Live from the Divina May 7, 2016

[maureencruiser]

Luckily, my chocolate croissants were always there for me.

 

 

It was raining when we arrived, with ominous clouds all around.

 

I hope they're unloading ham and cheese.

 

 

We must have refueled in PR, because the smell of gas was heavy in the air. Either that, or it was all that pizza and wine. :D

 

While I was packing to head out, a knock on the door, my chocolate ship had arrived. :)

 

For scale, using a Hello Kitty as a standard unit of measurement.

 

 

No, Kitty, I'm still taking pictures!

 

[maureencruiser]

For a better scale, using something we're all familiar with. See the detail?

 

 

Now, I've got three days to eat it because we can't take it off the ship. ;)

 

As I stepped onto the pier, the Heavens opened up, downpour!

 

We aft disembarkers all gathered under the tent of the forward disembarkers.

 

Finally, it slowed a little and I headed out, starting to regret my decision to recycle my white pants from last night. :eek:

 

I was on a mission to find some colorful masks I had seen the last time I was in Puerto Rico. Someone at home, Mike? can google the name of them and what they are. They look like El Diablo to me.

 

 

The rain continued , sometimes hard, sometimes just drizzly and I persevered, determined to find the masks, up and down the hills.

 

 

If you've been in Old San Juan, you know what I'm talking about with the hills. Every store I went in, did not have any masks.

 

 

 

Finally, I gave up, just decided to take a few pictures of the colorful buildings, which I love and find a nice cafe to have a cup of coffee in.

 

We were only going to be here till 3:30, so, I decided to make the best of it. The sun actually came out, it was a nice day, after all.

 

 

[Mikesa1721]

If you've ever been to Puerto Rico, you've probably seen vejigante masks. These brightly colored, fantastically whimsical masks adorn the walls of countless souvenir shops in San Juan and around the island. The one hanging on my wall is black and pink, with five huge horns and a sharp beak.

 

But what are they, and where do they come from? The answer lies in the history of Puerto Rico, and cultural convergence that produced unique traditions. The vejigante is a folkloric figure who's origins trace back to medieval Spain. The legend goes that the vejigante represented the infidel Moors who were defeated in a battle led by Saint James. To honor the saint, the people dressed as demons took to the street in an annual procession. Over time, the vejigante became a kind of folkloric demon, but in Puerto Rico, it took on a new dimension with the introduction of African and native Taíno cultural influence. The Africans supplied the drum-heavy music of bomba y plena, while the Taíno contributed native elements to the most important part of the vejigante costume.

[maureencruiser]

As I was taking one picture, I had to step aside to make room for a delivery man pushing what I call a dolly , but, here in the South, they call a hand truck. :confused:

 

I watched him go into the store and looked up and hanging on the wall? MASKS! I couldn't believe it, it was serendipitous. :D

 

I got what I wanted and decided to head back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the colors, I want to paint my house a pretty color.

[maureencruiser]

Thanks, Mike! CC is not letting me quote right now, but, that is what I wanted. Thanks, again! :D

[maureencruiser]

 

 

 

 

This is the place where I found my masks. Is it even a store? There's no sign? El Diablo! :eek::eek:

 

Heading back to the ship, San Cristobal Fort, I believe?

 

 

 

The American Flag, The Puerto Rican Flag and.......

The flag of Zipties? What is that? Mike?

[maureencruiser]

 

 

Sorry for so many pictures, I love it, though.

 

 

 

[Yorkvillain]

 

Did you buy your passport at a Flea Market for $25.21? :D

[maureencruiser]

And, now, for the best $5 I ever spent on vacation.

 

 

OOOH, someone's on my head!

 

 

 

I asked the man, They won't poop on me, will they?

He said, Don't worry, the poop is free.

 

 

 

Me, feeding the baby.

 

 

[Mikesa1721]

The Cross of Burgundy (Spanish: Cruz de Borgoña, Cruz de San Andrés), a form of St. Andrew's cross, was first used in the 15th century as an emblem by the Valois Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled a large part of eastern France and the Low Countries as effectively an independent state. The Duchy of Burgundy was inherited by the House of Habsburg on the extinction of the Valois ducal line. The emblem was then assumed by the monarchs of Spain as a result of the Habsburgs bringing together, in the early 16th century, their Burgundian inheritance with the other extensive possessions they inherited throughout Europe and the Americas, including the crowns of Castile and Aragon.

 

The Spanish monarchs continued to use it in their own arms even after they lost their Burgundian lands. From 1506 to 1701 it was used by Spain as a naval ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag, and still appears on regimental colours, badges, shoulder patches and company guidons. The emblem also continues to be used in a variety of contexts in a number of European countries and in the Americas, reflecting both the extent of Valois Burgundy and the former Habsburg territories.

 

[maureencruiser]

Now, I look like I should be getting off a plane in Lynchburg.

 

 

The man said, Say Arrrrrgh!

 

 

I'm from Boston, so I said aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh.

 

Two sweet old birds.

 

 

Shout out here to the random lady I asked to keep an eye on my bags while I was getting my picture taken. You can see in this pic, she has a death grip on both my white shopping bag and the drawstring of my MSC backpack. Thanks, random lady!

 

 

 

Continuing on my way.

 

 

Even the cobblestones are blue.

