Puerto Rico

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Trip Start Aug 14, 2009 Trip End Aug 21, 2009

  Isabela, Puerto Rico
Sunday, November 29, 2009

It was barely mid morning and the humidity, hanging heavily in the air, had already melted away my make up. With one goal in mind, I swung my camera over my chest and sat passenger side in the shiny red rental. As we zipped through the winding roads of Isabela, only five minutes had passed before the sense of pure vacation bliss began sweeping over me. Other members occupying the back seat were busy chatting in Spanish, snapping pictures over the traffic or openly complaining about the driver's high speeds. Mesmerized by the abundant colors, my eyes just danced along the rolling hills of the horizon, tracing every mountain top along our journey. 

The coastline of Jobos Beach came into view just after ten. Joining us in the parking lot were fresh groups of tourists with fanny packs and cameras strung about them. No time was wasted climbing the rocky precipice to Jacinto's Well, or El Pozo De Jacinto. Atop a breathtaking panoramic view, I curiously observed an older Puerto Rican man shouting something into the sparkling aquamarine. Stepping closer, "Dame la vaca" (give me the cow) was one phrase easily distinguished over the crashing waves. I peered out behind the lens of my camera; as far as the eye could see were shell scattered, scissored banks all lined by soft cirrus sheets. After capturing a few more foaming snapshots I half jokingly asked, "Permiso seņor, who is supposed to give you a cow"? He laughed whole heartedly."Let me tell you the story of a young farmer named Jacinto. Legend has it that the farmer was walking with one of his neighbor's cows tied to his arm when the cow was startled and began running fuera de control. Frenzied, she fell into the well, dragging Jacinto alongside her, ultimately costing them both their lives". 

I stood above the churning turquoise depths for some time, reflectively contemplating any validity to the story. My feelings swelled and stretched with each undulating surge of the ocean. "See what happens when you ask for the cow", the man suggested. Suddenly shy, I politely smiled and stood in silence. "Just try it, it's fun", he pressed again. Looking down into the well, I finally shouted, "Dame la vaca"!!!  Threatening swells of wind and water came bursting forth at this request, much to my great surprise. A spout of at least twenty feet erupted through the blow hole and into the air as if some invisible whale had been behind all the fun. Soaked by the menacing spray, we became immediately overcome by laughter and I thanked him for contributing to a truly wonderful experience.

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