Food is Family

By: Andee Gentry

Every new place you visit offers a new lifestyle and culture. The way people live, communicate and eat is different. While being in Puerto Rico, I was exposed to many different delicious foods that I had not tried or heard of upon arrival. 

Puerto Rico is known for many distinct food and beverages that I was excited to try. The Puerto Rican culture adds a unique flare to every aspect. I was able to taste some amazing foods such as the mofongo, plantains, and arroz con gandules. By tasting and seeing all the different foods, I was able to better relate and experience the culture.

 Many of the local foods were some of the yummiest foods I have ever tasted in my life. I was able to go to go to the local grocery store and purchase plantains to take home from Puerto Rico. We were able to visit the Kioskos in Puerto Rico, which is a place that has over forty restaurants in a row. I was able to pick and choose many different local food items at a reasonable price. 

Since we were by the ocean and surrounded by vegetation, the seafood and fruit was fresh and excellent. The pineapple and other fruits were very juicy and the fish was savory and delicious. By tasting the food and talking with the locals, I was really able to submerge myself into the Puerto Rican lifestyle. Many workers that I talked to at the restaurants were all sons, daughters, or grandchildren of the owners. 

Food is family and is a big aspect of everyone coming together. I think by tasting many different foods, you are really able to understand and appreciate a lifestyle and a community.

The Puerto Rican dish called the mofongo

Delicious chocolate and pineapple ice cream

Traditional Puerto Rican lunch

Check out:

http://www.saveur.com/puerto-rican-recipes?image=6

http://www.discoveringpuertorico.com/luquillo-food-kiosks-more-than-meets-the-eye/

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/puerto-rico-restaurants-wilo-benet

 Contact Information:

Email: Andee.W.Gentry-1@ou.edu

Twitter: AndeeWGentry 

Facebook: Andee Gentry 

Instagram: andeegentry 

Of God and Mofongo

By Marisa Mohi, true believer

I’m not a religious person. God, for me, has always been more of a question or intangible possibility than an absolute. My views have evolved throughout my life. I’m no longer so devoutly agnostic as I once was whilst growing up in the conservative safe haven that is Edmond, Oklahoma. The further I get from the people shouting at me that alcohol is a sin and educated women are tools of the devil, the more I can envision a god.

For the past few years, as I have gone through graduate school, everyday I’m overcome with intense feelings of love and gratitude for the place and person I am today. I have never felt so comfortable and content in my entire life. The further I get away from the city I grew up in, the more convinced I am that there is a god out there, just not the one in Edmond that wanted me to fry.

I don’t mean to bring up a controversial topic. I’m a good country girl and I know better than to talk about religion or politics in polite company. And I know this all seems wholly irrelevant to Puerto Rico. But I’m getting there.

I’ve always been terrified of water. Pools, lakes, ponds, and stagnant mosquito-ridden puddles used to make my blood run cold. I’m not a strong swimmer, I’ve never looked good in a swimsuit, and my family isn’t the type to pack up and go to the lake. Up until my trek to Puerto Rico, I had only seen the ocean once before.

On New Year’s Day, I stepped off the sand on the beach in Luquillo and made my way into the waters of the Atlantic for the first time. I didn’t swim much, and I found out that I wasn’t good at boogie boarding, but I did wade out a little and experienced real waves for the first time.



Before this day, I had been feeling intensely homesick. I was the furthest from my family that I had ever been, and I was surrounded by a class of near-strangers. But when I stared out at the waves, I didn’t really care anymore. I finally was beginning to understand why so many people love the ocean, an entity that used to terrify me.

As the days wore on in Puerto Rico, we were so busy that many of us lost track of time and couldn’t really tell you what day of the week it was. Some complained of missing their boyfriends or girlfriends, or wanting to see their family. While I did miss my family, I really didn’t have any desire to go back. Even now, as I sit on my couch staring out the window at the dreary gray deathscape that is winter, I think that I could definitely go back.

It’s not just the ocean or the white sand beaches though. I think it was the people there too. There were so many people constantly surrounding us in San Juan that I initially felt scared. I had never been to such a big city before. As we ventured away from San Juan to cities like Ponce and Juana Diaz, I began to feel less like an outsider. Though my Spanish is still the Spanish of a public high school classroom, I still felt like I could make my way through Puerto Rico.

So, my initial reason to take this course was to get away from my family and see the world in order to become a better writer. I’m not sure if my writing has gotten any better, but I definitely have a new perspective on my surroundings. I think seeing a place unlike your home forces you to consider new ideas and makes you adjust your opinions just a little. Going into this trip, I thought that I would always live in Oklahoma. Graduate, get a job here, and finally raise a family. After this class, though…I’m thinking there might be some other things for me on the horizon. I now have places to go and a to-do list to go along with them.

