you miss home, local food, friends, everything.
I know that the ones in the same situation relate to my feelings and see it as the downside of being an expat.

Yes, I agree with you, usually we move to a nicer location, the salary package is much better, the lifestyle is more appealing or the weather is more attractive, but my friends, let’s have an honest moment here for a second. There are times when you wonder even in paradise, when I wonder……….. IS IT WORTH IT?

Is it worth it being away from the ones you love? Is it worth it not having a regular contact with friends and family? Is it worth it missing the little ones (sons, nieces, nephews)? Is worth it breaking a family to allow daddy to earn a few more $$$?
Is it worth it being away from your parents and watching them getting old at distance?
Are the expatriates selfish?

Let me tell you a bit about myself, I am what you call an hardcore expat, actually, I was an expat kid.
I left Angola with my parents when I was two months old, moved to Lisbon, Portugal and grew up there until I moved to London in my late teens. I am now in the process of embarking on a new adventure to Puerto Rico. On each major phase of my life, I was in a different place.
Born in Africa, childhood, early teens in Portugal, late teens, young adult in London and now with a family, I am off to the Caribbean.

Will this be the end of my moving? I don’t know
Has it got advantages? Yes, I became a world citizen
Has it got disadvantages? Yes, you lose contact with people; your friends have moved on and live different life’s when you see them.

Should my daughter experience the same lifestyle? I don’t think so, not as much.

Was it worth it for me, for you? You decide

Wanted fresh fish please!!

2008-01-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

Buenos dias,

I know that yesterday I promised to post about my experiences in Puerto Rico. But, as I type, a subject keeps sticking on my mind.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the lack of fresh fish in Puerto Rico. Actually, let me rephrase.
I don't know any place in San German, Mayaguez, Ponce or on the South West of Puerto Rico that sells fresh fish.
Most restaurants are meat friendly, PR is a meat-eater paradise, but when I ask for fresh fish, I normally draw laughs or funny looks.
Fish, yes, we have some, let me take you to a place to buy it, I was told.
Plenty of choice, frozen choice, I had Mr Special, Pueblo and Sam's.
Hold on a minute, last time I checked, Puerto Rico was an island, right? An island is surrounded by sea, correct?
So why, is meat eaten so much? Better yet, why the lack of fresh fish and plenty of frozen?

P.S- If anyone knows a place or a market to buy fresh fish or seafood nearby, please leave your comment here. I would be delighted to know. Really craving for it now.

Europe, the forgotten market

2008-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning,

Here I am, in front of my laptop on the three kings day. On this post, I will abstain from telling my Puerto Rican experience today but instead focus on a subject that the Puerto Rican tourism company should focus on.
Europe, the unexplored market.
Out of curiosity, I went to my local travel agent to ask for holiday packages to Puerto Rico. Oh yes, she told me, we have fantastic offers, all inclusive and the Euro rate is actually quite ok at the moment.
Er..... Euro? "Yes, she said looking at me as if I was the biggest ignorant on Earth, yes Spain has adopted the Euro as the national currency".
Brief silence.....................................................................
I meant Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, not the Spanish one!!
Ohhhh, ok, let me look for something...... 5 mins later, the red faced informs me that the search has returned 0 results. Our agency does not have any deals for Puerto Rico, but let me strongly recommend the Dominican Republic.
_____________________________________________________

I was visiting the Puerto Rican tourism office website today and surprisingly found not much or hardly any information towards Europe.
Yes, I know that no U.S. passport is required and that Puerto Rico is the second most visited island in the Caribbean by the mainland tourists, but before I begin, let's cross over to the other island west of Puerto Rico.
My friends, let me introduce you to the Dominican Republic.
Many, many miles of white sand, glorious weather and fantastic beaches, lots of welcoming people ready to assist you. Several resorts packed with tourists from all over the world, hold on, did I just say from all over the world?

Yes I did, Dominican Republic isn't just about the American tourist, they also invested heavily in the European market. Several posters and advertisments are seen everywhere in Europe, the Dominican Republic is virtually present in every single travel agent and tv travel channel. Puerto Rico, in London, I have never seen any, hold on, yes I did, one advert on Sky travel for a cruise with a stop in San Juan.
Let's look at statistics, as per the ministry of tourism in the Dominican republic, in 2005, the tourism share was divided by:
North American tourists: 47.12%, European tourists: 45.18%

Upon reading the document, a few more interesting points:

"Tourism accounts for 24% GDP of the DR"
"The DR has nearly 60,000 rooms and 674 hotels, compared to Puerto Rico with 12,700 rooms and 145 hotels" Ooouch, having a go at your neighbour, hey DR?

