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Con scooby doo, nos fuimos hoy miércoles #carlosmanuel y su familia lo pasaron increíble, gracias por hacernos pasar una tarde llena de risas, juegos y diversión. #happytimePaty #inflablespty #diversionenfamilia #fiestaspty #cumpleañospanama (en Metromall Panamá) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvomF8n9gC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xpoh9sl87hrv
El #maestro #isidroinfante #dirije #ensayos #pruebadesonido para el #show de esta noche con #laindia #india y #losvanvan #laritzabacallao #carlosmanuel Y muchos mas #musicismylife #grandaentertainment #joegranda #salsaconcert #music #musica #concierto #artistas #shows #miami (at Watsco Center)
Route highlights culture
A trip to Caguas, Puerto Rico, expands visitors’ knowledge of Puerto Rican cultural arts, history and religious beliefs. This peaceful town is located 30 minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the Caguas Valley near the base of the Cayey Mountains.
Visiting the Puerto Rico Tourism Office before beginning an excursion through the city is a great way to start. The tourism office, located on Santiago R. Palmer Plaza, the city’s central square, has an abundance of information about Caguas.
One famous attraction is The Route of the Creole Heart, which has twelve stops, including a tobacco museum, a fine arts center and the tourism office. This route captures present and past Puerto Rican life and cultural influences. A multi-colored mosaic made from broken tile pieces on the sidewalk marks the route. Travelers follow the colored triangles beneath their feet around the plaza. Each color directs travelers to a different cultural or historical museum highlighting an aspect of Puerto Rican life.
Betzaida Roldan, an employee of the tourism office, knows her city and freely shares about each of the 12 stops. Her favorite stops are the Popular Arts Museum and The House of the Troubador Luis Miranda, who was known as the “Pico de Oro,” or golden-mouthed one.
“All of the museums have a purpose,” Roldan said, “So you know how we live here and where we come from.”
A short walk away is the Popular Arts Museum. Typical hot-pink walls invite visitors in for a quick break from the humidity or occasional rain shower. The museum has an open floor plan with high ceilings. Voices echo off the walls while visitors take in the vibrant colors of the artwork on display.
“I’m very excited about this (the museum) because I can show different persons our land, our culture and our history,” said Popular Arts Museum employee Maribel Martinez. “I am proud to be from Caguas!”
Visitors learn about Puerto Rican history through the artwork on the walls and the various points of interest in the middle of the room. Local artist Edwin Báez Carrasquillo combines two-dimensional painting with three-dimensional clay miniature figures that passionately depict his heritage through his artwork displayed in the museum.
A quote by Carrasquillo on a museum plaque reads, “I hope that my artwork contributes to help us acknowledge the richness of our culture, to reaffirm our identity and make us feel proud of our heritage.”
After visiting the Popular Arts Museum, visitors follow the route back to Santiago R. Palmer Plaza. Across the plaza from the tourism office is the cathedral, a stop on the route.
The Sweet Name of Jesus Cathedral stands three-stories tall facing the plaza. Built during the 18th century, this active cathedral has an elementary school and the Carlos Manuel Rodríguez sanctuary. Rodríguez exemplifies the hard work, family commitment and simplicity of the Puerto Rican people. Sainthood for Rodriguez moved closer to a reality after Pope John Paul II blessed him in 2001.
“My favorite part of the church is the sanctuary of Carlos Manuel,” church manager Alva Caraballo said. “[It makes me] feel very calm and peaceful.”
The Route of the Creole Heart highlights key cultural, historical and religious aspects of a Puerto Rican.
"We have a little bit of everything here, except the beach," said Betzaida Roldan, an employee of the tourism office.
