Eating my way through Puerto Rico

By Maddy Payne 

            Since my childhood consisted of traveling to diverse destinations, it also consisted of eating diverse foods. Growing up, I did not have many PB&J sandwiches, but instead, I had gyoza, edamame, papaya, dragon fruit, fish and chips and nasi goreng. In Africa, I tried zebra beef jerky; in Spain, paella. As one can see, trying new foods is a big part of my life. And so, when I traveled to Puerto Rico, I was not seeking out “comfort foods” like hamburgers and French fries. I wanted to try traditional Puerto Rican food.

            When we explored Old San Juan, we decided to eat at La Mallorquina, the oldest operating restaurant on the island. At La Mallorquina I ordered mofongo with fried pork. Mofongo is an Afro-Puerto Rican dish made from fried plantains. The plantains are picked while they are green and then mashed up with salt, garlic and oil. Afterwards, the plantains are compressed into a ball and served with either meat or in a broth.

            Another day, we to a local restaurant shop in Ponce, where I had pulled pork, plantains, rice and beans – a traditional Puerto Rican meal. It was so, so good, and I would definitely have it again. Everything was fresh and for dessert I tried some flan.

            At the Three Kings Festival I tried “bacalaitos,” fried Codfish fritters. They were super salty and a fun street food to munch on while watching the three kings and parade. I also got some ice cream/sorbet from a small vendor. It was nice and refreshing.

            Lastly, three of the nights during our trip, we were put into teams and given a traditional Puerto Rican meal to make. My team’s recipe was Pollo Gulsado Estilo Puertoriqueño. The main ingredients were olives, cilantro, Sofrito, Sazon Knorr, carrots, potatoes, chicken and rice. The meal turned out wonderful and there were no leftovers.

WORDS: 310

 La Mallorquina restaurant in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

 

Monfongo with pork, a traditional Puerto Rican dish. 

Fresh sorbet from a local vendor at the Three Kings day festival. 

Links:

http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/slideshow/eat-puerto-rico

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/foodrink.shtml

http://www.latina.com/food/recipes/best-puerto-rican-recipes

  

Email: maddy.payne@ou.edu

Website: maddy.payne.weebly.com

Twitter: @maddypayne397

Delve Deeper

By Maddy Payne

  

            Before this trip, I had been to Puerto Rico a couple times but for the sole purpose of vacation. Before this trip, however, I had never studied abroad. I had never hopped on a plane not knowing anyone. I had never experienced travel writing. When we got to Puerto Rico it was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. Although I had been to Puerto Rico before, I had always had my family or friends with me. Traveling without friends and family and instead with other students forced me out of my comfort zone. It encouraged me to explore deeper and really experience the culture rather than simply the tourist side.

            We were all assigned destinations to write a travel feature on, and my destination was Caguas, Puerto Rico. We visited the city of Caguas the last day of our trip, and we were able to tour a couple of the 12 museums in Caguas that explain the history and culture of Puerto Rico. Additionally, we were able to walk around the square and get a quick bite at a local restaurant.

            The first museum we visited was El Museo del Tobaco. While exploring the museum, I learned – first hand – how to make Puerto Rican cigars. It was interesting to read about the exhibits, and hear from one of the docents at the museum. The women who roll the cigars at the museum make 100 cigars in four hours. Lorenz Velez, the docent at the museum, walks visitors through the process.

            “I like to know the history and I’ve worked here for almost eight years. Fourteen ladies work here,” Velez said, indicating one of the women who sat rolling cigars. “Rosalie has been working here for 26 years.”

            Another museum we visited was the Folk Art Museum. I was able to interview another docent working at that museum, and she told me all about the exhibits and history of the museum. When I went and visited, the special exhibit was of Three Kings and given to the museum by the Wood Carving Women’s Association from Puerto Rico.  

Words: 347

 

Tobacco leaves used to roll cigars.

A handmade, fresh cigar made at El Museo de Tobaco. 

 

A sculpture of the Three Kings at the folk art museum in Caguas, Puerto Rico. 

Check out:

http://www.topuertorico.org/city/caguas.shtml

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1066168-Caguas_Puerto_Rico-Vacations.html

https://caguas.gov.pr/

  

Email: maddy.payne@ou.edu

Website: maddy.payne.weebly.com

Twitter: @maddypayne397

Travel the world in my home

By Maddy Payne

  

            My childhood was not the typical childhood. I grew up all over the world, and so far I have spent just over ten years of my life overseas. Growing up, I experienced many different cultures, and my house has come to reflect every single one of them in some way, shape or form. From Beijing, China my house holds old, tiny slippers that were fashioned for the women with bound feet. From Italy, my house holds beautiful stained glass pieces including crosses and sculptures which were bought at the one of the numerous stores found by the gondolas floating in nearby canals. From Egypt, my house holds miniature statues with ancient hieroglyphics. London, Jakarta, Paris, Africa, Finland and New Zealand are a few other paces that have made a mark in my life and in my home, but the list goes on.

            My home is unique because it truly reflects all I have been exposed to and everywhere I have been. Traveling is a huge part of my life – it’s how I grew up – and my family and I make an effort to collet something unique from every new place we explore. Moreover, since we have traveled so many places, we have tried many different types of foods. My family loves to cook and our travels and past are reflected in the food we make. Some nights it is broiled, buttered Chilean sea bass that melts in your mouth with a side of grilled bell peppers and onions. And other nights consist of steamed white rice, sautéed chicken marinated in soy sauce and honey with a side of garlic steamed asparagus heads. From many of the places we have lived or visited, we will recreate meals we had when we were there. When you spend time with my family and in my home you can see, taste, smell, touch and experience all the different cultures, and hear all the unique stories we have to tell you. 

Glass art from Venice, Italy. 

Tiny shoes from Beijing, China. 

An obelisk and a small pharaoh statue from Giza, Egypt. 

Check out:

http://www.zestrip.net/blog/en/blog/2016/05/20/the-top-10-art-galleries-in-venice/

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/living_abroad/living_abroad_by_country.shtml

http://www.china-tour.cn/People-And-Customs/Chinese-Feet-binding.htm

Tags: Home, travel, explore, diversity, food

Email: maddy.payne@ou.edu

Website: maddy.payne.weebly.com

Twitter: @maddypayne397