The San Sebastin Street Festival

Calle San Sebastin

First, an explanation of what the San Sebastin Street Festival is.  Each "town" in Puerto Rico has it's own Patron Saint.  San Juan has San Sebastin, and so for 4 days, San Juan, locals and tourists, celebrate the Patron Saint with lots and lots of partying.  The bars open their doors and sell drinks which you can drink out on the street, there is one food vendor after another selling local food, bands are playing on each corner, parades with people in elaborate costumes go through the streets at night, and there are lots of Artisians selling their art.  It is the Mardi Gras of Puerto Rico.  Additionally, this festival brings to a close the Christmas and holiday celebrations - yes, I know we celebrate the holidays for a lllooonnnnggg time, from Thanksgiving until January 16th to be exact.  And like clock work, all the lights and decorations came down this weekend.  Puerto Rico is falling back into some normal routine again. . .

One of the Buildings housing the Artisians

My interest was no so much in the drinking and partying, but in the artisians.  Our orginial plan was to get into town on Friday afternoon, and out no later than 5:00, as that is when the craziness really goes into full swing.  Unfortunately, everyone in Puerto Rico had the same idea, and we could not get into town.  My girlfriend Valerie scouted out the traffic and parking situation.  She called around 12:30 and said it was madness and mayhem.  Plan B . . . .

We got up at 6:00 AM on Saturday, and headed out the door by 7:30.  Fortunately, Old San Juan was quiet, and we were waiting at the door of Cafe Cultura when they opened for breakfast and coffee.  On our way to the Cafe, I stopped to figure out the best walking path to Calle San Sebastin, and immediately, one of the street bums, saw an opportunity to make money.  He approached, and said he worked for the "Tourism company" and was on his way to work - yeah right.  With dirt two inches thick under your fingernails, and smelling like a brewery I don't think so.  For about 30 seconds we stood there and listened to his "helpful" advice, and then I said, "I have to go to the bathroom", and we walked away.  The next words out of his mouth were going to be, "Can you give me some money for all the great advice I just gave you."  NOT. 

One of the Vans with people sleeping in it

After breakfast, we walked up to Calle San Sebastin.  As with everything in Puerto Rico, the vendors were late, and many of them were still sleeping in their vans, not set up.  Carlos and I took a stroll along the city walls and through a few of the parks.  By 10:00 everything was in full swing. . . .and yes, beer and Pina Coladas were already flowing freely (It must be 5:00 PM somewhere - right?) 

Children in Costum dancing

The art was Fantastic.  Each artist creates poster art commemorating the Street Festival.  I was torn between several but finally decided on one depicting the big parades with people in colorful costumes.  Absolutely lovely.  In addition to that, I also snagged a wonderful necklace made out of coconut - it looks like the most exotic polished wood - just love it!!!  Some prices were great - bought a pair of stainless steel earrings for 5.00 and some prices were outrageous....there was a man selling small 3 king figures for 800.00 (needless to say I passed that one up.) 

Food Vendors and More Artisians

The street festival is spread over a large area throughout Old San Juan.  We wandered around, checking out the sites, the art....had lunch of bacalitos and local beer, sitting in the park listening to salsa.  As we were sitting there I saw the traffic begin to pour into Old San Juan.  I thought it was going to take a minimum of an hour to get through traffic to make the 10 minute commute back home to Isla Verde.  By the time we got to the car, and drove out of the parking garage, the traffic had vanished, and we made the trip home lickety-split, and got home around 3:30 PM - just in time for a nap. 

The day was capped off with the Puerto Rico Symphonica - the highlight of the concert was a classical guitarist.  I was amazed to see how few people attended the symphony - especially given how cheap the tickets are.  I guess people are more interested in listening to salsa and drinking on the streets of San Sebastin than listening to classical music.  I must say the concert was my favorite so far. 

All around, a perfect day and evening in Old San Juan.