More, "the DR is now the top destination in the Caribbean, surpassing Puerto Rico in tourism dollars and number of tourists"

The information above clearly shows the lack of investment in Europe and Asia to promote Puerto Rico. In fact, by looking at the current economic trend, one would not be surprised to see more Europeans than Americans travelling in a couple of years time.

The DR has several direct flights to European cities,
-Why is Iberia the only bridge beetwen Europe and PR?
-Why did British Airways and Lufthansa terminated the flights to PR?
-Why didn't the tourism board tried to stop the end of those flights?
-Why is PR far more advanced in terms of infrastructure and services than DR, yet gets fewer tourists? Or do they invest less to promote it?
-Do they spend most of the budget promoting in just the U.S?
-Why not look towards Europe

Ok, enough questions, it's Sunday, I will go back to bed.
Happy three kings day

Statistics and info above extracted from: http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/images/pdfs/Facts_Figures2.pdf

Public transport-Puerto Rican style

2008-01-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you how surprised I was to see so many fast food restaurants in SJU airport.
Not one to be easily impressed, but I wasn't expecting fast-food culture to have dominated the island, the way it did. But hey, here I was, just after a huge burger when I heard the shouting on the road accross the restaurant:

Publico!! Publico!!!

I heard someone shouting next to a big white van. I was as intrigued as I was confused.
Is it because I just endured such a long flight? Or is that guy trying to sell his van right here at the airport? Is he calling people to see his van?

Hold on a minute, there a few of these, but none of them are shouting like this guy. Well my friends, after some explanation, I finally understood it myself.
Publicos are a form of public transport. Think of a bus like the ones we have in Europe, have you thought about it?
Ok, forget it. Publicos are indeed the closest Puerto Rico has to a bus, but this sure ain't a double-decker.
Publicos are vans, usually a 8-seater, that have a pick-up point and a drop off. There are several companies and many of them cross the island. I am paying a tribute to the publico drivers because without them, many people without a car would be literally stranded.
Public transport (subway and bus) are only available in certain parts of San Juan, meaning an incredible amount of cars and traffic for such a small island.
An investment on public transport and railway connecting the big cities would be welcome!!!

P.S- The driver was trying to get a few more customers. Something not normally seen at SJU, I was later informed.

A view of San Juan

2008-01-03T01:29:00.000-08:00

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The adventure begins

2008-01-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

The lane door opens, with it, an extreme heat (I came from the cold!!) blows into my face.
I am in the Caribbean. First impressions are positive, SJU is a modern airport, much better than many airports in Europe.
Having filled the green card during the flight, I head straight to customs. A massive queue ahead of us meant a wait of nearly 40 minutes.
I soon realised that the flight from Santo Domingo had also landed and according to a frequent traveller next to me, it's always the same when flights from the Dominican Republic land in San Juan.
The Dominicans are sadly treated to a lengthy interview, all the details sucritinised and a lot of questions asked. They waited, with a mix of patience, sadness and agitation to what they see as unfair treatment by their Boricuan neighbours. I got eventually past Customs, collected my lugage and was heading to the exit door of SJU, the gateway to Puerto Rico.
My adventure was about to begin!!!

Airview of San Juan

2008-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome, my first contact with la Isla del Encanto

2008-01-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Dear passengers,

Please fasten your seat belt, we shall be landing in San Juan shortly.

Upon hearing those words, I looked to the tiny window and saw for the first time in my life San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

I have to confess that from the air, San Juan looked a lot like Miami, but hey, first impressions from the air, are never correct.
And that was my first contact with La Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico, little did I know that it would have such a lasting impression.
I was surprised to realise that Puerto Rico, mostly San Juan was such an international place. I met at the airport people from different countries.
That contact and the touching impression that the Boricua island left in me, made me create the portal www.globalpuertorico.com

Welcome to my blog, welcome to my portal, welcome to Puerto Rico