LA PLAZA DE MERCADO DE SANTURCE

The Plaza de Mercado de Santurce looks like a perfect adventure for us to explore while in San Juan.  Fresh local food, more small cafes that I can get to in the few hours that will be available, and... when the sun goes down, sidewalk parties that flow from one to the next.  Local musicians filling the night with some great Salsa music... How could I not include this place in my plans?

The reviews on several online travel sites seem to agree; this is the place to be on Friday nights.  And... guess what?  We will be there on a "Friday" night!  So… I’m kinda gettin’ in the mood for what might best be described as a Puerto Rican Block Party.

Some of the reviews mention "security" issues.  For me, this represents a bit of concern because on a previous stop in San Juan, I too sensed an "street" uneasiness.  As a matter of fact, we didn't spend very long at all in Old San Juan with our daughter's family, until we decided to head back to the ship. It is hard to describe, but it was just a bad situational awareness feeling that I couldn’t shake.  So why then do I think that I will feel differently this time?

Well, number 1, we will be arriving early in the afternoon.  I should have time to get a bit acclimated to my surroundings.  One would think that after having spent the last 2 decades living in the greater Detroit metro area, I would have acquired more than adequate “street” smarts to be able to handle just about anything.  The difference, however, is that I have learned enough about D-town to be able to recognize my surroundings.  I know when I am in a neighborhood where a “white” guy like me doesn’t belong.  Granted, a couple of hours is not a couple of decades worth of experience, but we are going to do everything we can to watch much, learn fast, be careful, and have fun.

Number 2, this place is supposed to be filled with people, both locals and tourists.  This can be both a blessing and a curse.   There should be an abundance of “friendlies”, and that is a blessing.  However, in the midst of those just wanting to have a good time, will be a small number of “undesirables”.  It will be an obvious area for which pickpockets to work, and we will be very much alert for this kind of activity.   

There is another matter that concerns me, and that is the report that taxis are not in abundance.  This again is a concern, but not an unmanageable one.  We have had this to deal with before in other places.  I will make certain that I obtain phone numbers for a couple of cabbies, as well as the front desk of the Hotel.  This should solve the problem.

Number 3, this time I am doing my homework.  I am researching and planning.  I am learning from the mistakes of others, as well as benefiting from the successes.  So... we are planning our work, and looking forward to working our plan.