So what does all this have to do with my imaginings of a celestial being? Well, maybe nothing. Or maybe everything. I am thankful that I was able to go on this class trip. I am thankful that I had the experiences I did—sleeping on a beach, hiking through a rainforest, swimming in a waterfall, standing on an 800-year old tree, seeing more neoclassical/Spanish revival architecture than I could even recognize, eating fresh pineapple on the side of the road, seeing a religious festival and standing in the middle of it…



And even now, as I wallow in flannel pajamas, I can almost still feel the ocean and how it felt to be hit by a wave for the first time. It was a whirlwind two weeks to say the least. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, I became content with just going with the flow. I stopped missing my home. I didn’t care that I was sleep deprived. I welcomed a dish called mofongo with open arms. In all of this, I would say there is more than just a tincture of grace. This opportunity to travel, the experiences I’ve had, and the new friends I’ve made—these are all things I would call blessings.

Did I find religion in Puerto Rico? Nope. But some of the feelings that I’ve come to over the years have been reinforced. And maybe for a once-staunch agnostic, seeing the ocean and riding the wave of travel is a good first step.

Travelers vs. Tourists

By Kali Carter

Centuries ago, before Lonely Planet guidebooks and the Travel Channel, people traveled to places not knowing what they might find. Often times, trying new things or venturing off the paved trails lead to the most hidden and unbelievable treasures. In fact, some of the world's best discoveries came about by accident. When Columbus set sail for India, he discovered America. When Alexander Fleming was looking for a cure for the flu, he had no idea a contamination in the Petri dish would create penicillin. When I traveled to Puerto Rico for a travel writing class, I too was not prepared for what would turn out to be a life-changing experience.

For as long as I can remember, I have done my research on every place I have traveled to. To be quite honest, I am not sure I know how to travel without creating iteneraries or organized plans. This summer, though, I traveled to South America for my first study abroad experience. For the first time, I was not in control of my plans. For the first time, things went wrong. For the first time, I immersed myself in a different culture. For the first time, I actually lived. It was not until Puerto Rico, though, that I figured out why.

On the television show "No Reservations," host Anthony Bourdain travels off the beaten path to find the hidden treasures. He lives by the philosophy that anyone can read a guidebook or pick up a map, but in order to truly experience a different culture, it is necessary to stop reading and start living. One of the best ways to do this is to ask the locals. The locals know where to eat, where to shop, and where to hang out; they also understand the customs better than any guidebook. Anthony Bourdain travels using the concept of the anti-conquest. The anti-conquest is a term coined by Mary Louise Pratt to describe the idea of innonence in traveling.

Like many tourists, I take pictures of what I see, especially when someone points out that a particular building, statue, landmark, etc. is of historical importance. Most of the time, when I return home and look through my pictures, I cannot remember what the picture is of. On New Years Eve, my friends and I met a French man named Vincent. The next day at the beach, there was one moment in particular that our entire group was checking their individual cell phones. I watched Vincent's reaction and asked him why he was smiling. He told me texting and checking cell phones were a very "American thing to do." We proceeded to have a conversation about the need for instant gratification. One thing that stuck with me throughout the conversation is what Vincent called life through a lens. He said many people spend their time travelling by taking pictures or videos, which distracts them from the real picture and learning about what they see. He said it is easier to pay attention when we have to rely on ourselves, instead of technology, to remember the information. Until this moment of clarity, I always thought capturing the picture digitally meant making a memory, but I finally realized the memories are made when time isn't wasted getting the camera out.

At one point during our stay, my friend Lauren and I walked around the streets of the city, when we stumbled upon what appeared to be the Rodeo Drive of San Juan. The street lined with upscale stores like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, is also home to the famous La Concha hotel. In two consecutive nights, my friends and I saw celebrities Ty Pennington and Benicio del Toro. Although meeting Benicio was a trip highlight, the most fun we had on a night out came in the town of Ponce at a local attraction called Hollywood Cafe. If I wanted to see celebrities and shop at expensive stores, I would have spent my winter break in Los Angeles. Personally, I would rather buy a purse from a street vendor or a souvenir shop.

On our last night in San Juan, our entire group went out to dinner to commemorate our last night. This was also the day before my 21st birthday. In typical tourist fashion, we could have easily gone to a popular tourist spot like Senor Frogs or Hard Rock Cafe, but we tried a local restaurant called Raices, which had some of the best mofongo (a local food) on the island.

In the end, Anthony Bourdain got it right. Although the tourist hotspots almost always guarantee a good time, nothing really beats trying new foods and getting the authentic island experience. I have done a lot of traveling in the past 21 years of my life, but what I learned over the past two weeks is a new way of traveling I will take with me the rest of my life.

The Real Puerto Rico

Mofongo is a native dish to Puerto Rico. Bourdain explains in his "anti-conquest" form of travel writing that Mofongo is a dish that describes the "real" Puerto Rico, while the natives prefer simpler tastes like rice and beans.

By Clint Sloan

Anthony Bourdain was searching for the “real” Puerto Rico down the streets of San Juan. He started his search at Barrachina, the home of the Piña Colada. This would give him a glance at the traditional Puerto Rican culture. He soon became skeptical of how traditional it was after the drink was made from canned pineapple juice and delivered through a fountain station.

