Puerto Rico- San Juan

Puerto Rico belongs to the United States since 1898, when the Americans took it away from Spain (along with the Philippines).

They still speak Spanish, but they dream of becoming the 51st state.

But Congress is in no hurry, because if Puerto Rico becomes a state, then immediately lead the ratings of the most criminal 

and poorest states, at the same time reduce a little per capita GDP in the country, which is somehow zashkanno.

On the neighboring small islands there are paradise beaches.

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In the depths of the rainforest.

It is the capital city of San Juan.

By the way, the oldest city in the United States with a large margin. 

If you take only full-fledged states, then the oldest will be the city of St.Augustine (Saint Augustine) in Florida.

San Juan is rather big, there is even a metro, but the tourist part is only a long and narrow cape, which was originally an island.

With transport in Puerto Rico, everything is very, very bad.

 In the United States, in comparison, everything is simply divine. 

Intercity transport on the island at all. 

There are only "collective taxis", as in the countries of the third world, only the prices for them are more similar to the prices of

the first class trains in Switzerland.

 In San Juan there are city buses. The official site proudly promises buses from the airport every 10-15 minutes, in fact,

 I waited more than an hour, and did not wait to return, I had to spend almost $ 20 on a taxi (for 6 kilometers).

 Taxis on Puerto Rico are just such jeeps-giants, like, here come to rest with a whole family of five people and with ten suitcases, 

less in any way.

Puerto Ricans are diligently learning the brutality of their American overlords.

The prices are about the same as on the mainland.

The hostel was outside the old city, but somewhere in an hour I walked there on foot. The area is also pretty.

Street signs. The names are Spanish.

Inscriptions in English and Spanish. In English, traditionally florid and ingenious, Spanish does not bother.

Installation.

Bike path leading to the old town. At this point there used to be a strait that made the old San Juan an island.

Graffiti.

 

But this is clearly in the American style: the government house (capitol). Empire as it is.

The old city of San Juan and its two fortresses are listed in the UNESCO list.

Columbus Monument. He really happened here during his expeditions.

The old town is similar to other Spanish colonies. It is carefully stored, as it is able to do in America.

The sidewalks, however, are narrow.

Street signs resemble Mexican.

A monument to a goose on a merry boat.

Embankment on top.

 

Below, the district is kind of like a slum, it looks like it's really poor by local major standards.

The picture on the wall is appropriate: "Junta to sing!"

Cemetery on the beach.

In San Juan, police walk around in amusing round hats.

Cool looks like a second lock: in front of him like a huge lawn, on which you can lie around.