Arecibo Observatory

"The human mind is not capable of grasping the Universe. We are like a little child entering a huge library. The walls are covered to the ceilings with books in many different tongues. The child knows that someone must have written these books. It does not know who or how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. But the child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of the books - a mysterious order which it does not comprehend, but only dimly suspects." - Albert Einstein

I confess. We did not shop and eat all of the time when we were in San Juan. We did go to visit the world's largest radio telescope at Arecibo. I had to reward my resident geek somehow for all of the shopping he endured.

It was awesome to see this immense dish, covering 20 acres, which was built in a sink hole in the rural Puerto Rican countryside. When we were there, we were told there was some excitement about a meteor they had spotted. I did not learn more about it than this, because the employee I spoke with was at lunch and very intent on flirting with the lovely girl at the hot dog concession. I can appreciate that he had his priorities straight.

There is a very nice visitor's center at Arecibo with a lot of interactive exhibits. But I found the noise of the competing film clips and sounds produced at the various stations maddening. I am just not used to Big World noise anymore. Why are these learning things so LOUD? Are we unable to learn quietly these days? (I do sound old and crotchety don't I? No,don't answer that.) I did have to leave the museum part fairly quickly, so I did not get to fully explore all the areas Arecibo searches,like weather conditions, and atmospheric changes. But I did have to hunt down the well hidden silent display about the SETI project.

If you saw Jodie Foster's movie Contact, based on a book by Carl Sagan, you know a little about SETI and Arecibo. For me, lucky enough to be married to Mr. Wizard, I have learned a little more. But here is the upshot as found on the SETI website:

"The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe."

"We believe we are conducting the most profound search in human history — to know our beginnings and our place among the stars."

So, we sat and looked at this enormous device and contemplated. At least some of the time, Arecibo is patiently listening for the sounds of others who might live in our universe.

livingdominca: I miss Carl Sagan, don't you?

Our favorite place in San Juan

Andalusia Guest House, San Juan

Whenever we travel to San Juan we always try to stay with Esteban and Emeo at Andalusia Guest House. We also tell friends traveling to Dominica that this is the place to overnight, since most travelers cannot make the journey in one day. Located in Ocean Park just a block or two from the beach, this sweet little refuge is just the place to relax from travel, or shopping, or touring. They are currently expanding, and will eventually have 11 rooms, but it is best to reserve early. Several of our friends have found them full when trying to book, but we were lucky enough to stay with them the entire 6 nights.

Staying with Emeo and Esteban is really like being with friends. They work incredibly hard at helping guests make the most of their time in San Juan. I met a fellow guest, a Parisian who lives in Tortola, who loves this guest house as much as I do: "I never tell people about Andalusia. I try to keep it a secret for myself!" I, however, have to share the secret with my friends.

The guest house is just steps from the wonderful Kasalta Bakery and Deli. It is a dream come true with espresso, croissants, pastrami and Napoleon pastry. All of the things we cannot have when home on Dominica were throughly indulged, Si?

A bit further, but still walkable, is the local Puerto Rican restaurant called Bebo's. This is a great place to try a PR favorite dish called Mofongo (mashed green plantain) with a side of beans and rice. Oh yes. Most excellent food.

I am afraid I spent a lot of time while away wiping the crumbs from my mouth.

Another treat for us was that the TV in our room offered the History Channel. So, after shopping until our feet were bloody stubs, we would lie on the bed rubbing each other's feet, and watch a little history. I do miss having the History Channel and Sundance and Bravo. (We do not have these on Dominica, but we have 4 religious channels instead.) Esteban reads a lot of history and is a very interesting person to talk with.

So, there you have it. One of my best secrets is now yours to share the next time you travel through San Juan.

livingdominica: as always, your full service blog for travel tidbits and trivia.

Women's Sex Tourism

I am bordering on being an old lady (feel free to argue that with me), and I have been faithfully married for over 30 years, but hey! I had never even heard of sex tourism for women until I read the article inEscape Artist.




Of course I have heard of men going to Thailand for sex, but I didn't realize that the Caribbean is a Mecca for women seeking, what this article calls: "the big bamboo". We have all seen the frumpy white woman with the buff black guy, but who knew? I guess I was naive enough to think the buff young black guys might find us attractive without payment. Hmmm. Wake up and smell the coffee, huh? I guess they are really the new pirates of the Caribbean.

For others with similarly lurid tastes as mine, try googling sex tourism for women. Interesting.



livingdominica: there is no depth to which I will not sink when I need a blog topic and I am sick to death of writing about land. And no, Mr. Wizard, I am not planning a vacation.

The Boiling Lake

You know that Dominica has a Boiling Lake, right? I mean a REAL Boiling Lake. Sometimes tourists ask if you can swim in it, so I am stressing the boiling part to save you embarrassment. It is not just called Boiling Lake, it actually boils. (People used to carry eggs to boil in the lake, but I'm not sure they want you to do this since it is risky to get too close to the edge.)

Anyway, the fit and the mighty always make this 7 1/2 hour (round trip) trek which lands you in a moonscape setting called the Valley of Desolation and the Boiling Lake.




Here is a nice video to give you a taste of the experience:


Kendra over at Island Med Student Blog has posted her own cool video from her recent hike up the hill. Our young house guests are making the trip today.

I, however, have never been. I donated my knees to pounding the concrete hospital floors of the US. I don't think I could make the climb. I have trouble just scrambling around our farm, Wit's End! So I listen in awe as others describe what it is like to visit this amazing anomaly.

livingdominica: it truly is a living island.

Islands Magazine

Islands Magazine interviewed Roger and I in their June 2007 issue. Check out the article "Best Islands to Live On"!