 

 

[Mikesa1721]

The sometimes steeply sloping streets of Old San Juan are paved with blue cobblestones. Rather than being cut from stone or cast as bricks, as was the usual practice, the cobblestones found in Old San Juan are an ingenious re-use of slag from Spain’s iron foundries. Slag is the waste when iron is refined and was usually just piled into huge slagheaps at foundries. But cast into blocks, the material served as ballast in sugar-carrying ships in the 16th century, and this 500 year old recycling effort produced a durable material for paving the streets of Old San Juan. The Spanish word for these pavers is "adoquines," and most of the streets in Old San Juan are still paved in this material.

[maureencruiser]

I'm getting close and I'm getting hungry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Diablo!

 

 

 

Maybe if my Walgreens had yellow caution tape around it, I wouldn't have walked in that first day.

 

 

 

Our store isn't paved with a pretty mural, it's paved by the tears of its employees. :D

[maureencruiser]

Thanks, Mike, CC isn't letting me quote you, but, I saw your posts about the masks, the flag and the cobblestones. Why don't you join us on the Harmony as my research assistant? You can provide the actual facts, while I make some ******* comments about things. I'll be the Dandy Don to your Howard Cosell. :D:D

[Mikesa1721]

Thanks, Mike, CC isn't letting me quote you, but, I saw your posts about the masks, the flag and the cobblestones. Why don't you join us on the Harmony as my research assistant? You can provide the actual facts, while I make some ******* comments about things. I'll be the Dandy Don to your Howard Cosell. :D:D

 

Haaaaaaa,,,I'm thinking about another Divina sailing for next year sometime,,,:D

[maureencruiser]

Of course, this one does have a Senor Frogs right next door.

 

 

 

The responsible thing to do is go back to the ship.

 

 

 

THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS GO BACK TO THE SHIP!

 

 

 

 

Now that I'm sitting, relaxing, I'm starting to think about walking around the streets of PR all day in wet, white pants. I'm sure it was fine.

 

 

 

Some folks just can't hold their liquor.

 

[maureencruiser]

So, coming out of Senor Frogs, the ship is right there.

 

 

It's a good thing, too, because Kitty with some liquor in her becomes a different Kitty.

 

 

Random photo, Mike, this is the wine list, do you see the one you're looking for? I went back to the shops today, no diffuser.

 

 

The seafood paella! I thought I missed it!

 

 

The gelato is so swirly!

 

 

I tried to do some night swimming, but, my favorite pool was boarded up like a Walgreens.

 

[Mikesa1721]

I think it's the Langhe Arneis,,,I'll have to try and find a bottle of it to know for sure. Can you take a pic of the label for me so I make sure I look for the correct wine? Thank You for remembering!!!:D

Edited May 12, 2016 by Mikesa1721

[maureencruiser]

Roaming the ship a little, there was foosball.

 

 

Pingpong.

 

 

Of course, everyone was concerned with the goings on that resulted in us returning to SJ for three hours.

 

 

Did I dare try the main pool?

 

 

Or, the infinity pool?

 

 

No, I wanted to swim in my usual pool, I was getting a little pissy.

 

[maureencruiser]

I'm too big to go on the water slide.

 

 

 

I did end up swimming in the main pool, it was fine. Then, I did a little hot tubbing before bed.

 

These are the two masks I bought.

 

One for me and one for my cat sitter.

 

 

This piece of paper has been in my air vent the whole cruise. I assume it's there to stop creaking, but, maybe someone's trying to send me a message?

 

OK, I gotta go, I'll be back to check your comments, etc later. Person who asked about the 10 wine package, I haven't forgotten about you, I asked at the buffet and they said I had to ask at the MDR.

 

Person who asked about the cocktail prices, didn't I already post some? If I didn't, I know I took some photos, I'll look for them.

 

The good news for tonight's post is i didn't do anything all day because i was catching up on here! But, that's what I wanted, that is a real pleasure to me, to write these reviews. If I can put a smile on one person's face.....

[recruit18]

Really enjoying your review, thanks for taking the time to post. Hope you enjoy the rest of the cruise and please try to avoid any more natural disasters

[BermudaBound2014]

 

The good news for tonight's post is i didn't do anything all day because i was catching up on here! But, that's what I wanted, that is a real pleasure to me, to write these reviews. If I can put a smile on one person's face.....

 

You have an awesome spirit Maureen! I assure you that you have put a smile on many faces during your cruise. Good soul = good karma. Keep on keeping on :)

[barbatkins]

Best review I've ever read! Seriously hate for your cruise to end.....its been like being there with you!

 

Would enjoy cruising with you sometime....

 

Barb

[TNGALOHA]

Thank you so much Maureen for giving Jaime the message for me. If you don't see him yes please give it to any of the ET group. They all know Tom and Gerry from our Nov. 15 cruise and our Jan 16 cruise. They are all such fabulous people.

 

You have put many smiles on my face and I am sure many other peoples faces.

 

Have a great cruise with all that is left, see you in Bermuda tomorrow.(via webcam)

Gerry

[Mikesa1721]

Thank you so much Maureen for giving Jaime the message for me. If you don't see him yes please give it to any of the ET group. They all know Tom and Gerry from our Nov. 15 cruise and our Jan 16 cruise. They are all such fabulous people.

 

You have put many smiles on my face and I am sure many other peoples faces.

 

Have a great cruise with all that is left, see you in Bermuda tomorrow.(via webcam)

Gerry

 

Gerry,,,MSC Divina is in http://portnassauwebcam.com/ tomorrow!!! She'll arrive around 11:30am. Didn't want you to miss her!!:D

Edited May 12, 2016 by Mikesa1721