So Bourdain bragged about how he was destined to find this traditional Puerto Rico. He hires a guide to take him to various sites, because Bourdain cannot speak Spanish. He finally finds the perfect drink at a old beaten food stand next to a beautiful beach. “This is it,” Bourdain stated.

Even though Bourdain said he was going to present the real Puerto Rico to his viewers, he was actually presenting a view of the aristocratic tourist; he was not presenting a view of a middle-class curious individual wanting to explore the real Puerto Rico.

For example, in order to communicate with the local residents, Bourdain had to acquire a translator. Everyday people could not afford to hire a translator, especially in these hard economic times. It also leaves one without the experience of having to personally contact local people for essentials like food or lodging. An individual must go in there without a translator. Preferably, one should learn some basic Spanish phrases like ¿Comó Estás? and Buenos Dias. This would give one that communication experience needed to appreciate one’s stay in Puerto Rico.

Also, Bourdain seems to think Mofongo is the main dish in Puerto Rico. But actually it is not what most Puerto Ricans prefer. Traditional Puerto Rican food usually just consists of a meat such as pork or chicken mixed with rice and beans. Tourists are the main ones who like Mofongo; so, if one wants to enhance their experience, try some of the food Puerto Ricans themselves enjoy.

In the end, Bourdain’s portrayal of Puerto Rico is good for entertainment, but should not be misconstrued to be an accurate portrayal of the “real” Puerto Rico. This can be experienced by talking to locals, and one would see what makes this beautiful island so great.

Caution! Beware of Preconceived Notions

By Vince Winston

Watching a guy get punched in the face by boxing champion Miguel Cotto, walking around eating the native food such as mofongo and searching for the legendary Chubacabra monster is probably not one’s first perception of what is meant by anti-conquest travel writing. But this is the essence of what it means to look at a culture from their perspective; immersing yourself within the culture headfirst. And Anthony Bordain’s “No Reservation” episode showcasing Puerto Rico was just that, a headfirst adventure into the world of the United States most diverse commonwealth. He may have taken it a little too literal when he took a right jab to the face by Cotto, but it was a good show of his dedication!

It was a good learning lesson for us to have a preconceived notion from a travel writer before arriving. This helped us understand how easily knowledge can be misconstrued if only one point of view is taken into account. Yes, Bordain did a good job of exploring the island, but since being here and being an active travel writer myself, I have only experienced a few of the local customs he pointed out. The amazing bio-luminous bays, the El Yunque National Rain Forest or visiting the El Morro Fort are things that have equal validation to the uniqueness of Puerto Rico.

It is impossible to visit every place that makes a culture unique, which is why it is so important to have different perspectives when reading about a place. The more views and opinion you have will only enlighten yourself to the different areas that make a place special. But be careful though, you don’t want to get your “lights knocked out!”

Unity In Puerto Rico

Unity In Puerto Rico

Zaina Al Ghabra

January 10, 2010

Traveling today has changed drastically when you compare it to the agendas of those who traveled before us. Back then travel was dedicated to advancing certain agendas. Those traveling to far away places were a minority who were assigned to certain tasks. Luckily today, more people associate traveling with leisure and as a way to learn about our world and all its complexities. Anti-conquest is a word coined by Mary Pratt, which refers to the innocence of travel rather than traveling for conquering and dominating other people and cultures. Many of us find ourselves traveling to far away places simply to fulfill a curious obligation within ourselves; thus reiterating the notion of anti-conquest.

Anthony Bourdain is a well-known author and chef who travels documenting his experiences and broadcasting them on the Travel Channel for the world to see; a luxury that was not readily available in the past. His series integrate Pratt’s notion of anti-conquest, as he travels to different parts of Puerto Rico and offers his own account based on what he has seen and experienced. More so, he offers pointers to those who plan on following his footsteps into unknown lands. Bourdain also emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the local population, gaining a “real experience, rather than being immersed in tourist destinations with other tourists.

When it comes to the amount of things I have witnessed and been a part of on this lovely Island, I can definitely say I was offered a well-rounded experience. Bourdain stresses on tasting a Piña Colada when in Puerto Rico, and I can walk away assured I was lucky to find and indulge in the freshest Piña Colada on the Island. More so, Bourdain emphasizes a little restaurant in Old San Juan called “Raices,” of which myself, Dr. Subervi and Dr. Carstarphen, along with a few other classmates had the wonderful opportunity of eating at. Not only did we eat there, but we indulged in the all famous Mofongo. Mofongo is a Puerto Rican delicacy composed of mashed triple fried plantains topped with your choice of meat, chicken, shrimp or vegetables. Bourdain also made sure visitors know the relevance and love people in Puerto Rico have for rice and beans.

Lastly, visiting Vieques, The Three Kings Festival, El Yunque Rainforest and the Bioluminescent Bay just last night, truly offered a tourist experience like no other. I feel as though I can walk away from this trip with a personal account of the Islands rich beauty, history, food, culture and people; Anthony Bourdain would be pleased. Of course none of this would have been possible without our amazing tour guides who gave us their all, our professors who are the backbone of the trip, and of course my fellow students who filled our journey with laughter and fun.