My 2018: Welcoming the New Year - Back Home in Puerto Rico

Saying goodbye to 2018 was a journey for our family as we wanted to make it memorable to put a cap to a year that was fair as we are still together and healthy with little needs. Those are the factors we want to focus on despite the things that really remind us of 2018 which were more negative. However, I have told the family that we need to shift our focus to the new year and better things to come. I can assure you that our last weekend of 2018 was one to remember and forget the year now behind us. When we arrived in Puerto Rico on Friday, the first thing my daughter said was, “Que bueno star en casa!” as she still considers the enchanted island home.

Puerto Rico is always known for being a great place to share with groups and really put on great parties. The Holiday season here sees these parties at an exponential rate no matter the situation. Since we landed around rush hour, instead of immediately driving to the family’s place, we had been invited to a house warming party near the airport. We saw some friends that we had not seen for about a year and as the kids caught up with their relatively new presents from Christmas, the adults quickly opened some beers. Medalla is the local beer of preference as it is made in Puerto Rico.

After about two hours of catching up, we started our journey believing that traffic had settled down. Although it was fine getting out of the Metropolitan area, we completely forgot of an annual festival that was in full bloom as we were two towns away from our destination. It was dark so we could not take photos but it is called the annual “Mascaras” festival meaning masks. It is basically a parade of floats and groups wearing full customer with traditional masks that are seen throughout the Caribbean. My daughter had never experienced it in person so was very excited despite sitting in the traffic for about an hour.

This was just the beginning of a long weekend of parties for us! The next day, we went to a party for a member of the family. It was beautifully designed by the children as they decided to do in their porch or as they would say in Puerto Rico, “fiesta de marquesina.” They had a great DJ which ended the night with the tradition karaoke competition which my daughter participated in to my delight (as I would never do it). My body could no longer keep up with them so I went to bed early knowing there was more for Sunday.

Sunday have become very popular in Puerto Rico for a concept called “chinchorreo.” It consists of getting in caravans of cars to explore the inner island, far from highways and population, to eat and drink with the family. Some places are more popular than others but when all was said and done, it was an 8 hour experience driving, drinking, eating, singing, dancing and even playing billiard. We all got back to the house and the party continued as it was great opportunity to catch up with everybody as the previous year was tough on the family given the impact from Hurricane Maria.

New Year’s Eve finally came and with no surprise, there was another party to close out the year. This one started somewhat early as they make a traditional “Lechon” or roasted pork for hours before the party even starts. As the food got ready, the setting got ready for a year-ending party with another DJ for more music and karaoke. It was probably the fasting New Year’s Eve event I remember waiting for as the time went by fairly quickly catching up with most of the family as other from other parts of the island came to join us for the event. Of course, the year culminated in some great fireworks for the children! Not only the family’s fireworks but most neighbors also had them so we spent at least an hour watching the sky as fireworks continued.

While it was bittersweet to head back home only the next day, we felt that the close to 2018 was great to be with family as we hadn’t done it with them since we had left Puerto Rico years ago. My daughter was sad but also said that she was appreciative to have the opportunity to spend time with the family for the events. With great technology we can now go back and relive them so she has been preparing some great videos with her pictures from the weekend as a great memory. For me, it was a great reflection of despite distance, family continues to be a bedrock to society. Here is to a great 2019!